King Tu Duc’s splendid resting place in Hue

For visitors to the ancient city of Hue, King Tu Duc’s tomb is one of the biggest attractions.

King Tu Duc’s tomb is one of the biggest attractions in the acient city of Hue. - Photo panoramio.com

Tu Duc (1829 – 1883) was the fourth king of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last family to rule Viet Nam. He also sat on the throne for longer than anyone else in his family.

The king had a hundred wives but no heir. His legacy is a breathtaking mausoleum on the outskirts of Hue, the imperial capital.

Anecdotal evidence says the king had hundreds of wives and concubines.

Sadly, a harem does not guarantee offspring, siring whom is the most important duty of every man, let alone a king, in a Confucian society.

Bad luck begot bad luck and the adopted heir of the longest ruler had the shortest reign ever: He was overthrown after three days on a throne on which his father had sat for 30 years.

Source VNS