The Tomb of Tu Duc is one of the most impressive and popular royal mausoleums in Hue, Vietnam. It was built by Emperor Tu Duc himself between 1864 and 1867 as a tribute to his long and luxurious life. The tomb complex is divided into two main areas: the Temple Area and the Tomb Area.
The Temple Area is where Tu Duc and his wife, Empress Hoang Le Thien Anh, were worshipped. It also houses various royal artefacts and pavilions where Tu Duc enjoyed poetry, hunting and boating on the Luu Khiem Lake. The Tomb Area is where Tu Duc’s burial site is located, although his remains were never interred there. His actual grave is still a mystery, as all 200 servants who buried him were beheaded to keep it secret.
The Tomb of Tu Duc is open daily from 7am to 5pm.
The Tomb of Tu Duc’s entrance fee is 150,000 VND per person as of 2023.
To get the Tomb of Tu Duc, you can take a taxi, a motorbike or a bicycle from Hue city center. It is about 5 km south of Hue on Van Nien Hill in Duong Xuan Thuong village.
Some tips for visiting the Tomb of Tu Duc are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as the tomb complex covers a large area and requires a lot of walking.
- Respect the cultural and historical significance of the site by dressing modestly and refraining from loud noises or littering.
- Hire a guide or an audio guide to learn more about the history and architecture of the tomb.
- Avoid visiting during peak hours or holidays, as the tomb can get crowded and lose its serene atmosphere.
- Explore other nearby royal tombs, such as Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb, to compare and contrast their styles and features.
The Tomb of Tu Duc is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history and culture of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty. It offers a glimpse into the life and legacy of one of the most influential and controversial emperors of the Nguyen era.
