The Imperial Enclosure, or Forbidden Purple City, in Huế, is where the Emperors’ apartments, palace, and temples are located. It is a citadel within a citadel, as it had its own walls and moat inside of the Imperial City. The Hoàng Thành in Vietnamese or Imperial City is a citadel found inside a citadel in Huế, which was the home of the Nguyen lords, so it became the capital of Vietnam when one of those lords named himself Emperor in 1789.
Go off the beaten track to discover a sight less-visited than most. Of the original 148 buildings, only 20 survived bombings. The Forbidden Purple City took almost 30 years to build. Visitors will be able to picture the original construction process since the area is being reconstructed. Purple is the colour of royalty, so apart from the emperors and their families, only eunuch servants and concubines were permitted to enter its walls. Visit the temples and gardens only royalty was permitted to enjoy.
The Citadel faces southeast with the Emperor’s palace set closer to the Huong River instead of at the center. The original buildings were surrounded by walls reinforced with 6-foot thick walls and moat. Gates, courtyards, gardens, and pavilions were built and enclosed within the second set of walls and moat, making it a citadel within a citadel. The Nguyen dynasty ruled there until Vietnam declared independence in 1945. Inside the Imperial City was an area reserved exclusively for the royal family, called the Purple Forbidden City.
Visitors can tour the Imperial City with its temples, palaces, gardens, and residences. Wander around on your own, or hire a guide for stories about what imperial life would have been like. Walk-in Emperor Gia Long’s footsteps and take a path around the home of the man who shaped what Vietnam is today.
This architectural masterpiece is just waiting for you to discover it.
By Car
It takes around 5 minutes to reach the location and around 92,690 VND
By foot
It can take 35 to 40 minutes
Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Waiting Time
You may have to wait in queue for tickets and entry
Entrance Fee
Adult 150,000 VND
Child 30,000 VND
Time you can spend
2 hours to 3 hours
Weather
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