Hue Ancient Capital
General information:
Hue is the capital city of Thua Thien – Hue province in centre of Vietnam. Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty and well known for its monuments and architecture.
Area: 5,063.3 sq. km
Population: 1, 148,324 habitants (2006)
Capital: Hue City
Districts: Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra, Phu Vang, Huong Thuy, Phu Loc, Nam Dong, A Luoi.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Ta Oi, Co Tu, Bru Van Kieu, Hoa.
Location:
Thua Thien-Hue Province is located in Central Vietnam. It shares the border with Quang Tri Province to the north, Da Nang to the south, Quang Nam Province to the south-west and Laos to the west. This province leans up against the Truong Son mountain range and is washed by the East Sea, along its 120km seashore.
Climate:
The weather in Hue is submitted to tropical monsoon climate divided into four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The weather is in fresh, very hot in the summer, very mild in the autumn and windy, cold in the winter. The climate in Hue also can be noticed in 2 season including rainy season and dry season. The dry season lasts from March to August. It is hot with temperate rarely reaches to 39.5ºC. The rainy season lasts from September to February. It is quite cold with average temperature is 19.7ºC, but sometime down to 8.8ºC. In this time, it rains a lost, sometime lasts all day. If tourist would to avoid rainy, they come to Da Nang City, 108 km from south of Hue. In the mountain area, the weather is cool with the annual temperature is between 9ºC and 29ºC. The most convenient time to visit the area is from November to April.
History:
Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Today, Hue still remains many relics and investigates of its prime period in the past. Hue is still an important literary and cultural center. The city was dramatically affected during both wars with the French in the 1940s and later with the Americans in the 1960s and 1970s: Most of the structures in the centuries-old citadel were severely damaged. Some of those royal buildings have been repaired and rebuilt, including the Forbidden Purple City, the emperor’s private residence.
On the northern bank of Perfume River has relics consisting of palaces, which were constructed as arc defensive ramparts with 11km length. This valuable construction includes more than 100 architectural works which were extremely reflected the life of Emperors and mandarins under reign of Nguyen.
Transportation:
- Highways: Thua Thien-Hue Province is 654km from Hanoi, 1,051km from Ho Chi Minh City, 85 km from Da Nang. The province has the National Highway 14 that links Hue with Central Highlands. It is also on the National Highway 1A that connects Hanoi and Ca Mau.
- Railways: The Thong Nhat Express trains from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh stop at Hue Railway station. The local trains come to some other provinces.
- Airways: Phu Bai Airport serves flights: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City and Hue – Hanoi.
- Waterways: Perfume River crosses Hue City offering many beautiful landscapes. Visitors often take a cruise on Perfume River to visit the cultural relics along the river.
Tourism
Hue was imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in the past time and it is now worldwide famous for its monuments and architecture.
Hue ancient capital was listed as world cultural heritage and its royal court music also regarded as intangible world heritage. Hue Citadel is a must see and enjoying a royal music is a must do for one who come to Hue. Also, situated in the middle of hills on the southern bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Kings Nguyen. Among these tombs are the four famous ones with the name and the arrangements of the tomb reflected each Emperor’s points of view, personality and tastes. This is majestic Gia Long Tomb, imposing Minh Mang Tomb, poetic Tu Duc Tomb and magnificent Khai Dinh Tomb.
Besides, Hue also is also an important center of Buddhism. In Hue and its surrounding still exist tens of pagodas constructed more 300 years ago, and a hundred of temples and pagodas built in the early century including Thien Mu Pagoda, Dieu De Pagoda, Tu Dam Pagoda, Tu Hieu Pagoda, Redeemer Church, Phu Cam Main Cathedral, Hue Temple of Literature, Hue National school, Hon Chen Temple, Thanh Toan tile-roofed Bridge, Principal Gate (Ngo Mon), Pavilion of Edicts, Dynastic Temple – The Mieu… Hue is famous for traditional famous dishes and sophisticated handicraft.
Come to Hue, visitors can enjoy many other tourist sites, especially natural sites and beautiful landscapes with Ngu Binh Mountain, Vong Canh Hill, Bach Ma Mountain, Perfume River, Thuan An beach, Lang Co beach, Canh Duong beach, Tam Giang lagoon, An Hien Garden House and Mineral Stream of My An
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