Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb, also known as Ứng Mausoleum, is the final royal tomb of the Nguyễn Dynasty, located on the slopes of Chau Chu Mountain, about 10 km from central Hue. Construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1931. Unlike previous royal tombs, this one was built using reinforced concrete and richly decorated with porcelain, glass, and materials imported from France, China, and Japan. Its architecture is a striking fusion of Eastern tradition and Western influence.

The most impressive part of the complex is Thien Dinh Palace, which houses the bronze statue of Emperor Khai Dinh placed above his actual burial site—a rare feature among Nguyễn tombs. The interiors dazzle visitors with intricate mosaics, especially the ceiling painting “Nine Dragons in Clouds”, the largest of its kind in Vietnam, created using both hand and foot. Overhead, a one-ton carved canopy hovers above the emperor's throne, appearing as delicate as silk.

Khai Dinh Tomb stands as a bold symbol of cultural fusion and artistic innovation. It reflects the emperor’s openness to modern Western aesthetics while honoring traditional Vietnamese motifs. Today, this magnificent heritage site continues to captivate tourists with its lavish design and historical significance, forming a key highlight within the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1993.