Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam was a fantastic place to visit. The Emperors of the 13 Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), built their impressive Citadel with its Imperial Palace and Forbidden Purple City. Although it underwent some destruction during the Vietnam war it is gradually being restored. It was interesting to see local young couples dressed in Imperial clothing for wedding photos. Many of the Vietnamese tourists visiting the site dressed in the imperial clothing of the Nguyen Dynasty. The Imperial Theatre continues to run traditional shows daily. The paintings and black and white photos of the dynasty and the changes in the building over time, including the reconstruction work was fascinating. As usual Aiden found a good place to read his book when he had enough of sight-seeing!
The recognizable Thein Mu Pagoda banks the Perfume River and offers great views of the city. At this historical sight we also saw a tribute to Thich Quang Duc, the national hero Buddhist Monk who died by self-immolation protesting the persecution of Buddhist by the South Vietnamese government, including the car that he drove to the site, pictured in the famous photo. According to our tour guide his heart is now worshiped in Hochi Minh City. We enjoyed a traditional lunch on a Dragon Boat floating down the Perfume river, visited an incense village (Sophie tried her hand) and saw cone hats being made by hand. A visit to the ancient Hue garden house with its beautiful architecture provided a nice stop for a break in the day.
Visiting the Royal Tombs of Ancient Emperors around the city of Hue is a unique experience.
Tomb of Tu Duc.
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh situated in the Chau Chu mountain.
