Nine Holy Cannons

About this audio guide

This guide to the Nine Holy Cannons at Hue's Imperial Citadel follows Emperor Gia Long's decision, after winning the bloodiest civil war in Vietnamese history, to melt his defeated rival's entire arsenal into nine towering bronze cannons named for the seasons and the elements. You will hear about the year-long foundry effort, the craftsmen whose titles are still engraved on the metal, and the odd purpose behind weapons built never to be fired. Look closely and you can still trace the dragons and flowering vines carved into their surfaces.