Top 17 Beautiful Poems about the Ancient Capital of Huế

OH, HUẾ
Author: Chu Long

Under the blue sky of Huế so pure,
The ancient capital glows in the soft pink light of autumn.
Mount Bạch Mã sits serenely, calming the soul,
The bells of Thiên Mụ temple bring peace to the heart.

The Hương River flows, blending with the sky,
The melodic tunes of Huế's folk songs, smooth and sweet.

At Đồng Khánh's school gate in the fading afternoon,
Your long white dress fading in the golden sunset.

By the bridge, someone stands, lost in thought,
Waiting by the Trường Tiền bridge, will anyone remember?
Oh, Huế, the morning sun calls to me,
Wherever I go, I will always remember... forever, Oh, Huế!

Chu Long

On the Perfume River
Author: Doãn Kim Oanh

When you come to Huế, you will be a king
And I will be your queen, a perfect match
We will sail the boat, just the two of us
The Perfume River, green and calm, the mountains whispering in the breeze.

The sunset casts a purple hue over the land

The king forgets about today’s royal duties
The sound of the Thiên Mụ bell echoes nearby
Suddenly, the boat drifts, awakening from a dream, as the gentle wind moves the sails.

OLD HUẾ

Author: Phan Thu Hà

In my purple áo dài, I return, suddenly remembering the past,
The days of separation by the river’s edge.
The shadow of the past has long since faded,
Who remembers the riverbanks turning into mulberry fields?

Indifferent to the autumn dust and smoke,
The fleeting memories vanish as the mist lifts.
The path of life winds, shadowed halfway up the mountain,
The ancient citadel long gone, a memory of the hills.

Lonely rain falls on the East Gate,
Empty echoes of bells ring throughout the old capital.
My hair, once neatly tied, now untamed in the inner sanctum,
Memories of a time when the leaves were green and the flowers bloomed.

The royal capital has long been lost to the kings,
The warriors’ horses tired from their long journeys.
The rainy Huế afternoon grows colder,
Soaked in the sounds of the folk songs and the Perfume River.

Who still remembers the old Huế,
The afternoon paths of waiting and greetings?
Do you hear the bells echoing from Thiên Mụ?
The purple mountain fading in the light of the setting sun.

The road is long, time leaves its marks,
Imprinted forever in the heart, a silent song.
I will forever remember a rainy Huế afternoon,
The sounds of the folk songs still resonate in my soul.

“A bird far from its nest still yearns for its tree,
People far from each other, how sad it is, oh dear,
It would be better not to know at all,
But once known, we are left in sorrow, each to their own place.”

Phan Thu Hà

MODERN HUẾ
Author: Phạm Hồng Giang

Is Modern Huế still as beautiful, my dear?
The Perfume River still sings its lullabies.
The bells of Thiên Mụ, eternal as ever,
Stir the heart, leaving us yearning for more.

Modern Huế still holds deep desires,
The Imperial City at night, lost in royal gardens.
Listening to the soft sounds of Nhã Nhạc,
Each step we take lingers, unwilling to leave.

Modern Huế, the rain never seems to stop,
The conical hat tilts, shielding the old woman’s life.
The waters of the Perfume River still flow, as clear as ever,
The Trường Tiền Bridge stands, like a shadow from the past.

Modern Huế, have you arrived yet?
Back to Vĩ Village, the poem left unfinished.
The moon hangs over a love that binds,
Cồn Hến waits, as I remember the shore nearby.

Modern Huế, I don’t want to leave,
The breeze whispers softly...
Quietly...
The purple áo dài!

07/08/2018 Hồng Giang.

MISSING HUẾ
Poem by Lan Thanh

Did you come, my love? Does Huế still rain like before?
The Perfume River’s waves still stir as we dream.
The Trường Tiền Bridge quietly reflects its shadow,
And a song echoes, steeped in the sorrowful Nam Ai tune.

Are the willows still bending in the morning breeze?
The soft flow of the áo dài stirs the heart.
The oars gently rock the water,
While a bicycle’s shadow meanders down the quiet road.

Is Đông Ba Market still as bustling as ever?
The voices of sellers and buyers, so rich and warm.
The royal sweet soup, with its delicate flavor,
As flower sellers quietly offer their fragrant wares.

The afternoon in the ancient capital, the sunset clings on,
The sun lingers on the Văn Tower, unwilling to leave.
Quốc Học rests in the quiet heat of summer’s end,
As the cicada’s song stirs deep within the heart.

“Oh, my Huế,” - lovely Huế,
Your soft purple hues, so gentle and profound.
The ancient tombs, enduring for centuries,
Rise above, unashamed, as the heart of the imperial city.

THE PERFUME RIVER'S LOVE
Author: Tú Uyên

Once, I stopped by the Van Lau dock,
Late at night, I heard the distant sound of a boat song.
Heavy-hearted, my feet reluctant to leave,
The Perfume River, a young maiden, waiting... for whom?

The streets of Đông Ba bustle, with ao dai flowing,
While you, with a conical hat, shelter your hair from the sunlight.
Sending a floating lantern carrying a silent wish,
Come, step into the boat with me, if you still care.

Waiting for a favorable month, choosing a good day,
The betel nut wrapped in the perfect promise.
The wine, rich and filled with love for the homeland,
Perfume River – Bến Ngự, a bond lasting a lifetime.

Tú Uyên

OH MY BELOVED HUẾ
Author: Phạm Quang Thu

Before even finishing a word, I miss you,
As if fate already binds me to you, Huế.
The 12-span bridge, oh my love,
Each time I pass, I remember Huế's tender words.

My heart reflects in the Perfume River's flow,
Like gazing into a mirror, the sky and earth.
Come with me to Bạch Mã, my dear,
To see Hải Vân, where nature's beauty abounds.

Lăng Cô, with its unexpected beauty,
Lies quietly, as I whisper the poetry of the Forbidden City.
Lăng Cô Bay, its waters forever blue,
The high pass bathed in sunlight, surrounded by ancient pine forests.

Will you follow me to Ngự Bình, my love?
The mountains will remain, forever untouched.
The Thiên Mụ Pagoda recites its poem,
The sound of the bell still sacred to this day.

Phú Bài, with its swaying swallow wings,
The ancient land of the capital, full of affection.
Tam Giang reflects the blue sky,
Where shrimp and fish bring joy to the people.

At Đông Ba, with your white conical hat,
Each brim carries a promise of love.
Phú Văn Lâu, the Tower of Literature,
Echoes the poetry that fills the Perfume River for generations.

The sweetness of Ăm Phủ's rice,
The fragrance of herbs and river delicacies, bringing memories of home.
Soft, sticky rice that tells stories of a hundred years,
Grandmother's love, passed down in every grain.

I will return to Vỹ Dạ with gratitude,
Where the soul of Hàn beautifully transforms the land into poetry.
Do not go to the stone bridge alone,
The moon reflects on the water, creating a lonely image...

Huế, full of dreams, Huế, the love of my life,
On Nam Ai hill, waiting for you each morning and evening.
The Kim Long boat softly calls to me,
Oh, the river's long boat, unforgettable in this land...

MY BELOVED HUẾ
Author: Bùi Thế Uyên

Oh Huế, I will wait for you forever,
The sound of folk songs echoes along the Perfume River.
Ngự Bình * holds my heart with countless memories,
Tràng Tiền * connects us with your sweet smile.

Princess Huyền Trân * from the past,
Tam Giang * where your first love shone in your eyes.
East Ba * holds deep affection,
Hoping to reunite and experience the beauty of Thiên An * once again.

The grandeur of Đại Điện * shines in gold,
The evening mist over Bạch Mã * lingers in my thoughts.
Vọng Cảnh * sings with the wind,
Lăng Cô * is so beautiful, it's like a dream.

Thủy Tiên * bends her gaze over the lake,
Thuân An *’s waves carry songs of love.
Visit the Thiên Mụ * pagoda’s roof,
And dream of the promise made at Trúc Lâm *.

Warsaw
24/04/2018

THE PERFUME RIVER WITHIN YOU
Poem by: NS Lâm Bình

You are a girl from the western lands,
Never having been to Huế to release a melancholic poem.
The boat gently sways, setting the rhythm,
While a distant traveler hums a longing tune.

By the riverside, with you and the boat,
The dim moonlight waiting for the distant visitor...
The Tràng Tiền Bridge passes with verses,
Lost in each beat of love, too deep to express.

A flickering light by the riverbank,
Drifting... waiting for a familiar silhouette.
The flowers have wilted, yet my heart aches,
For the flowers and the smile that I once knew.

The courtesan's life is filled with instability,
Yet she drifts down the river night after night.
Her story, “The Girl on the River,”
The poetic Perfume River still flows unchanged.

The river winds through the shores lined with pines,
The boatwoman escapes the shackles of fate.
Tonight, the full moon bathes the world in light,
As her heart closes the door to sorrowful days gone by.

The life of “The Girl on the River”
Resonates through time... On the Perfume River...

Ho Chi Minh City 10/4/2018

P.S. (“The Girl on the River” is a classic Vietnamese film from the golden era of cinema.)

WHEN WILL I RETURN TO HUẾ
Poem by Hồ Viết Bình

You ask me when I will return to Huế,
I stare blankly, missing Huế more than ever.
On the Perfume River at night, a boat drifts slowly,
A lonely folk song echoes over the water.

Why does the Southern folk song sound so heartfelt?
The Southern lullaby lingers deeply in my heart.
Where are you, I keep searching for you,
The violet dress and the tilt of the conical hat.

Huế is my dream, so peaceful and serene,
When I met you, a stranger turned familiar.
The Tràng Tiền Bridge glows with lights so bright,
But none can outshine the moonlit night of poetry.

The boat and people drift on the river,
Intoxicated by the deep violet hues of Huế.
Remembering the cold winter rain outside,
And sipping royal tea while listening to deep Trịnh music.

Life moves on, rushing somewhere,
But come back to Huế, the Phu Văn Lâu is waiting.
With a bowl of mussel rice, steamed cakes, sesame candy,
Grandma's cooking and tears remembering you.

Lan Huong Nguyen

HUẾ OF THE PAST
(Poem by Phan Huy Hùng)

Now I reminisce about old Huế,
The Perfume River, with the boatwoman steering as day fades.
The paddle gently sways, setting the rhythm,
Her hands working, darkened with time.

Where is your smile hidden,
Why does it seem like I can hear the deep waves of your song?
You row, until when?
Until the riverbanks are worn, the boat beaten and broken...

The violet hue of Huế persists,
Yet why does the night feel cold,
The days feel heavy,
The months filled with sorrow?
The torn conical hat barely holding on,
The rain lashes down like a slap,
The sun burns fiercely against my back?

*
* *

Now Huế is sweet, the Perfume River flows,
I send my love across the distance, through the song's flow.
May the violet hue of Huế live on in my poetry,
As I dream of boarding the boat, seeking solace in its gentle paddle...

———
With love for Huế

BY THE PERFUME RIVER
Written by: Nguyễn Nguyệt Anh

Do you still remember the poetic Huế,
Or have you forgotten the violet dress that waited by the river?
Our love once so passionate,
Why did fate send a storm into our hearts?

Still, I waited, full of love,
With tears in my eyes, shedding sorrowful drops.
You returned to find happiness with someone new,
Living in the wealth and splendor of the city.

But I remained, in my simple hut,
Knowing that our love was beautiful, I let you go.
My heart ached, releasing a cry of pain,
As you turned away without a second glance.

Life is full of cruel twists and turns,
We sacrifice, accepting the pain and hardship.
The cicadas cry out, longing for their lost companions,
While the red phoenix flowers yearn in sadness, their desires unfulfilled.

Oh, Huế...! With its deep love and unbroken bond,
The Tràng Tiền Bridge still remembers our first love.
Time has passed, but the memories are still vivid,
When you return, will you remember the violet hues of the Perfume River?

MC: 8/8/2018

HUẾ, DREAMING OF HUẾ
Written by: Đỗ Hương

The mountains still stand beside the poetic Perfume River,
The rain continues to fall, mourning the tombs and palaces.
At the Van Lau dock, someone waits, lost in foolish hope,
As the golden hue of the Thien Mu Pagoda fades away.

The Trường Tiền Bridge stands silent, awaiting footsteps,
The river holds on, reluctant to let go of those leaving.
One morning, a dragon boat waits, with oars slowly dipping,
The Nam Ai song hums, its words gently resting on your hands.

The Tam Giang lagoon watches the setting sun paint the sky gold,
As a glass of wine overflows, its story left unfinished.
My youthful heart burns with desire, yet is still unsatisfied,
As an East Ho painting shows the wild confusion of life.

The Imperial Citadel sinks into the moss of time,
The carvings whisper their painful history, worn by the heavens.
Ancient tales remain, bearing witness to the past,
As soldiers march solemnly before the Khải Định Tomb.

The Quốc Học still stands, the walls echo with the wisdom of ages,
The red robes of the scholar remind us of long-forgotten dreams.
Generations of people have risen from this place,
Their shoulders bearing the weight of the nation, the flag waving proudly.

The Thien Mu Pagoda murmurs ancient prayers,
Its chants reverberate through the ages.
The boats drift in a slow, silent wait,
As the winds carry away the last verse of an old song.
They dock on the shores, bringing peace to the Pacific.

The Đông Ba Market is crowded, at the end of the road,
My feet hurry to find the last traces of my mother’s sandals.
The “Bài Thơ” hat floats in the warm breeze of late summer,
And Huế, forever drunk on nostalgia, sways in my heart.

Hanoi, countryside
8/8/2018
SunNy Do

LONGING

Written by: Hoàng Lan

I write to you, to Huế, so full of passion,
Where the gentle Perfume River reflects the peaceful Ngự Mountain.
Trường Tiền Bridge holds the steps of travelers,
As love settles here, never to leave.

I write to you and to Huế, so innocent and pure,
The Imperial City bathed in the fading sunlight.
The fluttering áo dài woven into your gaze,
Vivid yet dreamlike, lingering in the heart.

I write to you, to a Huế of precious grace,
Where the land and people merge in gentle harmony.
The soft and endearing voices speak of warmth,
And I bring my love, embracing Huế's poetic soul.

Hoàng Lan

TO HUẾ
Written by: Chu Minh Khôi

The fragrant scent of grass and herbs drifts in the air,
Wandering, it floats towards the depths of longing.
The bell tolls, a soft echo in the tower of sunlight,
Thien Mu stands tall, filled with winds from distant lands.

I’ve been cast out into eternity,
Drifting this afternoon along the Perfume River.
The green mountains twist with pain on the grassy slope,
The banks stretch far, holding endless memories.

The young women of Huế walk under the phoenix trees,
The river awakens, shy, reluctant to stir.
Your white dress glimmers in the morning mist,
And strangers on the road can’t help but feel the ache of longing.

CMK.

NEWLYWEDS IN THE ANCIENT CAPITAL!
Written by: Phan Thúc Định

The ancient capital, gentle like the gaze of Quan Âm,
The Perfume River lingers, reluctant to leave Huế.
The Trường Tiền Bridge pierces deep into the heart of many lives,
While Thien Mu watches, weathered by centuries.

The Imperial City is quiet, its hidden halls sealed tight,
Today’s world searches for yesterday to revive its soul.
The sun at the Noon Gate has long set,
I wear the dragon robe, lost in memories of ancient ceremonies.

Oh Perfume River, how old are you now?
Why do you resist embracing modernity?
Why hold onto the quiet spirit of a young maiden,
From the days of the old capital, with a soft step and bowed head?

Remain still, as the temples and shrines do,
While I sway, drunk on the dreams of youth.
The hill of Vọng Cảnh, this evening, sways with the wind,
And the moon in the first week of its cycle forgets to play in the waves.

The shrine of Hòn Chén, mysterious and filled with illusion,
The Con Hến island, with its distinct local cuisine,
The “sunshine through the betel trees” makes our hearts flutter,
As we search for “the face of the field” and a white dress lost in thought.

Huế remains as it was, the shores still purple with nostalgia,
One day, we’ll become newlyweds in the fading twilight,
We’ll anchor the sunset at your slender waist, embracing the moment,
While the thousand-year-old winds carry you away.

Huế, summer 2018.
Grandfather Định.

RETURNING TO HUẾ
Poem by: Hoàng Minh Tuấn

Winding roads, through three mountain passes to Huế,
The Hải Vân, Phú Gia, Phước Tượng range beneath our feet,
Lăng Cô, Chân Mây, the bay so endlessly beautiful,
The golden sunset over Tam Giang, the sky painted purple.

Returning to Huế on a misty rainy afternoon,
The peaceful streets, sheltered beneath the constant drizzle,
Endlessly falling as if the rain would never stop,
A quiet sadness, watching the Perfume River flow gently on.

I miss Huế, I miss the girl from my past,
I remember you, in your white school uniform,
I remember you, like a fleeting shadow,
The day we parted, a love never truly spoken.

I miss Huế, the folk songs from long ago,
The black silk, the square hats, and the graceful áo dài,
The flirtatious dialogues, clever and sweet,
The Perfume River echoing with the music of the royal court.

I miss Huế, I miss the Thiên Mụ Pagoda,
I remember the bridges from my youth,
Dã Viên, Phú Xuân, and Trường Tiền,
My childhood spent between the North and the South.

Ngự Bình Mountain, a dream since school days,
To step on the grounds, to gaze at the Imperial City,
To admire the stunning beauty, a surprise at every turn,
Of the ancient capital, once the heart of Vietnam!

So many things have made me yearn,
Only Huế could offer such deep longing, oh Huế!
And now I return to you once again,
To love you forever, my heart devoted to Huế!

Hà Nội, 7/8/2018