Sightseeing in Hue - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Vietnamese city of Hue is of great historical interest. Between 1802 and 1945, the city had been under the rule of the Nguyễn Dynasty. A lot of luxurious palaces and temples were built in Hue during this period. The area of the present-day city is conditionally divided into two parts - the New Town and the Old Town. The historic district looks like a massive citadel with priceless monuments of past centuries hidden behind its walls. In total, there are about 300 buildings within the historical district; this unique architectural complex is deservedly recognized as a landmark of world significance.

A conditional boundary between the old and the new part of Hue is the Perfume River - another amazing symbol of the city. The name of the river wasn't chosen by chance. The thing is that an incredible amount of fragrant flowers has been growing on its banks since ancient times. The city has managed to preserve its original charm and national flavor in the course of its long history. It is one of the few cities in the world where local people still wear their national costumes every day. Walking through the streets of Hue, you'll notice many girls dressed in the traditional "Áo dài" garments. The combination of elegant trousers and dresses looks incredibly harmonious; such outfits must be sewn exclusively to order.

The traditional material for tailoring national costumes is fine light-colored silk. Today anyone can order an elegant dress in one of the local workshops. Besides beautiful clothes, bronze products are very popular souvenirs among visitors to the city. Local craftsmen make chic interior decorations, as well as jewelry of bronze. Travelers who prefer jewelry made of precious materials will not be disappointed as well - local residents have reached great heights in this kind of craft. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The only drawback of the beautiful historic town can be considered its rainy weather, which is typical for these places because of the nearby Annamese Mountains (Truong Son). It is a rare day that goes without a little rain, so umbrella should always be ready at hand. Fans of hiking and excursions should not think that cloudy weather can disrupt their plans for vacation. There are always frequent but occasional rains, so often many travelers would prefer to wait it out at one of the cozy city cafes.

The city also has its gastronomic symbol - "Banh" rice cakes - the favorite delicacy of emperors. In local cafes, visitors are offered hundreds of different kinds of Banhs with various fillings. Adherents of rich excursion programs should not go on a trip in the period from the early February to the late March when here there are always especially strong and prolonged torrential rains. Rainy weather is fully compensated by the atmosphere of harmony and hospitality that reigns in the city. Many experienced travelers call Hue the most benevolent and hospitable city of Vietnam, as the locals treat guests from distant countries with great respect and reverence.

The Forbidden Purple City is the main landmark of Hue. In the past, only members of the royal family and some nobles were allowed to enter the territory of this architectural complex. Nowadays, the complex is open to visitors and excursions, so everyone is welcome to see gorgeous pavilions, meditation halls, and royal chambers. The royal kitchen is one of the most interesting areas of the complex.

The city’s outskirts also have some notable landmarks, such as Bach Ma National Park. This park got its name after the mountain that is located in its territory. This is a fabulous area that is home to numerous rare animals and birds. Bats are also among the main inhabitants of the park. In the first part of the 20th century, the French decided to open a spa resort in this area. The region got the status of the national reserve much later.

Le Loi is one of the most attractive streets for walking. It never ceases to amaze its visitors with the abundance of architectural landmarks, interesting shops, and restaurants. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Truong Tien Bridge that has a small dock not far away. Travelers traditionally enjoy excursions on the Perfume River as during a refreshing ride they can see all landmarks located on both banks of the river. The gorgeous Thien Mu Pagoda is located not far from this area. Needless to say, the pagoda is a popular tourist destination. Nowadays, there are more than 300 historical landmarks in Hue that are protected by the country’s government and UNESCO. The city becomes particularly crowded with travelers during the days of national celebrations.