Tiger Arena Hue is a relic in the ancient ruins of Hue, located in Truong Da hamlet, Thuy Bieu ward, Hue city, this place is a tiger breeding shed and a unique arena that can not be never anywhere in the world. There was a lot of amusement that it was created by people in the old times. There were some activities and strong entertainments to made pleasure for people.

1. Where is Tiger Arena Hue Vietnam located?

Tiger Fighting Arena (Ho Quyen) was reserved for tiger and elephant fight to entertain Emperors, the royal family, and mandarins.

Ho Quyen is a very special relic in the complex of Hue ancient ruins, located in Truong Da hamlet, Thuy Bieu commune, Hue city.

2. Tiger Fighting Arena’s History begin?

Before Ho Quyen was built, the earliest recorded battles between Tigers and Elephants were listed during the time of the Nguyen Lords and held on Da Vien Island on the Perfume River. In 1750, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat accompanied the courtiers on 12 ships to Da Vien island to watch an "unprecedented" fight between tigers and elephants.

This is possibly the most dreadful and most bloody match in history because from the beginning to the end, 40 elephants slaughtered 18 tigers released to be scapegoats on the festival. During the Nguyen Dynasty, when there was no individual stadium to ensure safety, conflicts between elephants and tigers were still organized and regarded as great festivals of the court and the folks.

During the reign of Minh Mang, at the feast of Tu Tuan Dai Khanh (1829), the king sat a dragon boat watching a battle between tigers and elephants on the North bank of Huong River. During the fight, the tiger burst out and swam towards the dragon boat. Emperor Minh Mang promptly used a pole to repel the tiger and thus, the new army could row the boat to kill the tiger in the river to save the emperor in time.

Due to such events, in the 11th year of Minh Mang (1830), the emperor picked the land at Truong Da hamlet, Nguyet Bieu village, situated west of Kinh Thanh to build a good arena to arrange the struggles safely.

3. Elephant tiger fighting arena Hue structure?

Tiger arena hue structure was for only reserved for tiger and elephant fights to amuse emperors, the royal family, and mandarins. The coliseum consists of 2 concentric circles built with bricks and mortar. The initial staircase of 20 steps was exclusively reserved for the emperor and the royal household. It leads up to some 96m sq. rectangular tribune.

The second stairs with 15 measures were used by the soldiers and ordinary men and women. Between the two staircases were a significant entry 1.9m wide and 3.9m high for its elephants to join the coliseum.

Opposite on the other side of the arena, to the tribune for the emperor, were five cages for leopards and tigers. Over the middle one is a stone sign inscribed with two Chinese characters: "HO QUYEN".

The arena is a vestige of the games, a distinctive architectural function infrequently seen in south-west Asia and amusement of the Imperial Court of Hue.

4.  4. Organize the match

During the Nguyen Dynasty, the usual battle between elephants and tigers was held once a year. Before each game, the tigers were cut off fangs and claws, so elephants always kill the tigers.

The last match was recorded under the Nguyen Dynasty, organized by Emperor Nguyen, who was also the controller and was an enthusiastic audience cheering for the match held in 1904 under Thanh Thai emperor. This is also an attractive, dramatic match witnessed and described by many contemporaries.

4.   5. How to get tiger fighting arena Hue

To visit tiger arena hue, you can take a dragon boat along the Perfume River, take a taxi, ride a bike, motorbike with helmets or you also can book Hue City Tour 1 Day via Culture Pham Travel. The entrance fee for this site is VND 50,000 and the open time is from 7 am to 5 pm every day.