TRAVEL WITH MONKEYS
Welcome to Thua Thien Hue
Landscapes in Hue
Hue, a city in central Vietnam, is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes. As the former imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is imbued with a timeless charm that blends natural beauty with historical significance. The city's landscape is characterized by the serene Perfume River, which meanders through lush greenery, providing a picturesque setting for the ancient citadels, pagodas, and royal tombs that dot the region. The surrounding countryside is equally captivating, with rolling hills, verdant rice paddies, and mist-covered mountains, creating a tranquil and scenic backdrop. These landscapes, coupled with Hue's historical and cultural monuments, make it a captivating destination for visitors seeking both natural beauty and a deep sense of Vietnam's past.
Hue Imperial Citadel
The Hue Imperial Citadel, located in the heart of Hue, Vietnam, is a monumental fortress and palace complex that stands as a symbol of the country's rich history and cultural heritage. Constructed in the early 19th century during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, the citadel served as the political, cultural, and spiritual center of Vietnam until 1945.
Spanning over 500 hectares, the Hue Imperial Citadel is encircled by massive walls and a wide moat, embodying traditional Vietnamese architectural principles blended with French military design. The complex is divided into several distinct sections, each with its unique function and significance. The outermost area, the Imperial City, houses important administrative buildings and public spaces.
Thuan An Beach
Thuan An Beach is located next to the Thuan An estuary, 15km east of Hue city, where the Huong River flows into Tam Giang Lagoon and then out to the sea. Thuan An is a popular destination for the people of Hue to enjoy the cool breeze and swim during the extended summer season. Especially during the hot months from April to September, many locals and tourists on summer vacation in Hue choose Thuan An for their ideal days off.
Vong Canh Hill
Vong Canh Hill, located in the enchanting city of Hue, Vietnam, is a scenic vantage point renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Perfume River and the surrounding countryside. Situated about 7 kilometers southwest of the city center, this hill offers a serene escape from the urban bustle, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists seeking natural beauty and tranquility.
Tam Giang Lagoon
Famous as the largest brackish water lagoon in Southeast Asia, 12 km from Hue city, Tam Giang Lagoon is located in three districts Phong Dien, Quang Dien and Huong Tra, which owns a wild and tranquility beauty made anyone who comes here also admired the hard to resist beauty.
As usual, visitors who come here do not want to miss the moment of dawn, because by this time, on the small boat gliding on the lagoon, you will feel like in a romantic scene with the beauty already going on to poetry, lyric, music, and art.
Bach Ma Mountain
Bach Ma Mountain is famous for its streams and many spectacular waterfalls. Rhododendron waterfall is 400m high, 20m wide. On summer days, on both sides of the waterfall, Rhododendron flowers bloom like two giant silk flower carpets.
Bach Ma Mountain Hue is located in the Bach Ma National Park area, bordering Hue city and Da Nang. This place has a diverse flora and fauna with hundreds of rare species, some of which are at risk of extinction.
Ngu Binh Mountain
As the natural boundary between Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang provinces in Bach Ma National Park, Bach Ma mountain range has a peak of more than 1400m with a verdant four-season landscape with streams and majestic waterfalls. Not only that, coming here, you can also immerse yourself in the vast natural primeval forest space with diverse and rich species of rare animals and plants. This will definitely be an ideal place for you and your group to camp, admire the scenery and explore the majestic nature.
Ru Cha Mangrove Forest
The Ru Cha Mangrove Forest, located near the city of Hue in central Vietnam, is a hidden gem that showcases the region’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty. This relatively small yet ecologically significant mangrove forest is situated about 15 kilometers from Hue, near the mouth of the Perfume River as it meets the Tam Giang Lagoon, one of Southeast Asia's largest coastal lagoons.
Covering an area of approximately 5 hectares, Ru Cha is named after the predominant type of tree found in the forest, the "cha" tree (a local name for the species of mangrove). The dense mangrove ecosystem serves as a crucial habitat for a variety of wildlife, including fish, crustaceans, and birds, making it a vital component of the local environmental landscape.
An Hien Garden House
An Hien Garden House is a quintessential example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and horticulture. This charming estate, originally built in the late 19th century, epitomizes the harmonious blend of nature and architecture that is characteristic of Hue's cultural heritage.
Situated on the northern bank of the Huong River, An Hien Garden House was initially the residence of a princess from the Nguyen Dynasty and later became the home of various high-ranking officials and intellectuals. The house reflects the elegant and refined lifestyle of Hue's aristocracy, with its architectural design adhering to feng shui principles to create a balanced and serene environment.
Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village
Thuy Xuan Incense-Making Village, located just a few kilometers southwest of Hue, Vietnam, is a vibrant and culturally rich destination renowned for its traditional craft of incense making. This village has been producing high-quality incense sticks for centuries, and its colorful displays and skilled artisans offer a fascinating glimpse into a significant aspect of Vietnamese cultural and spiritual life.
Incense plays an essential role in Vietnamese culture, used in religious ceremonies, ancestral worship, and everyday practices to honor deities and spirits, and to create a sacred atmosphere. Thuy Xuan is famous for its vibrant incense sticks, which are handcrafted using time-honored methods passed down through generations.
Khai Dinh Tomb
The Khai Dinh Tomb is one of the most elaborate and striking royal mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty. Built between 1920 and 1931, the tomb commemorates Emperor Khai Dinh, who ruled Vietnam from 1916 to 1925. This tomb stands out for its unique blend of traditional Vietnamese architecture and modern influences, reflecting the eclectic tastes and the historical context of the early 20th century.
Situated on the slopes of Chau Chu Mountain, approximately 10 kilometers from Hue, the Khai Dinh Tomb is smaller in scale compared to other royal tombs but is renowned for its intricate and ornate design. The construction of the tomb involved the use of materials imported from France, China, and Japan, resulting in a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles.
Tu Duc Tomb
The Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most expansive and picturesque royal mausoleums from the Nguyen Dynasty. Constructed between 1864 and 1867, the tomb was built for Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Vietnam from 1848 to 1883. Known for its serene beauty and poetic design, the Tu Duc Tomb offers a unique blend of natural landscape and man-made architecture, reflecting the emperor's sophisticated tastes and his affinity for literature and nature.
Minh Mang Tomb
The Minh Mang Tomb is a grand and architecturally significant royal mausoleum built for Emperor Minh Mang, the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. Constructed between 1840 and 1843, the tomb is celebrated for its harmonious blend of natural beauty and imperial architecture, reflecting the Confucian principles and aesthetic values of the time.
Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery
Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery belongs to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen School, and it is the first Zen Monastery in the Central region. To reach here, you'll have to cross Truoi Lake, a serene and beautiful lake. Particularly, situated at an altitude of 1450m, with temperatures ranging from 19 - 21 degrees Celsius, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the harmony of Bach Ma's land and sky, considered an ideal climate zone.Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is a remarkable cultural and scenic complex in the midst of the picturesque landscapes, becoming an intriguing destination for both domestic and international tourists visiting the former imperial city of Hue.
Thien An Hill
Thien An Hill is a geographical location comprising numerous hills planted with pine trees to the southwest of Huế city, near the tomb of King Khai Dinh. Setting foot on the hill's summit, you'll have the opportunity to visit Thien An Monastery with its ancient church displaying harmonious classical architecture. Around the hill, there's Thuy Tien Lake and the ancient Ba Vanh Tomb, bearing traces of days gone by, suitable for history enthusiasts. Moreover, the scenery here is peaceful and fresh, making it an ideal place to visit on weekends with friends, easily accessible by motorbike to enjoy the beauty of the hill.
Lang Co Bay
With the pristine space of mountains and the bustling pace of the bay area with ships passing every day, Lang Co attracts visitors as soon as they arrive at its beauty. Coming here, you will be overwhelmed by the beach images with emerald water, sloping yellow sand beaches, red tile roofs standing out from the mist, and the fishing boats bobbing with the surf along cliffs, all of which have made an extremely impressive and charming scenery.
Dong Khanh Tomb
Dong Khanh Tomb, or Tu Lang, is the resting place of Dong Khanh Emperor, the 9th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Located between the two tombs of Thieu Tri and Tu Duc, the Dong Khanh Mausoleum belongs to Cu Si village, Duong Xuan canton; today it is Thuong Hai village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue City.
The process of accomplishing the Dong Khanh Mausoleum took place through 4 emperor reigns (1888–1923). The country’s ups and downs led to its construction delays and changes. As a result, the Dong Khanh Royal Tomb bears the marks of two architectural features from two different historical periods.
