Hue

 
Hue owes its charm partly to its location on the Perfume River – picturesque on a clear day, atmospheric even in less flattering weather. There’s always restoration work going on to recover Hue’s royal splendour, but today the city is very much a blend of new and old: modern homes sit cheek by jowl with crumbling century-old Citadel walls, and sleek new hotels tower over stately colonial-era properties.
 
If you are a history buff, or simply love discovering exotic cultures, Hue- Vietnam’s former Royal Capital is definitely on the top list of your travel plan. The city represents the outstanding demonstration of the power of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire, including a complex of monuments, tombs and pagodas that attract tourists coming from all over the world.
 
Hue is the place where dining is not to satisfy human basic needs, but a form of art. Hue’s gastronomy is elegant, light and noble, different from other regions’ of Vietnam. Spices, especially chili, play an important role in Hue’s cooking and cuisine decorating art. Nowadays, consuming Hue dishes, it will be extremely interesting for everyone to know that they are trying what mostly were served to the Emperor in the past.
 
 

Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam. The Imperial City of Hue was actually a walled fortress and palace belonged to the ancient city of Hue which was a capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty for 140 years date back from 1805 until 1945.


 

 

Hue Imperial Citadel - Photo: bontakstravels.com
 

There are total of ten main majestic gates leading to the Imperial City of Hue, which can be divided into two main parts excluding houses and mansions: The Citadel and The Forbidden City. The former served to protect the important palaces inside while the latter was where the emperor and the royal family stayed as well as the court’s workplace. All the typically traditional Eastern architectures including majestic palaces, tombs and museums stand accordantly together to make an utmost amusing attraction right in the heart of Vietnam.
 

The pagoda is located at the end of Kim Long Road, in Huong Long Ward, on the northern bank of the Perfume River.
There are many legends about Thien Mu Pagoda (also known as Linh Mu Pagoda). Once upon a time, local residents saw an old lady in red appear every night on top of the hill. She foretold that: one day, the Lord would pass by and build something of great importance. From then on, the hill was named Thien Mu Son (Mountain of Lady from Heaven). When Lord Nguyen Hoang actually went pass the hill, he heard the legend and decided to build a pagoda and named it Thien Mu. Having gone through a lot of eventful phase, damages as well as renovations, today the pagoda still exists and remains the unofficial symbol of the ancient city Hue.
 

 

 
Gia Long tomb is a bit further away from Hue downtown area. One can go by boat along the perfume river about 18km and land at the wharf of the tomb. The land where the tomb was built to  Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Hue.
 
The tomb does not only host King Gia Long but also contains a large group of tombs for the King’s family and relatives. Those tombs were built over 17th and 19th century and recognized as one of UNESCO World Heritages.


 

 

Photo: webdulichhue.com

Speaking of the King and Queen tomb alone, they were built over a period of time that saw the come and leave of three different kings. Gia Long is the most distant tomb compared with other emperors’ tombs but it is the most scenic and impressive with regard to natural landscape. There is no complicated building nor extravagant palace. The tomb complex was fenced by mountains and hills.
 
The steles for King and Queen are parallel and share the same size. On top of the steles are coal-black roof. The simple yet elegant steles are said to symbolize and love and loyalty of the King and the Queen in war and peace.
 

Minh Mang Tomb is in Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra District, on the west bank of Perfume River and about 12km south of Hue City center. This place is where 2 tributaries join to form the picturesque Perfume River.
 
The tomb was started constructing in 1840 under the order of King Minh Mang. After his death in 1841, King Thieu Tri continued the task, according to his father’s plan. The monument was finally completed 2 years later.


 

 

Photo: dulich.chudu24.com
 

Touted as the most majestic of all Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs, Minh Mang Tomb is a complex of 40 constructions: palaces, temples, pavilions, etc. Many said that it’s a perfect combination of manmade and natural beauty of Hue, where architecture fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.
 
Looking from afar, the complex looks like a human being with the hill as his pillow and his hands and feet reaching to the river. From the front gate to the back door is almost 700m. The fence is high but does not block the view to mountains and Cam Ke Hill nearby.
 

Located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong Village, 8km from Hue City, Tu Duc Tomb is considered as one of the most beautiful and picturesque and largest works of architecture of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs. People say that Tu Duc Tomb is a must in every tour to Hue City.


 

 

Photo: dulichhue.com.vn
 

The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. The construction of Tu Duc’s tomb requires an incredible amount of money and labour, thus resulted in a rebellion of workers. Therefore, the tomb was renamed as Khiem Lang, in comparison with the former name: Van Nien Co (expresses the wish to be permanent). In addition, all the constructions’ names were changed to bear the word Khiem (Modesty) in their names, as the king wanted to express his humility.
 
It was the place where he could retreat from the Citadel to compose poetry or go hunting because the monument was finished when the king was still in reign. The design of the tomb is said to clearly reflect the profound knowledge and romance of the king’s characteristics.
 

Despite being the smallest, Khai Dinh Tomb is the most recent and costly amongst other Nguyen royal tombs. Khai Dinh chose to build his tomb by modern materials like concrete, slates and wrought iron, hence its appearance is quite gray and imposing.
 
 

 

Photo: vietnamdiscoveries.com

 

At first, the main building brings about a strong Western feel, however, the landscape was arranged to reflect traditional perceptions: a balanced combination between wood, land, water and plants. Overall, it’s an emerging rectangular structure with 127 steps, leaning against the mountain. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all over Vietnam. After climbing upstairs, tourists can first see the house of epitaph. The statues of madarines court (including madarines, horses, soldiers...) are placed at the courtyard.
 

Lang Co situated between 3 cultural heritage centres:  Hue ancient capital, Hoi An old quarter and My Son Sanctuary with the radius about 70 kilometers. Lang Co attracts tourists and researchers from the cultural heritage centre. Lang Co is on the North-South tourist route and far 30 kilometers from Da Nang city and far 70 kilometers from Hue city.

 

 


Lang Co is also known as “An Cu” by the French. Someone said that Lang Co had many storks before so that it is also know with the name “Stork village”, after that local people usually call “Lang Co”. Lang Co beach is the famous natural landscape of Thua Thien Hue province. Many years ago, this beach has famous for nature and the most beautiful landscape in Vietnam with white sand-bank along with tropical forest on the mountains.
 

Along with Lang Co beach, Tam Giang lagoon, Thuan An beach is the masterpieces of Hue which attracts a numerous tourists. Thuan An beach is far about 70 kilometers from Lang Co, people come to Hue cannot leaving this place. From the city, tourists just take about 15 minutes by taxi. You can be contemplating immense Tam Giang lagoon. Different from the neighbor beach of Centre, the terrain and climate create Thuan An miraculous beach.

Photo: vietnameseprivatetours.com

Thuan An is an interesting beach for tourists after visiting palace, tombs, pagoda, scenery of Hue. Thuan An also attracts a numerous the Hue come here in the summer. In addition, tourists can visit Thai Duong temple near here. Coming to Thuan An, you can also know about old history because Thuan An is the key to enter palace. The French was used two words “The city” to call Thuan An.
 

Tam Giang lagoon has 24 kilometers length with an area of 52 square kilometers, Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra, Thua Thien Hue. Stemming from Thuan An harbor, small boat sweeps on O Lau river along the length of the lagoon. More than 15 kilometers, fields and bridges along lagoon, we come to Thai Duong Ha village. After 30 minutes, the boat comes to island on the lagoon; there has Thai Duong ancient village.
 
At the wharf, there is the animated market with a plenty of market area in city, especially in the afternoon, junks and boats comeback along with shrimp, fish, cuttle-fish. Thai Duong Ha communal house village is complex with traditional Vietnamese village and just has specific culture in decorated temple of Thua Thien Hue, they are solemn and sparkle. Each three years, Thai Duong Ha communal house village holds "Cau ngu" festival on January 12th lunar.


 

 

Photo: vietnameseprivatetours.com
 

Thai Quoc pagoda has a combination between modern and traditional architecture but solemn, quiet in the space with many trees. Village road is very clean which is paved with concrete, both sides have many small villa, in front of the house, they worship ancient people. In the village, there have many big churches, unique architecture as sparkling temple. Thai Duong Ha village often brings surprises for tourists when standing “tombs city” which was built as small villa with beautiful patterns. Some “house” is lit up throughout the day.
 
After go along lagoon, tourists can enjoy specialties in this place. Fish, cuttle-fish, shrimp are displayed. Scenery of sunset is the most spectacular beauty in Tam Giang lagoon. The violet of heaven covers the lagoon which creates the beautiful pictures “Tam Giang lagoon”. A number of visitors stop in this place to take some photos; they want to have some pictures about sunset with sparkling view here.
 
 

Behind the Ky Dai is palace - one of the overall structures belongs to Hue ancient architecture complex. Ky Dai was built in the reign of 6th Gia Long (1807). Initiatively, it was very simple, however, during the Minh Mang dynasty, Ky Dai restored in the 1829, 1831 and 1849. Ky Dai has two parts: tower flag and pole flag.
 
Flag pole was built in the middle of the highest floor. Firstly, the flag pole was made from wood. In 1846, King Thieu Tri reconstructed new flag pole. In 1904, one typhoon damaged the flag pole and until the reign of King Thanh Thai, the flag pole was rebuilt a new one by cast iron.


 

 

Photo: dulichhue.com.vn

At the beginning of 1947, in the Second war in Vietnam, one again, the flag pole in Hue was destroyed. Until 1948, it was rebuilt by steel rob with a height of 37 meters as we can see currently. Generally, the height from ground to the top of Ky Dai is 54.5 meters.
 
From the middle of 1994 to 1995, Hue monuments conservation center reconstructed Ky Dai with scale way and it took more 1.5 billion Vietnam dong.

Con Rang is one of the biggest graves of Sa Huynh culture since about 2500 yeas ago. In 1987, teacher and students of Hue scientific university came to Con Rang and found 3 jars with big size along with pottery relic, jewelry. Up to now, archaeologist excavated 217 graves, distributed in cluster, triangle and pentagon. Con Rang grave has some types: cylindrical shape, ovoid shape and spherical shape. The jars were decorated with many patterns. In general, Con Rang grave was not complied with any rules.

 
 

Ngu Binh Mountain is also known as Ngu Mountain or Hon Mo or Bang mountain with 103 meters height on the right of the bank of Huong river. It is far about 4 kilometers from Hue city to the south. Two sides of this mountain have two small mountains: Ta Bat Son and Huu Bat Son. The Nguyen royal dynasty decided Hue palace.
 
Along with Huong River, Ngu Binh Mountain is the gift of the Nature, blend with Huong river to become the symbol of Hue nature. People usually call Hue as the area of Huong River- Ngu Mountain.

 

 

Photo: bookin.vn

From many years ago, tourists come here and enjoy the spectacular scenery. On the nice day, from the Ngu Binh Mountain, you can contemplate the whole city with sparking palace, ancient pagoda and Huong River. Seeing to the East, white sand-bank of Thuan An beach along with the blue of Dong Sea creates the beautiful picture that people will have unforgettable impression.
 
Vong Canh- one of famous landscapes in Hue is far about some kilometers from Ngu Binh Mountain. From the Vong Canh hill, you can see the fruit-trees such as: longan, Areca catechu, orange… blend with the roof of temple, pagoda, tombs… Huong River is as a band silk. Tourists have opportunities in the morning or sunset; they will feel poetic beauty of a hill, a river of Hue.
The beauty of Ngu Mountain is not only about feng shui but also close to the Hue. People can contemplate the beauty of Hue palace, listen the voice of another world.
 
Over a half of century, almost trees in the mountain do not exist. In the recent year, Ngu Mountain survives. From a distance, tourists can see the pine forest in the mountain, at the foot of mountain, we can hear about songs which stem from pine. On the occasion of Lunar New Year, woman and men come here and take some things to have lucky.
 

Phu Van Lau is located in the Phu Hoa ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue province. Phu Van Lau is near the northern bank of Huong River, belongs the complex of Hue ancient capital: Thai Hoa palace – Ngo Mon – Ky Dai – Phu Van Lau - Nghinh Luong Dinh – Huong Giang – Ngu Binh.
 
This place listed the announcement of court for the public. It often is the mandate of King or outcome of competition. In addition, this place also held many events for country with the representation of King, cadres and the public.
At the old address of Phu Van Lau, the court built small structure “Bang Dinh”. In 1819, in the reign of Gia Long, the structure was replaced by the two-stories building with the new name “Phu Van Lau”
In 1843, Thieu Tri King built the stone stele house on the right of building to carve this poem “Huong Giang hieu phiem” (To go for a row on the Huong River).

 

Photo: ngoisao.net
 

For nearly 190 years, Phu Van Lau was restored about 10 times, however, the architecture still retains until now.
Phu Van Lau has a height of 11.67 meters with 16 dark red columns (4 columns throughout entire 2 stories, 12 small columns), the floor is surrounded by banister system. The space downstairs is completely empty. The second floor, four sides has “do ban”- one kind of silk painting frame with wood banister.In 1974, people replaced some composition by concrete one.
Phu Van Lau is the beautiful art of Nguyen dynasty, a unique heritage of Hue ancient architecture complex.
 

 
Phu Cam trade village is traditional handicraft village in Hue. One of the famous places of 'non' – conical hat profession over the years is the Phu Cam village. Phu Cam village is also known as the Phuoc Vinh precinct that is located in the heart of Hue city, southern part of An Cuu River. Since the seventeenth century, a group of parishioners in Phu Cam was formed by the French priest who established priest in 1680. This place developed 'non' trade village and residents depends on its income.
 

 

 

Photo: vietnamtourism.com
 

"Non Hue" is popular items informed by available material in the mountains or surrounding area around Hue such as bamboo and leaves to make "non"…  It has difference features in contrast with others because it is thin, light, soft and durable by dexterity and experience of the workers.
 
Conical hat features two thin white layers decorated with Trang Tien Bridge, heavenly Lady Pagoda, Ngu Binh Mountain, etc. Among many types of conical hat, Bai tho conical hat is the most famous one. It is well known not only domestic but also international tourists.
 
When you arrive in Hue, do not forget to buy one as a souvenir for friends or relatives.
 
 

Dieu De pagoda belongs to Phu Cat ward, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province. Dieu De is the third pagoda that Thieu Tri King considered as one of 20 famous landscape of Hue ancient capital. The place was built by Thieu Tri King with big scale in the 1842, 1844. It was built by King Thieu Tri in 1844 on the platform (5,000m2) of his old residence, where he was born in 1807.
 
A pagoda Precinct is located among 4 roads: Bach Dang, To Hien Thanh, Dieu De and Ong pagoda. Initiatively, the pagoda has scale architecture. It is not beautiful as Thien Mu pagoda, but Dieu De pagoda has unique beauty with 4 stories.

 

 

Photo: vietnameseprivatetours.com

 

Central chamber is “dai giac”, entourage is the place for worship. “La Thanh” system beside Dieu De pagoda was built strong. Before, Dieu De pagoda had many Buddha statues which were from Giac Hoang Pagoda.  It played the role in the anti Diem Buddhist upheaval that shook Vietnam in the 1960s and presaged a deeper US involvement is more remarkable. Throughout the 1960s, the pagoda remained a centre of anti war activism. In 1887, almost rooms of pagoda were destroyed. Dieu De is the famous landscape that tourists cannot help coming.
 

Emperors under feudalism often regarded themselves as "thien tu" (son of the God). Hence, to express their respect to Father God, they often held annual offering ceremonies to worship.

That's why Nam, Giao Esplanade was built by King Gia Long after being crowned, in Duong Xuan Village, south of Hue City. It was started constructing on 25th March, 1806. At the beginning of 1807, its first God worship ceremonies were held there. Among several offering terraces of previous dynasties, Nguyen's is the only one that still exists until today.

 

 

Photo: vietnamonline.com
 

Visitors can come here to understand about the religious and political belief of Oriental feudal society in general and Nguyen Dynasty in particular, which is completely different from that of Western people.
 

Temple of Literature is dedicated to memorising and worshiping Confucius, which is a popular practice in many Asian countries, such as: China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. In Vietnam, apart from the most well-known Temple of Literature in Hanoi, some other cities also construct their own Temples of Literature. In Hue, the old capital of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature (so-called Van Mieu Hue or Van Thanh) majestically lies on the bank of Perfume River, to the west of the Citadel, just about 1km from prestigious Linh Mu pagoda. The south-facing monument was built in 1908 during the reign of King Gia Long, on the top of the hill. Over the years afterwards, the temple has gone through several major restoration works.

 
 

 
Established in 1896, after more than 100-year history, Quoc Hoc today is still a well-maintained French colonial-style construction. The school is a complex of five blocks of classrooms, big football field, basketball court, five badminton courts, a swimming pool, a medium stadium and also a block of dormitory. It’s considered the largest and also the most beautiful high school campus in Vietnam. This surrounding makes a great picture of red French designed building in harmony with green background of a lot of large shady trees and stone benches. Especially in spring, when “diep anh dao” (a kind of cherry blossoms) is in bloom, the whole picture is filled with pinky dots above red thatched tile. Students often call that period of time “Pinky cloud season” and regard it as the most special moments of a year. These are the reasons why Quoc Hoc is also called “Pinky school beside Perfume River Bank” in the song with the same name. Lucky if one has a chance to drop by the school during that season.

 

 

Photo: tiin.vn
 

Not only is Quoc Hoc famous for its charming scene, it also gains prominence for tradition of patriotism, industriousness, academic achievements and respect for the time-honored values of teacher-student relationships. Several Vietnam political leaders have been learning here, including: Nguyen Tat Thanh (President Ho Chi Minh), General Vo Nguyen Giap, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, etc. In addtion, the school is famed for its students who are well-known poets (Xuan Dieu, Huy Can, To Huu, Luu Trong Lu etc.), scientists (Ta Quang Buu, Ton That Tung, Dang Van Ngu, etc.), musicians (Tran Hoan, Chau Ky, , Nguyen Van Thuong, etc.) or sculptor Diem Phung Thi and so on. The school also has students getting high prize in many International Competitions.
 

Just 43m high, the hill is located 7km from Hue centre, with its foot lying next to slowly flowing Perfume River. On the way to Tu Duc Tomb, there’s a hill called Vong Canh, which at first seems to be quite normal amongst other famous sightseeing spots of Hue. However, tourists shouldn’t miss this spot, for it has been regarded as the best place to catch a panoramic view of the Perfume River. This can easily be seen from its name: “Vong” means watch, observe; “Canh” means scene.


 

 

Photo: vietnamplaces.info
 

It’s recommended that when coming to Vong Canh, just follow the indication: watch the scene! It may have nothing to be entertaining but for ones who are looking for natural beauty and calmness, that’s perfect enough.
 

 
Dong Ba is the biggest commercial center of Thua Thien Hue Province and the adjacent regions. It stands along the north bank of Huong River, on Tran Hung Dao Street of Hue City and stretches from Trang Tien Bridge to Gia Hoi Bridge.
 
When visiting Dong Ba Market, tourists can easily spot the old bell tower standing proudly amidst the complex of buildings. With nine new buildings and four new sections ranging from seafood to clothes, the market reaches an area of up to 16,000 m2.


 

 

 

However, the architecture is not really a highlight but the atmosphere and the daily pace of the market itself. Similar to most of Vietnamese markets, this one is divided into different sections, depending on the types of products. The whole floor upstair is for garment and clothes.

* Huong River

A visitor to Hue once remarked after his vacation here: “A visit to Hue would not be complete without a boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, or else you cannot feel the romance of Hue”.The Perfume River (Vietnamese: Sông Hương or Hương Giang) is a river that crosses the capital city of Hue, in the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien Hue. Perfume or Huong River is around 80 kilometers long, and owes its name to the fact that it flows through many forests of aromatic plants before reaching Hue, bringing with it a pure and fresh aroma.

 

 

Trang Tien Bridge at night

* Trang Tien Bridge
 
Over 100 years have passed, the graceful bridge still reflects on the Perfume River to witness all the ups and downs of history and countless 'scars of time’ and becomes a romantic symbol of the ancient capital.
 
In 1897, the French Resident Superior in Central Vietnam - Levecque – assigned Eiffel of France (known for the Eiffel Tower in Paris) to design and build the Truong Tien Bridge. The construction completed in 1899. To date, the bridge has connected the banks of the Perfume River for 114 years and it is even older than the historic bridge of Long Bien in Hanoi (1899-1902).
Truong Tien Bridge has many names: Thanh Thai (name of the Thanh Thai King of the Nguyen Dynasty), Clemenceau (a French Prime Minister during the First World War), Nguyen Hoang (The Nguyen lord who explored the central region between the 16th and early 17th century) and Truong Tien or Trang Tien because the bridge was located near a coin casting enterprise of the Nguyen Dynasty.
For more than 100 years of history, the graceful Truong Tien Bridge has undergone many changes and ups and downs along with the ancient capital.