HIGHLIGHTED ATTRACTIONS OF HUE CITY TOUR

Lying in the narrow strip central of Vietnam, Hue remained as the capital city of Vietnam for a period of 143 years. Hue city is famous for a plenty of places to visit from magnificent architectural buildings of the royal family, stunning natural landscapes to sacred spiritual sites. A day trip exploring Hue’s top attractions: The Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda included in Hue city tour which appeals to visitors for great insight into this ancient capital city. 

The Imperial City

Being one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must see attraction while visiting Hue city. The Imperial City was actually a walled fortress and palace belonging to the ancient city which was a capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty for 143 years from 1802 to 1945. The architecture was planned to be built in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long who founded the Nguyen Dynasty. Until 1832, the Imperial City was finally completed under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. The Imperial City is located on the northern bank of the Perfume River, and covers a total area of 520 hectares. The complex has a total of ten main majestic gates leading to the Imperial City, which can be divided into two main parts excluding houses and mansions: The Citadel and The Forbidden City. The former served to protect the important palaces while the latter was used as working and living places of the emperors and the royal family. 

Khai Dinh Tomb

The mausoleum is the final resting place of Emperor Khai Dinh who reigned Nguyen Dynasty from 1916 to 1925. The Emperor Khai Dinh was an unpopular ruler as he raised taxes on peasantry by 30 percent to finance the mausoleum. The construction is a unique architectural fusion of traditional Vietnamese and European styles. Many European elements of the tombs were inspired by the Emperor’s visit to France in 1922. While most of the building’s exterior is covered in darkened, with Gothic architecture characteristics, the interior of the palace looks brighter with the explosions of colourful ceramic mosaic. The construction began in 1920 and took 11 years to complete by Emperor Bao Dai - Khai Dinh’s successor, in 1931. Not long after that, World War II and the Cold War caused the end of the Nguyen Dynasty, which ensured that Khai Dinh Tomb is the last royal tomb in Hue. 

Thien Mu Pagoda

This religious site is an iconic monument located atop a small hill outside the center of Hue City, which offers breathtaking views of the romantic Perfume River. One of the pagoda’s remarkable features is a seven-storey octagonal tower named Phuoc Duyen Tower which was constructed under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844. The pagoda also features statues of Buddhist guardians, golden Buddha statues, and the great bell cast in 1710. Thien Mu Pagoda is famous for being the home monastery of the Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc, who had self-immolated in 1963, to protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. The Austin car, which he used to travel to his self-immolation in Saigon, is also on display in the pagoda. 

Hue is a great destination for getting close to the culture and history of Vietnam, and the list of must-see places is endless. Travel with us to explore not only those highlighted attractions but also other sites and places in the ancient capital with our well-designed Hue city tour.

THINGS TO DO IN HUE CITY IN ONE DAY

Located in the Central and once the capital of Vietnam, Hue city is well-known for its charming and peaceful beauty. Hue is not as dynamic and lively as the neighboring city of Danang, but it will take time to discover everything. Hence we love to suggest some ideas from our daily Hue city tour which will help you experience top things to do in Hue city if you have only one day exploring this destination.

Once the capital of Vietnam during the feudal period which was ruled by the emperors of Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is famous for many spectacular architectural works constructed by the royal family. Exploring the attractions of royal architectural works is one of the best ways to get knowledge about the history and culture of the former capital city. The most important landmark of Hue is the Imperial City where Nguyen Dynasty Emperors lived and conducted administrative work from 1802 to 1945. With the significant historical, cultural and architectural values of palaces, pavilions, carved gates and other royal buildings, this vast monument complex has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1993, and it is absolutely worth a visit while in Hue.

Besides, you should not miss out the royal tombs which were built as final resting places of Nguyen Emperors. Among 7 available mausoleums, three main tombs most commonly visited are Khai Dinh’s Tomb, Ming Mang’s Tomb and Tu Duc’s Tomb. You will have more chances to learn more about the characteristic architectural styles of each emperor tomb. While Ming Mang’s Tomb and Tu Duc’s Tomb have the similar traditional architectural styles and the harmonious setting of buildings and surrounding natural sites of gardens and lakes, the tomb of Khai Dinh is unique with the mixture of Oriental and Western architecture.

Apart from the constructions of emperors, religious sites have always been indispensable attractions in Hue city. Paying a visit to the sacred pagodas and temples of Hue will help you understand more about the local people’s spiritual life. One of the must-sees is Thien Mu Pagoda which is known as the oldest and the most beautiful one in Hue. The pagoda has several important features to admire such as the symbolic seven-story tower (Phuoc Duyen Tower), Big Copper Bell, the Main Palace, Literature Stone and Turtle and the autographs of the Nguyen emperors. Situated in Ha Khe Hill on the north bank of Perfume River, one of the favorite ways to reach the site is by a cruise along the river. Take a dragon boat trip available in the itinerary of our Hue city tour to soak up the peaceful atmosphere and delightful scenery on the waterways.

For any sightseeing trip to Vietnam destinations, a visit to local markets is a must-do to get a glimpse of the pace of life. In Hue, Dong Ba market is known as the biggest commercial center of the city, and it offers many types of goods, local specialties, cultural gifts and souvenirs. The food court of the market is also a part you should not ignore, you will take a chance to sample iconic local dishes such as beef noodle soup (Bun Bo Hue), Hue mussel rice (Com Hen), and a variety of Hue traditional cakes.

All the above are our suggestions for things to do in Hue city in one day, which will help you have fulfilled experiences of this ancient capital city. To learn more about the city with our knowledgeable local guide, don’t forget to check out Hue city tour and more useful travel information for your trip in Hue from the local experts of Eco Nature Travel!

Press Release for http://www.ecotravelvietnam.com/

Eco Nature Travel Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest rising tourist destinations and has been receiving an annually increasing number of global visitors in recent years. There is plenty to see and do in the course of Vietnam tours; the country boasts a variety of incredible landscapes just waiting to be explored, a plethora of intriguing historical sites, plenty of traditional cuisines that are simply delectable, and a myriad of cultures and customs that you will marvel at.

Vietnam tours, as provided by Eco Nature Travel Vietnam, are such that tourists can get a feel of the entire country, which is ‘divided’ into three parts i.e. the North, the Centre, and the South. It is in the northern part that the country’s capital Hanoi lies, while the second largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, lies in the south. The most important locations in the central part of the country are Da Nang and Hue.

The tourist circuit in North Vietnam includes a tour of Hanoi and an exploration of its long history. There are a number of attractions to sample around here including the Unclo Ho Mausoleum complex, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as Ha Long Bay. There are also mountainous places to visit like Pu Luong, Mai Chau and Sa Pa. The cultures, customs, traditions and lifestyles of the locals really complement the spirit of adventure you are bound to feel while here.

Central Vietnam tours are also a mix of rich history and spectacular natural sights and sounds. In the ancient cities of Hoi An and Hue are interesting historical sites like Nguyen King Palace and Mausoleums, and the Thein Mu Pagoda. Natural attractions here include the Phong Nha Caves, the Bach Ma National Park and the Hai Van Pass, and beautiful beaches like Mui Ne and Nha Trang. Touring the fishing villages in Nha Trang, Hoi An and Lang Co also makes for a very interesting expedition.

Down south lies Ho Chi Minh City and its historical attractions like the Cao Dai Church, the Tay Ninh Temple and the Cu Chi tunnels. The top natural attraction in the area is undeniably the Mekong Delta which is a combination of rivers and waterways, dense jungle, floating villages and markets, tropical fruit plantations, and some of the best scenery anywhere.

Eco Nature Travel Vietnam is renowned for organizing well structured Vietnam tours packages and has since 2003 been acknowledged by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

-ENDS-

Eco Natural Travel Vietnam is a duly accredited travel agency and an International Tour Operator. The company provides a number of different tour packages that cover all of the country thus ensuring that tourists thoroughly enjoy the experience, get value for their money, and leave with pleasant memories they’ll want to relive again.

Their contacts:

For their Head Office based in Hue:

Company name: Eco Travel Co Ltd

International tour operator license number: 46-002/20 10/VNAT

Tax code: 3300411976

Address: 74/48 Ngo Quyen St. Hue. Vietnam

Telephone: (8454) 3829392

Facsimile: (8454) 3829391

Website: www.ecotravelvietnam.com

Email: gotoeco@dng.vnn.vn

The amazing appeal of Viet Nam tour destinations

When it comes to Viet Nam tour destinations there is surely no shortage of these and what is on offer makes for a great touring experience for family or corporate travellers. Among the favourite destinations in this regard are Ha Long, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Muine, Hoian, and Cat Ba. In these locations you are guaranteed to find quality seaside resorts that will go a long way in making your Viet Nam tour an experience to remember.

The aforementioned tourist destinations are mainly favoured because of their natural beauty including spectacular sandy beaches, jungle vegetation and green parks and landscapes. At these locations tourists are accommodated in world-class resorts and the fabulous facilities and delectable cuisines offered are definitely a tourist pleaser.

The Viet Nam tour destinations in the north make for great adventure especially considering that the locals in this region are part of the minority populations. The north is where the ancient city of Hanoi, also the country’s capital, is to be found. Touring the vicinity of the area will grant you the opportunity to experience the Temple of Literature, the Unclo Ho Mausoleum complex, Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as Ha Long Bay. This is a mountainous region whereby tourists can visit peaks like Pu Luong, Mai Chau and Sa Pa. Learning what the cultures of the locals entails is another aspect of the travel to this region that is a definite favourite for many tourists.

Central Viet Nam tour destinations are also aplenty and they make for a perfect blend of history, forests, nature and serenity. Here tourists get the chance to tour the ancient cities of Hoi An and Hue, and the amazing architectural structures in the form of the Nguyen King Palace, the Mausoleums and Thien Mu Pagoda. In terms of natural attractions we have the Phong Nha caves, the Bach Ma National Park, and the Hai Van Pass. Visiting the local fishing villages including those in Nha Trang, Hoi An and Lang Co is a sure way of thoroughly understanding the lifestyles and cultures of the local populace.

In South Vietnam tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City and the other local attractions which include Cao Dai Church, Tay Ninh Temple, and the Cu Chi tunnels. The most visited natural feature in the south Viet Nam tour circuit is the Mekong Delta, which is a spectacular mix of dense jungle, mountains, rivers and canals, tropical fruit gardens, floating markets and fishermen’s shacks.

Vietnam travel makes for truly enjoyable experiences

Reports from the World Tourism Organization indicate that Vietnam is fourth on the list of countries that have experienced an increased number of tourists in recent years; the number of visitors arriving in Vietnam has been increasing at a steady 20% year after year. If these statistics are anything to go by, it is no wonder that Vietnam travel is becoming more and more popular and that the country is proving to be an irresistible destination for tourists from across the globe.

There is so much to see on a Vietnam travel tour starting with the city of Hanoi. This is an ancient and serene city that is also replete with the bustles and vitality of modern metropolises. The beauty of Hanoi is captured in its brilliant colours and the peoples’ charm and passion. The gastronomy available here is also very much worth sampling.

An event that shouldn’t be missed whenever possible is the celebration of the Lunar New Year, locally known as Tet. As this festival approaches streets are adorned with unique decorations and traditional foods are aplenty. This is the occasion where locals take time to make supplications to the gods, nature and spirits, as well as to visit relatives and friends, in addition to paying homage to their ancestors.

While on your Vietnam travel you should really make a point of visiting Halong Bay which is in the northern province of Quang Ninh. This location is an amazing spectacle of nature whose beauty obliged UNESCO to twice recognize it as a world natural heritage site in 1994 and 2000. This year, Halong Bay is set to be added to the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World and voting is currently ongoing.

The tourism industry in Vietnam has in recent times been adopting a new policy that is aimed at infusing a culture of responsible tourism in as far as respecting the local cultures, biodiversity and ecosystems found in and around tour destinations. This policy was informed by the need of tourists to know that the money they spend on their tours went a long way in improving the lives of local people. Responsible Vietnam travel is certainly an experience you wouldn’t want to pass up.

Vietnam tour destinations make for amazing experiences

There are many an amazing tourist sightseeing destinations all over Vietnam and these are what the annually increasing number of tourists from all over the world come to behold year after year. That there is great variety in Vietnam tour destinations isn’t mere talk; thanks to the diverse and varied climate that this country enjoys, and the span of its altitudes and latitudes, there is certainly something to see wherever you are within its borders.

In the south of the country is the city of Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon. The city was ages ago under French control and thereafter by the Americans. The influences of these two occupations can be seen in the colonial architecture and leafy boulevards of the city. Among the sights to visit while here is the Cu Chi tunnel which was constructed during wartime by Vietnamese fighters. The gem of your Vietnam tour in this region is however not the city but the incredible Mekong Delta area. This is an area dominated by rivers and canals, green jungle, and a myriad of floating houses, shacks and markets – simply amazing by all means.

After leaving the city you can take a three-hour drive to another Vietnam tour gem destination, Mui Ne. This is an area that boasts lengthy white sand beaches that are simply spectacular; the area is a popular destination for people who fancy kite and wind surfing, both of which are enjoyed amidst white and red wind-sculpted sand dunes. Luxurious holidays find new meaning here considering the elating natural scenery and the beautiful golf courses and luxury resorts.

Your Vietnam tour can take you further on to the central regions of the country and it is here that you’ll thoroughly enjoy beaches of golden sand and a triple treat of world heritage sites as declared by UNESCO. The three sites are Myson - the centre of the 3^rd-13^th century Champa Kingdom, Hoian – the ancient commercial town where trade was controlled by Japanese and Chinese merchants, and Hue, a near replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City, which was the country’s capital from 1802 to 1945. Just like its more famous counterpart, Hue contains many temples and palaces worth visiting.

Some of the places to be as you travel Viet Nam

The old image of war-torn Viet Nam is fast fading with the continued takeover spearheaded by the young generation of restaurateurs, artists, entrepreneurs and more, all intent on ensuring that their country enters the mainstream of global culture. More than at any other time in the country’s history, these are the times that travel Viet Nam has experienced a most remarkable growth in terms of tourist numbers. More of this is expected into the future as locals continue working hard to ensure that their country becomes a premier travel destination.

Travel Viet Nam has truly been enhanced in recent times with the opening of the airport terminal in Hanoi, the establishment of luxury hotels like the Sheraton and Hyatt, the rise of trendy neighbourhoods replete with boutiques and restaurants, increased security and greatly reduced crime rates, and of course the best of natural beauty. What places should you therefore make a point of visiting as you travel Viet Nam?

Well, for starters you can take tours of the country’s two most prominent cities i.e. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi. The former is a cosmopolitan metropolis where the lifestyle is new, fast and engaging. Hanoi, the capital, is rather composed and creates a picture of richer artistry and intellect, well complemented by the surrounding lakes often covered by mist, a plethora of colonial buildings, and a much cooler type of weather.

There is certainly no shortage of lovely oceanfront and beaches in this country. Among the most popular of these are Da Nang, the picturesque village of Hoi An, Nha Thang close to the Ana Mandara resort, the tranquil resort of Phan Thiet near Mui Ne Beach, and Phu Quoc Island a short distance from Cambodia.

For many tourists, travel Viet Nam has surely been enjoyed after a visit to the Mekong Delta near Ho Chi Minh City. Here there is plenty of natural beauty to enjoy and this features lengthy rivers and canals, dense green jungles, and many fishermen’s shacks. While here it is worth visiting the Can Tho marketplace and the riverfront retreat of Victoria Can Tho.

You can also travel further afield to the mountainous retreat of Dalat which is amidst tea plantations and lakes, and Halong Bay where you can behold towering limestone islets standing tall from their deep foundations in the turquoise sea waters.