Hue Vietnam, the old capital of Vietnam although the history is not very long as other countries but it is world-renowned for its long-lasting treasure trove of royal mausoleums, imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas.

Drive to Hue from Danang via Hai Van pass is definitely a must do… Part of the mighty Annamati mountain range, it is one of the most scenic routes to drive in Vietnam. Blanket of green cover with some waterfalls around makes it really beautiful.

In the past this pass was used as a military post. On the top of the pass you can still see the ruins…. But when we went it rained at the top and lot of vehicles around, so didn’t get down and just saw it from our vehicle. Hai Van Pass directly translates to ‘Ocean Cloud Pass’ and during the wet season you can see why. Thick fog covers the pass entirely. We did experience the same at places.

Other side of the pass we stopped at a village called “Phu Loc”, one of most scenic places you will come across. Although there are quite a few cafes that has come up, you can walk a bit away from the crowd and get a feel of serenity…

View from some cafes can also be breath taking… You can sit there all day long looking the scenic mountain in the backdrop of the lake. Could see the local fisherman doing their routine work in oyster farm.

Then we reached the Hue city. It looked picture perfect with river flowing across the City. Our first stop was the Imperial City a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Imperial City in Hue Vietnam is a must-see historical site. Built-in the early 19th century, it was the home of Vietnam’s emperors.

Inside you’ll find palaces, temples, gardens and museums. The architecture is a blend of Vietnamese and French styles, reflecting Hue’s unique history. French took control of this city in 1883, old name of Phú Xuân was officially renamed to Huế.

You will definitely be surprised with the monuments that you see here. It was a very nice long walk in the ancient royalty depeciting the culture and way of life of the emperors who ruled here. Nguyễn dynasty was the last Vietnamese dynasty that stayed here before their fall to the Japanese in 1945.

Today, Hue stands as a testament to the country’s rich heritage, with its ancient pagodas, royal tombs, and the picturesque Perfume River adding to its charm. Perfume river stretches from the imperial city of Hue is an iconic symbol of this ancient capital, visitors can admire its breathtaking beauty from many places in the city including Thien Mu pagoda or take a dragon boat ride on this river.

Thien Mu pagoda located on the Ha Khe hill has become the symbol of Hue Vietnam and one of the must-visit Hue pagodas with its natural beauty. Built-in 1601 by the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty – Nguyen Hoang.

 

We also visited Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village. The traditional incense-making craft here has been established since the time of the Nguyen Dynasty, dating back about 700 years.

It is a vibrant incense-making area and colorful bouquets. You will love the fact that there are so many colorful incense displayed all over. Excellent place to photograph this spectacle.