The Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City (Hoàng Thành và Tử Cấm Thành)

Mysterious and majestic, the Citadel of Huế (Hoàng Thành Huế) has been living immortally for 2 centuries. The Citadel as we know today stays the same as it was for hundreds of years ago with the so far away past covered in moss and history. The Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City (Hoàng Thành và Tử Cấm Thành), also known as the Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội), are parts of Huế Citadel. For more than one hundred of years passing by, the Imperial Citadel has more or less remained its original appearance. Back in the day, the existential purpose of the Imperial City was to protect the most important palaces of the feudal court. There were also areas for the King’s queen mother and grandmother and such playing and studying areas for the princes. However, because of the change of time and century, these have been replaced with the holy shrines worshiping Nguyễn family. With the land area of more than 500 hectares, the Imperial Citadel is a combination of many houses and palaces such as Ngọ Môn, Thái Hòa Temple (Điện Thái Hòa), Diên Ngọ Palace (Cung Diên Ngọ), etc. In 1993, it is also one of the heritage sites in the complex of Huế’s Monuments recognized by the UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage.

Address: Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.
Tel: (+84) 543 501 143
Opening hours: 8:00 am

Hương River (Sông Hương)

Such a beauty and mystery, the charming river bids farewell to Trường Sơn Mountain (Núi Trường Sơn) and makes its journey to the dreamlike city. Hương River (Sông Hương) is like a pretty girl that I want to call as “Huế’s Lover”. In a literary work of the author Hoàng Phủ Ngọc Tường with the title “Who named the river?”, he wrote: “Among the most beautiful rivers in the countries that I have heard about, it seems that only Hương River belongs to the sole city. Before making its way to the serene delta, it has been an epic sound of the jungle, boisterous in the shade of the hundred-year-old trees, furious through each canal and fall, whirling as a storm in the mysterious bottom of the cliffs and sometimes becomes gentle and amorous in the everlasting resplendent red of the Rhododendron”. If so, what could be more romantic than sailing on the wonderful Hương River at night and listen to the ceremonial songs of the ancient Huế?

Huế Museum of Royal Antiquities (Bảo Tàng Cổ Vật Cung Đình Huế)

This museum was built in Long An Palace (Điện Long An), one of the most magnificent palaces of Nguyễn dynasty. Owning the ancient appearance and architecture, it is currently exhibiting antique collections of imperial clothes and belongings. Although the museum has undergone several restorations, it still remains the proper royal look.
Address: #3 Lê Trực Street, Thuận Thành, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.
Tel: (+84) 543 523 237
Website: http://www.hueworldheritage.org.vn

Tự Đức Mausoleum (Lăng Tự Đức)
Address: Thủy Xuân Street, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Minh Mạng Mausoleum (Lăng Minh Mạng)
Address: Highway 49, Hương Thọ Commune, Thừa Thiên Huế Province, Việt Nam

Hòn Chén Temple ( Điện Hòn Chén)

Hòn Chén Temple (Điện Hòn Chén) includes 10 architectures different in size and is situated halfway down Ngọc Trản Mountain (Núi Ngọc Trản). Hidden in the green lines of trees, the temple casts its view to the charming Hương River. Hòn Chén is also the only temple in Huế that has the combination of both imperial and traditional designs. With the decorative art reaching the perfection of the 19^th century, Hòn Chén Temple has such significant cultural value to its people. The birth of the temple is to worship Po Nagar Goddess-the Land Mother who creates the Earth and its grains.
Address: Huyền Trân Công Chúa Street, Hương Trà Town, Hương Thọ Commune, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Thiên Mụ Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Mụ)

If you make your journey to Huế, Thiên Mụ Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Mụ) is definitely a must-see destination. Built in the 1600s, the pagoda until present has remained its splendid, magnificent yet tranquil and poetic appearance. There is no feeling better and more romantic than walking along Thiên Mụ Pagoda and feast your eyes upon the dear silhouette of its reflection on the charming Hương River. One thing to keep in mind: If you take this journey with your lover then you should avoid going to Thiên Mụ Pagoda since people tell that there is a curse on this place that any couples coming here will come to a bad end. It is said that once upon a time, there were a man and a woman who were deeply in love with each other. However, because of the social gap between the two, the woman's family forbid her to marry to the man. The girl then lived in despair and decided to kill herself at Thiên Mụ Pagoda. The man, seeing his woman kill herself, decided to go with her so that the two could live happily ever after in another life.

Address: Hương Long Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Vọng Cảnh Hill (Đồi Vọng Cảnh)

The name of the hill is borrowed from Chinese literature which means “sightseeing hill”. Its name is originated from the fact that the royal nobles used to come here to contemplate the beauty of nature’s painting. The hill is located 7 km to the Southwest of Huế City's center with its foot bordered on the bank of Hương River. From Vọng Cảnh Hill (Đồi Vọng Cảnh), you can easily see the poetic vision of the city with the beautiful mausoleum areas and the attractive Hương River running through Huế City. The hill has now been rebuilt to tourist park with the land area of more than 219 hectares. It is presently even easier to access for tourists so that they can go to the hill by both land and waterway. Camping and other cultural activities are also included in the new park. The hill is a famous place for dating and photography so it will be even more romantic if you come here with the one you love.
Address: Huyền Trân Công Chúa Street, Thủy Biều Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Ngự Bình Mountain (Núi Ngự Bình)

If Hương River is the first gift of nature to the dreamy Huế then Ngự Bình Mountain (Núi Ngự Bình) is the second wonder belonging to the city. Located 4 km from the city’s center, the mountain lies quietly on the side of Hương River with the height of 103 m. There is an old folk saying: “Hương River-Ngự Mountain” for both the river and the mountain having together created the natural symbol of Huế City.
Address: An Cựu Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

An Hiên House Garden (Nhà Vườn An Hiên)

Located to the North of Hương River and not far away from Thiên Mụ Pagoda, An Hiên House Garden (Nhà Vườn An Hiên) is a paragon of Huế’s house garden designed in concord with nature and perfectly conforms to the principle of Oriental Geomancy. Before 1895, it was the palace of a princess – daughter of Dục Đức Emperor. With the land area of 5000 m², the house is fully covered in the lush greenery and becomes even more modest behind those grass and trees. As long as you make to the entrance, you will see a big horizontal lacquered board engraved with the Chinese name of the house garden.

Address: #58 Nguyễn Phúc Nguyên Street, Hương Long Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province.

Bạch Mã National Park (Vườn quốc gia Bạch Mã)

I must say, the trip to Bạch Mã National Park (Vườn quốc gia Bạch Mã) is an unplanned journey when the beauties lie within wherever you are. Bạch Mã, same as many other national parks, is famous for its wild and original beauty of nature. Vọng Hải Monument (Đài Vọng Hải) is the highest point of Bạch Mã and from there you can see Lăng Cô and Hồ Truồi Bays (Vịnh Lăng Cô và Hồ Truồi), etc. About 5 km from the peak, there are Ngũ Lake (Ngũ Hồ) and Rhododendron Fall (Thác Đỗ Quyên). Ngũ Lake is actually a complexity of 5 different lakes and the third of which may be the most beautiful. Up from above the third lake is an extremely enchanting fall, you can also enjoy the cool water of the lake before continuing your journey. The Rhododendron Fall is quite far from Ngũ Lake with the height of about 300 m. From the fall, you can cast your eyes to the gorgeous and magnificent mountain ranges. The fall was named Rhododendron because on its two sides are the beautiful Rhododendron flowers that bloom in March.
Address: Hòa Bắc Commune, Phú Lộc Suburban District, Thừa Thiên
Huế Province.
Tel: (+84) 543 871 258 (Organization Department)
        (+84) 543 897 360 (Representative Office at Huế)
        (+84) 543 871 330 (The Center of Environmental Education and Service)
Website: http://www.backmapark.com.vn