Tomb of Minh Mang Hue is considered as one of the three most famous mausoleum areas in the Hue ancient capital complex that many tourists love because of its beautiful architecture in the middle of a harmonious natural setting.
Hue is famous for being the land of ancient architecture in harmony with the beauty of famous landscapes such as Dai Noi – Hue Imperial City , Hon Chen Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, … Mention Hue also It is impossible to ignore the population of the famous Nguyen dynasty imperial mausoleums that everyone traveling to Hue must check in. Because these works are not only imprinted with historical culture, a famous tourist destination but also the pride of the people of Ngu mountain of Huong river.
The charming painting of the tomb of Minh Mang King. Photo: dulichconvoi
In Vietnamese history, the Nguyen Dynasty had a total of 13 kings, but only 7 tombs were completely built. All these works are imprinted with unique architecture and carefully preserved and preserved to this day. In which, Gia Long mausoleum, Tu Duc tomb, Minh Mang mausoleum and Khai Dinh tomb are the 4 most beautiful tombs of Hue .
One of the four most beautiful tombs of Hue. Photo: vntrip
Walking around the mausoleums in dreamy Hue, you will discover that each mausoleum will have a unique color and beauty associated with a very different architectural style. If the ancient Gia Long mausoleum, Khai Dinh mausoleum strongly impresses on the uniqueness because it shows the intersection of East – West, the poetic Tu Duc tomb with the charming mountain and mountain position highlights the mind. The poetic soul of the king, the mausoleum of Minh Mang King is the most majestic and magnificent work, preserving the traditional beauty of Confucianism.
Overview of Minh Mang king’s mausoleum viewed from above. Photo: tourdanangcity
Guide the way to Minh Mang mausoleum
The building is the “resting place” of King Minh Mang, also known as Hieu Lang and is located on Cam Khe mountain near Bang Lang junction. It can be said that this is an extremely expensive location. And indeed to choose this place, the king took 14 years to find. The place where the mausoleum was built is the intersection point of Huu Trach and Ta Trach streams, forming the main stream of the Huong River. Hieu Lang is located about 14km from the center of Hue city. Today, the mausoleum’s location is near Highway 49, Huong Tho District, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province.
The mausoleum is located in an extremely expensive position. Photo: Ninh Bui
Compared with Gia Long Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb , the Minh Mang tomb located near the center more, only about 12km from Hue City. To reach this historic place, you can travel by motorbike or car. The itinerary is as follows: you start from Huyen Tran Cong Chua street, pass Minh Mang street, then turn to Tuan bridge to reach Highway 49. Continuing to run this road, you will reach Hieu Tomb – the resting place of the king Minh Mang.
Tomb of Minh Mang king viewed from above. Photo: vntrip
In addition, visitors can also go to Minh Mang mausoleum by taking a boat on the Perfume River. This is also an attractive Hue travel experience when you are sitting on a boat and down the romantic river, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Hue nature.
Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum is also known as Hieu Lang. Photo: @caracat
Hieu mausoleum: located on Cam Khe mountain, Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien – Hue province.
Tickets to visit when entering the tomb of Minh Mang King are as follows:
– 100,000 VND / time for adults.
– 50,000 VND / time for the elderly.
– 20,000 VND / time with children.
History of Minh Mang mausoleum
Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum is also known as Hieu Lang. This is the resting place of the second king under the Nguyen Dynasty – King Minh Mang. His real name is Nguyen Phuc Dam – the second son of King Gia Long (the king opened the Nguyen Dynasty). From the time of his enthronement to his death, King Minh Mang made contributions to the country and was regarded by historians as the most outstanding king among the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, despite some mistakes and limited in foreign affairs.
Mausoleum was built in April 1840. Photo: poliva
After ascending the throne and in office for 7 years, the king started planning to build his tomb. This is a time consuming process as it has to be carefully selected. The king’s tomb is not only a place of incense when the king dies, but also serves as a resting place after tense tidal hours when the king is alive. Over 14 years of long searching, Cam Khe mountain was chosen to build a mausoleum. This is a place near Bang Lang junction, where the two rivers Ta Trach and Huu Trach confluence to form the poetic Huong River of the ancient capital. Since then, the king changed the name of the mountain to Hieu Son and named his tomb Hieu Lang.
Hieu Lang is a harmonious combination between architecture and nature. Photo: @ zinnie.nguyen
Tomb of Minh Mang was built by the king in 1840 and took 3 years to complete. This majestic and majestic work had to mobilize up to 13,000 workers and soldiers to build. But the king was not yet finished building, he passed away in 1841.
After King Thieu Tri ascended the throne, he continued to complete the work of his father. In 1841, the remains of King Minh Mang were buried in Buu Thanh, but two years later, that means, until 1843, the mausoleum was officially completed.
Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum possesses impressive beauty. Photo: travelmag
Hieu Lang is a meticulously built mausoleum with nearly 40 large and small projects located on a mountainous area surrounded by rivers and lakes. The mausoleum has an imposing and majestic appearance but still retains the harmony between the architectural works and the surrounding natural landscape.
Unique natural landscape. Photo: kienthuc
The special structure of Hue Minh Mang mausoleum
Hieu Lang of Minh Mang King is one of the most majestic and standard tombs in the ancient architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The entire mausoleum has an area of up to 1,750m and is arranged symmetrically to create a beautiful architectural complex.
Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum has an architecture that follows a balanced and symmetrical layout.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hue , visit the mausoleum of Minh Mang King , with a panoramic view from above, you will realize the shape of the mausoleum is like a natural resting person and comfortably retaining the romantic scene head towards Kim Phung mountain, two sides are on both sides of Trung Minh lake in Hieu Lang, and two feet are placed on the river junction.
Tomb of Minh Mang has a total of about 40 projects large and small. Each zone is solidly built but still meticulous and eye-catching. The unique thing is that all works are arranged equally on a single vertical axis, extending from Dai Hong Mon to the foot of La Thanh wall behind the king’s tomb.
Excellent check-in point in the large lake area. Photo: dulichconvoi
It can be said that among the works and tourist attractions of Hue , Hieu Tomb has the most symmetrical structure, following 3 parallel axes. First, from the gate to the inside, visitors will immediately see a lotus pond with a sweet fragrance. The image of lotus flowers depicts the rustic, idyllic beauty that is close and dear. This is an indispensable symbol when people mention the decorative features in the mausoleum in Vietnam.
Dai Hongmen
The Dai Hong Mon of Hieu mausoleum is the main entrance to the mausoleum. This area is designed quite simply like the three-door gate in traditional Vietnamese temples. The gate has 3 paths, but the main gate is only open once to bring Minh Mang king’s coffin to the mausoleum, while the two auxiliary gates, Ta Hong Mon and Huu Hong Mon, are used to welcome visitors to visit.
Ancient Dai Hongmen. Photo: vntrip
Bai Dinh
Bai Dinh is a work located right behind Dai Hong Mon. This place is tiled flat Bat Trang, two rows of majestic mandarin and martial arts statues and stone elephants standing in front of them. If you continue to move, you will see Bi Dinh located on Phung Than Son, inside there is a stele “Holy Duc Duc Duc” written by King Thieu Tri, telling the biography and merit of King Minh Mang.
Hien Duc Mon
Hien Duc Mon is located in the electric area of Minh Mang mausoleum . This work was built on a square piece of land and is meant to symbolize the land god. The central destination of the impregnated area is Sung An Palace – where the throne of the King and Queen is located, and the Electro-impregnated Area includes the works of Hieu Duc Mon, Palace of Sung An and Hoang Trach Mon. Perhaps that is why this place has a majestic, ancient and especially sacred color.
Minh Lau floor
Located behind the impregnated area, across the bridge connecting Trung Minh Lake is Lau Minh Lau. This name means morning light. This is also the place where the king rested, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere after hard working hours. As a scenic and relaxing place, Minh Lau floor has a beautiful location, where you can watch the moon and stars every night. The building is square and two stories high with eight roofs. Today visitors can go upstairs to admire the sweeping scenery in the mausoleum.
Minh Lau means morning floor, where the king meditates on cool, moonlit summer nights. Photo: visithue
Intelligent Integrity Bridge
Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge is a stone paved work, consisting of 17 steps, the two sides have a thin railing across Tan Nguyet lake to lead the way to Buu Thanh (the wall surrounding the king’s tomb). The bridge is paved with stone, the two sides of the bridge are the three-door gate engraved with elaborate dragon-phoenix pattern, adding to the majesty of the king’s tomb.
Intelligent Chinh Truc Bridge crosses Tan Nguyet Lake. Photo: kienthuc
Tan Nguyet Lake
Another unique point in Minh Mang mausoleum is that there are many lakes interspersed among ancient architectural works to create a harmonious and poetic beauty. One of them is Tan Nguyet lake. This is the architecture you cannot miss during a tour of the mausoleum. The lake means the moon symbol that embraces the sun image of Buu Thanh. Crossing the lake is Smart Minh Chinh Truc Bridge which brings you to the resting place of King Minh Mang.
Tan Nguyet Lake. Photo: vntrip
In addition, in Hieu Lang, there are many beautiful palaces hidden among the lush green trees, bringing artistic and aesthetic value up to the standard. Besides, there are many symmetrical ancillary works one by one such as Ta Tung Phong on Tinh Son, Huu Tung Phong in Y Son or Tuan Loc Hien on Duc Hoa Son, Linh Phuong Cac on Dao Thong Son and Truy Tu Trai on Phuc Am Son, Huu Hoai Ta on Tran Island …
It can be said that the beauty of Minh Mang king ‘s mausoleum is the combination of classical architecture, symmetrical texture, traditional colors, Confucian style, but still not hardened or lost the poetic, romantic and the poetry of the project.
From the foot of Khai Trach Son there are 33 steps leading up to the gate of Buu Thanh. Photo: kienthuc
Having the opportunity to travel to Hue dreamy, remember to go to the mausoleum of Minh Mang King to admire the most majestic and magnificent tomb architecture. Because it is not too far from the city center, after visiting the mausoleum, visitors can continue to worship, pray for peace at Thien Mu pagoda, enjoy the scenery on Vong Canh hill or take a leisurely walk and take a look. photo on Truong Tien bridge, the famous six or twelve spans of the ancient capital. Do not forget to take a lot of beautiful photos to record the journey of this romantic land located by the Perfume River. Wish you have a very happy and enjoyable trip!