Hue Vacations, Vietnam

The city of HUE lies along the perfume river with the Citadel on the east side. HUE has been considered one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Its main attractions are the Nguyen Emperors Royal Tombs, various pagodas and the remains of the Citadel. HUE is also known for producing the finest Conical hats in Vietnam like the "Poem Hats" which when held up against the light it reveals a black cut-out scenes that are sandwiched between the layers of translucent palm leaves. The city is also home to one of the largest and most beautiful selection of rice paper and silk paintings.

What to see in HUE?
Citadel The Construction of the Citadel began in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty. This moated enclosure has a 10 kilometers perimeter and was originally made of earth and later on covered with layer of bricks two meters thick in the 19 century by thousands of workers. The emperor's official functions were carried out in the Imperial Enclosure with 6 meters high walls and 2.5 kilometers in length. It has four gates with the Ngo Mon Gate as the most famous. The Forbidden Purple City is reserved for the private lift of the emperor within the Imperial Enclosure.

The Flag Tower The Flag Tower is considered to be Vietnam's tallest flagpole measuring 37 meters in height. It was erected in the year 1809 and extended in 1831. In 1904 it was knocked down by a typhoon which hit the whole city and subsequently rebuilt again in 1915 only to be destroyed once again in 1947. During the VC occupation of the city in 1968 which was very brief, the national liberation flag was raised in this flag tower and flew for three and a half weeks.

Nine Dynastic URNS. Cast during 1835-1836, the nine urns you see today were each dedicated to a different Nguyen emperor with the largest and the most ornate placed in the middle dedicated to the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, Emperor Gia Long. The designs include the sun, moon, meteors, clouds, mountains, river and various landscapes which date back 4,000 years with some of Chinese origin. Weighing from 1,900 kg - 2,600 kg each and two meters in height, the urns symbolize the power and stability of the Nguyen throne.

THAI HOA Palace. Also called the Palace of the Supreme Harmony, the palace was built in 1803 and was moved to its present location in 1833. The palace is accessible from Ngo Mon Gate via Trung Dao Bridge. It was used for the emperor's official functions and other court ceremonies. The spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers is supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. The elevated throne where the Emperor used to sit is still maintained and kept inside the palace for the visitors to see.

Thien Mu Pagoda. Built on a hillock overlooking the Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the most famous structures in the whole of Vietnam and worth a visit when you are in HUE. The existing 21 meters high octagonal tower, the seven story Thap Phuoc Duyen, was constructed under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844 and has now become the unofficial symbol of the city of HUE. The Pagoda is 4 kilometers southwest of the Citadel and can be reached by road or by the river. To the right of the tower is a pavilion containing a stele dating from 1715 set on a back of marble turtle, symbol of longevity. To the left of the tower is another six sided pavilion sheltering an enormous bell.

TOMB OF KHAI DINH. Emperor Khai Dinh ruled from 1916 to 1925. After climbing the first 36 steps you will reach the first courtyard flanked by two pavilions. The Honor Courtyard with its rows of elephants, horses and civil and military mandarins is 26 steps further up the hillside. In the center of the courtyard is an octagonal Stele Pavilion. The main building which is divided in three halls is up by anther three more flights of stairs. The walls and ceiling are decorated with murals and other designs made out of colorful bits of broken porcelain and glass embedded in cement. Under the concrete canopy is a gilt bronze statue of Khai Dihn in full royal regalia. The emperor's remains are interred 18 meters below the statue. The tomb is located in Chau Chu Village, 10 kilometers from HUE.

TOMB OF TU DUC. Emperor Tu Duc has the longest reign of any Nguyen monarch (1843-1883) and his tomb was designed by himself which was constructed between 1864-1867 for use before and after his death. This majestic and serene tomb is set amid trees and a grove of pines. The tomb is surrounded by a solid octagonal wall. It has a pavilion built over water where the emperor will sit among the columns with his concubines composing or reciting poetry. Nearby is the Tinh Khiem Island where Tu Duc used to hunt small game animals. Tu Duc had 104 wives and countless concubines but without any offspring of his own, his adopted son Emperor Kien Phuc only ruled for seven months, 1883-1884. After passing the honor guard of elephant, horse and civil and military mandarins is the Stele Pavilion which houses a massive stone tablet weighing 20 tonnes. The inscriptions were drafted by Emperor Tu Duc himself to clarify certain aspects of his reign. Tu Duc's sepulcher is on the other side of a half-moon-shaped lake enclosed by a wall. The emperor was never actually interred here and the site where his remains were buried has never been found. It is believed that every one of the 200 servants who buried the emperor was beheaded as a measure to keep the place a secret. Emperor Tu Duc's tomb is on Van Nien Hill in Duong Xuang Thuong Village about 6 kilometers from HUE.

How to go HUE? HUE is served by Phu Bai Airport, 14 kilometers south of the city center. Daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi by Vietnam Airlines connects these cities. It can also be reached by road from Danang.

About the Author:

Renato T.Castor - Information from Air-Sea Guide

Travel & Golf Magazine. http://www.tourthailand.org

Things To Do and See in Hue

Hue Imperial City (The Citadel), Hue
This former site of the old capitol has a moat and ten ornate gates

guarding a palace, temples, gardens and tombs. Its most prominent

feature is a tall flag tower.
Attraction type: Historic site

Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue
Possibly Hue’s most recognizable landmark, this pagoda contains

numerous living and working buildings for its resident monks,

a bell tower and a seven-tiered monument in front.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building; Historic site

Tomb of Tu Duc, Hue
The final resting-place of this Nguyen Dynasty emperor and

scholar was built before his death. A lake, pavilion and theatre

still exist on the grounds.
Attraction type: Historic site

Perfume River, Hue
Attraction type: River; Group tour/boat

Forbidden Purple City, Hue
Charred remains of the royal family’s inner sanctum occupy

this area within the Citadel. It is partially rebuilt with plans for future restoration.
Attraction type: Historic site