Tu Duc Tomb – The impressive construction of the Nguyen Dynasty

Tu Duc Tomb – The impressive construction of the Nguyen Dynasty



Tomb of Tu Duc is often called Khiem Lang. This is one of the historic monuments belonging to Hue ancient vestige complex. It was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage on December 11, 1993. Tu Duc Tomb is the burial ground of the 4th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. That is King Tu Duc or Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham. He ruled for 36 years from 1847 to 1883. Besides, he was also one of the kings to hold the longest throne in the Nguyen Dynasty.

1. The reason for building Tu Duc tomb
According to historical records, since the Nguyen Dynasty adopted the rule of feudalism, the first son of King Thieu Tri, who named Hong Bao, automatically became the successor. However, due to limited talent, arrogant temperament, Hong Bao was removed from Tiem throne. Hong Nham, who was the second son of the king, was promoted to the throne. And he called himself Tu Duc.



The reason for building Tu Duc tomb
King Tu Duc, who loved the people and the country, was the longest ruler among the 13 Nguyen kings. He was portrayed as a talented poet but physically weak and pessimistic.

In the context of difficult society at that time, brothers fight for the throne. Because Tu Duc himself was in poor health, King Tu Duc ordered to build the tomb. This place became the second palace for king to drain grief and prevent a sudden departure. When the tomb was built, it was called Van Nien Co. But after the Chay Voi uprising, King Tu Duc changed the name to Khiem Cung. Finally, after the king’s death, they called it Khiem Lang.

2. The process of building Tu Duc tomb
Tu Duc Tomb is an ancient architectural complex located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan village. But now it is in Thuong Ba hamlet, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city.



The process of building Tu Duc tomb
In 1864, the Tomb of Tu Duc was started construction with 50,000 soldiers involved.
In the 19th year of Tu Duc (1866), due to the extreme misery of the construction of Van Nien Co, a force of soldiers and civilians who built the tomb rebelled. Although the uprising was suppressed, due to this incident, the king had to change Van Nien Co’s name to Khiem Cung and write a sympathetic speech to apologize.
In 1873, they completed Khiem Cung.

3. The location of Tu Duc Tomb
This place is located in Thuy Bieu Commune, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province. They built the mausoleum in a very peaceful land and in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village.

4. The artistic value of Tu Duc Tomb
The artistic value of Tu Duc Tomb
With the elegant architecture of Tu Duc Mausoleum, a beautiful picture of water color has been created. Tomb of Tu Duc had been on the list of the most beautiful architectural works of the nineteenth century.



5. Road to Tu Duc Tomb
This place is 6km from Hue city to the southwest. If traveling by motorbike or self-driving car, you can move to the South on Hoai Thanh Street, then turn right to Nguyen Trung Ngan Street. Running another 160m, visitors turn left to Huyen Tran Cong Chua street.



Road to Tu Duc tomb
Next, from Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, visitors go straight for another 700m and turn left to Doan Nhu Hai Street. Running another 450m, visitors will reach the Tomb of Tu Duc – Khiem Lang in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City.

6. Tomb of Tu Duc scale
Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum possesses an area of ​​nearly 12 hectares, 10 times than King Gia Long’s tomb. The layout of the tomb includes tombs with about 50 large and small structures. In addition, all of these buildings which belong to the Tu Duc mausoleum were accompanied by the word “Khiem”.

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