The Vietnamese prove to be masters at creating miniature landscapes. Just two weeks ago we shared an article about a single landscape, this time we share an entire historic city center. Amazing work by a man named Nguyễn; he created a replica of the old city of Hue.

This is no ordinary story. Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Tùng started work on this amazing project in 2000. He studied the old city plans, as well as the architecture of Hue for two years, learning from craftsmen in the city. Choosing proper materials to create the miniature city turned out to be very difficult as well. Using wood would mean the city wouldn't last. Therefore Nguyễn tested several materials, to find out that an old mixture of cement and stone worked best.

So how long did it take to build the entire work? Once work started it took seven years to finish it, with help of over twenty artists. The city consists of over 150 buildings, a river, several squares, a tomb, several city gates and the Thái Hòa palace.

The miniature city of Hue

Front of the city and its outer walls

Canons, made by the artist

City walls and moat

The city and its many Bonsai trees

The waterside

Old center of Hue

The palace compound

The Thai Hoa Palace gate

Other side of the Palace

Extensive carve-work on the Palace

Stairways

The artist, mr. Nguyễn Thanh Tùng

Kids on an excursion visiting the park

The main tower

Roofs of the imperial buildings

As I said, this was no ordinary story! Visiting Vietnam? Make sure to gaze at this work, located in Saigon. Thanks to Nguyễn Thanh Tùng.