Hue city is said to be a peaceful and dreamy picture of Vietnam. Poetic, romantic and the city of World Heritage are names visitors give for it. However, the picture is not perfect if do not have the highlight of this picture. It is Perfume River or Song Huong as Vietnamese call.

Perfume River is a river crossing the city of Hue, looking like “a silver sword upright to the sky”, it becomes invaluable symbol of Hue city over the centuries.

Why is it called the Perfume River?

There are many interesting legends around the name of Huong River. One of the most famous legend and almost people believe is that the scent of flowers which dropped in the water from upriver orchards. It makes the river have fragrant aroma like perfume, so the locals called Perfume River.

Perfume River derives from Truong Son Mountain but has two sources. The left one ( Ta Trach) flows from Truong Dong mounts through 55 majestic waterfalls, and then slowly passes Bang Lang Fork. The shorter right tributary (Huu Trach) crosses over 14 impressive waterfalls, flows through Tuan ferry. Consequently, it meets the left source in Bang Lang Fork, forming a poetic Perfume River.

The river is not too long. The total length of Perfume River is only 100 km from upstream source to estuary. But from Bang Lang Fork to Thuan An estuary is about 30 km. Because the river level is not much above the sea level. It runs very gently and slowly from Bang Lang through villages, historical sites, into the heart of Hue city. And then stream continue to countryside and downstream before reaching the sea. Perfume River is said to be like a romantic and mysterious Hue’s girl, flow gently, but sometimes flows fiercely as obstinate girl.

The beauty of Perfume River

Perfume River is well-known belonging to only Hue city. The beauty of Perfume River is the beauty of nature, culture, history and Hue people.

The beauty of nature

The river is beautiful from its source. It carries wild and liberal beauty that no longer places have. It winds among mountains, forest, trees, plants, etc, bringing powerful song of old forest as well as gentle of red pinkster flower. Leaving from the upstream of river, slowly running through villages to reach to peaceful Hue city. Get out of wild girl, but it becomes romantic and gentle girl. It escapes the darkness color when winding along foot of Ngoc Tran mount- the Jade Cup temple, put on itself by blue water. Until meet the sound of bell of Thien Mu pagoda, the blue color twinkles like sapphires under the sun. It flows and scents with the scent of flower through Kim Long, Nguyet Bieu, Vi Da, Dong Ba…

The beauty of culture

Most of famous historical sites and architecture of Hue city lies on two sides of the river with citadels, pagodas, towers and temples…. It reflects into water in Perfume River, which makes it huge all culture of Hue city inside. The beauty of Perfume River is not only in words, but in literature, poetry, music, painting and films. Specially, it’s pretty is described in “Who put the name for River” of Hoang Phu Ngoc Tuong Writer, folk melodies of local people. Many people think that thanks to Perfume River, Hue city has peaceful, gentle and dreamy landscapes. The river also brings city poetic scenery and harmonious limpidity emanating from a land of age-old culture.

Perfume river is has a strong attachment to Hue people. Traditional cultural activities such as listening Hue music on the river, boat racing, dropping color lanterns into water are still intact.

The beauty from history view

Perfume River used to protect the south border of Vietnam over centuries. In 18^th century, it glorious reflected Citadel in the river. It is also witness of many revolutions in 19^th such as August Revolutions, Mau Than War…. Perfume River knows how to make it become hero, and then when war ends; it returns itself to a gentle river.

Besides the Perfume River, Ngu Binh Mount is the second invaluable gift endowed by Nature to Hue. The combination between Perfume River and Ngu Binh Mount create unique beauty of Hue city

What should you do in Perfume River?

Visit every corners of Hue city along Perfume River

Most of famous landscapes of Hue city are set along Perfume River. Therefore, one of the most attractive tourists is to cruise along the River to see a series of beauty-spots and enjoy activities on the boat when visit Hue city. At day, tourists have an option to take traditional dragon boat to explore iconic landmarks such as Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen temple, and the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, Tu Duc.

Activities at night on Perfume River

Sunset Cruise or Dinner Cruise with Hue folk songs

When the night comes, the surface of the river sparkles under the moonlight and led lights on the banks of river. Many youths come to Trang Tien Bridge- an ancient bridge crossing Perfume River, to enjoy fresh air from the river. But the most interesting activity on Perfume River is dinner cruise while immerse in local people’s folk songs (Ca Hue) in the evening. Hue instrumentalists not only play traditional music, but familiar foreign songs for foreigners from different countries. Tourists can have a chance to listen the combination of folk songs and royal court songs, which is performed in two ways North and South. While performing Hu folk songs, musicians wear turban, play erbu, moon lute, flute and monochord and female singers wear traditional Ao Dai and play other instruments as well.

Night Cruise and floating lanterns

Tourists also have experience on floating paper lantern lights on the Perfume River; especially it is more beautiful in a bright moonlight night to admire the most sparkling and stunning view. The history of dropping lanterns on the river originates from local people wishes of being safe and sound. Each floating lanterns is their owner’s wishes. If you visit Hue in big holidays and festivals such as Lunar New Year, apart from lighting floating lanterns, you also see people light the lambs in the sky to celebrate and to pray for happiness and peace. It is considered an act to honor spiritual and cultural values of Vietnamese people.

Sitting on the boat, enjoy authentic Vietnamese dinner, including dishes: Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle soup), Banh It Ram (fried sticky rice dumplings),… to feel distinctive foods of Hue city.

If you come to Vietnam, do not miss Hue landscapes and Perfume River as well. Just come there to enjoy and feel the romance and beauty of dreamy city.

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King Minh Mang is the second ruler of Nguyen dynasty. As the result, he governed southern and central Vietnam from 1820 to 1840. He designed and planned to build his tomb and started constructing in 1840 under his reign but he died early in 1841. So his son – King Thieu Tri continued and completed the task until 1843.

Architecture of Minh Mang tomb

Ming Mang Royal tomb reflects Chinese architectural concepts, surrounded by a wall enclosing inside 40 big and small constructions: palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.  The structure of tomb is a perfect symmetrical central axis by way of path, where the different monuments lies in. (Contrast with Tu Duc’s Tomb). The whole arrangement is surrounded with reflective ponds fringed with pine trees.

The Entrance

When visit Ming Mang tomb, you need to park your vehicle outside the entrance then walk to a ticket office and meet entrance of tomb calling Dai Hong Mon Gate (Great Red Gate).  The Dai Hong Mon Gate consists of three doors, a central door and two side doors. But you only use two side doors to get into Minh Mang tomb. People said that the central door was opened only once to let the Emperor’s body and then it has been closed until now, no reason to open it.

Stele Pavilion

From the Dai Hong Mon gate, you walk about half a kilometer to reach to Honour Courtyard. There two rows of statue stone is standing, representing for mandarins, elephants and horse. In the central of courtyard, you may climb up granite staircases to the square of Stele Pavilion, which contains stele: “Thanh Duc Than Cong inscribed with the King’s biography and written by his son Thieu Tri.

The temple area & tomb

After Stele Pavilion, crossing series of courtyards, you will access Salutation Court. Salutation Court divided into Hien Duc Mon gate, Sung An temple, Huu Phoi Dien, Huu Tung Phong. King Ming Mang and his wife are worshipped in the Sung An Temple. Finally, Hoang Trach Mon gate heads to the Bright Pavilion (Minh Lau Pavilion) – a square two-storey pavilion with eight roofs. This sits on the top of three terraces representing three powers in the world:  heaven, earth and water.

On the other hand, two obelisks stand on the hills on the both sides of Minh Lau. And behind Minh Lau is two flower gardens with the shape of character “Longevity”. Closer to the tomb area, New Moon Lake (Ho Tan Nguyet) have crescent shape, embracing circular wall surrounding the grave (Buu Thanh). If you want to visit sepulcher of the Emperor. You must climb 33 stone stairs, its shape looks like the forms of a dragon.

How to get the Minh Mang tomb

There are many ways to get to Minh Mang tomb; the easiest way is take car, motorbike from Hue center about one hour. However, taking a boat trip (about 2 hours) from Huong Pier is the best way. You not only visit only Minh Mang Tomb, but Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen Temple and Gia Long Tomb on the way. You also have time to relax with fresh atmosphere of Perfume River.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqK2LJb_wjA”]

Visiting Minh Mang tomb, you will have an impression on the mystery, ancient architectural constructions and solemn space.

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History of Tu Duc Tomb

Emperor Tu Duc, born in 1829, was the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Tu Duc had reigned for over 36 years from 1847 to 1883, longest among other emperors s of the Nguyen Dynasty, but he failed to rule the country. Although talented, this gentle king had a bad luck. He had crowned king in the historical period of Vietnam facing the Western developing capitalism. Although the King had had 103 wives and concubines at his palace, but no children. He was often ill, and he was likely sterile due to smallpox early in his life. To avoid the harsh life, Emperor Tu Duc decided to build his tomb as a fairyland with poetical features. There his life was recreated, then became a world for his eternal life after death.

The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. King Tu Duc named the tomb as Van Nien Co, which means desire to live forever along history. However, the construction of Tu Duc’s tomb requires an incredible amount of money and labour. To build the work on time (after 6 years), hundred millions of farmer and workers had to work extremely hard from early morning to late in the evening. There was not adequate food to eat or clothes to wear. This was a reason why Chay Voi revolt started. Since then, King Tu Duc rename the tomb as Khiem Cung, and write an apology essay.

Architecture of Tu Duc Tomb

Famous for poet with 600 articles, 4.000 Han poems and about 100 Nom poems, architectural features of Tu Duc mausoleum are imbued with poetry and freedom with unsymmetrical form, which is also a specific beauty of art. Setting foot in Tu Duc Tombs, visitors will hear the sounds of the flowing stream, of rustling pine hills, and of all the birds singing. The panorama of this tomb looks like as a large park. Unlike the architecture of other tombs in Hue, there is no straight road or angular architecture. Tomb of Tu Duc consists of two main parts including tomb area and temple area, arranged on two parallel vertical axes. The winding walkway by Bat Trang brick, has connected all the works into a unified whole.

Entrance area

Theere are nearly 50 works in the tomb and all architecture works have the Khiem word in the name. Passing Vu Khiem door and Son Than Shrine, you will see the shrine area. Chi Khiem Duong, which worships the Emperor’s wives lay on the left. On the right side of main road, there is Luu Khien lake, where the king cruises the scenery and  wrote poetry. In the middle of the lake, Tinh Khien Island lie here to plant flowers and raise rare pets.

Main area

Passing Khiem Cung Mon (two-storey entrance on a higher ground), visitors arrive the palace system for the king to stay and relax. In the middle is Hoa Khiem Palace, which is the most important place where King Tu Duc worked. Now it became worshiping temple for the King and Queen. Behind Hoa Khiem Palace is Luong Khiem Palace, which is former the resting place of Emperor. As Emperor Tu Duc was so crazy in Drama, he ordered to build Minh Khiem Duong. It is one of the oldest theaters in Vietnam still existing today.

Tomb area

Follow the winding path to set foot in tomb area, you meet stele house with the biggest stone stele in Vietnam. It was inscribed with “Khiem Cung Ky” drafted by the Emperor to acknowledge his merit and his mistakes cleverly. Normally, the successor built the stele pavilion for his father. But Tu Duc built by himself as having no children.

In general,Tu Duc Tomb is the wonderful combination between architecture and nature. It carries a different style of visual art, not duplicate and very lively. Coming to the tomb, you step in completely different world. Not only the original architecture but also the harmony with nature make Tu Duc mausoleum becomes unforgettable in mind of the tourists.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqK2LJb_wjA”]

Useful information

Location: Hue

Entrance fee: 100,000 VND ~ 4.5 USD

Opening hour: 8:00 am

Closing hour: 6:00 pm

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History of Hue Citadel

Emperor Gia Long planned to build Hue citadel since 1803. It started to construct in 1805 by thousands of workers from different areas. As the result, construction completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. The citadel lays on the Perfume (Huong) River’s north bank including some sections of Phu Xuan, Van Xuan, Dien Phai, An Van, An Hoa, An My villages. Some parts of Kim Long tributary and Bach Yen tributary were stopped and filled up. Perfume River is the main road, along with two sand dunes: The Con Hen and Con Da Vien. It represent “dragon on the left, tiger on the right” protecting Hue citadel. Across the river, not far away is Ngu Binh mount top with more 100 m in height, shielding the front Citadel from bad spirits.

Architecture of Hue Citadel

The citadel complex covers an area of 520 ha  and comprising three circles of ramparts. It namely calls Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal City) and Tu Cam Thanh (Purple Forbidden City). All the structures are turning to the south with meaning of “Tking facing South to rule the country”. The Nguyen emperors has combined the principles of feng shui and Western military architecture Vauban style.

Hue Capital Citadel

The first place is Hue Capital Citadel, which has still remained nearly 140 small and large constructions after the past 200 years. With a square shape, it is almost 10km in circumference, 6m high, 21m thick, with 10 entrances. The Capital Citadel was originally built by soil, only to be replaced by bricks afterward. The outside of the Citadel is Ho Thanh Ha River nearly 7 km in length. It originates from the remaining parts of Kim Long tributary and Bach Yen tributary.

The canals serve both functions of defense and water transport (the west section of Van Ke River. Consequently, it also serve for north of the river segment An Hoa, east of the Dong Ba River section and the south section. Besides, the Citadel Hue has an ancillary gate connecting the Tran Binh Bastion. Its name is the Tran Binh Mon (Peaceful protector Gate) and two other gates from the river-way.

Royal City

The second circle inside the Citadel of Hue is Hoang Thanh (Royal city). Royal city surrounding is a square wall, almost 600 metres in length on each side. It is the most important part, where the most important agencies of the monarchy and shrines dedicated to the kings. It started to build in 1804 with bricks of 4m high, and 1m thick, but totally completion in 1833, under King Ming Mang’s reign. The Royal City Hue has four gates. The south gate (Ngo Mon) is most typical in construction and is widely recognized as the symbol of Hue Citadel. Because it was the main entrance for the King and royal family as well as the place where important events of the dynasty took place. These buildings is located in the inside of Royal Citadel Hue including Thai Hoa Palace, ancestral temple and Forbidden City.

Forbidden City Hue

Forbidden City Hue is last circle of Hue Citadel, where was reserved for Emperor and his family only, was forbidden to the people. Built in the early 1803 under reign of Emperor Gia Long, it was initially named Cung Thanh, but was renamed into Tu Cam Thanh from in the second Minh Mang year (1821). By following the different eras, it had over 50 monuments of all sizes and 7 entrance doors. All of them was made primarily of wood and covered with yellow color which symbolizes the king.

The structure of the Forbidden City Hue is symmetrical. The palaces location arrange at two sides of the main axis from the South Gate: right for the Army, left for Culture, right for Women, left for Man…

Forbidden city inside

Inside of Forbidden City, there were several buildings of all sizes, seperate into many roles. Dai Cung Mon (the Great Palace Gate) is in the front side to enter to Hue Forbidden City. Can Chanh Palace is the place of residence of the king. Ta Huu Vu and Huu Vu Palace – Waiting rooms of Mandarins. Ta Tu Vu Palace – Secret Office, Can Thanh (Emperor’s Private Palace). Khon Thai Residence (Queen’s Private Apartment) served for the Queens. Noi Cung Palace used for concubines. Kien Trung Palace – king’s gazebo. Thai Binh Palace – king’s Library. Duyet Thi Duong – Theatre of the king. Thai Y – Bureau of Medicine of the king. Thuong Thien (the kitchen for the Kings’ food). Quang Minh Palace – place of residence of the princes…

Royal Tombs

In addition, Hue is also famous for royal tombs and temples of Nguyen dynasty. Their locations situate on both sides of the river, far away to the west of Hue citadel. Seven tombs are not only a wonderful art but also symbols for Hue architecture. They are achievements of architecture association with landscapes.

Unfortunately, the Hue Citadel today hasn’t keep the original structure. French colonial damaged some parts of the citadel including the temples, pavilions, walls, and gates during skirmishes in 1947. And then American forces destroyed most of them in 1968. However, we can’t deny that Nguyen lords and Nguyen dynasty left the country diversified cultural heritages with special values which helps Hue to become a cultural-tourist center, and a typical festival city of Vietnam.

Hue Tours for the Citadel Hue: Hue City Tour

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1. Hoi An to Hue by bus

Bus is a convenient way when moving around Vietnam. There are a variety of agents in town offering open bus from Hoi An to Hue. The distance from Hoi An to Hue is 126-130 km. So it lasts about 3-4 hours and costs approximately $9-10. The downside, when traveling by bus, the bus will go to Hai Van tunnel which is the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia. Therefore, you do not have the opportunity to admire the natural beauty of Hai Van Pass which is one of the most beautiful landscapes.

Travel by bus from Hoi An to Hue about $13-16

2. Hoi An to Hue by car/taxi

Taxi is the most expensive way to get from Hoi An to Hue. It also takes about 4-5 hours over Hai Van Pass. The price is between $60 and $90. However, you can feel more comfortable than the other transportation. Besides, you can ask your taxi driver to stop to take photos at Lang Co beach on way or any beautiful place which you want. In Hoi An, there are many Taxi companies for you to choose such as Mai Linh, Tien Sa and Vinasun.

Today, you also can use Uber or Grab application service to call a car for this route. Fee for Uber of Grab taxi service will vary from time to time but usually cheaper than traditional taxi.

Traveling from Hoi An to Hue by taxi is a popular but quite expensive transportation

3. Hoi An to Hue by train

Since there is no train station in Hoi An. You can take a car from Hoi An to Da Nang train station which costs about $20 (around a half hour). Another way, you can get a minibus at 5$/each through a few agencies in town, but the times don’t match well. Then take a train ticket with the cost around $3-5. The train will take you just three hours to get to Hue train station located in 2 Bui Thi Xuan Street. You can go to http://dsvn.vn/ for all train schedules and book tickets.

You can see Lang Co beach when travelling by train from Hoi An to Hue

4. Hoi An to Hue by motorbike

If you want to stop at any place to take photos or to see beautiful landscapes such as Hai Van Pass and Lang Co beach. You can hire a motorbike in Hoi An and make you own ride to Hue. If riding motorbike is suitable to you, you can ask motorbikes from hotels or motorbike rental shops. They will advise you which is the best one. The price is about $9-10 per day. Of course, make you know how to ride a bike and the traffic rules in Vietnam. If you want to try, good news is that the route from Hoi An to Hue are among the easiest roads in Vietnam to get around. It is clear lane division, much less crowded, and specially, beautifully scenic and peaceful routes. It will be a wonderful experience for you.

The great experience when riding a motorbike in Hai Van Pass

5. Hoi An to Hue tour

If you don’t know how to ride a motorbike but you want to travel as many as places from Hoi An to Hue, you can join in a tour. First, you can visit Cham Museum where to store items represented for Cham culture. It will not take long as this site is very small. To continue the journey, they can take you through Da Nang to visit Marble Mountain. It is a limestone karst mountain containing a series of caves and religious sites. And then you stop at the famous My Khe Beach with its white sand before travelling over the Hai Van Pass. After that, they bring you to Lang Co Beach. Finally, you pass villages and rice paddies to come to the central of Hue. The tour price is about $12-48/each according to how many customers in a tour, how standard you require and so on.

Hoi An to Hue motorbike tour

If you are travelling with hard suitcases or a large number of bags, bus or taxi is a great choice for you. If you want to travel and discover Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue differently, a motorbike is a good choice. Or if you want to know more information and interesting places, a tour is a perfect option. Now, I’m sure that you can choose the way you want easily to visit from Hoi An to Hue. The recommendation will be you leave Hoi An to visit Hue early in the morning. And then you stay one night in Hue and get back the day after. Wish you a nice trip! Please contact us if you need any assistance.

Other posts you might be interested in:

• Vietnam Itinerary
• Vietnam itinerary 2 weeks
• Hue to Hoi An
• Da Nang to Hoi An
• Hanoi to Hoi An
• Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

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