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Ngan Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Walking under a stone archway, tourists step into a Vietnamese site known for its regal splendor. Hue Citadel has a total of 13 gates, including 10 road gates, 1 side gate and 2 waterway gates. The original gates were built from the reign of King Gia Long, to the reign of King Minh Mang, who completed the upper gazebo. Over time, after the war, some doors remained in their original state, collapsed doors were restored, and many doors were forgotten and abandoned.

In addition to the main function as the outermost protective layer of the Forbidden City, the Imperial Citadel - the living and working place of the king and the court - the gates are also the gateway for travel and trade of residents living in the area. The doors are living witnesses of the history and life of Hue Citadel for more than 200 years.

The Ngan Gate is also known as The Nhan Mon, which is one of the two doors for the king and the royal family to enter and exit the Citadel. Each time, the court sent soldiers out to block the road in front of the city, preventing anyone from passing, so it was called the Ngan Gate. Ngan Gate is now located to the left of Ky Dai, on the one-way street of the same name, cutting Le Duan street and 23/8 street.

Sap Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Located to the right of Ky Dai is Sap Gate, also known as Quang Duc Gate, also located on the one-way traffic road that cuts Le Duan street into 23/8 street. This gate once collapsed both the gazebo and the archway in 1953 due to floods, so the folk called this door "Sap Gate". Along with the Ngan Gate, the Sap Gate is one of the two doors for the king and the royal family to enter and exit. Nine famous cannons of the Nguyen Dynasty are currently kept at these two gates.

Nha Do Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Located in the south of Nguyen Trai Street is Nha Do Gate, officially known as Chanh Nam Gate. During the reign of King Gia Long, there was a storehouse for the king's supplies and weapons for the soldiers here, so people called the Chanh Nam Gate as the Nha Do Gate.

Huu Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Huu Gate - the Tay Nam gate is associated with a famous story in history, here King Ham Nghi issued the "Can Vuong" decree against the French colonialists. Huu Gate is now located at the beginning of Yet Kieu street, southwest of the Citadel, so it is called the Tay Nam Gate, people see it as located on the "right" side, so it is always called the Huu Gate as it is today.

Chanh Tay Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Chanh Tay Gate has no folk name, located in the west of the Citadel, on Thai Phien Street today. This place used to be the site of fierce fighting during the Spring 1968 war. The gazebo above the citadel was completely destroyed, now it was restored.

An Hoa Gate. Photo: VnExpress

An Hoa Gate today is located in the northwest connecting Nguyen Trai street to Tang Bat Ho street outside the Citadel. Along this Nguyen Trai street to the south is the aforementioned Nha Do Gate, the opposite direction is An Hoa Gate. The name An Hoa Gate is because the outside of this gate is the village and market of the same name.

Hau Gate. Photo: VnExpress

The Hau Gate or Chanh Bac Mon is located at the back of the Citadel. Hau Gate is located on Dinh Tien Hoang street, outside is Tang Bat Ho street, next is Bach Yen bridge across Cua Hau river. Chanh Bac gate is also known as the big Mang Ca gate. After the French colonialists captured the Citadel, the large Mang Ca gate was closed to establish Fort Mang Ca. Due to the consequences of the war, this gate was not opened for more than 100 years, until 2004 Thua Thien Hue province reopened this door.

Ke Trai Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Ke Trai Gate - Northeast Gate is currently located on Cua Trai street, at the northeast corner of the old citadel. In the past, Ke Trai was the name of the village located in front of the city gate, focusing on trading and forming two rows of houses, tents and shops. Hue people gradually called it the name of the city gate.

Ke Trai Gate leads to the current military area, so few people or tourists can enter or access.

Dong Ba Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Dong Ba Gate or Chanh Dong gate, is the gate related to the famous Dong Ba market today, although the market is no longer at this location. Dong Ba Gate is also known as Chanh Dong Mon - the East Gate of the Citadel, located on Mai Thuc Loan street, one side is located on Xuan 68 street. The old market was originally named Dong Hoa, from the reign of King Gia Long. The capital fell, the market was burned by the French colonialists. After King Dong Khanh rebuilt it and changed it to Dong Ba, avoiding the name Ho Thi Hoa, the mother of King Thieu Tri. By the time of Thanh Thai, Dong Ba market was re-planned and moved to today's location.

Thuong Tu Gate. Photo: VnExpress

Thuong Tu Gate - Dong Nam Mon Gate today is located on Dinh Tien Hoang street, currently a one-way street circulating from the Citadel to Tran Hung Dao street. The name Thuong Tu is because in the past, there was a Thuong Tu institute that was built to govern and take care of horses to pull the carriage for the king. Now, on both sides of the door is a large lawn where children often gather to play.

Tran Binh Mon. Photo: VnExpress

Tran Binh Mon is not the door leading out of the Citadel like the other gates but is a side door, belonging to the Citadel wall, leading to Tran Binh Dai - the fortress that arranged the defense system of the ancient Hue Citadel. In front of the door is a stone bridge over a moat to enter the territory of Tran Binh Dai. Behind the door is the military area, also known as the big Mang Ca area.

Tay Thanh Thuy Quan. Photo: VnExpress

Tay Thanh Thuy Quan is one of the two waterway gates of Hue, these two gates are located at the East - West ends of the Ngu Ha river inside the Citadel. Tay Thanh Thuy Quan is now located on Ton That Thiep street. Also known as Cong Thuy Quan, Tay Thanh Thuy Quan is a waterway connecting the Ke Van river outside with Ngu Ha river in the Citadel.

Dong Thanh Thuy Quan. Photo: VnExpress

Along with Tay Thanh Thuy Quan, Dong Thanh Thuy Quan are two waterway gates of Hue, the East - West project of Ngu Ha River in the Citadel. Dong Thanh Thuy Quan, also known as Luong Y culvert, is currently the Luong Y bridge, located on Xuan 68 street.

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