The Citadel
Constructed by Emperor Gia Long in 1804 for the private use of
the emperor and his household, the enormous moated Citadel is
comprised of three separate walled enclosures. The outer citadel,
surrounded by a six mile (10km) perimeter wall, punctuated by 10
gates, frames the Imperial Enclosure used for official
business.
At the very centre is the Forbidden Purple City, the restricted
residence of the emperor and his concubines. This once magnificent
Imperial City originally included many magnificent features, with
tombs, pagodas and temples, lakes and lavishly gilded
pavilions.
Today remnants of the palaces contain ornate ceremonial halls
and throne rooms, mosaics adorn roofs and pillars, and beautiful
landscaped gardens surround the remaining buildings. Sadly much was
destroyed during the Vietnamese War, and a fire further damaged the
Forbidden Purple City, but it is still possible to see evidence of
its past glory.
The main entrance is through the Ngo Mon Gate (Noon Gate), a
stunning example of Nguyen architecture, with separate entrances
for the emperor, his mandarins and the royal elephants. A soaring
multi-roofed pavilion used for important royal proclamations, sits
elegantly on top.
Address:
North bank of the Perfume River
Opening time:
Daily from 8am-5.30pm, Thursday from
8am-10pm.