Tomb of Gia Long is a magnificent picture of the coordination between nature and architecture, in which nature is the main factor that creates the grandeur of the landscape. Visiting Gia Long Tomb Hue, visitors are allowed to relax in a quiet but poetic space to ponder the successes of the lives as well as the glory of the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.

1. Gia Long Tomb Location 

Tomb of Gia Long located 16km from the center of Hue, on the top of the Thien Tho Mountain, on the west bank of the Perfume River. To reach to this tomb, you can take a dragon boat to go along the Perfume river around 18km. Gia Long Tomb was constructed in Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Hue city. 

2. History of Gia Long Tomb Hue Vietnam

Gia Long tomb (also known as Thien Tho Tomb), the burial area of Gia Long Emperor (1762-1820). Gia Long Tomb is a complex of several royal tombs including the tomb of his mother, the tomb of his wives, and other royal family members mostly constructed for 6 years, from 1814 to 1820.

History has been listed in which Gia Long was the first Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam who was born in 1762 and passed away in 1819. Being a commander with a strong will who'd spent his lifetime on battlefields for nearly a quarter of a century (1775 - 1801). He finally unified the nation and came to the throne in 1802.

When his first wife passed away in 1814, he ordered the construction of a double-grave tomb, one for her and another for himself. The site selected for its purpose was an extending hilly region, about 20 km by road or by water to the south of the Citadel of Hue. Before, in the region, there had been serveral tombs of his family. When his second wife passed away later in 1846, her grave was constructed not far from his.

Those tombs were built over the 17th and 19th centuries and recognized as one of UNESCO World Heritages.

3. The Tomb of Gia Long architecture

Although being the most remote tomb in comparison with those of different emperors, Gia Long Tomb is the most scenic and impressive with regard to the pure landscape of boundless mountains, pine woods and paths among the grass and wildflowers. It gets the Dai Thien Tho Mount to be the beautiful natural screen in front. The tomb of Gia Long Hue Vietnam is divided into 3 main parts: 

3.1. The Tomb Area and the story of immortal love 

The most unique feature of Gia Long tomb that other tombs do not have is the tomb area of the Emperor and Thua Thien Cao' Empress. The image of two tombs next to each other illustrates the affection of the husband and wife, iron and faithful, entering and giving birth to each other during the life of the war, overcoming all the turbulence of life. This is a beautiful image, symbolizing an immortal, sacred love. 

Passing from the adjoining yard with majestic stone statues and 7 courtyard levels is Buu Thanh at the top of the hill. Inside Buu Thanh, there are two stone tombs, in the form of ventricular stones, which are cremated according to the concept of "Can Khon Hiep Duc". 

To the right of the tomb is the impregnated area with Minh Thanh electricity as the center. The Minh Thanh Palace is used to worship the Emperor and First Empress. Minh Thanh means "brilliant perfection". Inside Minh Thanh palace, there used to be the worship of many memorabilia sticking to the life of Gia Long Emperor, such as scales, hats, saddles. 

3.2. Bi Dinh Pavilion 

On the left of the tomb is Bi Dinh, now only a large stele with the inscription "Minh Duc Than Cong" of Minh Mang Emperor praised his father, carved exquisitely. 

3.3. Tombs of other royal family members in Gia Long Tomb Hue. 

Following the paths between the grass and forest flowers, visitors walk under the fresh pine trees to visit the adjacent tomb. Most notably, the Thien Tho Huu tomb of Mrs. Thuan Thien Cao empress, located in a quiet but deep position. 

Gia Thanh Palace there is also an architectural work built in the model of Minh Thanh Palace, used to worship the woman who gave birth to the most talented emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, that is Minh Mang emperor.

In addition, there are many members of the Nguyen Dynasty, such as Gia Long's mother, (known as the Tho Thanh Tomb); and her sister (Hoang Co Mausoleum), is also buried here. The burial sites increase the circumference of the Gia Long tomb to about 11,234 meters. 

4. The process of building Gia Long tomb Hue

Tomb of Gia Long was personally selected and urged to be built in 1814 and completed shortly after he passed away (1820). During construction, because of specializing in the construction of his "eternal home", Gia Long Emperor was almost killed in an accident at the construction site.

A gust of wind collapsed the house where the king was staying, Gia Long Emperor hid in a hole but was still injured in his forehead, eyelids and feet were hit by an iron rod. The seventh and eighth princes were seriously injured, many others died. Gia Long did not punish construction officials, even supply medicine to treat them, distribute 500 money, and 500 standard rice to the villagers of Dinh Mon, near the site of the construction of the tomb. 

5. How to get to Gia Long Tomb? 

To get to Gia Long Tomb Hue, you can take a dragon boat to go along the Perfume River (known as Huong River). The tomb is pretty far so it takes around two hours to get there. Apart from a boat trip, you can ride a bike, drive a car or book a grab bike to Kim Ngoc wharf and then take a boat to get there. Moreover, you can book a Hue Tours or Hue City Tour By Private Car via Culture Pham Travel to get full enjoyment. 

6. Gia Long Tomb opening hours and entrance fee 

The entrance ticket at this tomb costs about four dollars/ person, and the opening time is from 7:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. At the suggestion of L. Cadière more than 60 years ago, visitors should visit Gia Long tomb Hue in the afternoon.

Apart from a boat trip, you can ride a bike, drive a car or book a grab bike to Kim Ngoc wharf and then take a boat to get there. Moreover, you can book a Hue Tours or Hue City Tour By Private Car via Culture Pham Travel to get full enjoyment.

It is a moment where you can watch the sunset coming from the other side of the lakes. The combination of the lake with the surrounding scenery, the pine forest will make visitors an indescribable feeling. It is then that visitors feel all the majestic beauty and grandeur of this mausoleum. The beautiful scenery harmonizes with the majesty of the remote hills and mountains. 

Visiting the tomb of Gia Long, you can ask the security guards here because this place does not have too many people to visit, so whenever visitors come to visit, they are very welcoming.