TravelTuesday: Hue

Visiting Hue in June during the scorching Vietnamese summer was quite the adventure. Picture this: all the local ladies were decked out in three to four layers of clothing to protect themselves from the relentless sun. Meanwhile, I was trying to keep cool and blend in with my shorts, which didn’t go quite as planned. We chartered the famed dragon boat, but in my excitement, I missed a step and promptly fell into the water. Nothing like a spontaneous dip to start your journey, right?

Hue, located in central Vietnam, served as the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. One of its major attractions is the vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. Within this impressive structure lies the Imperial City, complete with palaces, shrines, and the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), which was once the emperor’s home. You’ll even find a replica of the Royal Theater there, perfect for a historical reenactment or two in your imagination.

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Hue’s oldest pagoda, built in 1601, with a backstory straight out of a fairy tale. Legend has it that an old lady frequented the hill where the pagoda now stands, predicting that a pagoda would be erected there for the city’s prosperity—good feng shui, you know? Sure enough, a Lord who heard her prophecy decided to make it a reality. He named the pagoda Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady, in her honor. Despite various calamities over the centuries, this striking seven-tiered, 21-meter-tall pagoda has stood the test of time and is considered the unofficial icon of Hue.

Overall, I highly recommend traveling to Hue if you have a passion for historical sites and ancient dynasties. The city offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, along with the chance to enjoy some amazing food just outside the citadel. So pack your layers, watch your step on those dragon boats, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Hue!