This is a tour we took from our hotel Morin, on the other side of the Perfume River. This pleasant 4-hour walk is marked on the map. The walk starts with the crossing of the Perfume River over the Truong Tien Bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn left to stroll along the river (Tran Hung Dao Street) toward the Flag Tower (Kỳ Đài). Turn right on the Dinh Tien Hoang Street to enter the Outer Wall at Thuong Tu Gate. Thuong-Tu Gate Ngo-Mon Gate: entrance to the Forbidden City Turning left after passing Thuong Tu Gate, you will see the Flag Tower again on the left and the Inner Wall on the right with its Ngo Mon Gate. The Forbidden City with the Emperor Palace lies inside the Outer Wall, is surrounded by the Inner Wall (Nội Thành), again with its own moat. The area inside the Inner Wall was formerly reserved for the imperial family and the royal household. As usual in Asia that time, the architecture layout of the Citadel is planned strictly following „phong thủy“ (chin. Fengshui) and astrology rules, according to which rectangular forms correspond to the earth and circles correspond to heaven. The complex is thus built with rectangular patterns. Thai Hoa Palace (Dien Thai Hoa) seen from Ngo Mon Gate Enter the Forbidden City (entrance fee 55 Thousand Dong) at Ngo Mon Gate. Upon going through the Ngo Mon Gate you can climb up just after the entrance: the view two both sides is marvellous. On the upper floor of the Gate there are two huge Emperor’s drums. Going over the bridge you will first reach the most important building, the “Hall of Highest Harmony” (Điện Thái Hoà), which was an important venue for official receptions and other important royal ceremonies. The pompous columns of the hall are lacquered with gold inlay. Around this hall are former mandarin preparation buildings,  the apartment palace Kiến Trung with small lakes, well-appointed tree formations. One should reserve 2-3 hours for the visit. Imperial thron inside the Thai Hoa Palace The Royal Theatre inside the Hue's citadel (Duyệt Thị Đường ) After the visit of the Forbidden City, if you have time, exit the Forbidden City not at Ngo Mon Gate, but at the Hien Nhon gate, continue to Dinh Cong Trang Street, turn left to Dinh Tien Hoang Street, go to the Ho Tinh Tam (the Emperor’s lotus lake). Ho Tinh Tam offers quiet hidden corner to take a meditative rest. When you are ready to go back, detour on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, turn left on the Mai Thuc Loan Street to exit the Citadel through the Dong Ba Gate.