A Dreamy 24-Hour Journey in Historic Hue

With the gentle Perfume River and the historical remnants of past dynasties, the ancient capital of Hue continues to allure visitors. Spending a day here allows you to fully immerse yourself in one of Vietnam's most ancient and revered cities.

Touring Hue - A Romantic 24-Hour Experience in the Ancient Capital

The journey to explore the ancient capital of Hue begins with a characteristic local breakfast and concludes with a leisurely stroll to enjoy the city's serene ambiance.

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Breakfast

Start your first meal of the day with Hue-style beef noodle soup. This dish is quite unique, but enjoying it where it originated makes it even more delightful. A bowl of steaming bun bo Hue, with its distinctive red color and the aroma of authentic shrimp paste, will give you the energy you need before embarking on a day of exploration in the ancient capital.

8:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Exploring the Tombs

The Minh Mang Tomb is your first destination. This site was initiated in 1840 to bury King Minh Mang. Covering an area of 18 hectares, with the forbidden area around the tomb spanning 475 hectares. The overall architecture is symmetrical, along the sacred pathway, exuding a solemn and imposing atmosphere. Moreover, along the surrounding walkway are trees and small structures for resting and enjoying the scenery, such as the Dieu Ngoc Pavilion, the Nghenh Phong Tower, the Tuần Lộc Pavilion, the Quan Lan Pavilion, and the Tạ Hư Hoài Pavilion...

The Khai Dinh Tomb is the burial place of the 12th king, Khai Dinh. Built in 1920 under the command of the preeminent general Lê Văn Bá. Compared to previous royal tombs, this one is more modest in size but intricate and time-consuming to construct. It is a rectangular block rising with 127 steps. The influence of various architectural styles such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Roman, and Gothic can be seen in every detail.

The Tu Duc Tomb is an architectural complex, including the burial place of King Tu Duc. This structure features intricate and unique architecture, demonstrated through the Bat Trang brick pathway from the Vụ Khiêm gate to the front of the Khiêm Cung Gate or the three stone tiers leading to the Khiêm Cung Gate...

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

For lunch, stop by the southern bank of the Perfume River and enjoy the famous Nam Pho rice noodle soup. This dish has soft, flavorful noodles, with a hint of crab meat and pork. One bowl costs between 10,000 to 15,000 VND.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Discovering the Imperial City

Hue's Imperial City lies on the northern bank of the Perfume River, spanning an area of 500 hectares. It served as the administrative and political center of the Nguyen dynasty and was the royal residence. This area includes the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. In 1993, the Imperial City was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, bringing pride to Vietnam.

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda was constructed in 1601 on Ha Khe Hill on the left bank of the Perfume River. To this day, the structure maintains its dignified and ancient beauty. The highlight of the visit is the Thien Mu Tower (later renamed Phuoc Duyen Tower). This tower was built by King Thieu Tri, standing 21 meters tall with 7 majestic tiers in front of the pagoda entrance.

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Dining on Mussel Rice

A must-try delicacy of Hue's cuisine is mussel rice. The ingredients include cooled white rice, various fresh vegetables such as lettuce, mint, and water spinach, roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, shrimp paste, and mussels. Enjoying a visually appealing bowl of mussel rice will enrich the experience of visitors in Hue.

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Evening Boat Ride on the Perfume River

The Perfume River becomes more romantic and gentle at night. This is the perfect time to embark on a boat and admire life on both sides of the river. The boat moves slowly and smoothly, so you won't feel seasick. You can listen to sweet Hue melodies and enjoy the gentle breeze.

9:00 PM: Enjoying Dessert

Hue's dessert world offers various flavors and colors. There are many types such as banana sweet soup, floating cake, agar jelly, sweet potato soup with tapioca pearls... These are interesting snacks to satisfy your late-night hunger.

9:30 PM: Evening Stroll

Take some time at the end of the day for a leisurely stroll to feel the slow pace of life in the ancient capital along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street by the Perfume River. Here, you can also buy souvenirs as gifts. Additionally, you can choose to release floating lanterns on the Perfume River and admire the slowly drifting lights in the darkness.

10:00 PM: Rest

Note:

– Mornings are sunny and cool, while evenings can get chilly, so be sure to prepare warm clothes, a scarf, and gloves.

– For convenience during your sightseeing trip, consider renting a motorbike for prices ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 VND per day.

According to VnExpress

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