In 1802 emperor Gia Long, the founder of the Nguyen dynasty (also the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam) decided to choose Hué, a land in central Vietnam as the capital of the country, leaving behind Thang Long (Ascending Dragon, Hanoi today), the capital of previous dynasties for nearly 800 years. Hué was chosen because it had been the capital of southern part under the rule of emperor Gia Long’s ancestors: Nguyen Lords and moreover this land though small but consists of river, mountain, plain and sea: a nice harmony in nature. The Nguyen dynasty lasted for 143 years (1802-1945) with 13 emperors. It was not a long period, but it was long enough to leave the land the specific characters and the royal monuments to offer visitors a profound impression for the first time seeing Hué and then the unforgettable memories after leaving Hué. 

        In the opinions of many visitors Hué has the beauty of a dream, a romance of a ballade, a calm and peaceful city with much green and images of bygone days. Hué is the land of leaf conical hats put on by the ladies famous for their tenderness. Hué has the poetic Perfumes River giving visitors wonderful cruises in the moonlights. Hué has Ngu Binh Mountain with old pines. If visitors stand on the mountain in a sunset with the thin mist, the hissing of the pines mixing with the bells’ sound of Thien Mu Pagoda from distance easy makes them feeling a vague melancholy. From the top of Ngu Binh Mountain, there is a beautiful panorama of  Hué city. But the main attraction of Hué, the particular trait helped Hué be classified the World Heritage Site in 1993 by UNESCO, is the vestiges of the feudalism: the Imperial Citadel and the Royal Tombs. 

        Although partly damaged by the wars, the Citadel still remains the most typical constructions to tell visitors its glory days in the past. The complex of the monuments strictly followed the principles of oriental theories on geography and astrology, on legends and on religious traditions, so it has a perfect harmony with the ambient nature. Here is the great wall of 2.1m thick and 10km long surrounding the Imperial Enclosure of Temples and Palaces where the emperor carried out his official functions to the nation. Then Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) a beautiful construction with the Five Phoenix Watchtower on top where the emperor appeared in important occasions, the gate is the main entrance that leads to the Thai Hoa (Supreme Harmony) Palace where the emperor sitting in his elevated throne had official receptions and important court ceremonies. And then the Forbidden Purple City with the palaces for the emperor’s personal use, a completely isolated world. In the Citadel, the royal symbols were showed on the Nine Holy Cannons with 10 tones each or on the Nine Dynastic Urns were made by the emperors when he was crowned. Unlike the emperors of previous dynasties, the Nguyen Kings spent much time and money on their final resting places: the Royal Tombs or Mausoleums. Eight Royal Tombs were found in Hué, each has very specific architecture; reflects the view, the characteristic and the hobby of the emperor when he was living. 

        Hué’s culture can be found in the skilful handicrafts of jewellery, brass products, embroidery. Each item seems reveal the spirit of Hué’s beauty. Hué is also the land of festivals.