Imperial City of Hue

The walled heart of the Nguyen dynasty: a UNESCO World Heritage citadel of throne halls, ancestral temples, gardens and royal gates on the north bank of the Perfume River.

Built from 1805 under Emperor Gia Long, the Imperial City was the seat of Vietnam's last dynasty for more than 140 years, until Bao Dai's abdication in 1945. Inside its moat and high brick walls lie the Thai Hoa throne hall, the ancestral temples of The Mieu and Hung Mieu, the Nine Dynastic Urns, royal gardens and the open foundations of the Forbidden Purple City. Much was damaged in the wars of the twentieth century, and ongoing restoration means new halls reopen every few years. Enter through the monumental Ngo Mon gate and follow the central axis first, then let yourself drift into the quieter side courtyards where most visitors never go. Allow a slow morning or a late afternoon to avoid the midday heat; a guide or audio tour adds a great deal here, as many of the stories are not signposted.