Hue, Vietnam | Chong Thanh Gat

Hue, Vietnam | Chong Thanh Gate of the Imperial City: The Former Main Gate of the Imperial Court, the Starting Point for Entering the Nguyen Dynasty's Etiquette

Among the many gates of the Hue Imperial City, Chong Thanh Gate (Cửa Ngọ Môn nhỏ / Chương Thành Môn) is a particularly representative one. Located on the south side of the Imperial City, it served as the main entrance to the outer court and was once the only way for civil and military officials to enter and exit the court for audiences and to attend court meetings.

The gate, constructed of red brick and bluestone, boasts a dignified and simple appearance, yet exudes an inviolable majesty. Crossing Chong Thanh Gate symbolizes the transition from the secular world into the realm of royal power, entering a world of ritual and regulation.

Today, while visitors passing through Chong Thanh Gate no longer see the solemn court rituals of the past, they can still sense the strictness of the Nguyen Dynasty's system through the remaining architectural features. The afternoon sun shines on the gate tower, and the bricks and tiles have a warm luster, adding to the historical vicissitudes of this ancient city gate.

Post by 諸文武 | Sep 22, 2025