Ensemble de monuments de Huê

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NHK World Heritage 100 Series (en anglais)

Texte narratif (en anglais)

The Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last Dynasty chose Hué as its capital in 1802. The Royal City was inspired by the Purple Forbidden City in Beijing. The Ngo Mon gate here is in the form of a phoenix swooping down with his wings spread. It is an impressive and beautiful sight.

Vietnam’s last Emperor announced the end of Nguyen Dynasty from here in 1945. The Emperor was the 13th Emperor Bao Dai. By his day, Hue had been colonized by France. The Emperor himself was educated in France. He used music for every ceremony. Bao Dai may have tried to keep his dignity with solemn court music as he faced strong political pressure from foreign countries. The musicians always played to the best of their ability. If not, they were told their heads would be chopped off. Court music is still taught at Hue University to pass on tradition to future generations.

Successive Emperors made their own burial arrangements while still living. This is Emperor Khai Dinh’s mausoleum. He was Emperor Bao Dai’s father. The tomb’s design was influenced by French culture. Emperor Khai Dinh lies beneath this statue. Emperor Bao Dai’s grave in contrast is buried in Paris, in a cemetery near the Eiffel Tower. Rooms are decorated in a mosaic relief of porcelain and glass. The Dragon was a symbol of Imperial Power. Its Eyes were made from the bottom of French wine bottles. Mosaic decoration techniques are still used to this day. The wine bottles are from France and the ceramics from China but the combination of different materials produces a style that is uniquely Vietnamese. Court music is a precious heritage of peaceful times in Vietnam. Traditions from times past are being passed on to future generations.