Over View
Huế is a city in central Vietnam that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater.<br />
Dragon boats ply the Sông Hương River, dubbed the Perfume River for the fragrant flowers that drop into it from nearby orchards each fall. To the south lie 7 imperial tombs, including the Tomb of Tu Duc, with a lotus-filled lake and pavilion. Another significant site, Thien Mu Pagoda, dates to 1601 and contains a monastic complex and 12 wooden sculptures of the temple’s fearsome guardians. Other diversions include bustling Dong Ba Market and eateries serving local dishes such as bun bo, a spicy beef noodle soup.<br />