About Hue
The Imperial City of Hue
Nestled on the peaceful banks of the majestic Perfume River, Hue is a city steeped in history. For nearly 150 years it was the imperial capital of the feudal Nguyen Dynasty, whose rule started in 1802 and finished in 1945 when emperor Bao Dai abdicated the throne and transfered power to Ho Ch Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam. As a result of this imperial rule Hue is well known for its monuments and architecture.
Hue is a city that is easy to get a grip on, with the Citadel and the old city on the north side of the river, and the new city lying on the banks to the south. Much of the riverside has wisely been done up as a pleasant promenade and park dotted with bizarre sculptures.
Whether visiting Hue for one day or one week, there is much on offer in and around the outskirts of this laid back city. The Forbidden Purple City, within the walls of the Citadel, is slowly being restored to its previous glory, and it is very easy to take a few hours to stroll around the grounds constantly discovering new nooks and crannies at every turn. It is wise to hire a guide for about US$5 at the entrance, who will be full of information on the history of the Forbidden City.
Dotted around the outskirts of the city are the royal tombs of the Nguyen Emperors. They can be easily reached by either taxi or motorbike, but a more ideal way to reach them is on a river cruise which takes in the sights of the mighty Perfume River. Once there it is easy to see why the emperors chose to live and eventually be laid to rest in the idyllic surroundings. Each tomb was designed by the emperor that is buried there, and the designs reflect the way that each monarch ruled.
There are day trips around Hue which take in the tombs, the citadel, the river and some pagodas. Also on offer are motorbike tours which take you around to the sites, but also through some rural areas which not many tourists get to see.
Further afield is the DMZ tour, but be prepared for a long day. This tour visits many historical sights around the Ben Hai river, which was the dividing line between the north and south of Vietnam during the American war. The tour concludes with a visit to the Vinh Moc tunnels, a system of tunnels that was home to 62 families for 5 years during the war.
Even further north are the magical Phong Nha caves, the largest and oldest cave system in Vietnam. This vast cave system stretches to the border of Laos and contains caves which can be reached on foot or by a series of underground rivers.
For those who like to bush walk, Bach Ma National Park lies 40km south of Hue. It is known for its beautiful waterfalls, peaceful walking tracks and decaying french villas which dot the country side. There are a few guest houses for people who wish to stay the night and get up at the crack of dawn to possibly catch a glimpse of one of the many rare species of animals that inhabit Bach Ma.
After all these tours it is nice to sit back and have an ice cold beer and sample the local cuisine. There are many local delicacies to choose from, and since Hue has a large Buddhist culture there are a large number of vegetarian dishes on offer.
What better way to finish off a visit to Hue than hiring a motorbike or going on an organised bike tour to Hoi An, taking in the beach road between Hue and Lang Co and experiencing the breath taking views of the Hai Van Pass before finishing off with a night in Hoa's Place, nestled between Marble Mountain and Danang.
To get the most out of your time in Hue requires a bit of planning and effort but it is well worth it in the end to see what most travellers just pass up because they can't be bothered.
