Phu V膬n L芒u (Phu Van Lau), Hue

Phu Van Lau, often called the Pavilion of Edicts, is a striking two-storey wooden pavilion built in 1819 under Emperor Gia Long鈥檚 reign (Nguyen Dynasty). Located along the northern bank of the Perfume River, just south of Ngo Mon Gate and fronted by the Flag Tower, it occupies a central place in the axis of Hue鈥檚 Imperial City. The pavilion features a yellow-tiled roof, sixteen deep-red pillars, lattice-framed upper-floor walls, and a broad, open ground-floor court鈥攁 fine example of traditional Nguyen architecture.

Historically, Phu Van Lau served as the official platform for public proclamations, including royal decrees and exam results鈥攁 critical moment in maintaining imperial authority. In 1829, Emperor Minh Mang famously staged tiger-elephant duels in front of the pavilion鈥攁n event emblematic of royal spectacle and power display. Later, under Emperor Thieu Tri, the site gained even more cultural weight. He added a stone stele house in 1843 to display his poem 鈥淗uong Giang Hieu Phiem鈥� (鈥淢orning Boating on the Perfume River鈥�), reinforcing the pavilion鈥檚 artistic importance.

Despite nearly 200 years of cumulative wear and multiple restorations鈥攁round ten over its history鈥擯hu Van Lau retains much of its original aesthetic and structural integrity. Rising approximately 11.7 meters above ground with its elegant symmetry, the pavilion offers visitors a perfect vantage point to photograph the Perfume River, Ngu Binh Mountain, and the lotus-lined courtyard.

For tourists, visiting Phu Van Lau is about more than just admiring architecture鈥攊t鈥檚 an invitation to step into the public court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Strolling around the site, you鈥檒l appreciate its strategic placement within the Imperial City, its ceremonial grandeur, and the subtle details鈥攆rom carved wooden beams to poetic inscriptions鈥攖hat tell centuries of Hue鈥檚 royal heritage.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hue. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Phu V膬n L芒u (Phu Van Lau)
Sight Location: Hue, Vietnam (See walking tours in Hue)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Hue Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Hue, Vietnam

Create Your Own Walk in Hue

Creating your own self-guided walk in Hue is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Hue Introduction Walking Tour

Once the seat of the imperial dynasty in the heart of Vietnam, Hue is chock-full of stories. During feudal times, for nearly 150 years 鈥� from 1802 to 1945, the city served as the national capital. The royal lifestyle and customs have had a strong impact on the lifestyle of locals, and this impact can still be felt today.

First cited about 200 BCE as the seat of the Chinese military authority... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Imperial City Walking Tour

The Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty built their feudal capital along the fertile banks of the Perfume River, whose steady flow, centuries on, still sets up a languid pace that the rest of the city is happy to follow.

Situated within the walls of the Royal Citadel, The Imperial City in Hue is one of, if not the most prominent landmark in Vietnam, renowned for its wonderful collection of oriental... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

911爆料网