Overview

Tu Duc Tomb is located in Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan ward, Hue city. The tomb worships King Tu Duc, the fourth king of the Nguyen dynasty.

At the time of construction, the tomb was named Van Nien Co. After the rebellion of the tomb builders, Tu Duc king realized his mistake and changed the name to Khiem Cung. After Tu Duc King passed away, the tomb was renamed Khiem Lang. 

Tu Duc Tomb has a sophisticated architecture with fascinating marine landscape and is one of the most beautiful tombs of the Nguyen kings.

Tu Duc Tomb

Tu Duc Tomb

The tomb complex is divided into two areas: the palace and tombs. 

The palace area is located in the west of Luu Khiem Lake, started with Khiem Cung Mon, a two-story building on high ground. The center of the palace is Hoa Khiem where Tu Duc king worked. In general, every architectural work in Tu Duc Tomb has a different feature of visual art: no duplication and very lively.

Nearly 50 buildings in the mausoleum have the word "Khiem" in the name. The paved walk started from Vu Khiem's gate before Khiem Cung Mon and curled around in front of the tomb. Passing the door of Vu Khiem and Son Than shrine is the temple area, the former rest place of the king. 

Chi Khiem Duong is on the left, the place to worship the king's wives. Next, there are three rows of Thanh stone-led triangles leading to Khiem Cung Mon - a two-story building that gazes as a first world with Luu Khiem lake in front. 

Tu Duc Tomb

Tu Duc Tomb

There is Tinh Khiem island in the middle of the lake with flower plots and small caves for raising rare animals. On Luu Khiem Lake, Khiem Khiem Ta and Du Khiem Ta are the places where the king came to see flowers, write poems, or read books. Three bridges Tuan Khiem, Tien Khiem, and Do Khiem captured through the lake to the pine hill.

On the left side of Luong Khiem palace, there is Minh Khiem theater for the king to watch the song, which is considered one of the oldest theaters in Vietnam. 

The corridor from On Khiem Palace, which leads to Tri Khiem and Y Khiem is the residence of the servants. Next to that is Tung Khiem Vien, Dung Khiem Vien, and the king's deer garden.