Vietnam City – Hue

Hue is located in central Vietnam on the banks of the Huong River, a few miles inland from Bien Dong. Hue was the capital of 9 reigns of Nguyen. Hue still retains culture heritage and intangible heritage which contains values of wisdom and spirit of Vietnam. Throughout the centuries, the quintessence of country converges here to create a fantastic natural picture with romantic river and charming mountain.

Thua Thien Hue is one province of central Vietnam, the north borders Quang Tri, on the south is Da Nang city. It has an area of 5.053,99 square kilometers, average population 1105.5 thousand people. Thua Thien Hue has 8 districts and Hue city includes150 communes, town. Hue is located on the important road north-south. The city is important center in many aspects such as culture, politics, economic, education, health, tourism, science and technology…

Hue is located in central Vietnam on the banks of the Huong River, a few miles inland from Bien Dong. It is about 700 kilometers south of the Hanoi national capital and about 1100 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City. The dry season is from March to August, with high temperatures of 35-400C. The rainy season is from August to January with a flood season from October. The average rainy season temperature is 200C, sometimes as low as 90C. And spring lasts from January to late February.

For nearly 40 years (1558-1945), Hue was the capital of 9 reigns of Nguyen. Hue still retains culture heritage and intangible heritage which contains values of wisdom and spirit of Vietnam. Throughout the centuries, the quintessence of country converges here to create a fantastic natural picture with romantic river and charming mountain. Therefore, Hue is considered as the palaces, temples, majestic tombs, famous destinations…

Located in the heart of Hue, on the northern bank of the Huong River, the architecture system represents the authority of Nguyen absolute monarchy before changes of time. It is the Hue citadel, Tu Cam Thanh. The citadel system is an example of harmony between the quintessence of Western and oriental architecture which are located in the natural landscape with many symbols. The architecture seems to be mixed with wonderful nature, which creates the charming picture.

Hoang Thanh is limited by a wall with approximately 600 meters length and 4 unique entrances. The road leads to Than dao has unique architecture such as: Nghinh Luong Dinh, Phu Van Lau, Ky Dai, Ngo Mon, Thai Hoa, Can Chanh, Can Thanh, Khon Thai, Kien Trung… On the roadside of Than dao, there have hundreds of large and small buildings.

Situated on both sides of Huong River, royal tombs of Nguyen Kings are considered as the achievements of the landscape architecture. The Tombs are heaven for owners when entering the afterlife. Each tomb reflects the personality of the owner. Gia Long tomb is austere but majestic among mountains. Minh Mang tomb is majestic among mountain and lake… Tu Duc tomb formed mainly by the sophistication or human.

Hue existed reputation gardens such as: Ngu Vien, Thu Quang, Thuong Mau, Truong Ninh, Thieu Phuong… The architecture of gardens combines with availability factors creates a specific type of garden in Hue. Each garden has the shadow of the Hue citadel. Nearly a half century as the capital of a dynasty with political institutions based on Confucianism. Besides the golden palace architecture, Hue also preserves hundreds of ancient pagodas.

Associated with feudal dynasty comply with the principles of Confucianism philosophy, festival and music in here had developed. The court has Te Giao ceremony, Te Xa Tac, Nguyen Dan, Doan Duong, Van Tho, Dai Trieu, Thuong Trieu, Ban Soc, Truyen Lo, Duyet Binh… Common people have various festivals: Hon Chen, Cau Ngu, Sinh… Besides, there has ritual form of folk music such as: “tuong” Hue, dance of Hue… Coming here in June, tourists will have opportunity to live in vivid space associated with the cultural festival of hundred years ago.

A lot of foreign tourists are curious about Hue’s ritual royal music. Originated from 8 kinds of ritual music under Le dynasty, under Nguyen dynasty, it has improved into 2 kinds of music: “Dai nhac” and “Nha nhac”, which are really magnificent, and skillful.

Those are only played on formal occasions. This city is proud to be the cradle of traditional music. The Royal Refined Music was proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on December 1993. Traditional music has been preserved in the Hue city. Recently, we have established submissions for UNESCO recognized Hue royal music: Nha nhac is a masterpiece of intangible and cultural heritage.

Today, Hue becomes the typical city of Vietnam. Every two years, people welcome Hue festival. In the opinion of citizens, Hue becomes Festival city because Hue still retains typical architecture and nature construction. The combination between the architecture and landscape makes Hue becomes a city of harmony between architecture-nature and human.

Hue still retains over 1000 dishes cooked by way of Hue; there have dishes for Nguyen dynasty. The menu includes dozens of dishes which are prepared meticulously with attractive flavor, attractive color, and beautiful dishes. The cuisines of Hue are rich, but one of the most striking differences is the prominence of vegetarianism in the city. No one who comes to Hue could forget its ancient beauty and romance.