Hue and its people are relaxed and it's easy to unwind here. This makes it one of the most attractive destinations in the country.

Hue and its people are relaxed and it's easy to unwind here. This makes it one of the most attractive destinations in the country.

 

Also it is known as a university town as it is home to both Hue College of Fine Art and Hue National school of Music and Dramatic Arts. The two were amalgamated in 1986 to form the Hue College of Arts.

 

Hue is perfect for nature lovers and those enthusiastic about art and history. 

 

Art Galleries in Hue

 

Art lovers around the world have long been interested in Vietnamese paintings. When in Hue, check out the two main art galleries; New Space Art Gallery on 7 Pham Ngu Lao St. (Tel: +84 (54) 848544) and its second branch on 28 Nguyen Tri Phuong St. (Tel: +84 (54) 849353), both owned by painters and twins Le Ngoc Thanh and Le Duc Hai.

 

Another good gallery in Hue is Boi Tran Arts Gallery on 85 Tran Hung Dao St., Hue city (Tel: +84 (54) 523655). 

 

Boat Cruise on Perfume Pagoda

 

This wonderful waterway flows through Hue and provides a delightful vista from any angle. The Song Huong River is known as the Perfume River. A wide and impressive waterway, it gets its name from the thousands of orchard flowers upstream from the ancient capital. In the autumn as the trees shed their blossom, it falls into the river and floats downstream. The scent created gives the river a perfumed aroma and hence the name was created.

 

This waterway has two sources way up in the Day Truong Son Mountains. The Ta Trach (left tributary) starts higher and flows over 55 impressive waterfalls before joining the Huu trach (right tributary). This tributary is shorter and has itself passed over more and rapids, before the two join together to form the Perfume River. This is a delightful River throughout its length. Bright blue clear waters flow through lush green countryside, passing delightful villages as it winds its way north east, onto Hue, before exiting into the South China Sea.

 

As it passes by Hue the river landscape is astonishing. The bright blue shimmering waters fringed by the Towers, Pagodas, temples, palaces and the town itself, make for a really beautiful sight. In the evening local folk songs can be heard drifting in the still warm air. The sights sounds and smells of this amazing river make for a heady mix. Steeped in romance and history it is an astonishing place to be.

 

Old river craft line the banks as the river slips by, lives that have remained unchanged for generations coexist here with those of modern tourists drawn by the incredible scenery. Boat trips take passengers for rides along the 20 mile stretch near Hué. From these trips visits to the Thien Mu Pagoda nad the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang can be made. At the Thien My Pagoda, which was a hotbed of anti government unrest in the 1960s, an old Austin motor car can be viewed. This is the very vehicle that transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to his death by self immolation in Saigon. The Imperial Tomb is regarded as probably the most beautiful of all of Hue’s pagodas.

 

The Perfume River has been an important contributor to the development of the city of Hue over the years. An important transport route, it continues to serve the city as a tourist attraction in its own right. It is a wonderful river with a romantic name. Make it a part of your travels plans and you certainly will not be disappointed.

 

Spa in Hue

 

Many visitors like to treat themselves after a long walk touring around the old ruins of Hue by going to a local spa and massage. For a good spa try La Résidence Hotel & Spa 5 Le Loi Street (Tel: +84 (54) 38 37475) and Abalone resort & Spa which is located on picturesque Tam Giang Lagoon, a short 15-minute drive from Hue.

 

For a foot massage try De Nhat Massage, located opposite the Temple Restaurant on 30 Chu Van An.(Tel: +84 (54) 834646). 

 

Cooking Classes

 

Another fun and creative way to spend time in Hue is to join a cooking class. Vietnamese food is very delicious and healthy and on top of that Hue is famous for its royal cuisine as the city once served as the capital of Vietnam. There are many dishes that make Hue’s cuisine outstanding.

 

For cooking classes, try Y Thao Garden House on 3 Thach Han street (Tel: +84 (54) 523 018), Missy Roo Bar & Restaurant on 62 Nguyen Tri Phuong (Tel: +84 (54) 228 628), and the Pilgrimage Village Hotel on 130 Minh Mang Street (Tel: +84 (54) 38 85461).

 

The teachers will take you to buy fresh ingredients from nearby local markets before heading back to class.