Duc Duc Tomb: History, Entry Fee, Dress Code & Opening Hours

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Introduction about Tomb of Emperor Duc Duc

Duc Duc Tomb (Mausoleum of Duc Duc), or An Lang, is a relic in the ancient ruins of Hue, where is the burial place of King Duc Duc, the fifth king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The mausoleum is located in Tay Nhat village, An Cuu village, formerly belonging to Huong Thuy district, now in An Cuu ward, Hue city, less than 2 km from the city center.

Tomb Location: Phuoc Vinh, Hue City, Thừa Thiên Huế
Opening Hours: Daily from 7.30AM – 5.30PM
Entrance Fee: 50.000VND/Adult
Dress Code: Required (you can borrow scarfs at temple’s entrances)

An Lang is located in the central area, an area of about 1ha. The tomb consists of 2 areas: the tomb area and the worshiping area. They are parallel to each other. Both areas have surrounding walls. The mausoleum faces the northwest, taking Phuoc Qua hill as a front screen.

History of Duc Duc Mausoleum:

After the death of Emperor Tu Duc in 1883. The Nguyen Dynasty’s throne was succeeded by three kings, Duc Duc (1883), Hiep Hoa (1883) and Kien Phuc (1883 – 1884). Months, historically called “Four Periods Three Kingdoms”. Then continue to transfer to 4 more kings in a short time period with Ham Nghi (1884 – 1885), Dong Khanh (1885 – 1889), Thanh Thai (1889 – 1907). ) and Duy Tan (1907 – 1916).

Emperor Duc Duc, whose real name is Nguyen Phuc Ung Ai, was born in 1852. 2 years later, he was adopted by Emperor Tu Duc. At 17, he was renamed Ung Chan. When King Tu Duc passed away, the 32-year-old eldest son ascended the throne. But after only 3 days, he had to apdicated (July 23, 1883) and put in jail at the Institute of Medicine. Later eventually starving in the Thua Thien prison after 7 days without eating and drinking (6-10-1883); leaving 8 wives, 11 sons and 8 daughters.

Temporarily buried tomb in Phuoc Qua islet, near Tuong Quang pagoda. A few days later, the court allowed his wife, Mrs. Tu Minh, to visit the tomb and perform a funeral at Tuong Quang Temple. The son of Emperor Duc Duc, Nguyen Phuc Buu Lan, was crowned king in 1889, with the title Thanh Thai. After ascending the throne, Thanh Thai immediately built a tomb of a proper king and named it An Lang. The place of worship is Tuong Quang pagoda 200 meters away.

In 1891, the Imperial Court of Thanh Thai built a temple in Thuan Cat Ward, near the Imperial Citadel to worship Duc Duc King, named Tan Mieu (In 1897, the name was changed to Cung Ton Mieu). In 1892, Mrs. Tu Minh Hoang Thai Hau – King Thanh Thai’s mother made money to cast a statue of Buddha and expanded the rising house of Tuong Quang pagoda. The next year Thanh Thai king changed the name to Kim Quang pagoda and gave the pagoda a diaphragm. 5 words “Sac Tu Kim Quang Tu”.

In July of the 11th year of Thanh Thai , the king allowed to build Long An palace near the tomb of Emperor Duc Duc to worship his father. A number of dependent houses were for the 7 wives of King Duc Duc to live in order to take care of the worship. In 1906, Mrs. Tu Minh died, the court re-planned the area of Emperor Duc Duc’s tomb, made a double tomb area. And built her tomb near his tomb in the style of “burial”, “virtuous”.

In late 1945, shortly after Duy Tan died in a airplane crash in Africa. A memorial ceremony for the king was held at Long An Palace and worshiped the king here. In 1954, when King Thanh Thai died, the body was buried at the current place in An Lang area and worshiped at the Long An temple. In 1987, King Duy Tan’s remains were buried next to Thanh Thai tomb. Near the two sides of the tomb of Thanh Thai and Duy Tan, there are tombs of 3 Thanh Thai kings’ wives. And in 1994, the remains of Mrs. Mai Thi Vang (died in 1980), the wife of King Duy Tan was buried near the tomb of King Duy Tan.

Architecture of Duc Duc Mausoleum:

Duc Duc tomb occupies an area of 56,144m2, including about 20 large and small architectural works; divided into two areas: tombs and temple, located more than 50m apart. Mausoleum faces northwest, using a low hill, often called Phuoc Qua as a front screen; take the horizontal flow in front of you as an “Minh Đường” – place of vitality, and use the mountain Tam Thai in the back as “Hậu Chẩm” (Hậu Chẩm – a solid support).

Go to the tomb area – an area of 3,445m2 by a fairly large three-door gate made of bricks, on which is a fake roof. Behind the door is Bai Dinh, with no stone statues like other tombs, but only a handrail made of lime bricks for decoration. The center of the tomb is right behind the second gate of the second gate, with Huynh Oc house built on a square base of 8m each. The house is for communal house with the ancient form. The edge of the ridge has shape of dragon.

On both sides of this house are two graves of King Duc Duc and Queen Tu Minh lying symmetrically on each other. Tomb ‘s materials are from stone, in the style of 5 overlapping rectangular blocks. Total tomb height is 0.85m. In front of the 2 graves, there is a screen with the words Tho and Song Hy. Outside the tomb area, on both sides there are two pillars of brick construction.

Behind the main gate is the screen, then the Bat Trang tiled courtyard. The center of the worshiping area is Long An Palace. This is a duplex building with a scallop snail set on a 24.2m x 22.2m floor. The main hall consists of 3 compartments with 2 dual wings. The temple includes 5 compartments and 2 wings with single roof with yellow enameled tile.

How to Get to Mausoleum of King Duc Duc?

Mausoleum of Emperor Duc Duc is conveniently located close to the center of Hue, in An Cuu village. Here are the best ways to get there:

By Private Car or Taxi:

This is the most convenient and comfortable option, especially for families or groups. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab (Grab Taxi is available, Grab Car may not be) are widely available in Hue. The ride from the city center is short, taking only about 10-15 minutes. A one-way trip typically costs between 50,000 and 80,000 VND.

Book Car Tour:

You can also hire a private car with a driver for a half-day or full-day tour. Then you can visit multiple royal tombs, including Duc Duc. Which often comes with an English-speaking guide. This is an effective way to see several sites in one go.

By Motorbike or Bicycle:

For the independent and adventurous traveler, renting a motorbike or bicycle is an economical and scenic option. The tomb is a short distance from the city center. From the center, head towards Dien Bien Phu street or Bui Thi Xuan street. Then turn onto the smaller local roads in the direction of the Tu Duc Tomb. The Duc Duc Tomb is in the same general area. Motorbike rentals are typically 100,000–200,000 VND per day, and bicycle rentals are even cheaper. The ride takes you through local villages and tree-lined roads, offering a pleasant glimpse into local life.

By Public Transport:

Local Bus: For budget-conscious travelers, you can take a local bus from the city center. Bus numbers 02 or 10 go near the general area of the Tu Duc Tomb. Which is very close to the Duc Duc Tomb.