Destination Vietnam
Hue Excursions
Half day boat cruise to Thien Mu pagoda and Imperial Citadel
One of the most notable features of Hue is the meandering Perfume (Huong) River that divides the city. As both the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda are situated on the river banks, boating on a simple, yet comfortable, vessel offers a relaxing alternative to the Imperial Hue tour.
Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady Pagoda”) in Hue is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that took the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.
The Citadel stared in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen’s reign, Kings have ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works of royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and large constructions.
Half day Tu Duc & Khai Dinh tomb
The hills surrounding Hue are dotted with the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Built not only as an eternal resting place, the tombs were designed for recreation; somewhere the Emperor could fish, hunt and enjoy the company of concubines in his twilight years. This tour combines visits to two of the most contrasting tombs.
Visit first the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. In stark contrast, continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb. Remembered as the *#8216;Puppet Emperor’ because of his affiliation with the French, this tomb was designed with colonial flair, and a glass mosaic frieze dominates the interior.
Half day boat cruise to Thien Mu pagoda and Minh Mang’s tomb
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda by boat then continue by boat to the less visited and perhaps most majestic of all of Hue’s tombs – the tomb of Minh Mang.
Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady Pagoda*#8221;) in Hue is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that took the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.
Built between 1841 and 1843, Minh Mang’s this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape.
Half day Imperial Citadel & Dong Ba market
The tour starts with a visit at Imperial Citadel. Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, with an area of 500 ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).
The Citadel stared in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen’s reign, Kings have ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works of royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and large constructions.
Dong Ba Market in Old Hue is near the place where the Dong Ba Canal joins the Perfume River. This market is strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in Vietnamese food or culture. The maintenance of ancient characteristics makes an unforgettable impression to visitors. Dong Ba Market is near the eastern corner of the Citadel. Nearby, a commercial district stretches along the Dong Ba Canal.
Half day market visit and cooking class
The tour starts with a visit at a local market where the local chef will introduce you with the normal life of local vendors. Return to the traditional house of the chef then enjoy a 2.5 hours cooking lesson. Enjoy lunch of what you have cooked.
Full day Royal Kingdom
This is a combination of half day Perfume River Cruising to the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda in the morning, lunch in a local restaurant, and afternoon visits to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh’s Tombs and provides an in-depth look at the fascinating city of Hue.
Full day DMZ tour
Experience the remnants of war in this sadly tragic region still known by many as the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone). Names such as Khe Sanh, the Rockpile, Ben Hai River and Quang Tri still evoke deep emotions of the war to this day.
At the end of the defeat of the French in 1954 the Geneva conventions divided Vietnam into two areas along the 17th Parallel. Ho Chi Minh and his army controlled the North and President Diem, backed by the United States, controlled the South. Elections that were promised never eventuated and hence began a continued path of civil strife that led to American military involvement in South Vietnam. Throughout the war in the 1960’s and 1970’s the DMZ region became one of the heaviest bombarded regions in the history of warfare culminating in the 77 day siege at Khe Sanh and the complete destruction of Quang Tri by North Vietnamese forces in 1972.
Today, whilst there is little physical evidence of what was, the region remains scarred from its effects. Many of the hills remain scattered with rock and shrub from the intensity of artillery fire and chemical defoliants.
An alternative to visiting Khe Sanh near the Lao border is to the fascinating tunnels at Vinh Moc. Situated along a scenic area of coastline the tunnels were initially built in the late 1940’s as a resistance hideout against the French and were extended and enlarged during the American war in order to accommodate civilian families trying to survive the constant terrifying aerial bombardment.
