Complex of Hue Monuments - UNESCO World Heritage Site
#GJWculture #Antiques #Heritage The Complex of Hue Monuments is an impressive and interesting UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the site includes several tombs outside of Hue, the highlight here is magnificent Hue Citadel. Despite being the scene of heavy fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive, the remaining buildings have been meticulously restored and are now in fantastic condition. This was one of our favourite sites in all of Vietnam, so let's have a look!
Hey everyone, and welcome to World Heritage Journey.
Today we're at the Complex of Hue Monuments, in Hue, Vietnam.
So today we're in central Vietnam, in the town of Hue, and behind me you can see the
Citadel, the centrepiece of this World Heritage Site.
From 1802 right through until 1945, this was the cultural, economic and political heart
of the Vietnamese Kingdom and Empire.
There's some really cool stuff to see behind these walls, and I'm super excited to have
a look.
Let's go!
Although this World Heritage Site covers several different areas around the city of Hue, the
definitive highlight here is the imposing and beautiful Hue Citadel.
It was constructed in the early 18th century, after the capital had been moved south from
Hanoi, and it ended up as the last imperial capital of Vietnam.
On arrival you're greeted with the huge Nung Gate looming over a parade square.
It's here that the Emperor would watch his troops parade, and grant honours to new civil
servants or mandarins entering his administration.
And like with other imposing gates that we've seen in Vietnam, the centre archway was reserved
for the Emperor's exclusive use.
His family, courtiers, assistants and helpers all had to use certain other gates depending
on their rank.
Because the Citadel is so much more recent than other citadels we've seen in Vietnam,
the buildings seem to be in much better condition, which is hardly surprising.
However, Hue was the scene of very heavy fighting during the war, and 1968's Tet Offensive saw
all but ten of the Citadel's 160 buildings completely destroyed.
Even today there are large sections inside the Citadel that are just completely empty,
so it's a bit hard to know what's original here, and what's been rebuilt.
But what you can see here is magnificent.
Aside from the imposing Nung Gate, you can also see the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which
was the last-ever throne room used by Vietnamese emperors.
There's also other features such as the Gate of Manifest Benevolence, the Pavilion of Splendour,
several temples, pleasure gardens, the Mandarin Buildings for the court officials, and even
a Royal Reading Room.
All of these are decorated in exquisite style, and with beautiful classic Vietnamese motifs.
We had a great day wandering around and exploring every little obscure corner of the Citadel,
and we'd highly recommend a visit.