Buzz
This year's Hue Festival, taking place from April 12 to 20, offers the perfect opportunity to admire the dreamy landscapes of Hue while uncovering its unique cultural facets.
Traveling to Hue
By Air: Phu Bai Airport, upgraded at the end of 2013, serves tourism in Hue. Daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Hue are available with various airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietjetAir, with ticket prices starting from around 800,000 VND/one way during promotional periods. However, booking a ticket to Hue during the Festival period may cost at least 1.6 million VND/one way.
By Train: For those with extra time and a desire to experience the scenic route, this mode of transportation is recommended. The fastest train, SE3-4, ranges from 370,000 VND/one way (hard seat) to 900,000 VND/one way (bed) departing from Hanoi, and from 530,000 VND/one way (hard seat) to 1,250,000 VND/one way (bed) departing from Ho Chi Minh City.
By Bus: Affordable and convenient, taking approximately 18-20 hours to travel from Hanoi/Saigon to Hue. You can opt for sleeper buses from reputable companies like Hoang Long, Hung Thanh, Phuong Hoang, Thuan Thao, with prices ranging from 300,000 - 400,000 VND/one way from Hanoi to Hue and 600,000 - 700,000 VND/one way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue.
Getting around within Hue: You can rent a motorbike to explore the wonders of tourism in Hue. Rental prices range from 100,000 to 200,000 VND/day. When visiting the Imperial City, consider trying a cyclo to fully experience its rustic and simple charm.
Accommodation in Hue
Areas around Lê Lợi, Ngô Quyền, Lý Thường Kiệt, Nguyễn Tri Phương, and Hùng Vương are central streets to find hotels. The price for a double room in Hue on regular days starts from 300,000 VND upwards, depending on the type and your preferences. During holidays, rooms are often booked early, and prices may double or triple. It is advisable to book in advance if you plan to visit Hue during the Festival.
Exploring in Hue
Main Events of the 2014 Hue Festival
– Opening art program: 8:00 PM on April 12 at Ngọ Môn Square.
– Royal Night on the evenings of April 15 and 19 at the Imperial City (with a banquet and musical performance).
– Áo Dài Festival: 8:00 PM on April 14 and 17 on the stage set in front of Ngọ Môn Square, featuring the backdrop of Hue Citadel with an area of over 1,000 m2.
– Stage program honoring Ca Huế: 8:00 PM on April 16, 2014, at Nghinh Lương Đình.
– Program “Eastern Night” on the evenings of April 13, 15, 16, and 18 at Thái Hòa Palace Courtyard – Imperial City.
– Street festival “Heritage and Cultural Diversity” representing East Asian and Latin American countries in the late afternoons during the Festival on the main streets in downtown Hue.
– Closing artistic program: 8:00 PM on April 20 at Ngọ Môn Square.
Additionally, there are community festivals such as the “Ancient Fragrance Village Festival” in Phuoc Tich, Phong Dien (April 14-16); “Countryside Market Day” at Thanh Toan Tile Bridge in Huong Thuy (April 13-16); Children's Festival “Colors of Childhood” (April 18-20); Tam Giang Water Waves Festival in Quang Dien (April 30 - May 2); Coastal Calling in Thuan An – Phu Vang (April 30 - May 1), and various other vibrant community cultural activities.
Tombs and Mausoleums
In Hue, the primary focus is visiting major tombs such as Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Minh Mang, Gia Long, and the Imperial City, including Thien Mu Pagoda. The tombs are usually spread out and distant from the city center. If you're not traveling with young children, you can rent a motorbike. However, many tourists recommend taking a taxi or renting a small car (around 300,000 VND for a tour to Tu Duc, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh), which is more convenient and less tiring. For the Imperial City, you can opt for a cyclo ride, adding a touch of novelty.
Imperial City (Đại Nội): A must-visit in Hue, the Imperial City served as the residence for 13 Nguyen dynasty emperors, from Gia Long to Bao Dai. It encompasses the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, showcasing unique imperial architecture and exquisite gardens.
Tomb of Tu Duc: A complex of architectural structures, including the burial place of Emperor Tu Duc, nestled in a narrow valley. The tomb boasts intricate architecture, picturesque landscapes, and is considered one of the most beautiful royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. It takes approximately 2 hours to explore the entire tomb.
Tomb of Minh Mang: Among the tombs, Minh Mang's tomb is the farthest. The tomb's architecture harmonizes beautifully with nature. If possible, consider renting a boat to travel upstream on the Perfume River, enjoying the scenery on the way to Minh Mang's tomb.
Tomb of Khai Dinh: Compared to the six tombs of the Nguyen emperors, Khai Dinh's tomb is the last one, with the smallest and narrowest architectural layout. However, it is also the most demanding in terms of time, effort, and resources.
Pagodas
Thien Mu Pagoda: Nestled amidst the landscapes of the Perfume River and Ngu Mountain, Thien Mu Pagoda (Thua Thien – Hue), the most famous pagoda in the ancient capital, has become ingrained in the hearts of many. Its beauty and connection with nature make it an integral part of Hue. The harmony between nature and architecture here compels visitors, no matter how busy, to stop by when dreaming or imagining Hue.
Tu Hieu Pagoda: Located about five kilometers southwest of Hue city, in an area of lush green hills, Tu Hieu Pagoda is one of the largest and most beautiful ancient pagodas in Hue.
Huyen Khong Pagodas 1, 2: About 10 km from Hue city, passing through a simple village, the sound of pine trees and babbling streams will lead you along a rugged dirt road to Cham Mountain, where you'll find a simple yet mysteriously captivating Huyen Khong Pagoda.
Additionally, Hue city has other pagodas such as Bao Quoc Pagoda, Tuy Van Pagoda, and more.
Boat Ride on the Perfume River
In Hue, there's the delightful activity of an evening boat ride to admire the sunset right at the confluence near Huong Giang Hotel (but it must be a rowboat, and it's most enjoyable in the summer). In the evening, you can buy tickets to listen to traditional ca tru music on the Perfume River (50,000 VND/ticket), much cheaper than hiring a private boat for your group.
Sea
Thuan An Beach: Only 12 km from Hue, visitors will be impressed by the exquisite beauty of the sky and sea, especially during the sunrise. At dawn, the fish market gathers right on the beach and lasts for just a fleeting moment, as the sunlight stretches across the sandy shore.
Lang Co Beach: With a gentle coastline, white sand, clear blue water, and an average temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius in summer, Lang Co is ideal for beach lovers. Besides enjoying excellent seafood, tourists can visit scenic spots like Chan May and the Lang Co fishing village near the beach.
Lang Co also has two beautiful spots often visited by locals: Vung Voi and Canh Van Beach. Vung Voi features a waterfall, with clear and cool water in the pond, while Canh Van Beach is very shallow and clean, resembling the curved landscape of Quy Nhon or Cat Co Beach in Cat Ba. From there, you can see Chan May Port, a newly constructed port in Hue. Seafood in Canh Van is much cheaper than in Lang Co, but the inconvenience is the lack of accommodation.
Explore Tam Giang Lagoon
From Thuan An Beach, follow the O Lau River to travel along the length of the brackish water lagoon. Over 15 km, ride along the waves, fields, and bridges, reaching the Thuy Duong Ha fishing village. Visit Tam Giang Lagoon, located 15 km north of Hue, to discover the heroic land and savor exquisite seafood.
Other Destinations
Having been to Hue, besides the royal tombs, there is the Hon Chen Temple, considered sacred by locals. For a romantic experience, you can visit the Thiên An Pine Hill, reminiscent of parts of Dalat. Additionally, you can enjoy a hot spring bath at Thanh Tan, about 20 km from Hue. Bach Ma National Park, approximately 40 km from Hue, is where French officials used to retreat for vacations. It features high mountain peaks and can be challenging to reach the summit on cloudy days.
Note: If you're traveling with a baby, it might be challenging as these locations are far apart. Royal tombs are vast, so be prepared with transportation for the little one. For those with good health and without a baby, renting a motorbike is an option. For families, taking a taxi is both affordable and shields you from the sun. As mentioned before, if you go out at night, taking a cyclo is economical and allows you to enjoy the scenery. When taking a taxi or cyclo to a known address, be clear that you know the address in advance, so they won't demand extra money from the hotel or charge waiting fees for the second round... Of course, it depends on each person.
Dining in Hue
Various Types of Dumplings
Tranh Dumplings, Chi Lang Street
Mrs. Do's Clear Shrimp and Pork Dumplings, 71 Nguyen Binh Khiem
Mrs. Cu's Dumplings, 47 Nguyen Hue
Mợ's Clear Shrimp and Pork Dumplings, Dien Bien Phu Street
Long 89 Dumplings, 89 Nguyen Hue
Hong Mai Savory Pancake, Dinh Tien Hoang Street
Lac Thien Savory Pancake, 6 Dinh Tien Hoang
Various Types of Vermicelli
Crab Noodle Soup, 56 Nguyen Hue
Fish Cake Vermicelli, 124 Nguyen Hue
Fish Cake Vermicelli, 110 Nguyen Hue
Vermicelli - Porridge - Baby Clam Rice, 98 Nguyen Hue
Wet Rice Paper, Grilled Meat Vermicelli in Kim Long, Kim Long
Mrs. Tuyet's Vermicelli, 37 Nguyen Cong Tru
Mrs. My's Vermicelli, 71 Nguyen Cong Tru
Hue Beef Vermicelli, 14 Ly Thuong Kiet
Mrs. Tam's Vermicelli, 43 Nguyen Cong Tru
Mrs. Phung's Hue Beef Vermicelli, Nguyen Du Street
Hien's Vermicelli, 29 Ba Trieu
Fermented Fish Vermicelli, Grilled Meat Vermicelli in Ba Trieu
Various Types of Sweet Soup
Hue Royal Sweet Soup, 31 Nguyen Hue
Sao Sweet Soup, 60 Phan Chu Trinh
Alley Sweet Soup, 17 Hung Vuong
Yogurt, 68 Nguyen Hue
Hué Specialty: Baby Clam Rice
Baby Clam Rice and Corn Sweet Soup at Con Hen, Con Hen, Vi Da
Five Continents Restaurant, 4 Kim Long Street and 3 Van Xuan Street, Kim Long Ward
Near the foot of the bridge, on the left side of Ung Binh Street
Porridge, Clear Soup Cake, Noodles
Mr. Luong's Porridge, 43 Ba Trieu, Hue
Thuan Duck Porridge, 94 Bui Thi Xuan
Stone-Hit Beef Porridge, Nguyen Sinh Cung, Vi Da, Hue
Mrs. Doi's Clear Soup Cake, 40 Dao Duy Anh, at the end of a small alley with an unnamed sign.
Pham Hong Thai's Crab Clear Soup Cake, Pham Hong Thai Street
Phan Boi Chau's Crab Clear Soup Cake, Phan Boi Chau Slope, Truong An
Nam Pho Crab Clear Soup Cake on Nguyen Cong Tru Street
Phuoc Noodle Shop, 62 Nguyen Hue
Snails
Truong An Snail Restaurant, Truong An
Minh Nghia Snail Restaurant, 253 Phan Boi Chau
Shopping in Hue
In the city of Hue, fashion shops, souvenir stores, galleries, art studios, etc., are concentrated on major streets such as Tran Hung Dao, Hung Vuong, Phan Dang Luu, Le Loi, Mai Thuc Loan. When visiting Hue, you can explore these shops to buy essentials for yourself or as gifts for friends.
Local Specialties
The most famous Hue specialties include nem (fermented pork rolls), cha (Vietnamese sausage), pickled shrimp, sesame candy, lotus seeds, phu the cake, black sesame sticky rice cake, various types of steamed cakes with lotus seeds, green beans, and fruit cakes. These items can be easily purchased at Dong Ba Market, An Cuu Market, Ben Ngự Market, and Tay Loc Market.
Souvenirs
Tourists also prefer products from traditional craft villages such as Hue's conical hats, copper items, wooden-carved objects. Souvenirs and artistic handicrafts can be bought at the following shops:
Explore the vibrant world of Bội Trân's art shops and Morin Hotel. Savor the beauty of Sơn Mài Ðông Ba at 4 Trần Hưng Ðạo Street, specializing in exquisite lacquerware and artistic memorabilia. Discover Nguyen Phuc Long at 8 Hùng Vương Street, offering unique bronze products and artistic paintings. Immerse yourself in the elegance of Hướng Dương at 59 Phan Đăng Lưu Street, showcasing fine art products such as paintings. Experience the allure of Trường Tiền at 51 Trần Hưng Ðạo Street, specializing in lacquerware, artistic engravings, and exclusive Hue souvenirs. Visit Mỹ Nghệ Huế Thương at 26/1 Nguyễn Công Trứ Street for a wide range of artistic products, including exquisite bone art. Uncover the treasures of Mỹ Nghệ Phúc Lộc at 38 Lê Lợi Street, offering a variety of fine art products.
Silk and Embroidery
Enter the world of artistic embroidery at Cố Ðô XQ Gallery, 81 Trần Hưng Ðạo Street, providing high-quality embroidered artwork. Discover the elegance of Huế Store at 7 Hùng Vương Street, offering silk embroidery and artistic paintings. Explore Sông Hương Store at 7 Hùng Vương Street, specializing in silk embroidery and souvenir items. Visit Ðức Thành Store at 82 Phan Ðăng Lưu Street for a collection of exquisite embroidered products. Find various silk shops along Lê Lợi Street and near Hương Giang Hotel, Century Hotel, and more.
Tailoring Áo Dài
Embrace the tradition of Huế by getting an Áo Dài tailored. Enjoy the affordability and speed of Áo Dài tailoring in Huế, where morning orders can be picked up in the evening.
Discover the finest Áo Dài establishments: Minh Tân at 57 Nguyễn Sinh Cung, Tân Đức at 156 Mai Thúc Loan, Doan Trang Embroidery at 60 Bạch Đằng, Thẩm Tailor at 42 Trần Nguyên Hãn, and Hue Bích Thủy at 35 Bến Nghé.
As reported by Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
