Everything was
peaceful and tranquil as I cruised along the Perfume River taking in the heady
aromas while passing the tree-lined banks against a backdrop of mountains.
But there was a sense that life had not always been like this here.
Hue, in central Vietnam, was the Imperial city under the
rule of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until 1945. Echoes of its royal past and
the scars of civil unrest and war still can be felt.
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| Sailing along the Perfum River |
The 1968 Tet Offensive, a bloody, 26-day long battle that,
reputedly, was the turning point in the American War (Vietnam War) saw many of
its ancient buildings destroyed or damaged. Today Hue is a fusion of the old
and crumbling and the new and pristine.
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| Thien Mu Pagoda |
Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most renowned holy complexes in
Vietnam and an emblem of Hue’s regal past, was our first stop. The 21-metre (69
feet) high Phuoc Duyen Tower has seven storeys each with a statue of Buddha.
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| Imperial Citadel |
Last on our tour, but definitely not least, was the
Imperial Citadel. Encircled by a moat, this walled fortress once contained 148 buildings; now only
20 are left. The Imperial City, located inside, is where the royal family lived. It took its
inspiration from the Forbidden City in Beijing. The whole complex is a
fascinating place to walk around as you get a sense of a bygone era.
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| Lang Co |
All too quickly it was time to say good bye to Hue and head
for Hoi An. A drive along the winding roads of the spectacular Hai Van
Pass is, undoubtedly, a memorable experience. You are treated to
magnificent views of Da Nang Bay.
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| Farning oysters |
Of course, we had to stop and sample the seafood at the
delightful fishing village of Lang Co. After a scrumptious lunch we watched,
from the immaculate white, sandy beaches, oysters being farmed before we hit
the road again.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
I flew from Hanoi with Vietnam Airways vietnamairlines.com
Stay at Imperial Hotel Hue, imperial-hotel.com This lovely
five-star hotel gives a sense of place
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