The tombs of Two Vietnamese Emperors

(just south of Hue)

     While in Hue I didn't want to miss the chance to see some of the most impressive tombs of the emperors, so Bob and I went to visit the Tomb of Tu Duc. Tu Duc was chosen over his older brother to ascend to the throne and reigned as emperor from 1848-1883, the longest reigning emperor.  It was not, however, a happy reign.   Although he had 104 wives and hundreds of concubines, he was unable to produce an heir.  This was probably due to a childhood case of the smallpox.  He continued his father's habit of persecuting Christians, a practice which came to a climax with the decapitation of the Spanish Bishop Jose Maria Diaz in 1857.  This led to an attack in Danang (a city farther south) by the French, and the loss of three southern provinces to the French.  

     Tu Duc designed his tomb himself and the construction on it began with forced labor beginning in 1864.  Much of his life was spent on these grounds, which included a lake and an island on which he liked to hunt.  He was also well known for his writing of poetry. 

     He is not really buried in the tomb marked as his own, however.  In fact, his burial site and the location of money and treasures buried with him remain a mystery.  To protect the tomb and the fortune from grave robbers, all 200 servants who buried Tu Duc were beheaded upon their return from the task.

The soldiers, elephant, and horse stand ready for Tu Duc in the after life.

Tu Duc's unimpressive tomb where he is not really buried.

     From Tu Duc's tomb, wherever it might have been on the grounds, we headed farther south to the Tomb of Khai Dinh. Khai Dinh ascended to the throne in 1916 and began building his tomb, the smallest but most expensive of the imperial tombs, in 1920.  The construction of the tomb was completed in 1931 by his successor.  During his reign Khai Dinh was very unpopular for a couple of reasons.  First, he was seen as a pawn of the French government. Second, he increased taxes by 30% in order to have his lavish tomb. Take note of those beautiful mosaics! Khai Duc traveled to France during his reign and European and Western styles unite with Oriental styles here at his tomb.