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Within the tranquil embrace of Thôn Vỹ lies a serene haven, untouched by the passage of time.
Thôn Vỹ remains a sanctuary of peace and tranquility, as it has always been. Image: Lê Thúy Hoa
Surely, many have heard these verses from the days of sitting in the school benches. “Here lies Thôn Vĩ Dạ” - Hàn Mặc Tử left behind many beautiful impressions of a gentle, serene Thôn Vỹ. The imagery of the Perfume River, the Ngự Mountain, often regarded as the soul and symbols of Huế, frequents poetry, enticing all who visit Huế to admire the picturesque landscapes of rivers and mountains imbued with affection.
The imagery of the Perfume River is akin to a soul, a symbol of Huế that frequently appears in poetry. Image: Tran Tuan Viet
The theme of people and the land of the Ancient Capital carries many colors, personalities, and diverse perspectives, which is also one of the topics favored by poets. Through the perception of poets, the ancient citadel is depicted as a poetic land. You can easily encounter in poetry the image of a twenty-year-old girl in ao dai and a conical hat, a soul deeply connected with the Vỹ Dạ moon, poignant with the Huế rain, or the sound of Thiên Mụ bell echoing along the Perfume River.
2. Tourist Attractions
Nature has bestowed upon Huế many beautiful landscapes, but Huế truly shines with the cultural values, tangible and intangible, created by humans. This place is a convergence of cultural quintessence, creating a spirit, a unique atmosphere of Huế that cannot be found in any other city.
The Imperial City of Huế. Image: @iwantit_dat_way
Shaped since Huế was the Imperial Capital of Vietnam in feudal times, it served as a political, cultural, and economic center of the country throughout the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. The Imperial City of Huế boasts some of the most magnificent architectural works in the nation. Even after nearly 200 years, the ensemble of Nguyen dynasty relics, including palaces, citadels, walls, tombs, temple architecture, churches, still retains the grandeur and antiquity of the last feudal dynasty. This complex has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Minh Mạng Tomb. Image: @nofoodphobia
Inside Khải Định Tomb. Image: @zorymory
When mentioning Huế, everyone surely knows about the Imperial City of Huế, with its pinnacle architectural beauty of the Nguyen dynasty; the tomb architecture such as Khải Định Tomb – a blend of Eastern and Western architecture, Minh Mạng Tomb – one of the largest tombs in Huế, or Tự Đức Tomb with the refined beauty of Confucian architectural style; along with Thiên Mụ Pagoda, An Định Palace, and more. All of these make Huế incredibly unique.
An Định Palace. Image: @tranquangdai
3. Cuisine
Whether you're a food connoisseur or not, you'll be captivated by Huế cuisine from the very first taste. It can be said that people in Huế approach cuisine not merely as a biological necessity, but as an experience that engages all senses – smell, sight, and even hearing. Huế dishes have very distinct and rich flavors, ranging from salty, sweet, fatty, savory, sour, bitter, to spicy; each taste always stands out.
Huế royal cuisine. Image: Collected
Many Hue dishes were meticulously crafted in both presentation and content because in the past, they were offerings to kings and nobles. Dishes served to the upper class had to be carefully selected and exquisitely prepared. Nevertheless, Hue cuisine still retains a very rustic charm. You can find the best Hến rice in Hue, with a combination of cold white rice, baby clams, crispy fried pork fat, and various condiments, as well as simple and humble dishes like beef vermicelli soup, water fern cake, steamed rice cakes, clear shrimp dumplings... and various desserts like lotus seed sweet soup, grilled pork belly sweet soup, pomegranate sweet soup... It seems that through the skillful hands of Hue women, all dishes have been imbued with soul and carry a unique unforgettable flavor.
Hue beef noodle soup - a must-try when visiting Hue. Image: Collected
Simple and rustic Hến rice dish. Image: Vinh Gấu
Various Hue cakes - water fern cake, steamed rice cakes, clear shrimp dumplings, etc. Image: Collected
Moreover, it would be incomplete to talk extensively about Hue cuisine without mentioning vegetarian dishes. Throughout history, Hue has been known for its long-standing influence of Buddhism, making vegetarianism prevalent. Due to this, Hue boasts a rich variety of vegetarian dishes, totaling up to 125 dishes. These vegetarian dishes are just as intricate and delicious as their non-vegetarian counterparts.
Vegan cuisine in Hue is extremely diverse. Image: Collected
4. People
Stepping foot in Hue, you'll be impressed not only by the beauty of its natural landscapes, the solemnity of its temples and tombs... but also be 'captivated' by the people of Hue, with their gentle and endearing personalities, coupled with a reserved and refined manner, speaking with a soft and polite tone that truly touches the heart.
Hue people are reserved yet extremely friendly. Image: Lê Văn Anh Tài
Hue people are quiet, always living discreetly in their words and daily conversations. They often keep their own difficulties hidden from friends, avoiding making a fuss or burdening others with sad stories. Despite living discreetly and modestly, Hue people are incredibly friendly and hospitable. They always have a smile on their faces when meeting others. You'll feel the genuine care, inquiries, and helpfulness of the people of Hue, creating a beautiful atmosphere for the tourist land of Hue.
Hue people always have a smile on their faces when meeting others. Image: Lê Văn Anh Tài
Speaking specifically about Hue girls, it's truly difficult to find girls as obedient to customs as Hue girls. For generations, the customs in daily life have been deeply ingrained in the minds of Hue girls, from the way they walk, family rules, to their eating habits...
Hue girls are gentle and charming. Image: Collected
Hue girls have long been known for their gentleness with their soft-spoken 'yes, please' that melts the hearts of listeners. They move gracefully and speak softly, with refined manners, avoiding rudeness or haste. Today, blending with modern life, Hue girls have undergone some changes, but it seems that each Hue girl still carries within her a certain discreet and modest trait, deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient women, perhaps reflecting the royal demeanor, the bloodline of the aristocracy that cannot be concealed.
5. Festival Culture
Festivals are also a highlight when discussing Hue. For the people of Hue, festival culture has become a tradition. Although not as abundant as in the North, festivals in Hue are extremely diverse, maintaining an elegant and peaceful beauty. There, the ancient festival beauty is preserved while still following the spirit of the times. Hue festivals are divided into two types: court festivals and folk festivals. Court festivals reflect the ceremonial activities of the Nguyen dynasty, mostly focusing more on 'ceremony' than 'festival', mostly consisting of major ceremonies of the court such as Nam Giao ritual, Van Mieu ritual, Xa Tac ritual, Thai Mieu ritual, The Mieu ritual, Tich Dien ritual, Ky Dao ritual.
Nam Giao ritual ceremony. Image: Collected
Folk festivals encompass a wide variety of types. When spring returns to the ancient land villages, you'll immerse yourself in the lives of local people to share in the joy of the festival days. Among them, one cannot overlook festivals like the swing festival in Điền Hòa, the wrestling festival in Quảng Phước commune (Quảng Điền), the village item festival in Phú Mậu (Phú Vang)... All retain the beautiful religious and spiritual aspects that have existed for hundreds of years. Each festival reflects the beauty of culture, with aspirations to bring luck to everyone.
The village item festival in Phú Mậu (Phú Vang). Image: Collected
Furthermore, Hue festival culture is still being preserved and developed through various means, including the Hue Festival and the Traditional Craft Festival of Hue. These are two festivals bearing the strong brand of Hue, providing an opportunity for you to enjoy the vibrant blend of tradition and modernity, experiencing the colors of art, culture, and indulging in the atmosphere of an ancient city, yet still carrying the sophistication of heritage.
The Hue Festival is held biennially. Image: Hue, truly Vietnam
This is an opportunity for you to enjoy the vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. Image: Collected
'Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.' If you've fallen in love with this beautiful ancient land, what are you waiting for? Prepare a itinerary and come here to experience the fascinating things mentioned above!
See more: Travel tips for Hue from A to Z for newcomers
