Hue, Vietnam is a renowned destination, widely recognized for its distinctive mausoleums that not only showcase their individual colors and beauty but also vividly narrate the rich history of the Vietnamese nation. When you visit Hue, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a plethora of mausoleums, including Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb,… Today, join us as we delve into the captivating Minh Mang Tomb experience with DanangPrivateCar.com’s!
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Where is Minh Mang Tomb?
Minh Mang Tomb, also known as Hieu Lang, is located about 14km from the center of Hue city on Highway 49, Huong Tho, City. Hue. It can be said that this is an extremely favorable location, it took 14 years to be discovered by the king. The mausoleum is located on Cam Khe mountain, where the two streams Huu Trach and Ta Trach intersect to form the Perfume River.
From the center of Hue city, you can use a lot of means to move to this place. If you want to experience in a new way, from the Perfume River you can go in the direction of the two streams Ta Trach and Huu Trach. The faster way, you just need to choose a vehicle that is a taxi or a motorbike, go straight along Highway 49, go along the Perfume River to Tuan Bridge, you will arrive at Minh Mang Tomb.
If you wish to explore Minh Mang Tomb and various other tourist destinations in Hue at your own pace, you can book the Hue City Tour by Private Car from DanangPrivateCar.com’s. With our private car tour, you can customize your itinerary, and the departure time can be tailored to your preferences. Our professional drivers, who are knowledgeable about Huế’s culture, will ensure you have the best possible journey.
History of King Minh Mang Tomb in Hue
Minh Mang is the fourth son of King Gia Long. He is a king with great merit in the reform of the country.
After 14 years of searching, Cam Khe mountain was chosen by him as a prime location to build a Son mausoleum for himself. Construction of the mausoleum began in April 1840. The king sent his officials down to dig a lake to build the mausoleum. But unfortunately, before continuing to build La Thanh, the king fell ill and died. After 1 month, King Thieu Tri ascended the throne and continued to dig holes and build tombs. By 1841, King Minh Mang’s remains were buried in Buu Thanh. But it was not until 1843 that the mausoleum was completed. And since then the mausoleum was named Minh Mang Tomb until now.
How to Get to Minh Mang Tomb in Hue and What Transportation to Use?
Unlike the Huế Imperial City, Minh Mang Tomb is located outside the city center, so transportation is a concern for many people.
Directions to Minh Mang Tomb
To get to Minh Mang Tomb in Huế, you have two options:
- Option 1: You can travel from the city center by taxi or take QL49. Along the Perfume River, you’ll reach Tuần Bridge, and then continue straight for a while until you reach King Minh Mang’s tomb.
- Option 2: Alternatively, you can rent a dragon boat on the Perfume River, going upstream in the direction of Tả Trạch and Hữu Trạch. Once you reach the confluence of these two currents, you’ve arrived at the tomb.
How to Get to Minh Mang Tomb by Transportation?
The choice of transportation depends on personal preferences, conditions, and the starting point of each individual.
- Motorcycle: In the city center, there are many shops where you can rent motorcycles for as low as 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day, depending on the type of motorcycle (manual or automatic). Just contact them in advance, and they will deliver the motorcycle to your location. Riding a motorcycle is suitable for young people who enjoy freedom and are good at finding their way around. It’s a cost-effective option for your trip to Minh Mang Tomb.
- Taxi and Private Car: If you want to avoid the hot sun or rain, you can choose a taxi or rent a car. Taxi services in Huế are robust with several different companies offering various types of cars, including luxury vehicles, and providing professional, friendly service. Examples include Mai Linh Taxi, Phú Xuân Taxi, Vina Sun Taxi, and Thành Công Huế Taxi.
If you’re concerned about taxi drivers overcharging or extra waiting fees, choosing to rent a private car with a driver in Hue from DanangPrivateCar.com’s is a suitable option. Private cars are suitable for larger groups, offer flexible travel times, and allow you to explore other destinations beyond Minh Mang Tomb.
- Boat: You can also take a boat upstream on the Perfume River to reach Minh Mang Tomb. While on the boat, you can enjoy the serene natural scenery on both riverbanks, with a slow and peaceful cruise on the water. It’s truly wonderful.
Entrance ticket price
Like many other places to visit, when you come to Minh Mang Tomb you will need to buy an entrance ticket. According to the latest updated ticket price, the ticket price to visit Minh Mang Tomb is 150k/adult. Children and the elderly will receive a 50% discount. You can refer to the fully updated price list of tickets to visit the monuments in Hue below (click each link to read details):
- Group 1: Monuments of the Imperial Citadel (Hue Imperial Palace): 200,000 VND/person
- Group 2: Tomb of King Tu Duc , Khai Dinh, Minh Mang: 150,000 VND/person
- Group 3: Tomb of King Thieu Tri, Gia Long, Dong Khanh: 50,000 VND/person
- Group 4: Hon Chen Palace, An Dinh Palace, Nam Giao Dandelion: 30,000 VND/person
To buy tickets, you just need to go to the gate to buy tickets. The mausoleum is open to visitors on all days of the week, including Sundays from 7am to 17.30pm.
If you are currently in Danang or Hoi An and wish to visit Minh Mang Tomb on the same day, you can book a one-day trip from Hoi An to Hue with a private car from DanangPrivateCar.com’s. Our drivers will pick you up from anywhere in Đà Nẵng or Hội An, and after visiting famous tourist destinations like Hai Van Pass, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, etc., they will safely return you to your hotel. With a private car tour, you can enjoy the convenience of a flexible schedule without any additional waiting time charges.
Fascinating things about the mausoleum’s architecture
The mausoleum of King Minh Mang is one of the most majestic mausoleums in the architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. His entire architectural work is also built on the main Confucian ideas. La Thanh campus has an area of up to 1,750m2 arranged to create a beautiful architectural complex.
When viewed from above, you will see the mausoleum like a resting figure. The head is towards Kim Phung mountain, the two sides are the two sides of Trung Minh lake, the feet are comfortably placed on the confluence of the river.
The mausoleum is surrounded by a green color of trees. All create a quiet, quiet space of rivers and lakes and the solidity of mountains. The beauty is like a charming picture that makes many people admire and admire. Inside the mausoleum, there are many architectural works arranged symmetrically, parallel to three axes. The special thing is that in the middle of the campus, there is a lotus pond that always gives off a fragrant aroma.
Places to explore when coming to Minh Mang Tomb
Although Minh Mang Tomb is not as magnificent and magnificent as other mausoleums, it has a rather large overall scale including 40 works inside. Because the mausoleum is quite large, it will be difficult for you to explore it all within a day. Therefore, DanangPrivateCar.com’s will introduce you to attractive places that should not be missed when coming here.
Dai Hong Mon(Great Red Gate)
Dai Hong Mon is considered the main gate of the mausoleum. The gate consists of 3 aisles and is quite beautifully decorated. In the past, the gate was only opened once to bring in the king’s coffin. Normally, if you want to travel, you have to go by 2 paths on either side. Two small gates on either side are called Ta Hong Mon and Huu Hong Mon. Anyone who enters to explore the mausoleum will pass through this gate.
ccording to historical records, the Great Red Gate (Đại Hồng Môn) was once opened to carry the coffin of King Minh Mang into the tomb, after which it was sealed shut and has remained so to this day.
Bi Dinh
From the main gate entering, you will pass through Bai Dinh with the statues of martial arts mandarins arranged symmetrically. Next you will see Bi Dinh with a stone stele recording the exploits of King Minh Mang. Bi Dinh is a large courtyard located right behind Dai Hong Mon. On both sides of Bi Dinh, there are two rows of mandarins standing on both sides very dignified. Inside, there is also a stele “Thanh Duc Than Cong” written by King Thieu Tri in ancient times. On the stele is written about the history and merits that his father King Minh Mang has devoted to the country.
The Tam Dien Area
The Tầm Điện area is a place of worship for the royal ancestors and Ta Thien Nhan Hoang hau, including the Hieu Duc Mon and the Dien Sung An. The Điện Sùng Ân is where the royal offerings for King Minh Mang and the Queen are placed.
Stepping into the Tầm Điện area, you will have a sense of sacredness and reverence. This structure also features 17 stone steps along the path leading visitors to the Hoằng Trạch Môn. Here, you’ll find a vast expanse of sky, with the lush greenery providing a cool and refreshing shade, accompanied by the delightful scent of blooming flowers.
Minh Lau
Crossing three bridges across the lake, you will come to Minh Lau. Minh Lau is a square-shaped building located on Tam Dai Son hill. This is the king’s resting place after the tidal flat. This place has very fresh nature, helping the king to release his soul into the natural heaven and earth. Minh Lau’s design is a bit oriental, both ancient but equally bright and poetic.
Buu Thanh
One of the destinations you cannot miss when visiting Minh Mang Tomb is Buu Thanh Lake located in the middle of Tan Nguyet Lake. Passing through Thong Minh Truc bridge, you will see the king’s resting place in the middle of the hill named Khai Trach Son. They only open once a year during Tet to remodel, so you don’t always have the opportunity to visit this place.
Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge
A bridge spanning across Tân Nguyên Lake is none other than the Thong Minh Chinh Truc Bridge, leading to the path to Lầu Minh Lâu. This bridge boasts an ancient architectural style, consisting of 33 gracefully layered tiers that harmonize beautifully with the surrounding natural scenery.
Travel Experience at Minh Mang Tomb in Hue: What to Eat and Where to Eat?
Every destination in Hue offers travelers incredibly fascinating experiences, and it becomes even more special when you get to indulge in local specialties. This place boasts a highly diverse culinary scene, where each dish provides visitors with excellent sensations.
What to Eat when Visiting Minh Mang Tomb in Hue?
Certainly, when mentioning Huế’s specialties, dishes like “bún bò Huế” (Hue beef noodle soup), “cơm hến” (clam rice), “bánh canh Nam Phổ” (Nam Pho noodle soup), etc., come to mind. Moreover, there are other highly enticing dishes such as “chè Huế” (Hue sweet soup), “kẹo mè xửng” (sesame candy), “nem tré” (fermented pork roll), and more. You must definitely savor the outstanding dishes of the royal cuisine.
Recommended Dining Spots near Minh Mang Tomb
If you wish to dine near Minh Mang Tomb in Hue, there aren’t many options in the immediate vicinity. Most tourists tend to return to the city center for a wider selection of dishes and restaurants.
Currently, in this area, there are only a few options like:
- Drink stalls: Hương Thọ, Hương Trà, Thừa Thiên Huế.
- Bún bò Huế Bà Đào: QL1A, Phú Lộc, Thừa Thiên Huế.
Places You Can Combine with a Visit to Minh Mang Tomb in Hue
Your journey to explore Hue doesn’t have to be just a visit to Minh Mang Tomb and back, right? Hue has many other famous tourist attractions that you can combine and explore within the same day.
Truong Tien Bridge
It can be said that Truong Tien Bridge is the symbol of Hue, standing proudly over the Perfume River, it has witnessed the ups and downs of the Vietnamese nation.
During the day, it appears majestic and imposing, while at night, it becomes gentle and poetic with sparkling lights. When visiting here, tourists often check-in wearing purple ao dai and take a leisurely stroll along the bridge at night.
Hue Imperial City
Similar to Minh Mang Tomb, the Hue Imperial City is a place where numerous ancient Nguyen dynasty architectural wonders are gathered. This tourist attraction has been built and preserved for hundreds of years. Inside, there are many structures harmoniously arranged.
Hue Perfume River(Huong River)
The soul of Hue lies in the Perfume River right in the midst of the bustling city. The river stretches like a soft silk fabric.
This river offers different experiences for tourists: during the day, it is deep green, turning purple at noon, and brightly lit up at night. You will encounter various sceneries depending on the time you visit.
Khai Dinh Tomb
Khai Dinh Tomb is the final structure in the Hue royal tomb system. It is the resting place of King Khai Dinh, the 12th king of the Nguyen dynasty. It is famous for being the most time-consuming and expensive construction project (lasting 11 years).
When you arrive here, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by its grandeur and magnificence. Although it has a modest area, every detail here is precious.
Experience visiting Minh Mang Tomb
Here are some experiences to visit Minh Mang Tomb you need to note to have the most complete trip:
- In Hue, if you go in the summer, the weather will be very hot, in the last months of the year there is often a lot of rain. Therefore, the most pleasant weather to come to Hue and visit Minh Mang Tomb is January and February.
- To visit all the monuments in the mausoleum you will have to walk a lot and take time. You should prepare yourself comfortable clothes, easy walking shoes and drinking water to not get tired.
- The mausoleum is a sacred and solemn historical site. Therefore, you are not allowed to step on or touch objects around without permission.
- Walk softly, speak quietly and do not make noise in the mausoleum.
- Absolutely do not litter indiscriminately affecting the landscape of the monument.
Above is the information and experience of discovering Minh Mang Tomb summarized by Danang Private Car. Hopefully with the above information you will have a meaningful trip and many experiences with family and friends. Share your travels with Danang Private Car!
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