|
Hue is located in Thua Thien
prefecture and is in the central part of Vietnam. Located 660 km from Ha
Noi and 1080 km from Saigon, Hue has always been considered the fulcrum
of Vietnam's two rice baskets, the Red river delta and the Mekong delta.
Hue became the name of Vietnam's most well known ancient capital because
of the local mispronunciation of the word Hoá in Thuân Hoá.
Since the 16th century, Thuan Hoa, due to its strategic location, has
been a very prosperous area. The Nguyen Lord chose this area to be their
headquarters. Nguyen Anh made it Vietnam's capital city in 1802 after he
defeated the Tay Son and ascended to the throne with the name Gia Long.
King Gia Long (1762-1819) was credited for building and fortifying Hue
from the very beginning. Since then, successive king of the Nguyen
Dynasty has added to the foundation set by his predecessors.
Attractions
There are nine greatest bronze urns in Vietnam placed in the shade of
the Hien Lam pavilion, in front of the Mieu temple and southwest of the
Royal citadel.
They were cast by Emperor Minh Mang in 1836. After their casting, the
Nine Dynastic Urns were placed in accordance with the altars in Mieu
temple, at the position as today. The 17 relieves on each urn comprise
what are most typical of the country from the Lang Song province to the
Ca Mau cape.
They
are concentrated on the following themes: stars, mountains, seas and
oceans, vehicles, valuable forestry and sea products of Vietnam early in
the 20th century.
The nine dynasty urns were cast by Minh Mang to symbolize the dynasty
sovereignty. They are a cultural heritage , almost intact and rare in
this harsh-weather and war-worn land.
The name of the pagoda takes its source from a legend. It was told that
long ago, there appeared an old woman every night on the hill where the
pagoda stands today. She told local people that a Lord would come and
build a Buddhist pagoda for the country's prosperity. Lord Nguyen Hoang,
on hearing that, ordered the construction of a pagoda of the Heavenly
Lady.
The pagoda is situated on Ha Khe,
on the left bank of the Perfume river, in Huong Long village, 5 km from
central of Hue city.
It was built in 1601, and then Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan had renovated in
1665. In 1710 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu had a great bell cast (2.5 m high,
weighed 3,285 kg) and a stele (2.58 m high) erected on the back of a
marble tortoise in 1715. In the Nguyen Dynasty, Kings such as Gia Long,
Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Thanh Thai all had the pagoda restored.
Phuoc Duyen tower (at first called
Tu Nhan tower) was built in 1884 by King Thieu Tri. Phuoc Duyen tower
has seven-stored with 21m high in octagonal shape.
Dai Hung shrine is a main-hall and
a magnificent architecture. In the main-hall, besides the bronze cast
statues, there preserved some precious antiquities: the bronze gong cast
in 1677, the wooden gilded board with Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu's
inscriptions in 1714.
On the both sides of the pagoda
there are a bonze's room and a guest-room for visitors. In front of the
pagoda is flowers and ornamental plant. At the back is a calm and
romantic pine-tree garden.
The pagoda was heavily damage in 1943. Priest Thich Don Hau has
organized a great renovation of the pagoda for more than 30 years since
1945. Nowadays it becomes more and more magnificent and attracts tourist
near and far.
This three-story structure is 58 m long, 27.5 m wide, 17 m high and
serves as the main entrance to Imperial city. There are five gates to
Ngo Mon, with the central gate being reserved for the kings only.
The two adjacent gates were exclusively for court officials, and the two
other outer gates were used for servants and members of the royal
entourage. On top of the arch in the Five Phoenix Tower where the king
sat during festivities.
This was also where ceremonies were
organized to announce the names of successful candidates of royal
examinations. During the reign of the Nguyen Kings, Ngo Mon Gate was
only opened when the kings were passing by or receiving foreign
ambassadors.
Throne palace, the building for great court's meetings, faces the Noon
gate and lies right on the axis piercing the centre of the Royal
citadel. It was constructed in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long and used later
in 1806 for his coronation.
In 1833 it was moved onto a foundation of 2.33m high as now by Emperor
Minh Mang. It is 44m long, 30.5m across, 11.8m high and contains a
5-compartment, two-bay main building connected with a 7-compartment,
two-bay front building.
The columns are lacquered red and
decorated with golden dragon designs. On the roof ridge rest two dragon
designs paying homage to a moon. Eaves and roof corners are ornamented
with head-turning dragon designs. These and the moldings along the eaves
are inlaid with multicoloured ceramic chips.
The roof is covered with yellow
enameled tiles. Constructors of the Throne palace have created two
contradictive features: cool inside in summer and warm in winter.
Throne Palace is the site where
solemn ceremonies took place such as: the Coronation Day, the Crown
Prince Coronation Day, Emperor's Birthday Anniversaries, etc.
 The
pagoda is situated at 92/6/4 Dien Bien Phu street, Truong An quarter,
Hue City. The facade is direct to the North-East, in front of it is Van
Phuoc hill in which has Thien Lam pagoda, Van Phuoc pagoda, Tinh Do
pagoda. At the back, there are Kim Tien, Tu Quang and Tuong Van pagodas.
It was founded in 1932 by Bhikhuni Dieu Huong, Dieu Khong, Mrs Cong Ton
Nu Thi Ban, Ton Nhan Ung Ban, Ung Uy, Ton That Tung.
In 1936 the Main-hall of the pagoda was established. The pagoda has: a
Main-hall in which a high altar is for Duc The Ton and Tam The. The
lower alter is for Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, statue of Bodhisattva Te
Chi. In the middle of the main-hall has a gilt dragon, lion, tortoise,
phoenix carving escutcheon incripted "Dieu Duc Pagoda" Most Ven Phuoc
Hue (Thap Di Da pagoda in Binh Dinh).
At the back of the main-hall is an
altar for Bhikhuni Dieu Huong - founder of the pagoda linking the
main-hall is a drum hall, then the back house, the left is a house for
Dhamma - preaching Hall, the right is a house for Most Ven succeeding
generation. Two sides of the back house are two houses for nunnery
regulations. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1948, 1971, 1991 by Old Bhikkhuni
Dieu Huong, Bhikkhuni The Yen and Thieu Tri.
Hue's Museum of Antiquity is a gallery displaying collections of
bronzeware, ceramics, chinaware, furniture, royal costumes and personal
belongings from former Vietnamese emperors.
Now located at 3 Le Truc Street, the museum was built in 1845 by Emperor
Thieu Tri.
The elegant building, initially
called Long An Palace, was dismantled and rebuilt in 1909 at its present
location to serve as a library and office.
This building is a monument of
remarkable value. It contains some wooden panels that are inscribed with
poems and essays written by Emperor Thieu Tri himself.
Spanning the Huong river there are more than ten bridges but only one
becomes Hue symbol, that's Trang Tien bridge.
As written in Annual of Unified Great Nam by " The office of Vietnam
History" of the Nguyen Dynasty, "the metal bridge Trang Tien in the
south east of the Capital commenced to be built in the 9th year of King
Thanh Thai (1897) and then finished in 1899. The bridge is about 400m
long with 6 spans".
In August 1904, a terrible typhoon devastated the Center of Vietnam, and
6 spans of the bridge were broken down, only two spans remained. In 1906
the bridge was reconstructed. Trang Tien bridge has been repaired so
many times again. Near the bridge right gate there was once a small
market at the Trang Tien wharf, named Dong Ba. Nowadays Dong Ba is a
trading center of Hue city.
The Perfume river, Huong Giang in Vietnamese, has two main sources in
the Truong Son mountains: the Ta Trach and Huu Trach rivers. It is 30 km
long and features and extremely slow current as the water is at almost
the same level as the sea.
The river runs through the village of Kim Long, Nguyet Bieu, Vy Da, Dong
Ba, Gia Hoi and Bao Vinh. The view on both sides is magnificent with the
citadel, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples; their reflection on the
water makes the river even more poetic.
Many locals think that Hue has such peaceful, gentle and tranquil
landscapes because of the Perfume river. Ngu Binh mountain's imposing
and symmetrical outline is surrounded by Ta Bat Son and Huu Bat Son
mountains. During the Nguyen Dynasty, emperor Gia Long built the capital
of Hue next to Ngu Binh to use it as a shield.
Hue's landscape is magnificent
surrounded with the Perfume (Huong) river and Ngu Binh mountain. The oil
capital is even sometimes called Huong-Ngu city.
Quoc Hoc high school was founded pursuant to the royal decree dated
September 17th 1896 and the decree on November 18th 1896 of the French
Resident-Superior in Indochina. The school was built on the site of a
former squadron headquarter - a royal navy headquarters.
In 1915 when the decree annulling
Emperor ancient exam in the province and the ancient exam of the capital
in the North was issued, Quoc Hoc high school was rebuilt.
The rows of thatch roofed apartments were torn down and replaced by two
rows of buildings, the wall made of brick, the roof covered with tiles.
It was solid and comfortable according to the western European
architecture. Most of the architectures are still extant.
The Temple of Letters is a worship temple founded by the Nguyen dynasty
to dedicate to celebrated scholars of Confucianism.
Its construction was built in 1808
on a low hill beyond the Thien Mu pagoda, on the left bank of the Huong
river. All items of Hue Temple of Letters were erected on a square
surface of 160m long on each side enclosed by La Thanh ( surrounding
wall). There was once a complex of 50 big and small constructions
including 32 steles which bore names of doctors and four other steles.
The Temple of Letters was many times renovated and many
sub-constructions were built, especially in Minh Mang and Thieu Tri's
time. Hue Temple of Letters is a valuable historic remains. To visit Van
Mieu, tourists can understand more about the tradition of knowledge
appreciation, scholars administration and study encouragement of our
ancestors from the old time.
Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge crosses a canal flowing from the beginning
to the end of Thanh Toan village, Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy
district. The village is about 8km from Hue city on the eastward.
This is an arched wooden bridge, 17m long and 4m wide. On both sides of
the bridge length are 2 rows of wooden platforms and parapets for people
to lean their backs. The tile-roofed Thanh Toan bridge is not only an
ancient architectural remain with highly historic and cultural values
but also a tourist attraction.
The bridge was built over 2 centuries ago and damaged many times by
storms, floods and wars. In September 1991, the bridge was greatly
renovated according to the old design and officially accepted by the
Cultural Ministry as a national remains, a rare and appreciated
beauty-spot of the whole country.
Standing just on the bank of the Huong river inclined to poetic dreams
and 10km upstream of Hue, the Hon Chen temple for cult of Po Nagar, the
Goddess of the ancient Cham minority. After then, the Vietnamese
continued the cult and name the Goddess as Heaven Goddess Y A Na.
This temple for Goddess appeared
in this place centuries ago, but with a very simple design, and after
then, reconstructed with a larger and more beautiful architectural scale
in 1886.
The Hon Chen temple is situated at
a lovely site seated on the slope of the mountain Ngoc Tran with sheer
cliff and mirroring in the deep blue water of the Huong river.
There are eight royal tombs in
Hue, being the final resting places of the Nguyen Kings. Construction of
the tombs was very meticulous and started while the king was still
alive. Most of the tombs face the southwest, direction of the Imperial
city. Each toms consists of two complexes. The first is reserved for
funeral services and the second one is exclusively for the toms.
Generally, each tomb is enclosed in a surrounding rampart called "la
thanh".
However, each tomb internal arrangement is different from one another;
particular arrangements reflected each king's points of view,
personality and tastes.
The construction of the tomb of Minh Mang started in 1840 and was
completed in 1843. It is located in an enclosed hilly area of 18ha in
Cam Khe village, 12 km from the centre of Hue.
Minh Mang tomb is a standard
architectural complex consisting of 40 big and small constructions which
include palaces, temple, pavilions, etc., designed on symmetric axis
along the Dai Hong gate outside to the foot of La Thanh behind the
Emperor's tomb.
Visit to Minh Mang tomb, tourists
fancy that they are wandering in a world of painting, poetry and
philosophy - besides the strictness, majesty and symmetry of the
architectural constructions. The tomb of Minh Mang has an air of
magnificence and formality, and its architectural design harmoniously
blends with its natural surroundings.
The tomb of Tu Duc is situated on Duong Xuan mountain in Duong Xuan
Thuong village, on the bank of the Perfume river, 8km from the centre of
Hue.
The construction started in 1864
and was completed in 1883. Also called Tomb of Modesty, the necropolis
complex is enclosed by a thick wall following the contour of the hill,
among a pine tree forest. Tu Duc tomb is not only one of the most
beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty but also is
a romantic picture of mounts and lakes.
The tomb was built between 1920 and 1931. It is located on top of the
Chau E mountains, 10km of Hue. Located in a vast expanse of wilderness,
Khai Dinh tomb looks like a magnificent palace perched on the slope of a
limestone mountain. It is a accessible by climbing 109 stone steps.
Unlike the construction materials
used for the other tomb, Khai Dinh mausoleum was built with modern
materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. The peculiar feature of
the tomb is the magnificent porcelain decorations on the walls, columns
and ceilings.
The tomb of Gia Long is located 16km from the centre of Hue, on top of
the Thien Tho mountain, on the west bank of the Huong river.
Construction of the tomb began in 1814 and was completed in 1820.
Located in a vast land covered with a wide canopy of old pine trees, the
mausoleum was built according to a monumental but simple design.
In front is a lotus pond. Behind
the pond is a large terraced yard divided into three different levels.
The first level was used as the waiting area and is bordered by two rows
of elephant and horse statues.
Dong Khanh tomb is located on the land of Cu Si hamlet, now Thuong Hai
village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city. The tomb was built in 1917. The
whole architecture of the tomb are divided:
The worship temple, in general,
the constructions still bear the traditional figures : house with multi
succeeding roofs. In the main temple and its dependent houses, the
familiar splendid red and gilt pillars with decoration of four seasons
and four Holly animals are still seen. Most noteworthy is Ngung Hy
temple - the best conserved place of famous red and gilt arts, of famous
lacquer arts of Vietnam.
The tomb area: the tomb design was
almost completely Europeanized from the architectural peculiarity,
decorative model to building materials - Bi Dinh is a variation of
Romance architecture blended with Asian architecture with tall, thin
mandarin statues from cement and bricks (instead of stone), tile and
carreau bricks.
In general, Dong Khanh tomb was beginning of the mixture of European and
Asian, of the old and new architecture.
Thieu Tri's tomb lies in Chu Chanh village, Thuy Bang commune, Huong
Thuy district, about 8km from the city. The tomb was built in 1849 and
divided into two parts: the tomb area and temple area.
The tomb area: on the right with
Nhuan Trach lake is the bronze gate leading to big Binh Dai. The two
rows of stone statues on the left and right of the court are typical for
the sculpture in the first half of 19th century in Hue. Ngung Thuy lake
looks like a crescent moon barring in front of Buu Thanh.
The temple area : after passing
the marble gate and another three steps leading to Bieu Duc temple,
tourists will go through Hong Trach gate. In the main temple there
engraved over 450 word boxes including poems with education and
literature values.
Thieu Tri's tomb lies there with simple and
intimate beauty, leans its back against the foot of Thuan Dao mount, in
front of the tomb stretches flat land with lushly green trees and
rice-fields from the Huong river 's bank up to Lim bridge.
 Bach
Ma National Park is located approximately 50 km north of Hue. In the
1930s, a city was located in the mountains, but it was almost completely
destroyed after the 1946 - 1954 revolution. Nowadays, all that is left
are the remnants of a city built with roman architecture and buried
under vegetation.
Bach Ma National Park is now considered as another Dalat, but in the
centre of the country. The temperature never goes below 4°C in the
winter and the hottest summer temperature does not exceed 26°C.
Bach Ma National Park has a lot to offer, as much in terms of sites to
visit as landscapes to admire. From the top of Hai Vong Dai, the highest
peak at 1,450 m, one can admire a fantastic view. The Grand Do Quyen
Waterfall, over 300 m high and 25 m wide, is also impressive.
Rich vegetation and animal-life also attract many visitors. The park is
home to 233 species of birds and 55 species of mammals, as well as
extensive flora of more than 500 species. Extensive scientific research
is also carried out here.
 Thuan
An beach is situated near by Thuan An mouth, where Huong river runs to
Tam Giang lagoon and then to the sea.... In the beginning of the 19th
century, King Minh Mang named the place as Thuan An, assigned to build
Tran Hai frontier post for defense of the Capital.
Far from Hue 15 km, only 15 minutes by car, tourists are able to reach
the beach. Plenty small boats, junks drift up and down the river in the
left of the route, and on the right there are houses, temples, pagodas,
rice field and gardens successively spread out...
Thuan An is a very enjoyable place
for all tourists after a full day to visit Citadel, mausoleums, pagodas
and Hue scenery... Thuan An is also the place where Hue people gather to
enjoy the fresh air and sea-bathing in summer time.
Intensive activities of the beach lasts from April to September, while
Hue temperature being fairly hot. Besides sea bathing, tourists are able
to visit Thai Duong temple where Thai Duong Goddess is very esteemed by
villagers or visit the temple devoted to the whale, the sacred animal of
the local people.
Leaning against the Truong Son mountains, Chan May cape is in the shape
of an enormous crescent. It is next to Lang Co Beach and north of Hai
Van Pass. These beaches are considered the nicest in the central area.
Lang Co Beach is 10 km long with
white sand and clean and shallow water. The in-season is from April to
the end of July, with an average temperature of 25oC and 158 sunny hours
per month.
According to research of the Institute of Physics and Hydrology, the
water in the area is accessible to the vessels 10 tons, and the
Vietnamese government plans to build a harbour in Chan May. The harbour
will be a starting point for tourists. It is planned for Chan May
harbour and the Dung Quat industrial zone to greatly contribute to the
economic development of central Vietnam.
The interior was built following classical traditions: two rows of
stained-glass windows are located in the upper gallery and a holy cross
made of steel and concrete is in the middle alley.
In one of the cathedral's wings is the tomb of former archbishop
Philippe Nguyen Kim Dien (1921-1988). At the front of the cathedral are
two statues: Saint Phero on the right, and Saint Paulo on the left.
The Phu Cam Cathedral is located
in Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City. It was built in 1965 following modern
architectural designs by architect Ngo Viet Thu. New concept were used,
such as the use of supporting pillars attached to walls. Three
supporting pillars in each corner stretch out to create a large space
for the altar.
Vi Da is the name of a very famous territory of Hue. Lying along the
Huong river, Vi Da is a hamlet established 200 years ago.
Even today, the tourist can see along the
two sides of the road to Thuan An those ancient houses, built after the
classical architecture of 3 principal rooms and 2 auxiliary ones at the
2 ends, the roof is covered with "yin & yang" tiles (tiles imbricated
the ones within the other), with its top having 2 dragons, in front of
the house there is a courtyard paved with bricks, and a brick screen is
accompanied by a rock-work (a miniature - mountain).
The most famous is the residence of the Prince Tuy Ly Mien Trinh, which
has a three - door portico made after the architecture of Tam Quan ( 3
doors). Here is also the Ba La Mat pagoda built at the beginning of the
19th century, the communal temple of Vi Da, the Tu Bi Hi Xa pagoda...
Beside that, Vi Da is also famous for its gardening traditions, its
gardens have been blossoming all year long in the 4 seasons.
|
