Situated about 4km from Hue Citadel, Nam Giao Esplanade was constructed in 1806 under Emperor Gia Long’s reign. This esplanade was dedicated to the earth sacrifice ceremony held during 3 days. After Emperor Thanh Thai's reign (to 1945), the ceremony was organized once every three years. When Emperor Bao Dai came to the throne, the heaven sacrifice ceremony took place in one day only.
The three-story building facing the South. Its first floor representing man is square and painted red. The second floor (Phuong dan) representing earth is square and painted yellow. The third floor (Vien dan) representing heaven is circular and painted blue. The architecture reflects universe concept in the East culture i.e. 3 agents theory (Heaven, Earth, Man); the blue sky, yellow earth; circular heaven and square earth.
Pine trees are grown in Nam Giao esplanade campus. In addition to the three floor construction, there are some tile-roofed houses such as Trai cung (place where the Emperor stayed before the sacrifice ceremony), Than tru (kitchen) and Than kho (storehouse). Other reed-roofed houses were temporarily built in preparation for the sacrifice ceremony.
Today, heaven sacrifice esplanades of former dynasties no longer exist. Nam Giao esplanade of Nguyen Dynasty in Hue city is the only monument remains relatively intact.
Nam Giao esplanade was recognized as a national relic (art architecture category) by the Ministry of Culture and Information on decision 2890-VH/QD on September 27th, 1997).