Modeled after the famed Forbidden City of Beijing, the grounds were surrounded by a wall 2 kilometers by 2 kilometers, and the walls were surrounded by a moat. The water from the moat was taken from the Huong River (Perfume River) that flows through Huế. This structure is called the citadel. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City, with a perimeter of almost 2.5 kilometers. Inside the Imperial City was the imperial enclosure called the Purple Forbidden City in Vietnamese, a term that mimics that used by the Chinese for their own Forbidden City. The enclosure was reserved for the Nguyen imperial family. Like its Chinese counterpart, Vietnam's Purple Forbidden City included many palaces, gates and courtyards.

Tres belle, mais se visites vite. une demi journee suffi. Par contre, louez un auto pour aller a la DMZ par vous meme. Nous l avons fait en motorbike, ca nous a pris 2:30 aller, 1:45 retour. C est long, mais en auto c est a peine 45 minutes. Les guides disent qu il est difficile de trouver les differents vestiges, c est faux !!! Ils se trouvent, et se visites tres bien en 1 journee.

Nice place to take loads of pictures. Just get a guide, on your own you will hardly know what you see. Some of the buildings unfortunately have been destroyed by bombs. The guide can tell you about it an show you, were they used to be and how they looked.

A cool place for those folks who love to explore cultural stuff. Old kingdom palace that has survived 3 wars and American bombs.... A thorough renovation is going on. Would be good to visit in a year or two.

The Hue Citadel was great. Loads of history. If you were going to go there, I suggest you get in a local guide, as the place doesn't offer a great deal of info.