Hue Imperial City's Noon Gate
Constructed on the site of Tú Uyên's study at the end of the 15th century and beginning of the 16th century during the reign of King Lê Thánh Tôn, the Noon Gate witnessed a significant transformation when Nguyen Phuc Anh ascended to the throne, marking the beginning of the Nguyen dynasty. In the 14th year of Minh Mang's reign (1833), as part of the overall architectural planning of the Imperial City, Nam Khuyết Đài was completely dismantled to make way for the construction of the Noon Gate.
Designed in the "no-borders" style, a prevalent fortification style in Europe but still incorporating traditional elements of East Asian architecture, the Noon Gate spans 58 meters in length, 27.5 meters in width, and stands 9.5 meters tall. The gate has five entrances: the central, 4-meter-wide path exclusively for the king or high-ranking officials; two 2-meter-wide side paths for various levels of officials; and two 1.5-meter-wide paths on the sides for soldiers and servants. Atop the gate, the Five Phoenix Tower, or Ngũ Phụng Tower, stands at 17 meters tall, adorned with intricate golden roof tiles and decorative patterns. The tower served as the place where the king held court, issued edicts, received foreign envoys, and organized significant ceremonies.
The Noon Gate symbolizes the authority and grandeur of the Nguyen dynasty and has witnessed many important historical events in Vietnamese history. In 1945, when King Bảo Đại abdicated, he handed over power to the temporary government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at the Five Phoenix Tower. In 1968, during the Tet Offensive, the Noon Gate suffered severe damage from American bombardment, leaving only the foundation and some wooden columns. Subsequently, the Noon Gate was restored in 1970 and 1992.
Today, the Noon Gate is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from both domestic and international locations. Here, you can admire unique architectural structures, learn about memorable historical events, and feel the beauty and sacredness of Hue's imperial capital. The Noon Gate deserves to be considered a masterpiece of architectural art and an iconic symbol of the history and culture of this region."