Highlights of Hue city

Highlights:     Hue citadel’s vestige complex - The World’s Cultural Heritage
                       Hue's court music - The World's Intangible Cutural Heritage
                       Lang Co – One of the world’s most beautiful bays
                       Spectacular sunrise on Tam Giang lagoon
                       Thuan An beach
                       My An hot spring
                       Thien Mu and Tu Hieu pagodas 
                       Quoc Hoc Hue high school: Our fairy tale  

Hue citadel’s vestige complex - the world’s cultural heritage

 Within nearly 400 years (1558-1945), Hue were successively the Capital city under 9 reigns of Nguyen Lords in Dang Trong, the Capital city of Tay Son Dynasty and then the Capital of the united country under the reign of 13 Emperors of Nguyen Dynasty. Nowadays, Hue City still bears in it the tangible and intangible cultural heritages containing a number of values symbolizing the intelligence and spirit of Vietnamese people. For centuries, a plenty of quintessence extracted from all over the country have gathered and formed a culture that is full of nation identity. Therefore, when talking about Hue, people often mention and think of the golden palace, the splendid temples, magnificent tombs, or poetic natural landscapes, etc.

With such object and non-object foundations formed in the early 14th century, Nguyen Lords (16th- 1th century), Tay Son Reign (at the end of 18th century) and 13 Nguyen Dynasty (1802- 1945) continually developed them and established priceless cultural fortune. The most typical is the Citadel’s relic complex which is included in the UNESCO’s list of the World’s cultural heritages and is compared with other thousand-year old wonders in the world.   

Located in the centre of Hue City and in the North of Perfume River, the architectural system symbolizing the power of Nguyen dynasty remains magnificently despite of a number of upheavals and influence of time. That architectural system consists of the Imperial City, the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. These three works are well-matched on an axis from the South to the North. This architectural system is the typical combination model of quintessence of the East and the West. Also, they are situated within a very poetic environment with many symbolic factors so naturally that people always consider them parts of the Citadel. They are Ngu Binh Mount, Perfume River, Gia Vien, Boc Thanh sandbank, etc. In fact, they are in such harmony that people hardly find the influence of human factors on them.  The Imperial City is surrounded by 4 walls with about 600m long each and 4 gates, one of which is Ngo Mon (Noon Gate), considered the symbol of the Citadel. This is the senior administrative zone under Nguyen Dynasty. Inside the Imperial city is the Forbidden Purple City- the place for royal habitation. 

The main road through the 3 ramparts bears prominent architectural monuments of Hue such as: Nghinh Luong Dinh, Phu Van Lau, Ky dai (Flag Pole), Ngo Mon (Noon Gate), Thai Hoa temple, Can Chanh temple, Can Thanh temple, Khon Thai temple and Kien Trung, etc. Along this main road there are hundreds of all- size architectural monuments located in balanced in the natural surroundings that make people feel comfortable and harmoniously.   

Away from the Imperial City to the West, along the banks of Perfume River are the tombs of Nguyen Emperors which are considered the architectural achievements of Hue City. These tombs were constructed for 2 reasons: (1) sight-seeings when the emperors were alive and; (2) the place for everlasting rest when they passed away. With such reasons, these tombs have very unique features of architecture of VietNam.

Each tomb reflects its owner. For example: Gia Long tomb is simple but magnificent among the forest surroundings, which shows the bravery of a general experiencing a number of battles. Meanwhile, Minh Mang tomb is splendid and cleverly constructed showing the great will of a talented politician and poet; Thieu tri tomb is solemn and isolated in the quiet field, which partly expresses the fate of an excellent poet but unskillful emperor; and Tu Duc tomb is precisely designed and located in a poetic environment which reminds us of an emperor who was always regretful for what hadn’t been completed. 

Along with splendid palaces, temples and tombs, Hue also retains very unique architectural monuments attached to the Royal regulations. These works were designed so cleverly that the structure reached the peak of harmony. Parallel with the Imperial City in its four walls, there is Tran Binh Rampart blocking the water way, Tran Hai rampart blocking the seaway, Hai Van Gate blocking the road in the South. Although these are of an important preventive system, almost nobody pays attention to them because they were so sophisticatedly arranged and constructed. Combined with such architectural constructions, there are some places for sightseeing like Nam Giao Terrain (place for Sacrifice Festival); Xa Tac Terrain (place of worshipping the Saint of Land, the Saint of Rice Plant); Ho Quyen- the only arena for tigers and elephants; Van Mieu (Van Shrine)- place for worshipping Confucius and other steles for doctors in Literature under Nguyen Dynasty. Hon Chen Temple, intermixing with other natural landscapes such as Huong River, Ngu Binh Mount, Vong Canh, Thien An, Thien Thai Hills, which makes a very picturesque photo. 

 There used to be Royal gardens such as Ngu Vien, Thu Quang, Thuong Mau, Truong Ninh, Thieu Phuong. Such garden architectural style was spread among common people and together with available factors formed the very typical garden housing style in Hue City, this is the reason why people refer Hue to a garden- house city and we can see ancient garden houses intermixing with the quiet Hue. Each house of this type is a zoomed out model of the Imperial City with a screen as Ngu Mount, a small pond as Huong River, a small rock-work as Da Vien and Boc Thanh sandbanks. That’s why in such a garden house, poets can easily gain inspirations for their poems, musicians can quickly catch ideas for their songs, etc.

During nearly one and a half century, Hue used to be the Citadel of a feudalist dynasty with political system based on Confucianism and the Capital City of Buddhism. This is the reason why there are hundreds of sacred pagodas located in quiet forests along with the magnificent palace and temple system in Hue. Mr. Amadou MahtarM’bow- Former General Manager of UNESCO, was very sophisticated when saying: “Hue is not only a typical model of architecture but is also a spiritual centre of Culture where Buddhism and Confucianism have rooted and mixed with the local traditions, rearing very unique religious, philosophical ideology”.      

Together with a feudalism applying Confucius ideologies, in this region, the traditional music and festivals developed much diversified and were of the nation’s identity. The Court had Sacrifice Festivals in Nam Giao, Xa Tac, Lunar New Year, Doan Duong festival, Imperial Audience, Thuong Trieu,…Each type of festival has its owns  stages and its main part is royal music. In the common people, there were such types of festivals as Hon Chen Temple, God of Fish Worshipping Ceremony, Sinh Village Festival, festivals in Communal Houses, in Village,… and it was the music that linked these festivals together. Parallel with royal music, folk music in the common people is known as a very unique and full of nation’s identity by the world. Those are the dance and folk songs which are now being the spiritual food for Hue people’s souls and a very unique show for tourists. Hue is now the City striving for preservation of its own traditional quintessence, music and other precious spiritual values.  

 Hue’s traditional music types are now being preserved in the heart of the City. Recently, Hue people were very pleased and proud of the City when Hue Royal Vestiges Preservation Center together with Vietnamese Folk Music Union and other scientists’ suggestions has made a proposal for approval of Hue Court Music to be an Intangible Cultural Heritage Work descending to other generations by mouth of the World by UNESCO. Although everything remains ahead, this action shows the prominence and value of Hue traditional music. 

Hue is now a typical city of festivals in Viet Nam. Every two years, Hue people are delighted and happy to welcome this important festival. In the thoughts of many people, that Hue becomes of festival city is irresistible because there remains a typical capital city of feudalism whose architectural monuments together with innumerable festivals and traditional music make a smooth combination. 

The structure of architecture and landscape makes Hue become a city of architectural – natural and human harmony. Hue’s architecture is really a blend of religion and life, of ancientness and modern so that the city is now in harmony with the new and young lifestyle nowadays.   

With such tangible and intangible cultural vestige values, Hue is a cultural phenomenon of Viet Nam and the World. These vestiges are being well conserved with the tireless efforts of Hue people and Party, Hue Royal Vestige Preservation Center. On 11/12/1993, the whole nation was very delighted and proud when Hue vestige complex was approved to be the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO; on 7/11/2003, Hue’s culture was once again acclaimed when Court music (under Nguyen Dynasty) was listed in the World’s Intangible Heritage Works. However, this is not the end because with such high-standard conservation process, the cultural vestiges treasure of Hue will be found and acclaimed in the Global scope. And Hue will always be preserved for the sake of the nation and the World so as to be our pride forever.  

                                                    Hue Royal Vestige Preservation Center

 2/ Hue's court music - The World's Intangible Cutural Heritage

 With the meaning of “elegant”, Hue’s Court music mentions the music performed in annual occasions such as ceremonies, regional anniversaries as well as enthronements, funerals or official receptions. Among the diversified types of music, Court music is the only one that owns the National scope.

 With the meaning of “elegant”, Hue’s Court music mentions the music performed in annual occasions such as ceremonies, regional anniversaries as well as enthronements, funerals or official receptions. Among the diversified types of music, Court music is the only one that owns the National scope. 

Although the origin of Court Music was formed in 13^th century, it didn’t reach its flourished time till Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The emperors under this Dynasty considered it the official type of music in the Court so as to show off their power and longevity. Court music then became one vital part and was performed in about 100 festivals annually. Being diversified in spiritual content, Court music was considered a type of communication and means of showing respect towards emperors and gods.   

In addition, Court music was also a means to deliver philosophical ideas and aspects of the universe of Vietnamese people.  

In general, the term court music doesn’t mean the musical system of the Court only, but also includes actual performances. It was featured with a number of musical instruments and was only shown in special occasions with its own singers and dancers. The drum plays the main role in the orchestra and each member has to pay their highest attention to follow all the stages in a lasting ceremonial.      

The existence of Court music was strongly threatened with upheavals in the 20^th century, especially the collapse of monarchy and the continual wars. Losing the imperial scene, this traditional music lost one of its original functions. Nowadays, with the assistance of the Government and the local community, some old musicians are trying to resurrect this traditional music and deliver their skills to younger generations. Some remained forms of Court music are now the inspiration for Vietnamese temporary music.  

On 7-11-2003, the General Manager of UNESCO, Mr. Kiochiro Matsuura officially announced at a Ceremony in Paris that Court music of Viet Nam is one of the 28 cultural intangible masterpieces of mankind that were passed down to other generations orally. This was the 1^st intangible heritage of Viet Nam to be included in this list. And this was the rewards for 10 years of preparation and tirelessly striving of the Central Committee, of the local authorities and of the Citadel’s Relics Conservation Center.  

 Citadel’s Relics Conservation Center

 3/ Lang Co – One of the world’s most beautiful bays

 Lang Co – the beautiful bay of Thua Thien Hue Province has been officially a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club. Together with Ha Long and Nha Trang bays, Lang Co is the third bay of Vietnam which is honourably admitted to this Club.

Lang Co – the fairyland

Lang Co bay is 42.5km in length and 60km away from Hue and 20km from Da Nang. It is nearly a neglected beach located in the base of Hai Van Mountain Pass with smooth seaside resorts, clear water, a diversified and rich ecosystem, an extensive tropical forest on rolling mountains. Moreover, between the mountains and the beach is Lap An lagoon, which stretches attractively on an extensive area. Lang Co is really one of the famous tourist spots of Thua Thien Hue Province, which was compared with a fairyland by Khai Dinh King.   

Besides nature-awarded values, Lang Co bay is also a part of the Central heritage road from Phong Nha Cave and Hue

Ancient City to Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary. It is located in the East-West Economic Corridor and one of the three greatest tourist areas of Vietnam in the master plan for developing Vietnamese tourism in the period of 2001-2010. Moreover, Lang Co is oriented to be developed  in a long-term association with Chan May – Lang Co Economic Zone and Chan May – Lang Co deep sea port, which was approved by the Governmental Prime Minister in order to ensure the sustainable and comprehensive development.

With available potentialities and advantages, in recent years, Thua Thien Hue Province has had plenty of action programs and plans in order to diffuse as well as appeal domestic and foreign investment to Lang Co area. Particularly, in 2008, the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province issued the Program No. 45/CTr-UBND dated May 27th, 2008 on developing beach and lagoon tourism until 2012. Accordingly, together with the provincial beautiful lagoons and beaches which are paid special attention to the investment, upgrading, and development, Lang Co bay is considered as a breakthrough place of beach tourism with particular targets such as constructing regional and international convalescence resorts and beach entertainment areas, associating with Hue City to connect this region with regional and worldwide big tourism centers; establishing the tour of Hue - Canh Duong - Cu Du - Lang Co - Son Cha and the seaway tour of Lang Co - Son Cha - Da Nang - Hoi An, etc.

Nowadays, besides high-class resorts which have operated effectively such as Nirvana Spa and Resort, Ancient Resort, Huong Giang Resort, Thanh Tam Resort, Lang Co  has been still receiving many new investment projects, for example projects for Hue Laguna Resort, Bai Chuoi Resort, Lap An eco tourism area, Thu Duc - Lang Co complex of offices and hotels, Dream Palace convalescence resort, etc. 

Deserved to be one of the world’s most beautiful beaches

Basing on the maximum exploitation of potentialities and advantages of Lang Co economic and politic geography, the leadership of Thua Thien Hue Province always specifies to associate the growth with sustainable development, ensuring the harmony between mission of socio-economic development and ecological environment protection. This is shown clearly according to the view of sustainable development that "we need projects, but not necessarily any kinds of projects. We need to spread out the red carpet to invite investors but not necessarily any kinds of investors" or "Thua Thien Hue Province definitively does not issue license for projects which affect environment of this area", etc. Therefore, lots of billion-dollar-projects such as Project for thremo-electricity plant, Project for shipbuilding, etc. have been refused to be deployed in this area. Until now, although there have been a lot of high-class convalescence resorts in Lang Co as well as other tourism projects, Lang Co is still a beautiful bay with stretching white sand, green mountain, and blue sea water. It is said that Lang Co enjoys a wonderful nature-awarded beauty. Thanks to the strict preservation and protection of ecosystem and environmental landscape, within the scope of the 5th international conference of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club on May 16th, 2009 in Setubal (Portugal) with the participation of 140 representatives of worldwide countries and representatives of 21 members of the Club, Mr. Je'rôme Bignon - the Club Chairman, officially chairs the Certificate Hand-over Ceremony to announce Lang Co Bay (Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam) to be the 28th official member of the Club. On June 6th, 2008, in Lang Co Town (Phu Loc District), Thua Thien Hue Province organized a solemn ceremony to

announce Lang Co as a beautiful bay of the world. At the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee called all local departments, branches, businesses and people to preserve and protect the title of Lang Co - the world beautiful bay by particular activities aiming at conserving and developing natural values of the bay, promoting traditional and community cultural values, developing sustainably in the combination with the investment in order to ensure comprehensive interests for the whole regional people. Moreover, he committed starting to design a long-term plan with lots of communication education programs and projects in order to promote values of natural scenery; develop and train human resources; and call investment projects in the fields of tourism and environment-friendly hi-tech by both domestic and foreign capitals.

The event that Lang Co bay is admitted to the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club is not only a great honour to Thua Thien Hue Province in particular and Vietnam in general but also an important event in the Year of Cultural Diplomacy 2009 of Vietnam. This international brand name of Lang Co bay will help Thua Thien Hue Province to attract more and more tourists to visit Hue for sightseeing and convalescence as well as to develop tourism as a key economic industry of the province and the Central region.  

                                                       

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4/ Spectacular sunrise on Tam Giang lagoon

 

With  5,200 hectares of water surface, Tam Giang lagoon is the dating place of three big rivers, O Lau, Huong and Bo, before they run into the sea through the Thuan An estuary.

 The most beautiful moments on the lagoon are at sunset and sunrise when they turns into many colours, especially purple, orange and red. I can say thats the magic show of light. You are sure to be deeply impressed and always say "so beautiful".

Coming to lagoon during sunset and sunrise, you also see the daily activities of local people such as fishing, selling and buying sea products on immense water surface.

The lagoon has an average depth of 2 - 4m, in some places, of 7 -10m, running 26km along three districts of Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra of Thua Thien Hue province. From Hue city center, its about 15km.

 

 

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5/ Thuan An beach

Thuan An beach with clear and blue sea water is just 12km from Hue city. While most tourists enjoy Hoi An and Da Nang beaches, Thuan An beach is forgotten. So if you look for a place to hide away, Thuan An is one of the best choices.

There are just some restaurants and very few hotels/resorts in Thuan An. What you have is just only the beach and relaxing as there is almost no activities. Well, if you are like me, watching fishing boats and fishermen at work along the beach,  or seeing others playing in the water are interesting activities too...

You should combine the trip to Thuan An beach with Tam Giang lagoon 

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6/ My An hot spring

My An hot spring lies about 160m depth with its temperature from 35oC to 42oC when running out to the pools. The minerals in the waters are said to have positive therapeutic effects on skin disease, neuralgia, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and shoulder, neck, wrist pains...

The hot spring is managed by My An resort which is about 10km from Hue city. 

If time permitted, you could enjoy staying in the bungalo designed in Hue traditional architecture. 

Combine the trip to My An hot spring with Tam Giang lagoon and Thuan An beach. 

7/ Thien Mu and Tu Hieu pagodas  
    
 Thien Mu pagoda
 Together with Royal citadel, Thien Mu pagoda is the symbol of Hue city. The pagoda is about 5km from center of Hue, on Ha Khe leafy hill, faces the beautiful Perfume river.


The pagoda was built in the year of 1601. In 1710, a 2.5m high and 3285kg bell was ordered to cast by Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord. In 1715, the Lord ordered to build a 2.58m high stone stele placed on the back of a turtle made of marble.


During Nguyen dynasty (1802 - 1945), Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Thanh Thai kings also ordered to restore the pagodas many times.

The most famous tower of this pagoda, Phuoc Duyen, was ordered to build by Thieu Tri king in the year of 1844. Its a 7 floor (21m high) octagonal tower. Each tower worships a Buddha. Accoding to Tuoi Tre newspaper, its one of the oldest tower in Vietnam. 

In the pagoda, there are many bronze Buddha statues and a horizontal lacquered board engraved with Chinese characters by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu.

Pay attention at the car which took Thich Quang Duc Bodhisattva to the center of Sai Gon city to burn himself to protest Ngo Dinh Diem president regime (See the video of Thich Quang Duc Bodhisattava self-immolation)


Many tourists go to this pagoda by bus/motorbike and come back to cener of Hue by dragon boat along Perfume river infront of the pagoda.

 Video of Thich Quang Duc Bodhisattava self-immolation from Youtube

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Tu Hieu pagoda

 The pagoda dates back from 1843 and is located on a beautiful pine hill. In general, the name "Tu Hieu" means:  mercy (Tu) and filial piety (Hieu)
The story was Nhat Dinh monk's mother got illness. She used medicines for long time but didnt get better. Nhat Dinh was advised to buy fish and meat to feed her. No worry about sneering at him as a monk,  he walked through the forest to the market which was 5km from the pagoda to buy fish and meat. Tu Duc king knew the story and gave the name "Tu Hieu" to the pagoda.


The pagoda was contributed by Buddhist followers, Tu Duc king and many eunuches. There were some eunuches' altars in the pagoda.


Today, Tu Hieu is one of the most beautiful pagodas in Hue. There is a small spring running in front of the pagoda,  a semicircular lake full of fishes and a small lake with many lotuses. Come to Tu Hieu and forget the busy life outside...

    8/ Quoc Hoc Hue high school: Our fairy tale

    Walk back to our high school stage of life, live again our life's first beautiful and innocent emotions with "Our fairy tale" clip made by Quoc Hoc Hue high school past pupils

     Not only a lovely high school, Quoc Hoc Hue is also one of the most famous and oldest high schools in Vietnam where president Ho Chi Minh studied in the year of 1908