Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 184

(Thai Binh Lau) The exquisite (though crumbling) little two-storey Emperor's Reading
Room was the only part of the Forbidden Purple City to escape damage during the French
reoccupation of Hue in 1947. It's currently being renovated and not open to visitors, but
it's worth checking out the Gaudíesque roof mosaics.

Royal Theatre
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HISTORIC BUILDING

(Duyen Thi Duong; 054-351 4989; www.nhanhac.com.vn ; tickets 70,000d; performances 9am,
10am, 2.30pm & 3.30pm) The Royal Theatre, begun in 1826 and later home to the National
Conservatory of Music, has been rebuilt on its former foundations. Cultural performances
here last 30 minutes.
Almost nothing remains of the Thai To Mieu temple complex MAP GOOGLE MAP , now a
plant nursery, and the former University of Arts MAP GOOGLE MAP .

Co Ha Gardens
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Occupying the northeast corner of the Imperial Enclosure, these delightful gardens were
developed by the first four emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, but fell into disrepair.
They've been beautifully recreated in the last few years, and are dotted with little gazebo-
style pavilions (one a cafe) and ponds.

GARDEN

Forbidden Purple City
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RUIN

(Tu Cam Thanh) There's almost nothing left of the once-magnificent Forbidden Purple City,
once reserved solely for the personal use of the emperor.

Dien Tho Residence
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The stunning, partially ruined Dien Tho Residence (1804) once comprised the apartments
and audience hall of the Queen Mothers of the Nguyen dynasty.
Just outside is an enchanting pleasure pavilion , a carved wooden building set above a lily
pond. This has now been transformed into a delightful little cafe.

HISTORIC BUILDING

To Mieu Temple Complex
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BUDDHIST TEMPLE