The Imperial City of Hue · The Guard in the Empty Hall

The Imperial City of Hue was the palace compound of the Nguyen dynasty. In the Vietnam War it was beaten into broken walls under shellfire, and of many halls only the platform is left.

Visitors say that on the open ground of the Thai Hoa Palace they have heard rows of footsteps and the sound of a bronze gong, as if a guard were marching past in formation; when they come to themselves there is only grass around.

Older people here call it “the court has not yet dispersed”. They say the halls fell, but the days are still going on.

Historical Mysteries / Hue · Vietnam / 1802