The smallest of Hue’s Royal Tombs, the Tomb of Dong Khan is distinct from the others in the complex. Visitors get a unique perspective on the changes that were shaping Vietnam during the French colonial period.
Dong Khanh was an adopted son of Tu Duc, the ‘Poet Emperor’ known for his excessive opulence and seeming indifference to his subjects. Dong Khan was an unlikely candidate for the throne, which is exactly why the French installed him as their puppet emperor.
He only ruled for three years, during which time he built a shrine to honor his father. Dong Khan died at the age of 24 and was succeeded by Thanh Thai, who chose to save the royal treasury by converting this shrine into a Royal Tomb for Dong Khan.
The saving grace of Dong Khan’s final resting place is its unique fusion of traditional Vietnamese and French Colonial architecture. It isn’t nearly as opulent as the other tombs in the region, but its terra-cotta relief work, French paintings and stained glass windows are a striking counterbalance to the traditional Chinese architecture.
Getting There & Away
The Tomb of Dong Khan is easily visited on a daytrip from Hue. Taxis and tourist buses are available for transport, though tourists could also consider hiring a car or motorbike. Hue is a major stopover on the National Highway 1A and operates a regional airport with flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi (45 minutes) and select Asian destinations. The rail journey from Danang to Hue take 3 hours, 30 minutes.