I Love Vietnam, a little magic country where I believe that everybody should attempt to visit Vietnam sooner or later in the course of their life.
It’s a really intriguing country, one filled with such countless fantastic things to see and do, just as interminable new spots to find.
Furthermore, comparably significant, are individuals of Vietnam, who assisted with making our visit so remarkable.
What can we do in Hue? Here are some recommendations from us.
- Listen to Hue Royal Court Music (Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue)
Nha Nhac is a term related to the court music present in 4 co-literate countries: China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Nha Nhac is the official music of the court used in the ceremonies of Te Giao, Te Mieu, Dai Trieu and Thuong Trieu. It is a combination product between Ceremony and Music. This type of music was popular during the Nguyen Dynasty and became a very typical cultural feature of Hue in particular and Vietnam in general.
In mid-December 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Hue Royal Court Music as an oral and intangible cultural heritage of mankind. On January 31, 2004 in Paris, the capital of France, the recognition ceremony was held. This is the first time that Vietnam has a masterpiece of intangible and oral heritage recognized by UNESCO – a great honor for both the Vietnamese people in general and Hue in particular.
In 1826, King Minh Mang built a national theater right on the grounds of the Hue Citadel, called Duyet Thi Duong, today is the place where art shows of royal court music take place. Duyet Thi Duong is a theater for kings, royal princes, high officials and a place to perform plays for guests and emissaries to enjoy. Tuong performed in Duyet Thi Duong are royal plays. This is considered the oldest theater in Vietnam.
Duyet Thi Duong has a total area of 11,740 m². Theater construction area 1,182 m². The entire theater campus was formerly used to grow rare and precious medicinal plants. To the right of the theater is the Royal Hospital, a place to make medicines for the king and the royal family. On the left side is Thuong Thien Department, which is used to prepare dishes for the King. All are separated from the theater by a wall.
- Enjoy coffee at Tu Phuong Vo Su Lau
Tu Phuong Vo Su Lau is located on Bac Khuyet Dai, behind the Imperial Citadel, close to Hoa Binh Gate. The work is a small two-floor building with colonial architecture, but still influenced by royal decoration, completed in 1923 to prepare for the Fourth of July celebration of King Khai Dinh (1924).
Tu Phuong Vo Su Lau has a mixed style of Asia – Europe, located in a beautiful location. Therefore, after being restored, this place became a coffee shop. Sitting here, in the quiet Citadel, visitors can feel about a historical space, about the past of Hue dynasty. Tu Phuong Vo Su Lau, despite being crowded with guests, still has a quiet, quiet look. Visitors come here to relax in an airy and peaceful space. Therefore, the sharing and chatting here are also gentle, not crowded and noisy like other places.
- Go shopping at Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Hue Market is one of Hue’s traditional markets that every visitor must visit. This is the most famous traditional market in the ancient capital, with high cultural and historical value. The market was originally named Quy Gia Thi to mark the return of the Nguyen king when he returned to Phu Xuan. The name Dong Ba Hue Market began to appear in 1887 under the reign of King Dong Khanh.
Currently, Dong Ba Hue market is located at 2 Tran Hung Dao, Phu Hoa, Hue City, right between Gia Hoi and Truong Tien Bridge. The area of Dong Ba market is nearly 15,600m²,
consists of a 3-storey building in the center, called “Bell Tower” and surrounded by rows of houses forming several U-shaped belts of busy sales embracing the bell tower. A suggestion that seems a bit strange but very practical is to start the journey of shopping for Hue specialties by going straight to the Bell Tower, and start from the 3rd floor first then go down to the second and finally the first floor.
3rd floor: The third floor is where you will enter first and immediately catch your eye are stalls selling fabrics, clothes, especially beautiful fabrics selected for making Ao Dai.
2nd floor: Down to the 2nd floor, you can be dazzled by exquisite handicrafts. Here you can find poetic hats, jewelry such as urns, scissors… Phuoc Tich village pottery, bamboo utensils… and many other souvenirs that can be bought. as a gift
1st floor: This is the area for dried seafood in the Central region and a lot of Hue specialties.
- Have an excursion on Huong River by Dragon Boat
Traveling by dragon boat on Huong River is considered by tourists as an extremely interesting cultural experience and imbued with national identity. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of this poetic river when traveling along the Huong River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda or visit the system of tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty.
In the past, dragon boats were only reserved for the kings to travel on the river. Now the boat has become a unique means of serving tourists to visit famous sights in Hue, such as Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen palace, Khai Dinh’s mausoleum, Minh Mang’s mausoleum… Ticket prices range from 100,000 – 700,000 VND/person depending on time and other services.
Coming to Huong River tourism, if anyone has ever experienced it, it will be hard for them to forget the image of dreamy Hue ladies who are not only nave and meek but also possess a captivating voice. It is said because, in addition to enjoying the scenery of this place, on the impressive yacht itself, visitors also have the opportunity to experience themselves while listening to the profound Hue song performed by Hue ladies.
The people of the ancient capital always cherish and preserve the beauty of Hue song on the Huong River as an invaluable cultural asset of this land. No matter how many ups and downs in history, Hue’s songs still exist until today and in the future. Listening to Hue songs on a dragon boat is like an elegant pleasure, a spiritual dish that any visitor to Hue can enjoy with this unique phoneme.
Hue is a very special place with rich culture! Luckily local people understand the value of it and they want to preserve this special culture here in Hue.
We are hoping you will be open to see this unique culture In Hue as much as we do.