Hue Royal Tombs: A Complete Guide and What is Best?

The Nguyen dynasty existed 143 years, from 1802 to 1945 with 13 emperors, but only 7 of them had their own mausoleum. On the map, all of these buildings are southeast of Hue city and in the mountains around the source of the Perfume river. Local people have believed that the west direction (sunset) is for death. About the size, imperial tombs in Hue are enormous, and sure, are bigger than any others of the same type in Vietnam. Historians say that their architecture reached the highest level, and nowadays has inspired many generations of architects and designers. So, it’s really worth visiting. Definitely, with a local guide, visitors will learn about history a lot.

This article provides travelers a general view about Hue’s royal tombs – a part of the Complex of Hue monuments that is a Unesco world heritage site. Besides the Imperial city and Thien Mu pagoda, they are places that travelers shouldn’t miss. We highly recommend spending two nights in Hue, to sightsee the old city, the Buddhist temple, and the tombs at a relaxing pace. To understand each sight deeper (and everything around it), it’s too rushed if go within one day. Day tours from Hoi An or Da Nang often include one tomb only due to limited time.

Tomb of Gia Long Emperor

Location: Dinh Mon village, Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra town, 20 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Gia Long king – the founder of the Nguyen dynasty, his first wife (Thua Thien queen), his mother, his sister

Years of construction: 1814 to 1820

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/gia-long-tomb

Tomb of Minh Mang Emperor

Location: Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra town, 15 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Minh Mang king – the 2^nd king of the Nguyen dynasty

Years of construction: 1840 to 1843

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/minh-mang-tomb

Tomb of Thieu Tri Emperor

Location: Cu Chanh village, Thuy Bang commune, 7 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Thieu Tri king – the 3^rd king of the Nguyen dynasty, his wife (Tu Du queen)

Years of construction: 1848

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/thieu-tri-tomb

Tomb of Tu Duc Emperor

Location: Doan Nhu Hai street, Duong Xuan Thuong village, Thuy Xuan ward, 6 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Tu Duc king – the 4^th king of the Nguyen dynasty, his wife (Le Thien Anh queen), his adopted son (Kien Phuc king)

Years of construction: 1864 to 1867

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/tu-duc-tomb

Tomb of Duc Duc Emperor

Location: Duy Tan street, Phuoc Vinh ward, 4 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: closed

Who are buried here?: Duc Duc king – the 5^th king of the Nguyen dynasty, his son (Thanh Thai king), his grand son (Duy Tan king)

Years of construction: 1890

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/duc-duc-tomb

Tomb of Dong Khanh Emperor

Location: Doan Nhu Hai street, Cu Si village, 6,5 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Dong Khanh king – the 9^th king of Nguyen dynasty, his father, his wife, Canh princess (son of Gia Long king)

Years of construction: 1888, and 1916 to 1923

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/dong-khanh-tomb

Tomb of Hiep Hoa Emperor

Location: Tam Thai street, 8 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours:

Who are buried here?: Hiep Hoa king – the 10^th king of the Nguyen dynasty

Years of construction: 2013

Tomb of Khai Dinh Emperor

Location: Chau E village, Khai Dinh street, 9 km from Hue city centre

Opening hours: 7 am to 5:30 pm

Who are buried here?: Khai Dinh king – the 11st king of Nguyen dynasty

Years of construction: 1920 to 1931

Travel guide: https://centralvietnamguide.com/tomb-of-khai-dinh

The Best Royal Tombs in Hue

Minh Mang Tomb

This tomb is the burial place for Minh Mang king who ruled Vietnam from 1820 to 1840. He was the 2^nd emperor of the dynasty, the son of Gia Long king and the father of Thieu Tri king. In his reign, the country became strong, wealthy, peaceful, and its territory was extended at the largest size ever in history. The Champa kingdom was annexed by him, and its 17-centuries-long-history ended. For that reason, people say Minh Mang is the most successful king of Hue.

The Minh Mang tomb is a wonderful combination of traditional-style buildings and their surrounding landscape. It comprises 40 constructions embraced by lakes, pine hills and flower gardens. Everything was designed by the king who had an in-depth knowledge about philosophy, cosmology, art, and more. From the above, this mausoleum looks like a human leaning the mountains, relaxing and overlooking the rivers.

For full details, please read our comprehensive guide about Minh Mang tomb.

Tu Duc Tomb

From the centre of Hue city, Tu Duc tomb is nearer from Minh Mang tomb. Tu Duc – the 4^th emperor is buried here, with his wife – Le Thien Anh queen and his adopted son – Kien Phuc king. Originally, its name means “the tomb that survives for thousands of years” but was changed to “the tomb of modesty” after the protest of workers. It served as a mountain palace for the king for 16 years in his spare time, and this is one of reasons to make it special. Personal life and the reign of Tu Duc had many ups and downs that visitors are willing to know about.

Tu Duc king mausoleum is famous for grand imperial buildings set inside an extremely lovely garden. It comprises a temple compound, pavilions, king’s tomb, queen’s tomb, and Kien Phuc king tomb and temple. Around them, there are lotus lakes with an island and clear streams at the foot of pine hills. Everything just makes sightseers feel that they’re not really in a burial place. This is another jewel about Vietnamese traditional architecture and design.

Read full details in https://centralvietnamguide.com/tu-duc-tomb/

Khai Dinh Tomb

Different from others, the tomb of Khai Dinh king was built of concrete cement, and shows a mix between Eastern and Western cultures. It sits on a hill, looking to a valley with mountains on two sides. This tomb has been inspiring artists all over the world due to its unique architecture and art. In the worshipping hall, local artisans used hands to mosaic plenty of small pieces of ceramics and glasses to make decorative paintings. On its ceiling, the mural is just a masterpiece. Seriously, visitors won’t see something like that elsewhere in Vietnam.

The king, Khai Dinh ruled the country from 1916 to 1925. He was the first Vietnamese emperor ever traveled to France, and he was also influenced by French culture. Bao Dai – his only son succuded his throne and then was dethroned in World War II.

To know everything once visiting, please read our guide about Khai Dinh tomb.

Hue Royal Tombs Ticket and Prices

Entrance Price of Hue’s Royal Tombs

The ticket price of Minh Mang tomb, Tu Duc tomb, Khai Dinh tomb and Gia Long tomb is 150,000 VND for adults and children above 12 years old, and 30,000 VND for children from 7 to 12 years old. In the case of Gia Long tomb, it’s free for 7-to-12-years-old visitors. Each adult will pay 100,000 VND to visit Dong Khanh tomb, and it’s free for anybody smaller than 12 years old.

Combo Tickets

To save, visitors can get combo tickets and it’s possible to buy them at any tombs or the Imperial city. If just visit Minh Mang tomb and Gia Long tomb, the price is 240,000 VND for adults and children above 12 years old, and 30,000 VND for children from 7 to 12 years old. The combo of Tu Duc tomb and Dong Khanh tomb, it’s 200,000 VND and 30,000 VND respectively.

With the Imperial city, there are 4 ticket combos: (1) the Imperial city, Minh Mang tomb and Khai Dinh tomb, (2) the Imperial city, Minh Mang tomb and Tu Duc tomb, (3) the Imperial city, Tu Duc tomb and Khai Dinh tomb, and (4) the Imperial city, Minh Mang tomb, Tu Duc tomb and Khai Dinh tomb. The price for three sights is 420,000 VND for adults and children above 12 years old, and 80,000 VND for children from 7 to 12 years old. The 4-sights ticket costs 530,000 VND and 100,000 VND respectively.

Kids under 7 years are free of charge to enter any tombs.

Hue Royal Tombs Dress Code

Like the rest of the Complex of Hue monuments, visitors have to wear respectively. In detail, please make sure that the clothings covers the armpits, navel, and knees and is made of fabrics which people can’t see through. It also means that the bikini, crop top, shorts, and others are not proper. If somebody gets these things, they are not allowed to enter the tombs.

Note: Long garments will make you hot. Our recommendation is bringing a long piece of fabric (like sarong) to cover when visiting. Just need to wrap it around and tight up. Please have one for your own because a cover may not be at any tombs.

In the dry season, from January to August, it’s needed to prepare sun cream, sun glasses, a hat/cap or umbrella, comfortable clothings and shoes, and bottles of water. If possible, travelers should start the trip early in the morning or late afternoon, to avoid strong heat in the midday.

In the rainy season, from September to December, rain poncho/jacket or umbrella and waterproof shoes are necessary. Before plan to visit the city (or the tombs), please don’t forget to check the weather forecast. Typhoons with non-stop heavy rains will happen in these months (earlier or later up to each year).

How to Get to Royal Tombs of Hue

Where are the Royal Tombs of Hue?

Royal tombs of Hue city are to the south and west of its centre. The distance from Phu Xuan bridge – its heart to the tombs is from 4 to 20 kilometers. Based on the distance, the order for the major mausoleums is Tu Duc tomb, Dong Khanh tomb, Thieu Tri tomb, Khai Dinh tomb, Minh Mang tomb and Gia Long tomb.

Taxi and Car

Families or groups should look for a private car to get to the royal tombs of Hue from the city centre. The price depends on the size of the car, and how many sights in the itinerary (not by hour). Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to ask for further details, recommendations and know the cost. We also have English speaking drivers who can communicate with basic English and are helpful during the day.

Taxi fare is metered, around 15,000 VND for each kilometer. The furthest tomb is Gia Long tomb, 20 km from Hue downtown. So, for one way to get there, the estimated cost will be 300,000 VND. Definitely, this price is lower for other tombs because they’re nearer. Although easy to arrange, traveling with a taxi is quite expensive and companies charge the passengers if stay in the sights longer than one hour.

Motorbike

This is the best option for couples and those who travel alone, and it’s also cheap. Full day motorbike rental now ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 VND, depending on the type (automatic or semi-automatic). Gasoline is excluded, but a helmet and rain poncho are provided for free. The quickest way to hire one bike is from the hotel. Sure, don’t have to verify anything.

From anywhere in Hue city, travelers need to go to Nam Giao esplanade first. There, Le Ngo Cat road leads to Tu Duc tomb and Dong Khanh tomb. If want to see other tombs, find Minh Mang road. Before Cau Tuan bridge, will see Thieu Tri tomb and after it, there are Minh Mang tomb and Gia Long tomb. Crossroads around this bridge is quite dangerous, so travelers have to pay attention. Khai Dinh tomb is in Khai Dinh road which separates from Minh Mang road from the intersection near the Pilgrimage village resort.

Parking fee is around 5,000 VND at any tombs.

Hue Royal Tombs Tour

Every day, local companies organize a half-day guided tour to Hue’s royal tombs, both private and join-in-group. Full day trips often include the Imperial city, Thien Mu pagoda and a couple of famous tombs. If like to sightsee all tombs, you should book a private tour. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 for any assistance.

Fun Facts about Hue’s Royal Tombs

These are fun facts about imperial tombs in Hue city:

Gia Long tomb is the first tomb, and the last one is Khai Dinh tomb. Khai Dinh tomb is also the last imperial mausoleum in Vietnamese history
The largest walled tomb is Minh Mang tomb (18 hectares), and the second one is Tu Duc tomb (12 hectares)
The smallest tomb is Khai Dinh tomb, just nearly 1 hectare
The longest built tomb is Khai Dinh tomb (11 years) and the quickest built tomb is Thieu Tri king (10 months)
The furthest tomb is Gia Long tomb (20 km) and the nearest tomb is Duc Duc tomb (4 km)
Tu Duc king stays in his tomb when he is still alive
Duc Duc tomb is the burial place for 3 generations of a family: Duc Duc king, Thanh Thai king – the son, and Duy Tan king – the grandson
Gia Long tomb, Thieu Tri tomb and Dong Khanh tomb have no protective walls
Tourists can get Minh Mang tomb directly by boat on the Perfume river
Apart from others, Khai Dinh tomb is totally constructed by concrete cement, imported from France

Hue Day Trip from Da Nang or Hoi An

It’s possible to visit one of 7 royal tombs in Hue within a day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue. This tomb may be Minh Mang tomb, Khai Dinh tomb or Tu Duc tomb, depending on the likings of travelers who book the tour. Two other must-see attractions – the Imperial city and Thien Mu pagoda are also in the itinerary. Before lunch with local foods and specialties, the bus will ride over Hai Van pass, stop for pictures at Lang Co lagoon and the tomb. In the afternoon reschedule, it takes travelers 1 to 2 hours to visit the Old city and then they learn about Buddhist culture at the pagoda.