Historical Monuments in Hue

 

Hue is a representation of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire in the early 19th century. The place’s monuments recognized by UNESCO only show an intact and well defended capital city in a form of its architecture, urban planning and construction.

With a deep history popular around the world, Vietnam has become one of the main tourist destinations for its historic monuments. The country’s monuments acclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are particularly located in Hue city, which is as equally famous as other cities for its breathtaking travel destinations.

Hue is located in central Vietnam,  between two huge and well known cities, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and Hanoi. It is approximately 1100 km north from Hồ Chí Minh City, the largest city of Vietnam and 700 km from the south of Hanoi.

Today, Hue is a representation of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire in the early 19th century. The place’s monuments recognized by UNESCO only show an intact and well defended capital city in a form of its architecture, urban planning and construction. For these historical monuments, it is also recognized as one of the best travel destinations in Vietnam.

Part of the complex of historic monuments, Hue’s prime attractions, is the Imperial Citadel. The citadel is the courtyard of Ngo Mon, the entrance of the city from the south. One of the more peaceful area in Vietnam due to its size, the citadel is a mixed of different historical buildings educating tourist about art and costumes from different Vietnam historical periods.

Not very far from the courtyard is the Ngọ Môn. As mentioned earlier, it is the southern entrance of Hue. It is believed to be reserved only for the emperor’s use and was the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. While other officials were then not allowed inside the citadel, the Emperor addressed them at the top of the Ngọ Môn gate.

Another palace included inside the complex of monuments is Thái Hòa Palace. It was the emperor's coronation hall and also the space where the emperor received foreign guest particularly dignitaries.

Famous in movies, the Forbidden Purple City can also be seen in Hue. It is located at the rear area of the Thai Hoa Palace. Little is left of the Forbidden Purple City because it was destroyed in 1968. Nevertheless, more tourist still visit the place because of its history as articulated in the remains of the Mandarin Palaces located on both sides of the area.

Tourists who are fond of historical insights such as these may get a hand full while visiting the historic monuments of Hue.

Japanese Bridge - Chua Cau in Hoi An

Japanese bridge was probably built in the early 17th century. It is also known as the Pagoda Bridge (Chua Cau), was built by Japanese craftsmen who were part of a huger community of Japanese merchants, operated in Hoi An.

Japanese bridges have had a reputation for their pure beauty of being graceful curves and the inspiration from Zen spirit for a long time. It’s no doubt that the most well-known bridge of this kind in Vietnam culture travel is the one in Hoi An – the historic riverside town in the Central Part.

Travelling to Vietnam knows further that Japanese settled in this town in large numbers following a treaty with local Nguyen lords signed in the early 1600s. Hoi An at that time was underdeveloped, but the Japanese envisioned transforming the town into a great trading center. The Nguyen Lords allowed the Japanese to build  streets, pagodas, and other infrastructure, along with housing for the merchants. The bridge is one of a handful of architectural treasures still extant from that era.

The bridge doubles the same as a temple, with shrines to lots of deities situated inside. One theory of the bridge's religious purpose is that it was constructed to subdue a world-spanning 'mamazu' dragon monster, whose head was situated in India and its tail in Japan. The movement of the tail was believed to cause earthquakes in Japan. As Vietnam was located in the area of

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem lake (or Lake of the Restored Sword) was once a part of the Red river. Throughout thousands of years of geographical changes, the lake moved eastward to its present position kilometers from the river. Before the well-known historical legend of King Le Loi here, Hoan Kiem Lake used to be known as Luc Thuy Lake (or Green Water Lake) since the water was green all the year round. In fifteenth century, it was named Hoan Kiem Lake after the legend of Emperor Le Thai To, which is somehow like the story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's.

At present, Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous historical and legendary beauty-spot, many tourists who travel to Vietnam, don't miss the chance to visit this lake. It is eternal for good as an evidence of a fairy & heroic Hanoi during the past wars, and a romantic & charming Hanoi of Today!

Turning back time to the Le Dynasty 6 centuries ago to witness the legendary story. Throughout the war against the Minh aggressors, King Le Thai To was given a precious fairy Sword by the Golden Turtle God. After 10 years of continuous struggling, the King finally defeated the Chinese and reclaimed the nation’s independence. On a nice day, while boating on lake Luc Thuy, a big turtle came towards him.

It immediately grabbed the sword with its mouth and submerged. The king mourned the lost of such a valuable sword, yet could not find either the turtle or the sword. He realized that the God must have lent him the sword to drive back the enemy, but then that his nation was free, the sword must be returned. Therefore, King Le Thai To named the lake Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Restore Sword after this episode. 

Since the reign of King Le Trung Hung (XVI century), every King in the Le dynasty, and Lord Trinh have all contributed to the beauty of the lake. Lord Trinh Giang built Khanh Thuy shrine on Ngoc island on the north end of the lake. He also had the two man made hills built across from Ngoc son Shrine. At the end of the Le Dynasty, Khanh Thuy was toppled by Chieu Thong. A philanthropist named Tin Trai built Ngoc Son pagoda, which was renamed into Ngoc Son shrine during the reign of Thieu Tri III (1843) as it was no longer a Buddhist shrine. Instead, it became  a shrine of Van Xuong, a deity, in charge of literature and the various tests required to become a Mandarin. It has also been a shrine of General Tran Hung Dao, a national Hero who secured numerous victories against the Mongols.

Hence, Hoan Kiem Lake is now situated inside a complex of Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower in the surroundings, making a sparkling colorful natural picture! Ngoc Son has undergone a lot of renovations, one among which was the addition of Thap But (translated as Pen Tower) on its hill, which was once called Dao Tai. Three words were inscribed on the tower: "Ta Thien Thanh" or "write on blue sky". Inside the gate a pool resembling the shape of an ink well was added. Beyond the ink well is The Huc bridge, which means "where the sun light is absorbed". The bridge leads to Dac Nguyet Lau (or "Moon Light tower") - Ngoc Son shrine. Beyond the gates to the shrine, there are two walls called bang Rong and bang Ho (dragon and tiger slate), where the names of those who passed the national test were inscribed.

What could not be missed in this beautiful complex is the Turtle Tower, which lies in the middle of the Lake, so as to remind Vietnamese people of the Turtle God of his great assistance. It was told that King Le Thanh Tong used to fish here. Lord Trinh also was built the structure to house his entourage when visiting the lake.