Vietnam Travel Hue The Ancient capital Tour
Hue, the ancient imperial city of the Nguyen kings, is located 12 kilometers from the coast on a narrow stretch of land in Thua Thien Hue Province, which borders Laos in the west.Hue, ancient imperial city is the most beautiful city in Vietnam, Hue seved as Vietnam’s political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, Hue city has been one of Vietnam’s cultural, religious and educational centres. Today, Hue’s main attractions are the splendid tombs of Nguyen emperors, serveral notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel.
Hue Imperial city
With hundreds of historical and cultural vestiges, Hue city has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage in 1993.
Hue – an ancient citadel of Vietnam is situated in a zone with a tropical monsoon climate divided in four distinct seasons: fresh spring, very hot summer, mild autumn and windy, cold winter. The average annual temperature is 25oC. The most convenient time to visit Hue city is from November to April. The rainy season is from September to November.
Tourist Attraction Sites in Hue
Thien Mu Pagoda ( Celestial Lady Pagoda )
Some 4km west of the citadel on a hill overlooking the Perfume River stands Hue’s postcard symbol, an octagonal seven-tiered tower. This was built in 1844 in front of the main pagoda, dating from 1621. Each tier is dedicated to a Buddha who appeared in human form ( manushi buddha ), incarnated here as statues, while the name ” celestial lady” supposedly originated from an ageing goddess who appeared to a Nguyen ancestor, telling him to build a pagoda on this hill. The tower ( Phuoc Duyen ) is flanked by two small pavilions, one sheltering a huge marble tortoise surmounted by a large stela ( 1715 ) relating the development of Buddhism in Hue, and the other a bronze bell ( 1710 ) over 2m in height which, when rung, can be heard 15 km away. Behind the tower, a gateway guarded by six dramatic statues leads to the main temple, a dark hall illuminated by a shiny brass laughing Buddha. Outside, on the left, stands the Aystin car that in June 1963 was driven by Thich Quang Duc ( a monk from this pagoda ) to SaiGon, where he took his pacifist stand of self-immolation. Behind are monastery buidings and gardens that lead to a wall overlooking a peaceful hillside cemetery. Thien Mu can be reached either by bicycle, straight along the waterfront road, or by boat.
Thien Mu pagoda
Citadel
Construction of moated Citadel ( Kinh Thanh ), whose perimeter is 10 km, was begun in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long on a site chosen by geomancers. The Citadel was originally made of earth, but during the first few decades of the 19th century, tens of thousands of workers laboured to cover the ramparts, built in the style of the French military architect Vauban, with a layer of bricks two metres thick.The emperor’s official functions were carried out in the Imperial Enclosure ( Dai Noi, or Hoang Thanh ), a citadel-within-a-citadel whose six metre high wall is 2.5 km in length. The Imperial Enclosure has four gates, the most famous of which is Ngo Mon Gate. Within the Imperial Enclosure is the Forbidden Purple City ( Tu Cam Thanh ), which was reserved for the private life of the emperor. Three sides of the citadel are straight; the fourth is rounded slightly to follow the curve of the river. The ramparts are encircled by a zigzag moat 30 metres across and about four metres deep. In the northern corner of the Citadel is Mang Ca fortress, once known as the French Concession, which is still used as a military base. The Citadel has 10 fortified gates, each of which is reached by a bridge across the moat.
Forbidden Purple CiTy ( Tu Cam Thanh )
The third and innermost fort of the royal complex has a perimeter of 1,225 m and is accessible through seven gates. It formerly was strictly reserved for the private use of the kings and their families. The Forbidden Purple City is almost isolated from the outside world. Inside the three high ramparts and deep moats are located a large cluster of smaller constructions built along a main axis running from north to south. The northernmost structure is Dai Ky ( flag tower ) . It is followed by Ngo Mon gate, Dai Trieu Nghi yard, Thai Hoa Palace, Can Chanh Palace…
Thai Hoa Palace
Built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. Reached from the Ngon Mon Gate via Trung Dao Bridge, it was used for the emperor’s official receptions and other important court ceremonies. During state occasions, the king sat on his elevated throne and received homage from ranks of mandarins. Nine stelae divide the bi-level courtyard into areas for officials of each of the nine ranks in the mandarinate; administrative mandarins stood to one side and military mandarins to the other.
Imperial Museum and Military Museum
Near the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum , built in 1845 under Emperor Thieu Tri, houses treasures bequeathed by the royal family and nobility. ( It has been under renovation and some parts of it are closed to the public. ) Sadly, many objects have disappeared without trace in the course of revolution and war since December 1946. Across the street, an expanded Military Museum that was opende in 1975 is one of the collections related to the Vietnam War. This displays, photographs and maps must be viewed with a jaundiced eye, for they read as propaganda. However, the English translations are superior to those of other museums around the country, and the setting is bright lit, air-conditioned and clean. The guides are helpful, as well. There are a large topograpical map with lights showing the movements of the American troops, South Vietnamese military and Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Outside, in a yard overgrown with weeds, are pieces of military hardware. Next to the museum is a small natural histrory meseum.
*** Most hotels are located on the south side of the Perfume River, with a luxury concentatration at the confluence of the rivers, and good middle-range establishments on and off Hung Vuong, a main artery that links the Trang Tien Bridge with the airport and highway 1.Boat rides down the Perfume River are highly recommended.Boats can be hired from the landing stage at the Pavilion of Edicts (Phu Van lau)- many restaurants and hotels catering to foreigners boats which offer dinner and traditional music performances in the evenings.
