HUE CITADEL
Hue is an ancient land. By the 13th century this romantic piece of land had already been added to Daiviet Kingdom (Vietnam nowadays) as a gift from Champa King when he married princess Huyen Tran of the Tran dynasty. Hue has been representing the cultural and spiritual centre of Vietnam for a long period of time. This city is famous for its magnificent architecture of citadel, palaces, pagodas and Royal tombs built under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty in a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume River. UNESCO has called Hue “an adorable architectural poem”. Hue is a harmonized combination of nature and human inspiration.
So come to Hue, discover its magic ancient architecture, its spiritual life, enjoy its special foods and join royal court activities. It is worth your valuable time.
Hue Royal Music-An Intangible Cultural Heritage
On November 7, 2003, The UNESCO Council appraised Vietnamese royal music in the following terms: “Vietnamese royal music represents an elegant and refined music. It deals with the music performed in the imperial courts and on different anniversaries, religious festivals, and on such particular occasions. Of the different categories developed in Vietnam, only the royal music was national.” Nha nhac is genre of scholarly music. It attracted the participation of many talented song writers and musicians, with numerous traditional musical instruments. From now on, nha nha will have opportunities to preserve, develop and popularize to the public, inside and outside the country.
Hue Imperial City
Construction of the Imperial City started in 1805, under the reign of Emperor Gia Long, and was completed in 1832, under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. Built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the Imperial City was influenced by the style of French architect Vauban. The city comprises three sections: the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Enclosure and the Forbidden Purple City.
Perfume River or Huong River
A visit to Hue would not be complete without a boat excursion on the Perfume River. This 80km-long river 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. Boats take visitors to every corner of the capital: under Da Vien, Phu Xuan, and Truong Tien Bridges, to the Tomb of Minh Mang, Hon Chen Shrine, Thien Mu Pagoda, and finally to Thuan An to bath in the sea. When the night comes, the surface of the river glistens under the moonlight, and the songs of the boat rowers can be heard breaking the silence. Read more
Thien Mu Pagoda
This pagoda, also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worship in Hue. It was built in the 17″1 century, acc¬ording to a legend about the I prediction of a fairy lady and was, therefore, named Thien Mu (fairy lady from heaven).
Royal Tombs
There are eighteen royal tombs in Hue that are the final resting places of the Nguyen Kings. The construction of each tomb was very meticulous and usually started while the respective king was still alive. Most of the tombs face the south-west, the direction of the Imperial City, and they are built according to similar architectural designs.
Tomb of Gia Long: 16km from centre, on top of the Thien Tho Mountains, on the left bank of the Perfume River. Construction 1814-1820.
Tomb of Minh Mang: 12km from centre, in an enclosed hilly area in Cam Khe Village. Construction 1840 – 1843
Tomb of Tu Duc: 8km from centre, on Duong Xuan Mountain. Construction 1864 – 1867
Tomb of Khai Dinh: 10km from centre, on top of the Chau E Mountain. Construction 1920 – 1931.
Lang Co Beach
Lang Co Beach stretches along National Highway 1A for 10km with white sand and clean and shallow waters, north of the Hai Van Pass and near Bach Ma National Park. The fine sand descends towards the sea in a gentle incline. It is a pleasant halt for vacationers of all ages who wish to enjoy the sea and the sun.
Related: Perfume River or Huong River
Vietnam destinations
Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hai Phong – Ha Long Bay – Hoa Binh – Sapa
Phong Nha – Ke Bang – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Nha Trang -Mui Ne