Where to go in Thua Thien Hue? (Part 2)
When you decide to start a journey, it is not the time that matters but what you see and feel on your way. People usually say: “You cannot rush when coming to Huế”. Indeed, it is not one-day or two-day trip because there are many other places you can find in this small city.
Contents
Huế’s Anglican Church (Nhà Thờ Dòng Chúa Cứu Thế)
The Anglican Church is a construction of French built in Roman Christianity architectural style. It is a typical model for Roman church building situated in Huế City. Especially, the Three-Floor Bell Tower has been the symbol of the Church from the beginning to the time after being restored. Glass windows with Christ’s paintings, heavenly light well and colorful glass domes are the first impressions of each person when people come here. The construction is surrounded by a magnificent triangular precinct with its tips being the three-way crossroads of Nguyễn Huệ and Nguyễn Khuyến Streets. As soon as you make it to the entrance, you will see an old Jesus’s Heart statue (Tượng Trái Tim Chúa Giêsu) opening its arms as if the holy Jesus wants to hug you up close to his heart. Walking inside the Church, you will feel like being cradled in the sacred heaven of light with Christ from up above. Especially, when the sky is sunny, daylight will enlighten and reflects on all colorful glass domes and windows to create the most beautiful vision of light that you have ever seen. The light well with the image of God will also be lit up and becomes more magical than ever. Personally, I like the old look of the Church for its antique and vintage style and colors. After being restored, it becomes newer and more completed.
Address: Nguyễn Huệ Street, Phú Nhuận Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Huế’s Temple of Letters and Martial Arts (Văn Thánh Võ Thánh)
These heritage sites are actually two different ones built in separate areas and in different time period but for their certain relation, people usually regard them as one in the name of the “Temple of Literature”. The Temple of Letters was built in Nguyễn Dynasty (1808) under the reign of Gia Long Emperor. In the past, there used to be about 20 different small constructions such as worshiping temple, Đông Vu, Thần Trù, the emperor’s harbour and so on. The Big Temple (Đại Điện) worshiping Khổng Tử is the main architectural building of the Temple. Three-step-staircase is also a very popular architecture of ancient Huế applied for this construction. Each step represents the Sky, the Earth and Humans. On two sides of the temple are Đông Vu and Tây Vu with 7 spaces each. In addition, the two stele houses on the sides are also elegantly and formally designed to worship the great doctors of the dynasty. The architecture of these stele houses is very similar to that of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi with 32 stone turtles carrying the giant stone stelae carved the name of 293 royal doctors. Later, for the request of the people that if there was a temple of letters then one for the martial arts should be built; the Temple of Martial Arts was finally born on September 1835 to memorize the bravery of the greatest generals. Walking along the temple, sometimes you will feel a bit of reminiscence running through the trees and the ruins that remain with time. Not being restored, the construction has been gradually destroyed by the unmercifulness of time and weather: moss covers all over, the stone collapses and the temple leaves its remains under the sunlight day by day. Despite the hardship and cruelty of time, it is still strangely beautiful and mysterious in its own way. In a yellow afternoon with a slight rain, the ruins silently lie down with the deceased and harmonize with the Earth and the wild.
Address: Văn Thánh Street, Hương Long Ward, Hương Trà Town, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Phủ Cam Main Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Chính Tòa Phủ Cam)
On the way from Phú Cam Bridge (Cầu Phú Cam), the Main Cathedral appears vaguely behind the green ranges of trees. The old stones, the moss and the architecture are enough to tell about this Cathedral. Being another construction representing Roman Christianity, the Cathedral appears moderately and simply among houses and trees in the heart of the city. Although not flashy, not modern or sparkling with glass windows like the Anglican Church, Phủ Cam Main Cathedral still leaves the impression of an ancient and special church to its people and whoever sets foot to Huế City. Phủ Cam is also the main cathedral of Huế archbishopric and one of the oldest churches of the city. Built for the first time in the 17th century near An Cựu River bank by Priest Langlois, the cathedral then was moved to Phước Quả Hill and rebuilt there. Although the cathedral has undergone many changes of time and war and has been destroyed then restored hundreds of times but it still remains its main feature of a firm stone building. Its architecture is also regarded as “the most unique and has never had in this country”. On the two sides of the cathedral are two magnificent bell towers with a giant cross on the top of each. The overall design of Phủ Cam can be imagined as an open bible or the mouth of the holy dragon directing to the heaven of God. The abstract symbol on the surface of the roof is an image of Mother Mary with Child Jesus that you can easily see from a certain distance. Phủ Cam is not only a sacred place for the child of Christ but also for the commoners who want to visit with respect or simply get some time to relax.
Address: #6 Nguyễn Trường Tộ Street, Phước Vĩnh Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Tịnh Tâm Lake (Hồ Tịnh Tâm)
Tịnh Tâm is a lotus lake built in 1822 under Nguyễn Dynasty. In the past, this was regarded as one of the 20 most beautiful destinations of the city. For me, Tịnh Tâm is just like a royal imprint remaining until present. Its beauty and elegance may not be compared to any other in the country. Especially when the spring visits the dearly land, thousands of white lotus will bloom in the sunlight, reflecting their graceful visions on the sparkling water. There are also three different islands on the lake: Bồng Lai with Hồng Cừ Bridge, Phương Trượng and Doanh Châu with Kim Oanh dyke and Bạch Tần Bridge. The whole lake is surrounded by firm stone walls with 4 entrances: Hạ Xuân, Đông Hy, Xuân Quan and Thu Nguyệt. With the sophisticated and detailed architecture, Tịnh Tâm Lake is regarded as an artistic heritage site of the 19th century and the imperial park of the Emperor.
Address: In the Citadel of Huế, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Thiên An Monastery (Đan Viện Thiên An)
Built in one summer day of 1940 by French apothecaries, Thiên An until now is just like a peaceful heavenly escape on Earth. If people usually like to call it “Đà Lạt in Huế” then I would like to call it “the heaven’s comfort”. Cuddled in the lush greenery of the infinite pine hill, Thiên An still lies there calmly and quietly with the ceaseless bell ring of a far away past, reverberating in the heart of each country’s child. The path leading to Thiên An seems to never end, twisted and narrow all along down the way. The memory of a beautiful and dear Apothecary has been deeply carved in the mind and the heart of the city’s people. As long as you enter Thiên An’s precinct, you will see Mother Hill on the right and the immeasurably high bell tower in a traditional design with tiled roofs on the left. If you keep going farther in the pine hill, you will see another hill, the Cross, mysterious and extremely attractive. Harmonizing with a little bit of cold enough to make you shiver, Thiên An lies there like a beautiful and enchanting Huế’s woman wearing the glittering “Thủy Tiên dress”. Even if you are rushing on your way to finish this journey, Thiên An will always keep a part of your soul with it in the moment you leave so that you can return whenever you are tired and want to take a break to keep on going.
Address: Thủy Bằng Ward, Hương Thủy Town, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Website: https://www.giothanhle.net
Bạch Hổ Bridge – Dã Viên Bridge (Cầu Bạch Hổ - Cầu Dã Viên)
Bạch Hổ, also known as Dã Viên, is a bridge connecting the North of Perfume River (Sông Hương) with Cồn Dã Viên. Established in 2012 under the name “Bạch Hổ Road Bridge” and used for light vehicles and jogging, the bridge until now has remained its stability as well as the modern appearance. Just like Trường Tiền Bridge, from Bạch Hổ, you can easily see the view of the whole city. It feels like if Trường Tiền is a charming girl at night then Bạch Hổ is the young, pretty and energetic girl in the daylight. Always crowded at day with bicycles, motorbikes, and people walking, Bạch Hổ seems to be charged with positive energy from all the ways of the city. If you intend to visit Bạch Hổ Bridge, make sure you will come in the morning to feel the most of its powerful and energetic aura.
Address: Phường Đúc Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Nam Giao Altar (Đàn Nam Giao)
Nam Giao Altar was built under Nguyễn Dynasty (1803) to worship Gods on the sky. On 1806, the Altar was moved to the South and rebuilt among the beautiful green pine forest. The overall structure of Nam Giao Altar includes three parts representing humans, the Earth and the Sky. The highest floor symbolizing the Sky (Viên Đàn) is in the shape of a huge circle carved with blue stones and painted with blue as the color of the sky. The lower floor, also called Phượng Đàn, represents the Earth with yellow balcony and canvas known as Hoàng Ốc. The lowest floor symbolizing humans is also in a square shape with the balcony painted in red. Nam Giao, in the past, was one of the most sacred places in the country that not a single commoner could be allowed to come except for the Emperor who was regarded as “the son of the sky”. The Emperor would directly control the ritual whether it was to ask for rain, a good harvest or to express appreciation to the sky. Of course, in exchange for the Emperor’s wish and the will of his people, there had to be a sacrifice: it could either be a pig, a buffalo, a cow or a goat. Although it has been over thousands of years, the people still protect Nam Giao Altar wholeheartedly as it is something so important to them both in spiritual and cultural value.
Address: Trường An Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Từ Đàm Pagoda (Chùa Từ Đàm)
In the late 17th century, the Pagoda was built by bonze Minh Hoằng – Tử Dung with the name Ấn Tôn. Then in 1841, Thiệu Trị Emperor changed its name into Từ Đàm which means “the gentle clouds Buddha”. Undergoing many restorations, Từ Đàm Pagoda from a small Buddhist temple has turned into a beautiful and sacred pagoda. The entrance of Từ Đàm is three-gate entrance built in 1965 with the main in the middle and the two smaller lying on two sides. As long as you enter, you will immediately see the main house for praying and making ceremonial offerings. The architecture inside is Buddhist traditionally design with wooden poles carved with golden paralleled sentences and the deepest area is where the big Buddha’s statue is sitting. The center area is mainly for people to kneel down for making a prayer and offerings. Outside the yard of the pagoda is an old Seven-Floor Tower built in bricks and tiles with traditional Oriental architecture. You can also see a Bodhi Tree originated from that in India where the great legend of Siddhartha Gautama still remains.
Address: #1 Sư Liễu Quán Street, Trường An Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Tel: (+84) 543 898 561
(+84) 989 449 177
Website: https://www.chuatudam.org.vn
Bao Vinh Old Street (Phố Cổ Bao Vinh)
Just like Hanoi Old Street (Phố cổ Hà Nội), Bao Vinh is regarded as one of the most important trade market and shopping center of the city. In fact, Bao Vinh is just a small street with only 300 meters of houses and lies next to the old Thanh Hà Harbour. Though small and simple, the street is always crowded with all the market trades going on. Sailing on a boat on Perfume River, you will easily vision Bao Vinh as Hội An Ancient street, maybe a smaller version of it. Although Bao Vinh is sometimes forgotten by its people, the street is still strangely attractive and mysterious in the eyes of the unfamiliar visitors. Beside trading activities, other ancient constructions are still remaining and waiting for you to explore such as Thiên Hậu Palace, Quan Thánh Temple, One-arch Bridge and so on.
Address: Hương Vĩnh Commune, Hương Trà Town, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Hải Dương Beach (Biển Hải Dương)
Located in Hương Trà Town of Thừa Thiên Huế Province, Hải Dương Beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches of Huế. What attracts visitors to come to Hải Dương is not solely its beauty but also its natural wilderness. Therefore, it will be such a waste if you do not visit Hải Dương when setting foot to Huế. The only way to get to the beach is taking the highway 49, then you just keep running 8 km ahead and turn left at Ca Cút Bridge (Cầu Ca Cút), keep going 6 km, finally turn right at Tam Giang Bridge (Cầu Tam Giang) and you will be there in no time. On your way, the beauty of nature will amaze your bare eyes with all the enchanting fields and the everlasting lines of trees. From Tam Giang Bridge, you will then see some small fishing boats of the locals setting sail to the beach and enjoying the first daylight of the day. You should come here in the morning as dawn is always the most magnificent scene on Hải Dương Beach. I guess there is nothing more beautiful and wonderful than watching the first sunlight of the sun shinning through layers of white clouds. For me, it must be the most glorious image. Hải Dương Beach is also famous for its rock fields with green moss covering all over that makes the place more wild and beautiful. For its beauty and unique, there is no wonder why it has soon become the favorite check-in location for Huế's teen. You can come here in the morning or go camping in the wood at noon when the sun is rising high. If you want to enjoy some cozy moment with your friends and family, I guess a night on Hải Dương Beach will be the best choice.
Address: Hương Trà Town, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
Place back to visit Vietnam hue when I passed by, it really brought a lot of history. Here, I have a friend, to see what the position is not recommended for Vietnam
I haven’t been to any of these places before but the photos of Huế’s Anglican Church look spectacular. I’ll put them on my must-visit list. I hope to visit all of them on my trip to Huế.