Hue always carries with it a quiet, gentle, and strangely peaceful beauty. Setting foot here, one is struck by its quietness, poetry, and remarkable tranquility. The allure of the Perfume River city lies not in its bustling energy but in its serene, tranquil beauty that deeply resonates with visitors.
I. Location of Hue
Hue is situated in central Vietnam, approximately 700 km north of Hanoi and about 1,000 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. The city is located on the banks of the Perfume River, whose clear blue waters are a prominent feature of Hue. This province was once the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty, where emperors ruled from 1802 to 1945.
II. How to get to Hue
By Air: If you wish to save travel time, flying to the dreamy city is advisable. Airfare prices will depend on the airline you choose. Phu Bai International Airport is approximately 14km from the city center, and you can opt for transportation via bus, taxi, or rental car with a driver.
By Train: Traveling by train offers the experience of admiring the beautiful natural scenery along the way without the worry of motion sickness. However, this journey can take between 13 and 19 hours, depending on your departure point from Hanoi or Saigon, so plan accordingly.
By Bus: Sleeper buses are a more budget-friendly option. It’s advisable to choose buses departing in the evening, where you can sleep overnight and arrive in the morning.
III. Hue People
Once you’ve encountered the Hue people, you won’t forget their sweet, gentle, and endearing voices. The people here are friendly, warm, and exceedingly hospitable. Especially the women, you cannot help but adore them for their grace, gentleness in demeanor, elegance in behavior, and charming voices in their dreamy purple ao dai beside their conical hats.
The distinctive culture of Hue is primarily characterized by the beauty of its people. Even if you’ve only had one encounter, the memory of the city will always evoke affection.
IV. Hue Culture
1. Tuong Art
Tuong art originated in the 17th century under the Nguyen Lords’ rule. During the Nguyen Dynasty, Tuong became the national theater and was highly esteemed. The Nguyen court enacted many policies favorable to the development of Tuong art.
Today, you have the opportunity to explore theaters such as Duyet Thi Duong, Tinh Quang Institute, and Thong Minh Duong. During the Minh Mang Dynasty, the king built Thanh Binh Palace to train Tuong actors. King Tu Duc established the Ban Hieu Thu (Department of Literature), specializing in editing, refining, and creating Tuong plays.
Court Tuong performances are still preserved and regularly performed today, including renowned plays like Son Hau, Duong Chan Tu, Tam Nu Do Vuong, Ho Thach Phu, Ly Phung Dinh, and Giac Oan.
2. Hue Folk Songs (Ca Hue)
Even if you haven’t been to Hue, you’ve likely heard of Ca Hue along the Perfume River. This form of entertainment is highly favored by the people here. Besides folk music and court music, Ca Hue holds its place.
Ca Hue has its own characteristics with deeply sentimental qualities that stir the hearts of listeners, encapsulating the life’s experiences of the people of Hue. A Ca Hue piece has a strict and rigorous structure. When performing, it combines with the quintet of Tranh, Ty (a plucked string instrument), Nhi (a bowed string instrument), Nguyet (a moon-shaped lute), Tam, along with Bau (a monochord), Sao (flute), and Hue percussion instruments, creating profound melodies that touch the souls of the listeners.
Today, participating in a Hue cultural tour and sitting on a dragon boat gently sailing on the Perfume River, listening to the soulful Ca Hue songs, is a distinctive cultural experience of this destination that travelers should not miss.
3. Hue Royal Court Music
Hue Royal Court Music refers to the formal music used in the ancient imperial court for ceremonies and royal events, blending ritual and music. It originated in the Le Dynasty, but it was not until the Nguyen Dynasty that it developed systematically and comprehensively. Hue Royal Court Music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2003.
4. Royal Court Dances
Royal Court Dances are a product inherited from the feudal regime for thousands of years and crystallized under the Nguyen Dynasty. There are over 15 major dance productions, ranging from ritual dances and banquet dances to theatrical performances.
These performances are often grandly organized, with a large number of participants showcasing the vibrant beauty and demonstrating the exquisite dance techniques honed over thousands of years by the Vietnamese people.
5. Hue Festivals
When you travel to the ancient capital, you’ll experience two types of festivals: court festivals and folk festivals. Court festivals focus more on rituals than festivities, reflecting the ceremonial life of the court.
Folk festivals include a variety of vibrant celebrations, such as the Hu Nam festival in Hon Chen according to the beliefs of the Champa people, festivals commemorating village founders, and festivals honoring traditional craft guilds. During the festive seasons at folk festivals, cultural activities such as tug-of-war, wrestling, boat racing, etc. attract the attention of tourists.
6. Hue Cuisine
Speaking of Hue cuisine, you can’t help but admire their intricate cooking techniques and presentation. Just by taking a tour around the city to enjoy famous specialties like beef noodles, clam rice, clam noodle soup, various specialties cakes, and Hue-style desserts, you’ll feel that there’s never enough time to fully appreciate these dishes.
Learn more about: Hue Cuisine- Top 11 Famous Specialties
V. Best Time To Visit Hue
1. From January to March
From January to March is the transitional period between winter and spring, as the cold gradually dissipates and gives way to warm sunlight. Hue at this time seems to adorn itself with a completely new outfit, brimming with vitality.
If you choose for visiting during this season, you’ll encounter the image of a land of ancient capital adorned with fresh greenery, imbued with the flavor of the New Year.
2. In April: Festival Season
If you’re fond of the dreamy ambiance of Hue, you may choose to visit during the festival season, which typically falls around April each year. During this time, tourists will discover the unique and distinctive cultural aspects of this dreamy city.
3. From May to July: Beach Tourism Season
The beach tourism festival usually takes place from May to July, which coincides with the hottest period. During this time, visitors can immerse themselves in the clear blue waters of Lang Co Beach, enjoy the refreshing breezes, and experience the pristine white waves of Thuan An Beach.
4. In August
In August, Hue enters the romantic season of autumn. Autumn often passes by quickly, so much so that you might find it hard to catch up. During this time, the city will begin to experience light, gentle rains, cooler weather, and less sweltering heat than in the summer. Traveling in the autumn is perfect for visiting famous pagodas and historical landmarks.
5. From September to December
For those who love winter and wish to experience the chilly atmosphere, September to December is the ideal time to plan a trip. During this season, you’ll experience winter in the ancient capital, fully immerse yourself in the rainy season, and indulge in street-side grilled dishes.
VI. Attractive Destinations in Hue
1. Imperial City of Hue
When talking about the famous Hue Citadel complex, you definitely can’t miss the Imperial City of Hue. The Imperial City comprises the Forbidden Purple City and the Hue Royal Palace, with over 100 remarkable architectural structures built during the Nguyen Dynasty and preserved to this day.
The Imperial City of Hue has witnessed countless historical ups and downs, accompanied the people of the ancient capital through many decades, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site for about 30 years.
2. The Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is an ancient pagoda over 400 years old, located on Ha Khe Hill. Although not as grandiose as some architectural marvels, Thien Mu Pagoda always exerts a great attraction to a large number of tourists visiting Hue and has become a symbol of the city for generations. If you have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city, you must visit Thien Mu Pagoda to check in and experience the tranquility amidst the bustling city.
3. Dong Ba Market
If you’ve had the chance to visit the acient capital, Dong Ba Market is undoubtedly a must-visit highlight of Thua Thien Hue tourism. It is the largest market in the city, with a history spanning over 120 years.
Dong Ba Market provides a full range of essential items, featuring famous specialties of the city, and tourists can come here to buy these items as gifts for friends and family.
4. Thuy Xuan Incense Village
Thuy Xuan Incense Village is a renowned traditional craft village located at the foot of Vong Canh Hill, which has existed for many centuries. Here, incense products are highly regarded for their excellent quality, supplying the royal court, traders, and ordinary people.
During your trip, you can choose to visit this traditional craft village to gain a better understanding of the incense-making profession and the local people’s way of life. Especially the vibrant colors of incense sticks, elegantly arranged, have become the perfect backdrop for your “live virtual” photos.
5. Khai Dinh Tomb
Khai Dinh Tomb is a remarkable architectural work that combines both Eastern and Western classical styles. Khai Dinh Tomb is considered one of the famous tourist destinations, loved by many tourists for its exquisite architecture and high artistic value. If you have time to visit Khai Dinh Tomb, you can also explore other royal tombs of the kings, such as Duc Duc Tomb, Dong Khanh Tomb, etc.
6. Minh Mang Tomb
Minh Mang Tomb, also known as Hieu Tomb, is the burial place of the king who made the greatest contributions to the country’s development at that time. King Minh Mang spent 14 years searching for the best feng shui to build his own tomb. Finally, he chose Cam Khe Mountain, where the Luu Trach and Ta Trach rivers converge to form the famous Perfume River.
You will be like: Minh Mang Tomb- 1 of The Most Impressive Tourist Attractions
7. Tu Duc Tomb
Hue is famous for its unique architectural tombs, among which the Tu Duc Tomb is a typical example. This place features picturesque landscapes and was built according to the wishes of King Tu Duc before his passing, exuding a melancholic tone and a hint of sadness due to the many misfortunes in his life.
8. Lang Co Beach
Lang Co Beach, also known as Lang Co Bay, is famous for its beautiful beach, once voted as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. During a Hue tour, tourists can spend a full day relaxing at luxury resorts on Lang Co Beach, enjoying various fresh and delicious seafood dishes, and especially getting a better understanding of the lives of fishermen in the fishing village.
