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Hue at a glance | History of Hue | Hue Attractions

HUE CITY AT A GLANCE:

Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, and is arguably the most beautiful city in Vietnam. The city’s regal past can still be seen today inside the walls of the Citadel and the war-ravaged Imperial City. Hue is also an important center of Buddhism.  In Hue and its surrounding, many pagodas were constructed more than 300 years ago, and a hundred of temples and pagodas built in the early century.  Hue is also a place where the royal music originated, and a place with traditional famous dishes and sophisticated handicraft.  Vestiges of Hue as an ancient capital have been classified by the government as unique and in 1993, Hue was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.  This small & poetical city of 280.000 habitants is one of the main tourism sites of Vietnam due to its splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas especially the Thien Mu Pagoda, the remains of Citadel as well as the romantic Perfume River where a cruise tour with Hue music performance in the moonlight was always provided since long time ago.  Hue is one of places, which has many cultural heritages.  Up to now, there is no places like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City.  During the Tet Offensive of 1968, when the Communists took the city from the South and held it for 3 weeks, considerable damage was done to Hue.  The walls of the Citadel bear witness to the terrible fighting that went on within and are riddled with shrapnel and bullet holes. Now thanks to UNESCO funding, much of the City is being faithfully restored to its former glory. The Imperial City, created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, has many palaces and temples inside. Further echoes of the Imperial age can be found in Hue’s surrounding countryside. Here several of the tombs of former Emperors can be found. One of the most impressive tombs, that of Emperor Minh Mang, is set within a beautiful landscaped garden. It is said that it took 13 years to find an appropriate burial site for the Emperor, and upon arrival it's not hard to see why they eventually chose this location. Set on the banks of the Perfume River and surrounded by beautiful rolling hills it is a tranquil and idyllic place.  A boat trip on the Perfume River is definitely worthwhile. Along the way you can stop at the Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda – Hue’s unofficial symbol. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, Thich Quang Duc, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. When you tire of sightseeing do try some Hue cuisine, widely acknowledged to be some of the best in Vietnam.

HISTORY:

Hue, the imperial city, the citadel-city of Phu Xuan was originally built up during the end of 17th Century and became a political capital as well as the Imperial City of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 2nd September 1945 when the Communist Party, leaded by President Ho Chi Minh had declared the Independent of the Nation and took over the power from the defeated Japanese Governor. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

ATTRACTIONS:

On the Northern bank of the Perfume River are relics consisting of palaces, which were constructed as arc defensive ramparts with 11km length.  This valuable construction includes more than 100 architectural works which were extremely reflected the life of Emperors and mandarins under Nguyen’ reign.  The Forbidden City has a 10 km perimeter, 4 main entrance gates and is well defended by rampart.  It was built in 1804 by the first emperor Nguyen Anh on a site chosen by geomancers and look likes the Chinese forbidden city in Beijing.  Some parts of this Forbidden City were totally destroyed during the War and are under reconstruction providing UNESCO & Japanese non-government associations' fund.  Most of the main areas such as the Citadel (the Imperial Enclosure) and Flag Tower remain intact.  The Museum of Antiques (Imperial museum) is in a beautiful hall built in 1845.  The most precious artifacts were lost during the war (1954-1973) and during liberation (1975) but ceramics, furniture and royal relics are remain until the present time.  Situated in the middle of hills on the Southern bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Nguyen Kings.  Among these tombs are the four famous ones with the name and the arrangements of the tomb reflected each Emperor’s points of view, personality, and tastes.  This is majestic Gia Long Tomb, imposing Minh Mang Tomb, poetic Tu Duc Tomb and magnificent Khai Dinh Tomb, the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty.  The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase.  Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town, it took almost 10 years (1920-1931) to finish this grandiose concrete tomb which is completely unlike the others tombs where there was a mixture of typical Vietnamese & French colonial architecture.  After climbing 36 steps passing by rows of elephants, horses, civil & military mandarin you will be reached the main building where a full original artifacts are displayed to the public.  Tu Duc Emperor's Tomb is the most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue.  Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.  This majestic and serene tomb with lake view, grove of pines, temples, living house area is the most expensive tomb which was completely terminated after 5 years by thousands of labor-worker (1863-1868) for this intellectual-poet emperor.  Minh Mang Emperor's Tomb is located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11 km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.  A 2 hour cruise is needed to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda along the Perfume River.  This pagoda, located on the hillock overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1844 by Thieu Tri emperor contains a 21m-high octagonal tower with seven-storey is one of the most famous structures in all over the country and become an unofficial symbol of Hue until now.