Vietnam's Nghe dogs are the ultimate border guards of the sacred world, a lineage of lean, clay baked watchdogs that broke from the fat blueprints of Chinese imperial lions. For two millennia, these supernatural sentinels have policed dry land checkpoints at dynastic altars. They sit flat footed with leaf shaped ears flared, catching whispers from the spirit world. Alert and slightly grinning, they use that unsettling smirk to trap malicious intent before it can contaminate a

Nestled along the banks of the Perfume River in the southwest corner of Hué, King Minh Mạng’s funeral complex was the result of a grand vision and an extensive building program. Guided by the ancient practice of geomancy, which aligns structures with natural forces, the complex was designed to harmonise with the environment, blending the spiritual with the earthly.

Leaning against the Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue, this elaborately designed, hillside tomb has elements of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. Featuring blackened concrete, the Gothic inspired monument casts a striking silhouette against the verdant green countryside. While comparatively smaller than other Royal tombs, the building itself is far more elaborately designed than others of its era.