The Cultural Heritage of Hue

Hue is one of the few ancient capital city of the world that maintains today a cultural heritage of national and international importance. On making Hue capital of Viet Nam early in the 19th century, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945) had constructed here a complete urban complex in which the Perfume River took a vital role.

Fortifications and palaces, where the Court held office and the Royal family lived, are built on the north bank of the river. Here exist 3 walled enclosures and hundreds of palaces and buildings.

Toward the south bank of the river is the Royal burial area studded with the Nam Giao Esplanade (where Emperors offered sacrifices to God), Royal Arena (for combats of elephants and tigers), Temple of Letters (with 32 stone stoles bearing lists of doctors), Temple of the Jade Cup (dedicated to a Goddess) and several other well-known beauty-spots.

Pagodas 'and houses with gardens are also part of the specific architecture of this representative Oriental city.

All types of monuments of Hue are in sublime harmony with nature.

The ancient capital city also has a museum, known as the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts, which displays and preserves thousands of antiquities from the Nguyen times.

During their stay in Hue, tourists can enjoy court dances; listen to Hue classical music on a boat-ride, take part in traditional festivals and come into contact with customes and habits of the Hue courteous, mild and quiet people.

Both life and landscape here are poetical, bringing self-confidence and worriless ness to everybody. It is Hue that was valuated in 1981 by Mr. Amadou-Mahtar-M'Bow, the then Director General of UNESCO as "a masterpiece of urban poetry".