Mieu Temple

Situated southwest of the Citadel and facing south, The Mieu Temple is dedicated to ten Emperors of the Nguyen dynasty.

Built by Emperor Minh Mang in 1821, it presents a 9-compartment main building and a 11-compartment front building, together connected in the "double" architecture with two bays on east and west sides It is roofed with yellow enameled tiles and on the ridge rests a wine gourd decorated with Phap Lam enamel.

The Mieu Temple once had seven red and yellow lacquered altars (one in the middle, three on either side).

The middle altar was dedicated to Emperor Gia Long and his two Queens (Thua Thien and Thuan Thien).

The first altar (left) was dedicated to Emperor Minh Mang and Queen.

The first altar (right) was dedicated to Emperor Thieu Tri and Queen.

The second altar (left) was dedicated to Emperor Tu Duc and Queen.

The second altar (right) was dedicated to Emperor Kien Phuc.

The third altar (left) was dedicated to Emperor Dong Khanh and Queen.

The third altar (right) was dedicated to Emperor Khai Dinh.

On January 25, 1959, at the request of the royal family and the people, a ceremony was held to admit to the temple mortuary tablets of Ham Nghi, Thanh Thai, and Duy Tan, three anti-French Emperors. So, there are today three additional reddish-lacquered altars for them in the temple.