Hue - written by Marvin

Hue is great, less touristy than Hoi An, a couple of backpacker streets which we discovered after walking from our hotel looking for a massage place.  More hustle and bustle as locals zoom about on scooters and bikes.  Dinner was at a local restauant Da Hanh recommended to us by Long.  A great place with a menu of six items, we had spring rolls, pork on lemon grass accompanied with rice paper, fresh greens, and peanut dipping sauce, and seafood fried noodles.  All for 350,000 dong (approx NZ$26), including drinks.  We promised the kids a massage, so off we went and an hour later and 720,000 dong lighter we were all rubbed and relaxed.

 

 

Day two included a boat ride down the Huong (Perfume) River to Thien Mu Pagoda complex.  The main architectural feature is the seven level octagon tower which dominates as you enter the Pagoda.  Thien Mu is the first we have experienced in Vietnam with Monks inhouse including novice Monks (boys up to 8 years old) learning the ways of Budhism, most of whom are orphans.  Next stop is the old Imperial City (Citadel) with three layers of surrounding walls designed by the French and built between 1804 and 1833.  The outer wall is 10km long and is surrounded by a moat.  The Citadel was built for the Nyugen Dynsty which lasted through to 1944.  The complex suffered during the war(s) and there are now various restoration projects underway.  The photos and stories offer an insight into the lives of the emperors, there many wives, advisors and concubines. 

 

 

We visited Dong Ba market (the biggest in Hue) bought a few items, and then had lunch from a chicken takeaway place. 

 

 

Last stop of the tour with Long was out to Minh Mang Tomb, about 10km from the CBD.  Each emperor had a tomb built for their burial, most taking 2-3 years to build and often had to be finished after the death by the incoming emperor.  Minh Mang tomb is a majestic place alongside the Perfume River, with beautiful temples, ponds, and plantings.  The final resting place is a secret, as those soldiers who buried him were killed so they could not divulge the grave location, which is reported to have treasure buried with it.

We enjoyed a final night relaxing dinner alongside the Perfume River.