Imperial Citadel in Hue
After leaving the beautiful Halong Bay we headed onto Hue via Hanoi Airport. We encountered one of our first transport problems as I had not organised a taxi pickup from Hue Airport to the Hotel and had decided to use the shuttle bus instead as there were zero taxis at the airport. The problem here was that instead of dropping everyone off in the centre of Hue, or even making a few stops along the hotel strips – the bus driver dropped everyone off in the middle of nowhere. As soon as we all got off and looked around lost and confused a swarm of taxi drivers and motos popped out and started to harass everyone. We attempted to find our way into the main district using our map but ended up giving up and getting into a Mai Linh taxi that hadn’t harassed us yet. Beware the Hue shuttle bus!
Onto Hue itself, I really don’t think I can give the best overview of a regular tourist visit to Hue. Not only did the weather reach extreme heat & humidity, my friend & I both fell sick at the same time. Half of our time in Hue ended up being spent in our hotel room sweating and feeling sorry for ourselves, the remaining time we spent walking around in the heat feeling sorry for ourselves. This was such a pity as I think Hue would have been a highlight. One afternoon we managed to tear ourselves away from the airconditioning and beds to explore the markets and Imperial Citadel.
The Imperial Citadel is huge, and loaded with temples. You could spend half a day here - there is so much to see and it is also a nice peaceful break from all the touts and motos. There are numerous halls, ponds, courtyards, emperor residences, pavillions all surrounded by the citadel walls & moat. A number of the buildings are ruins, overgrown or simply empty fields, evidence of damage from the War. However what is left is still absolutely beautiful and worth a visit for all the elaborate designs adorning the buildings.
Besides our short trip to the Citadel, Markets and a short walk along the Perfume River we did not manage much at all during our stay at Hue (so disappointed we weren't able to see all the tombs!) We finished our time there with a few drinks at the DMZ Bar before bidding adieu to the wonderful Orchid Hotel (great place) and heading off with a driver to do the trip from Hue – Hoi An. We booked our driver through Orchid Hotel and highly recommend using them.
Through the grime..
and the garbage...
comes the beautiful Hue Citadel
Imperial Citadel in Hue - decorating for an upcoming festival
Imperial Citadel in Hue - beautiful ornamental inlay
Imperial Citadel in Hue
Imperial Citadel in Hue
Imperial Citadel in Hue
A tourist trying on the royal robes
DMZ Bar in Hue
Cost: From $35USD per night, inc breakfast.
Web: www.orchidhotel.com.vn
Address: 30A Chu Van An St, Hue
Phone: (84-54) 383 1177
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