Royal Passage Only: The Citadel's Gates
QUANG DUC GATE
This gate was the first of the 13 city gates built in 1809.
During the Nguyen Dynasty, it was one of the two gates leading directly into the citadel, so it was heavily guarded, and only the Royal Family and important political figures were allowed passage.
This structure was destroyed by the 1953 flood, rendering it impassable, hence the local people's name for it, 'The Collapsed Gate.' It was later restored in 1998 and remains in use to this day
THE NHAN GATE
Thể Nhân Môn, commonly known as the Ngăn Gate (meaning "Blocking Gate"), is situated on the southern side, to the left of the Flag Tower (Kỳ Đài) of the Citadel. It is a one-way thoroughfare leading from 23/8 Street to Lê Duẩn Street. The arched gateway was constructed in 1809 during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, while the watchtower (vọng lâu) above it was built in 1829 under Emperor Minh Mạng. Initially named Thể Nguyên, it was renamed Thể Nhân after the construction of the watchtower. The local people familiarly call it the Lower Ngăn Gate (cửa Ngăn Dưới) to distinguish it from the Quảng Đức Gate, which is known as the Upper Ngăn Gate (cửa Ngăn Trên)."
HISTORICAL EVENT OF ' HUU GATE ''
In addition, there is a special gate closely associated with the historical event of the 'Fall of the Capital' (a catastrophic event so devastating that even today, every household performs outdoor rituals on the 22nd day of the 5th lunar month). In 1885, when the French colonialists launched a full-scale attack, seizing and killing civilians, King Ham Nghi was escorted to escape the citadel at night through Huu Gate (now the gate connecting Yet Kieu Street to the citadel
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