Hue - Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty

Our flight into Hue doesn’t arrive until 8:30 pm. Our guide for this portion of the trip, Chanh (a.k.a Cha-Cha), is waiting for us. It’s a short 20 minute drive to Hotel Saigon Morin. It is a delightful hotel, originally built in 1901. According to the history provided, like many buildings during the war years and immediately thereafter it ran into disrepair, but there was an extensive renovation and it reopened in 1997.

​Although it is late we are a little hungry and thirsty. We walk 6 blocks to the DMZ Bar, which was recommended by our guide. It is decorated with war memorabilia and they are playing music from the era of the Vietnam-American War. The bar and restaurant seems to be a favorite of adults of all ages.

​As we walk back to the hotel we pass by many young people on their way to the bars and restaurants or eating at the assorted street vendors. Some people are strolling along the Perfume River. We later find out that Hue is a college town, which helps explain a lot about our experience.

Thursday morning begins with a very nice buffet breakfast at the hotel then we check out. Cha Cha gives us a little overview of the town as we drive the short distance to the Imperial City.

​The Imperial City was built by the Nguyen Dynasty which ruled from Hue for over 100 years. The last Emperor abdicated in 1945, the same timing as the communist government setup by Ho Chi Minh. The flag tower of the Citadel welcomes us, then we walk through Noon Gate. From there we meander through the remaining and restored buildings of the Imperial City and it’s interior Purple City, which only the Emperor, his wives and children, female servants and eunuchs were allowed to enter.

​There are probably a dozen buildings still standing and restored. Most of the Imperial City which contained well over 100 buildings was destroyed during the battles with the French in 1947 and then the Tet Offensive in 1968 during the American-Vietnam War. Such a pity! It makes me think about all the historical buildings and artifacts that were destroyed over the past few years in Syria.

​As we leave the Imperial City we tell Cha Cha that we are ready for a coffee. The driver drops us off at a very local place outside of our next stop, the Da Bang Market. We sit on plastic stools and chairs as they bring our drinks including a sugar cane juice for Jim.  He declares it to be very good.

Although the market experience is fresh on our minds it is now lunch time. We’re taken to a restaurant which was part of the royal residences. It seems to cater to tour groups and provides a multi-course meal of Vietnamese dishes. Some people in our group eye the french fries being served to another tour group. During lunch we discuss that we really like Hue. It is smaller, clean, and although it still has the motorbikes they are not nearly as dense as in Hanoi. We regret that we only have one night (perhaps 8 awaking hours) in this city.

​Following lunch we begin the drive to Hoi An, 130 km away. There is a lagoon, a beautiful bay and some mountainous roads until we reach Da Nang, a growing, modern city. It has miles of beaches with many, many resorts - perhaps the Miami Beach of Vietnam.

​At last we arrive in Hoi An and the Le Pavilion Resort. We have a large room with a private balcony. An interesting feature is the bath/shower which has a glass window to the bedroom. Thank goodness it also has a pull down shade. The group is tired and we opt for happy hour at the bar and a simple meal at the resort restaurant before retiring.