If you’ve ever been to Hue, Vietnam, you will undoubtedly be amazed by the vast tombs adorned with gold leaf paintings and exquisite carvings of the Nguyen kings. For generations, the people of Hue have always valued their graves when it comes to departing for the eternal realm, to entrust both their physical and spiritual selves. Those in their twilight years in Hue will consider finding a piece of land, often in a high and prominent location, to erect tombs for their descendants when they depart to the other world. And to “admire” the most majestic cemetery in Hue, I invite you to join me in An Bang village.

Located about 36 km from the city of Hue, along the coast, there is a famous fishing village that has attracted many visitors for years despite not being a tourist destination. An Bang village, part of Vinh An commune, Phu Vang district, is known as the “city of tombs” or the “ghost city of An Bang” with its “super tombs”. My village borders An Bang village, so every time I accompany my father back to our ancestral home, I have the opportunity to pass by this cemetery. Sometimes I stop for a long time to admire the majestic tombs resembling castles, intricately crafted no less than the royal tombs. Wandering through the narrow paths amidst the vast realm of the “others,” I never feel any sense of creepiness or chilliness; instead, I feel amazed and curious.

This place is considered the most luxurious cemetery in Vietnam, with thousands of tombs of various colors and sizes. Some tomb areas are estimated to be worth billions of Vietnamese dong

Lost in the maze

The An Bang Cemetery spans about 40,000 square meters, stretching towards the sea. To date, there are over a thousand tombs ranging from 40 to 400 square meters, with gates towering up to 7-8 meters high. Even the skilled artisans who specialize in building tombs here cannot recall the exact number. The construction cost for each tomb ranges from hundreds of millions to billions of Vietnamese dong, with some costing nearly tens of billions. Some tombs are built, only to be demolished several years later to construct larger ones, each new construction surpassing the grandeur of its predecessor. Dense and overlapping, closely linked one after another, the tombs in various colors and shapes sprawl across the sandy hills, making one feel as if stepping into a profound and mysterious land.

An Bang village, located in Vinh An commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province, is a place known by many as the “City of Tombs” or the “Ghost City.

How to get to the “City of Tombs”?

From the city of Hue, there are two directions to reach An Bang village:

  • Taking National Highway 49: From Hue, follow National Highway 49 towards Thuan An Beach, then continue along the coastal road for about 30 km to Vinh An commune. Upon arrival, you can ask locals for directions to the cemetery.
  • Heading towards Da Nang: From Hue, travel in the direction of Da Nang for approximately 16 km until you reach Thuy Phu commune. At the intersection with Hue bypass road, turn left towards Truong Ha Bridge. After crossing Truong Ha Bridge, turn right into Vinh An commune. From here, you can ask locals for directions to the cemetery.

Additionally, for the convenience of visiting the City of Tombs as well as other famous tourist spots in Hue, a motorbike tour is a perfect choice. With the motorbike tour service in Hue provided by DanangMotorbikeAdventure.com, you can have the best experiences. Book a motorbike tour from Hue to Hoi An today to explore the An Bang cemetery in the most comprehensive way.

Diverse Tomb Architecture

The unique feature of the tomb village lies not only in the scale of the tombs but also in the diverse architectural styles ranging from Buddhist, Christian, to Confucian influences… incorporating distinctive architectural features of tombs in Hue, creatively crafted by artisans according to the wishes of the tomb owners.

The wheel of dharma and Buddhist symbols on a tomb
The tomb in the style of Christianity includes a statue of the Virgin Mary
Another tomb with a modern style

In the past, the motifs of the four sacred animals like dragon, unicorn, tortoise, and phoenix were reserved only for kings and emperors, but now you can see them on many tombs here. On the stone steps, these mythical creatures exude both majesty and bravery as they guard the tombs. On the pillars, dragons and phoenixes coil and soar as if flying across the deep blue sky.

Guardian mythical creatures watch over the tombs

There are also sentimental landscape paintings. It seems that the living wish to offer the whole world to the departed. These meticulously crafted ceramic tiles, adorned with various colors, are intricately cut and embossed to form images.

The intricate patterns, intricate carvings, are exquisitely detailed

Do you think this is the resting place of the deceased?

With its towering triple gate, panoramic view pavilions, spacious courtyard, and serene rock gardens serving as decorative screens… it’s no different from a noble residence. The closely clustered tombs next to residential houses sometimes make it difficult to distinguish between tombs and shrines.

The path leading to the tomb.
The pillars resemble those of royal tombs

In addition to this unique cemetery, An Bang also boasts numerous grand ancestral temples. Along the concrete paths weaving through each small neighborhood, it’s easy to come across ancestral temples with closed gates, high walls, only opening during important ancestral anniversaries, and the scent of incense.

An ancestral temple within the village

Hue, Vietnam is a treasure trove of unique experiences, the more you explore, the more you discover. When visiting Hue, make sure to stop by An Bang village to learn more about this piece of the ancient capital. And don’t forget to utilize the private car rental service with drivers in Hue offered by DanangPrivateCar.com for unforgettable experiences.

With proper arrangement in your one-day travel experience in Hue, you still have enough time to explore all the fascinating attractions and ‘sweep through’ the must-try delicacies in the land of Hue. Let’s refer to the following shares!

Means of transportation in the city in the one-day travel experience in Hue

As the time in Hue is only 24 hours, travelers should choose transportation that is fast, convenient, easy to move around, and allows for flexibility in time. According to the experience of a one-day trip to Hue, you can consider the following 3 popular transportation options:

  • Calling a taxi: For travelers with friends or family ranging from 4 to 5 people, taxi is a safe and quick means of transportation that saves both travel time and costs.
  • Renting a motorbike: According to the one-day trip experience in Hue, motorbikes are budget-friendly (only about 100,000 VND/day/bike) and allow you to visit many destinations of your choice. Especially, wandering around on a motorbike to explore the land of Hue will surely leave you with more memories, don’t you think? Furthermore, if you’re unsure about your motorbike riding skills but still want to explore Hue by motorbike, you can book a motorbike tour in Hue with DanangMotorbikeAdventure.com.
  • Private car service: This is the most preferred option by many international travelers. With the private car service with a local driver in Hue from DanangPrivateCar.com’s, you will have the best trip with a pre-arranged itinerary, affordable prices, no additional waiting charges, and a team of local drivers to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
You can choose a motorbike or a private car for your one-day trip to Hue

What to prepare for a one-day trip to Hue?

If you only have one day in the Imperial City, you won’t need to bring a lot of luggage, just pack the essentials. According to the experience of a one-day trip to Hue, you should only carry a backpack and pack the necessary items below, leaving behind the worries of work and life pressures to embark on an adventure to this magical land.

  • Clothing: Travelers should choose decent and modest clothing as you will visit places like the Imperial Tomb, pagodas, etc.
  • Sunscreen and sunblock cream: If you visit Hue during the dry season, the midday sun can be quite hot. Therefore, to protect your skin from sunburn, remember to wear sunscreen and apply sunblock cream!
In the one-day travel experience in Hue, it is advisable to choose modest attire
  • Sneakers: Since you only have 24 hours in Hue, you’ll make the most of your time exploring everywhere. Therefore, a comfortable pair of sneakers will be an ideal choice to avoid foot pain.
  • Personal documents: If you rent a motorbike, you’ll need to leave your ID card or passport, so don’t forget to bring them along.
  • Cash: You should carry some cash to pay for things like entrance tickets, meals, etc.

Can’t-miss destinations in the Imperial City in the one-day travel experience in Hue

Hue Imperial Citadel – The tourist symbol of Hue

The Hue Imperial Citadel is not only an important historical relic in Hue but also recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. This complex includes hundreds of large and small architectural works, including Ngo Mon Gate, Ky Dai, Kien Trung Palace, Thai Hoa Palace, Dien Tho Palace, Thai Binh Lau, and Can Chanh Palace.

According to the one-day travel experience in Hue, the Hue Imperial Citadel opens for visitors from 7 a.m., so tourists should visit early in the morning to admire the magnificent and majestic palace. This is the place that has witnessed many ups and downs in the history of our country.

  • Estimated sightseeing time: 1 – 3 hours
  • Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person
  • Opening hours: Summer: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Winter: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thien Mu Pagoda – A sacred place

After exploring the Hue Imperial Citadel, tourists should quickly visit Thien Mu Pagoda in the morning. According to the one-day travel experience in Hue, since both places are on the same route, only 4km apart, it is very convenient to move between them. Thien Mu Pagoda is located next to the romantic Perfume River, with the Ngự Bình mountain in the distance, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible. Not only impressed by the romantic scenery, many tourists also marvel at the ancient architectural style through the stone turtle statue, or the 7-story Phuoc Duyen tower…

  • Opening hours: early morning until 5 p.m.
  • Parking fee: 5,000 VND

Khai Dinh Tomb

If there is still time, tourists can visit Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial place of the 12th emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, about 10km from the city center, about 20 minutes’ drive. The tomb was built over 11 years (1920 – 1931), spanning 2 reigns of emperors Khai Dinh and Bao Dai. According to the one-day travel experience in Hue, although Khai Dinh Tomb is smaller than other tombs, it boasts a unique design and took a lot of time to construct.

  • Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Entrance fee: 150,000 VND

Experience Hue in one day at Dong Ba Market and Truong Tien Bridge

At the end of the afternoon sightseeing trip, tourists can visit Dong Ba Market. According to the one-day travel experience in Hue, this market has been a trading point for a long time and offers a wide range of goods for shopping or enjoying Hue cuisine. Some delicious dishes you shouldn’t miss at Dong Ba Market are Bun Bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup), banh beo (water fern cake), banh nam loc (steamed flat rice dumpling)…

Dong Ba Market

After exploring the culinary delights at Dong Ba Market, you should head to Truong Tien Bridge. Here, you can immerse yourself in the beautiful twilight scenery, capturing beautiful moments with friends and family.

Delicious dishes in the magical land in the one-day travel experience in Hue

Hue Beef Noodle Soup – One-day travel experience in Hue

Being in Hue without trying the famous Hue beef noodle soup would truly be regrettable. The one-day travel experience in Hue will introduce tourists to a noodle shop called “Quán mệ Kéo”, which has been around for 70 years and is very familiar to the locals. The shop has a unique self-service style, combined with rich flavors and naturally sweet broth, ensuring a quality breakfast stop.

Hue beef noodle soup – the quintessence of Hue cuisine.
  • Address: 20 Bach Dang Street, Phu Cat Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province
  • Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Price: ranging from 20,000 VND to 40,000 VND

Com Hen (baby basket clams rice)

In the one-day travel experience in Hue, when you arrive in Hue, you should not miss the specialty dish called baby clam rice. Tourists can find this dish in any restaurant or eatery in Hue. According to folklore, baby clam rice was once presented to King Thanh Thai by Madame Nguyen Thi Thep. After trying it, the king loved it, so it became a royal dish. At lunchtime, tourists can visit: Hoa Dong baby clam rice at 64 Lane 7 Ung Binh, or Bà Cam baby clam rice at 49 Tung Thien Vuong… to enjoy this specialty dish.

Go to Con Hen to eat mussel rice

Hue Sweet Soup

In the evening, you can enjoy this excellent dessert, Hue sweet soup. In Hue’s eateries, the sweet soup menu is diverse and abundant, including refreshing lotus seed sweet soup, rich and colorful mixed bean sweet soup, or the unique roast pork clear dumpling sweet soup… in some alley with a price of only 8,000 VND per cup.

Above are the extremely detailed one-day travel experiences in Hue shared by DanangPrivateCar.com for your reference. Wishing you a very enjoyable and wonderful trip.

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is currently a destination that attracts a lot of attention from tourists. The ancient beauty and the hospitality of the locals here have sparked curiosity and admiration in many people. If you’re still curious, why not join DanangPrivateCar.com’s to find the answers?

Overview of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

The entrance fee to visit the village is free, but if you want to enter and take photos in the garden houses, it’s advisable to pay a fee of 50,000 VND per person to the homeowners.

The management board of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village provides bicycle rental service at a price of 20,000 VND per bike so that tourists can conveniently explore the village.

The gate leading to Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is located 40 km north of the center of Hue City, displaying the pristine beauty of a Vietnamese rural village. The village is surrounded by the gentle and clear O Lau River. According to historical records, Phuoc Tich Village was founded in 1479 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong and covers an area of ​​approximately 49 hectares. This is also a destination that many young people prioritize in their independent exploration itinerary of Hue due to the unique value that Phuoc Tich Ancient Village brings.

In 2009, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village became the second village to be recognized as a national heritage of Vietnam. With the advantage of a dense complex of ancient houses, intricately carved wooden details, historical relics, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, and interconnected green tree-lined roads, all deeply reflect the religious beliefs of the people of Hue.

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village embodies the simple beauty of Central Vietnam

Currently, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village offers 9 types of services including house visits, accommodation, cuisine, bicycles, pottery craft demonstrations, etc., so you can freely explore and learn about Phuoc Tich Ancient Village. The local people here are very enthusiastic and hospitable, tour guides and services are attentive, meeting the needs of cultural exchange, helping you understand the local culture. Therefore, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for tourists who love to explore Hue.

The cultural beauty preserved in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

Another special feature is the presence of traditional crafts such as the famous pottery craft that has been around for over 500 years with straw-fired firing techniques, creating renowned products. Therefore, when you come to Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, you will discover and experience a peaceful life of a tranquil, friendly countryside.

The roads in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village always bring about a peaceful atmosphere

How to get to Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is located 35 km from the center of Hue City, taking about 40 minutes to travel, so you can rent a motorbike tour in Hue, hire a private car in Hue, or take a taxi to get here.

Explore by bicycle and experience the ancient beauty of Phuoc Tich Ancient VillageExplore by bicycle and experience the ancient beauty of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village
Explore by bicycle and experience the ancient beauty of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

From Hue, you follow National Highway 1A northward for about 40 km, until you reach near My Chanh Bridge (in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province), then turn right onto National Highway 49B and drive about 1 km across the bridge over the O Lau River to reach Phuoc Tich Ancient Village.

To maintain its close and simple beauty, tourists visiting Phuoc Tich Ancient Village usually walk or rent bicycles and follow the guidance of tour guides.

Exploring Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

Visiting Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

In its early days, this village was named Phuc Giang. It wasn’t until the reign of King Gia Long that the village was renamed Phuoc Tich as it is known today, with the desire that the villagers would accumulate many blessings to pass down to future generations. True to its name’s meaning, generations of people in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village have upheld the traditions left by their ancestors. From one generation to the next, they are always ready to labor and create, contributing to the great values ​​of the rural village.

The unique architecture of ancient Vietnam

The unique architecture, cultural characteristics of family lineages, neighborhoods, and craft villages in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village have created a cultural beauty typical of the Central region.

The enduring beauty over the years

Another special feature that makes Phuoc Tich Ancient Village remarkable is the spaces of ancient houses and traditional garden houses arranged in three clusters. Additionally, there are characteristic Hue-style houses designed in the 3-section 2-wing layout.

The fascinating thing about the ancient houses in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is that they seem to have been planned beforehand. Each house has a spacious garden separated by straight rows of tea bushes. These ancient houses are all over 100 years old, intricately carved with exquisite, captivating patterns.

The preserved architecture with a lifespan of over 100 years

In addition to the venerable moss-covered ancient houses, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village also offers visitors the opportunity to admire many ancient ancestral worship constructions, most notably the Cây Thị Shrine, also known as Miếu Bà, considered a sacred place of worship for the villagers.

Alongside the unique ancient houses and solemn ancestral worship constructions, Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is also home to an extremely distinctive traditional pottery craft.

The traditional pottery craft passed down through generations

Products created from the traditional pottery craft of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village have long been cherished offerings to the Nguyen dynasty kings. Phuoc Tich pottery is renowned for its durability, smoothness, and sophistication, all handmade and fired in charcoal kilns or updraft kilns.

Furthermore, within Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, there is the Hiển Linh Temple with a more than 500-year-old fig tree and traces of Cham religious beliefs, represented by the Yoni symbol.

Many tourists often visit this place because of the sacred and ancient atmosphere it offers

And a place you cannot miss in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is the fragrant lotus pond of the village. Meticulously cared for by the villagers, the white lotus flowers with their light, pleasant fragrance enhance the ancient beauty of the entire village. This is also a sought-after check-in spot for the young generation in Hue.

Visiting Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, besides admiring its simple beauty and learning about the village, you also get to enjoy the local cuisine with familiar flavors that take you back to days gone by.

Some other images of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village

The serene and ancient beauty of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village
You’ll undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the tranquil serenity of the village
You will feel comfortable and peaceful with the tranquility that the village brings
Phuoc Tich Ancient Village looks gentle and beautiful on an early morning.
The village doesn’t use fences to separate, instead, it has rows of lush green tea trees
The Thị Tree(The gold apple tree) Shrine is sacred, and the fig tree is over 500 years old

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is peaceful and friendly, making it an ideal place for you to visit when you’re tired of the noisy and chaotic city. With its ancient beauty spanning hundreds of years and the interesting experiences the village offers, it will surely create beautiful memories during your trip to Hue.

Thuy Bieu Village exudes ancient beauty hidden amidst the hustle and bustle of Hue city. This is a tourist attraction that attracts the interest of many foreign visitors who want to experience the nostalgic charm and unique experiences that are hard to come by in ancient villages. Today, let’s visit Thuy Bieu Village with DanangPrivateCar.com’s to explore what interesting things this ancient village in Hue has to offer!

Some information about Thuy Bieu Village

Thuy Bieu Village is an ancient village, not too large in size, located about 5km from the center of Hue city. The special feature of the village is its rustic and simple scenery, not overly cemented, thus retaining many familiar images of old Vietnamese villages. Thuy Bieu Village is surrounded by many famous attractions such as the Perfume River – the symbol of Hue, and the renowned Vong Canh Hill.

Thuy Bieu can be roughly understood in Chinese as a water-containing vessel. The name is inspired by the image of the village nestled within the embrace of the Perfume River, creating an incredibly impressive, picturesque, tranquil, and beautiful landscape.

Thuy Bieu Village stands out with its tea orchards enveloping the surroundings, bringing an incredibly impressive beauty to tourists

Due to its strategic location, Thuy Bieu Village is a familiar destination for many tourists who want to admire its ancient beauty and experience the daily life here. Thuy Bieu Village is close to many famous scenic spots with traditional ancient beauty such as Vong Canh Hill, Tu Duc Tomb, Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda, and the extremely sacred Thien Mu Pagoda. Therefore, you can combine it with many other attractive attractions to have a complete itinerary to explore the full beauty of the traditional culture of Hue while saving time and energy!

In addition to the unique beauty of Thuy Bieu Village, you also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious, juicy tea fruits grown here. It can be said that tea is a symbol of this village. Besides exploring the ancient beauty to your heart’s content, enjoying tea in the village is also an experience worth trying.

Thuy Bieu Village – A place preserving and conserving many ancient treasures.

Tiger Fighting Arena, Elephant Shelter – architectural works from the Nguyen Dynasty era.

In addition to the peaceful natural scenery, Thuy Bieu Village also preserves many unique architectural works from our ancestors. A notable example is the Tiger Fighting Arena, Elephant Shelter, which was once illustrious during the reign of the Nguyen kings. Although some details have eroded over time, when you visit today, you can still feel the fierceness and fervor of the ancient fighters. This is an extremely interesting attraction that helps you understand more about the pastime of ancient kings and the stories surrounding it.

This ancient architectural marvel has now become a famous tourist attraction in Hue

Ancient Houses in Thuy Bieu Village

In addition to the prominent architectural works, Thuy Bieu Village is also appealing because of its ancient small houses from ancient times. Each house stands out with its nostalgic beauty, bearing many historical imprints accumulated over hundreds of years.

The ancient houses in Thuy Bieu Village with their vintage designs are still preserved intact over time

The types of ancient houses in Thuy Bieu Village stand out with structures consisting of many beams and pillars, without partitions. Most of the ancient houses in the village are adorned and accentuated with intricate relief sculptures by skilled craftsmen of the past.

Enjoying the delicious and enchanting tea fruits in Thuy Bieu Village

After wandering around and exploring all of Thuy Bieu Village, you should immediately indulge in the fruit closely associated with the reputation of this ancient village. That fruit is none other than the tea fruit. Perhaps due to the soil in the village being very suitable for tea trees, when you taste it, you will feel a very delicious, especially sweet and juicy flavor.

The Thanh Tra Fruit Festival in 2018 was organized regularly to help promote tea fruit products to a larger number of tourists

Especially, in each tea fruit blooming season, Thuy Bieu Village is covered by a very unique and rare beauty. In spring, when the tea flowers bloom pure white and emit a fragrant aroma, this scent lingers and captivates anyone who visits, making every traveler curious. Then, in summer, the tea fruits officially ripen, each fruit is proportionally sized, has a beautiful green color, and is very firm. So if you have the opportunity to visit Thuy Bieu Village in the summer, you will see tea fruits being sold everywhere in the village, don’t hesitate to buy them as gifts for your loved ones or friends! This will surely be a very meaningful and attractive gift.

Visit Thuy Bieu Village to experience the gentle rhythm of life, to feel the serene and nostalgic natural scenery. This is a place for tourists to return to, to learn about the roots, about the lives of our ancestors in the past. If you want to find a place with traditional beauty in Hue for enjoyable exploration, close to the city, and easy to reach, then Thuy Bieu Village is the top choice for you. Quickly note down this destination in your itinerary to explore Hue so you don’t forget to visit!

The Tiger Fighting Arena, which has endured for over 200 years, is one of the most magnificent, grand, and unique architectural structures in Asia. This remarkable arena still preserves its ancient architectural charm to this day, making it an ideal tourist destination when visiting Hue.

Introduction to Tiger Fighting Arena

With a history of construction and formation of over 200 years, Tiger Fighting Arena, located approximately 3km from the city center of Hue, is a point of interest with many unrevealed mysteries. Throughout its history, the Tiger Fighting Arena is considered a unique architectural marvel in Asia, built during the reign of King Minh Mang. It was once the site of many life-and-death battles between elephants and tigers. In your journey to explore the beauty of this region, you must not overlook the unique Tiger Fighting Arena here.

The Tiger Fighting Arena, the only one of its kind in Asia, has existed for over 200 years to date.

Directions to the Tiger Fighting Arena

As it is located in the city, you can easily get to the Tiger Fighting Arena by motorbike, taxi, or private car. If you prefer to explore independently, renting a motorbike in Hue is a good option. With a motorbike rental, you can freely explore many other places such as Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial City of Hue, etc. Additionally, if you enjoy riding a motorbike but cannot drive yourself, you can book the motorbike tour service in Hue from DanangMotorbikeAdventure.com. They are the leading provider of motorbike tour services in Hue.

The route to the Tiger Fighting Arena is quite easy to navigate

Furthermore, DanangPrivateCar.com’s private car service in Hue offers you a wonderful trip. With our private car service, it is suitable for families, groups of friends, first-time visitors to Vietnam, with a professional team of drivers with many years of experience ensuring your trip is safe and comfortable.

This architectural masterpiece has several remarkable features:

Exciting Battles at the Tiger Fighting Arena

According to historical records, for over 100 years, the Tiger Fighting Arena has been the venue for battles between two equally powerful species. During the Nguyen dynasty, elephants were seen as symbols of power and strength. Hence, the battles were held to honor the victorious elephants and bring glory to the dynasty. The king himself organized and controlled these battles. For the people of that time, the matches served not only as entertainment but also as a source of inspiration for martial prowess.

This ancient architectural marvel has now become a famous tourist attraction in Hue

The final battle took place under the reign of King Thanh Thai in 1904. This was an extremely thrilling and engaging event, attended by a large number of people and remembered vividly. Built with significant purpose and meaning, over the years, the Tiger Fighting Arena has been considered one of the most unique architectural wonders in the world. While not comparable in scale to the Colosseum in Italy, the Tiger Fighting Arena was the first venue built specifically for battles between elephants and tigers.

Unique Architecture of the Arena

The Tiger Fighting Arena boasts a distinctive architectural style that rivals any other structure. It is an open-air arena with a unique crescent-shaped structure built from brick. The inner and outer walls are 5.8 and 4.75 meters high respectively, with an average thickness of 4.5 meters. The outer wall is sloped in a pedestal-like structure and has tall wooden gates inscribed with the words “Hổ Quyền” (Tiger Fighting) on top. Five tiger pens were built opposite the grandstands.


With its unique architectural style, this destination is likened to a second Roman Colosseum in the world

After the war, the Tiger Fighting Arena fell into disrepair. However, it underwent restoration by the Hue Imperial Citadel Heritage Center in 2019. Despite ongoing renovations, the Tiger Fighting Arena remains a highly sought-after destination for adventurous travelers. Therefore, if you visit this region, be sure to explore this unparalleled Tiger Fighting Arena!

Some prominent images of the Tiger Fighting Arena

Many details of this architectural work are meticulously carved and meticulously arranged
The tiger pens, where the tigers participating in the fights are kept, are visible from the outside

Tourist attractions near the Tiger Fighting Arena in Hue

Voi Ré Palace

The Tiger Fighting Arena – Voi Ré site is evidence of the elephant team under the Nguyen dynasty. This architectural structure was used to worship the loyal elephants and was often ceremonially honored during the spring and autumn seasons each year. Voi Ré Palace is built in the “gate” style, with 17 steps leading up to the front gate.

Imperial City of Hue

The Imperial City of Hue is located 4km from the Tiger Fighting Arena. It is one of the most important constructions of the Nguyen dynasty, preserving unique and impressive architecture, reminiscent of the powerful feudal period in Vietnam.

Thuy Bieu Ecotourism Area

Thuy Bieu Ecotourism Area is about 3km from the Tiger Fighting Arena and is a destination for nature lovers. Coming to this rustic village in the heart of Hue city, you will immerse yourself in a peaceful, simple atmosphere, relaxing with herbal baths, cooking by yourself, and enjoying the specialties of the ancient capital.

Dong Khanh Tomb

Dong Khanh Tomb is approximately 4km from the Tiger Fighting Arena and is one of the famous tombs in Hue. The architectural structure was built, renovated, and supplemented over 35 years during the reigns of Kings Dong Khanh, Thanh Thai, Duy Tan, and finally completed under King Khai Dinh’s reign. Dong Khanh Tomb features many new and unique aspects, blending harmoniously between traditional artistic values and Western influences.

In addition to the Tiger Fighting Arena, you can conveniently explore many other famous landmarks such as Hon Chen Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, etc.

With a history spanning over 200 years, the Tiger Fighting Arena has become one of the greatest and most prominent architectural wonders in Asia. Despite its ups and downs, today, the Tiger Fighting Arena has evolved into an incredibly ideal tourist destination, attracting a large number of enthusiasts eager to explore its wonders from near and far. If you’re planning a trip to Hue in the near future, don’t forget to include the address of the Tiger Fighting Arena in your travel guide!

The city of Hue is a historical witness to the former glory of the Nguyen dynasty. One of the relics of the Nguyen dynasty that still exists to this day is the Ngo Mon Gate (Noon Gate). Let’s explore the beauty of this meaningful location together with DanangPrivateCar.com’s.

Some details about the architectural masterpiece – Ngo Mon Gate Hue

General introduction to Ngo Mon Gate Hue

Address: Phu Hau, Hue City

Opening hours:

  • Daytime from 5 am to 5 pm
  • Evening from 7 pm to 10 pm

Ticket prices:

  • Adults: 150,000 VND / person
  • Children: 30,000 VND / person and free for children under 6 years old

If you visit on special occasions such as Lunar New Year, Liberation Day of Hue, National Day, you will be exempt from the entrance fee (For international tourists, they still need to purchase tickets as usual).

Ngo Mon Gate Hue is a majestic architectural work located in the southern part of the Hue Imperial Citadel complex. The gate is not only meticulously crafted architecturally, but under the Nguyen dynasty, Ngo Mon Gate Hue carried an immensely significant mission. Ngo Mon Gate Hue is a ceremonial platform where many events of the Nguyen dynasty took place, as well as a gate exclusively reserved for the king and envoys whenever they traveled abroad.

Ngo Mon is one of the four main gates of the Hue Imperial City, belonging to the Nguyen dynasty heritage

Ngo Mon Gate Hue was built to replace Nam Khuyet Dai during the reign of King Minh Mang when the Nguyen dynasty reorganized the Hue Imperial Citadel.

Guide to getting to Ngo Mon Gate Hue

Ngo Mon Gate Hue is located within the Hue Imperial Citadel complex, near the city center of Hue, so it is very easy to get from the center to Ngo Mon Gate. Transportation options are diverse, but DanangPrivateCar.com’s recommends you choose a cyclo because the distance from the center to Ngo Mon Gate Hue is quite short and offers many beautiful landscapes. When traveling to Ngo Mon Gate, you will admire the scenery along the Perfume River, then pass through Bach Ho, and finally follow Quang Duc Road to reach Ngo Mon Gate Hue. Here you can also combine exploring the Hue Imperial City.

Furthermore, if you need a fast and safe means of transportation to visit other tourist spots in Hue quickly, DanangPrivateCar.com’s private car rental service with a driver in Hue will meet all your needs. With a team of professional drivers with many years of experience, your trip will be easier. Book a private car tour of the Hue city today.

Learn about the history of Ngo Mon Gate Hue

Ngo Mon Gate Hue is one of the architectural relics of the Nguyen dynasty. The construction was built in the 14th year of Minh Mang’s reign (1833), when the Nguyen dynasty reorganized the entire architectural layout of the Imperial Citadel. This location used to be Nam Khuyet Dai, built in the early Gia Long period, but later Nam Khuyet Dai was completely dissolved to make room for the construction of Ngo Mon Gate. According to Eastern Feng Shui beliefs, Ngo Mon Gate faces south, but in reality, it faces the direction of càn – tốn (Northwest – Southeast), which is the direction designated for the monarch.

When should you visit Ngo Mon Gate Hue throughout the year?

Ngo Mon Gate Hue is not just a historical architecture but also a witness closely associated with the ancient land that has gone through many ups and downs in history. Each season of the year, Ngo Mon Gate carries its own appearance and brings you different impressions. But perhaps there are two seasons that tourists love the most when visiting Ngo Mon Gate.

In spring

Spring in Hue lasts from January to March. Although not as vivid as in the northern provinces, when spring comes to Hue, it wears a very unique and poetic coat. In spring, if you have the opportunity to visit Hue, or more precisely, Ngo Mon Gate Hue, you will be immersed in the fresh, vibrant atmosphere of the ancient capital. Moreover, when standing on the Five Phoenix Pavilion and looking around, you will truly be surprised by the picturesque beauty here.

Ngo Mon Gate Hue during festival season

The magnificent beauty of Ngo Mon Gate during festivals

After spring comes the Festival Hue in around April to May. When exploring Hue during this season, you will truly be surprised by a very different Hue. Hue remains romantic, still beautiful but will add a bit of splendor and brilliance. The Festival Hue will take place at the Hue Imperial Citadel complex, and when visiting Ngo Mon Gate Hue in the evening, you will see its grandeur.

Explore the unique architectural style of Ngo Mon Gate Hue

The Platform of Ngo Mon Gate Hue

The platform – gate is the base of Ngo Mon Gate Hue. This part is a U-shaped platform about 5m high with 5 doors, including 3 main doors: Ngo Mon Gate located in the middle, usually reserved for the King, Tả Giáp Gate and Hữu Giáp Gate reserved for civil and military officials. In addition, there are 2 side doors of the U-shaped wings: Tả Dịch Gate and Hữu Dịch Gate for soldiers.

The platform – gate of Ngo Mon Gate Hue is built in the style of “three straight doors, two side doors”

The Five Phoenix Pavilion (Lau Ngu Phung)

Above the platform of Ngo Mon Gate Hue is the Five Phoenix Pavilion. The Five Phoenix Pavilion consists of 13 chambers tightly connected to each other to form 2 floors, with the upper floor smaller than the lower floor. The name Five Phoenix Pavilion actually originates from ancient legends, but this name partly reflects the beauty of the Five Phoenix Pavilion.

The Five Phoenix Pavilion of Ngo Mon Gate Hue has a unique two-story structure

The upper floor of the Five Phoenix Pavilion consists of 9 chambers seamlessly connected and covered with precious Hoang Luu Ly and Thanh Luu Ly tiles, so when viewed from a distance, Ngo Mon Gate Hue looks like a flock of phoenixes. In addition to its high aesthetic value, the Five Phoenix Pavilion is also the venue for important ceremonies of the Nguyen dynasty.

Experience visiting Ngo Mon Gate

  • To visit Ngo Mon Gate Hue, you need to buy tickets at the Dai Noi gate.
  • This is a solemn place so you should pay attention to your attire. It is advisable to wear formal, tidy clothes, avoid wearing excessively short clothes, crop tops, or sleeveless shirts. You can also wear traditional costumes for convenient photo opportunities.
  • Preserve the environment, maintain general cleanliness by not littering, or defacing architectural structures. Photography and filming are not allowed inside the inner sanctum.
  • During the months of April to May, the Hue Festival season attracts a large number of people. When participating, remember to keep your wallet and phone carefully.

Ngo Mon Hue is a symbol of the technical expertise and construction level during the Nguyen dynasty. Through the skillful use and harmonious coordination of various indigenous materials, artisans have created a sustainable structure for centuries, imbued with national identity, representing Vietnamese traditional architecture in general. Beyond the temporal factors, Ngo Mon has become a symbol of Hue, forever portraying the timeless beauty of the ancient capital.

If you have visited Hue but have never taken a dragon boat on the Perfume River, visited Thien Mu Pagoda, savored the imperial cuisine, and listened to Hue singing, then your journey is not yet complete. Don’t let your time in Hue go to waste, because along with the historical sites of the Nguyen Dynasty,exploring the Perfume River by dragon boat is also a unique experience in this ancient land. Let’s review how the dragon boat service on the Perfume River is, and check out the ticket prices beforehand.

A few words about the Dragon Boat service on the Perfume River in Hue – an interesting activity in the ancient capital of Hue.

When we mention Hue, we recall refined leisure activities because this was where 13 dynasties of Vietnamese Nguyen kings ruled and lived. Influenced by the lifestyle of the ancient kings, the people of Hue today also have an elegant lifestyle and refined leisure activities. Enjoying Hue Royal Tea, listening to Hue singing, or taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue are all familiar activities for the people of Hue.

The scenery of the Perfume River is ideal for leisurely excursions by dragon boat

While other cities are beginning to build large-scale entertainment areas, water parks on mountains, or luxurious hotels and resorts to attract tourists, Hue still retains its ancient beauty. The people of Hue continue their traditional tourism approach, which means providing tourists with experiences of local culture. Sitting on a dragon boat, admiring the scenery of the Perfume River, still holds a captivating and poetic charm.

Not only are tourists taken on a journey across Hue, but these dragon boats also offer them various unique emotional experiences. It’s the image of gentle Hue girls, softly singing with sweet voices, listening to deeply emotional Hue songs amidst the romantic scenery of Hue.

What are the places you will pass when taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue?

In the past, riding a dragon boat was usually reserved exclusively for kings, officials, and ancient Vietnamese court dignitaries. But now it has become a means of visiting the scenic spots along the Perfume River. These include Thien Mu Pagoda, the most sacred pagoda in Hue and also one of the iconic images of the city, or the Tomb of Tu Duc and the Tomb of Minh Mang, which are among the most grandiose tombs remaining. There is also the Hon Chen Palace, which is still associated with many mysterious legends.

The dragon boat carries tourists to visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda in the land of Hue

Depending on the type of ticket for the dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue, tourists will be taken to different destinations. It could be a single destination route or a multiple destination route. Tourists can choose to join a group for a cheaper option or rent an entire boat if they have enough people.

What experiences does taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue bring?

Exploring the beauty of the Perfume River at night

While Hue may be tranquil and subdued during the day, it adorns itself with a vibrant, sparkling attire at night. As dusk falls, you’ll feel the serene ambiance of the Huong River. Amidst the pitch-black night, the lights of the dragon boats on the Perfume River in Hue shine brightly, illuminating the surrounding water as if it, too, sparkles along.

Truong Tien Bridge becomes more lively at night

The dragon boat will take tourists past famous bridges in Hue such as Truong Tien Bridge and Phu Xuan Bridge. While these bridges may not impress you much during the day, at night they become dazzling, with lights shining down onto the river in an incredibly enchanting display. In that space, the Perfume River resembles a sleeping maiden suddenly awakening, revealing all of her lush, delicate beauty.

Taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River to explore famous landmarks?

Taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue to visit historical sites will be a truly unique experience. Instead of traveling by motorbike or shuttle bus, you can leisurely sit on the boat, glide on the water, and visit the attractions along the river. This is an incredibly enjoyable experience that you should have when visiting Hue. After the boat docks, there will be some free time for tourists to explore according to their preferences.

Enjoying Hue cuisine on a dragon boat on the Perfume River

In the romantic atmosphere of Hue, tourists will have a chance to indulge in the traditional dishes of Hue. Unlike dining services in restaurants or hotels, dining on a dragon boat will be entirely different. You can choose from basic dinner options, royal-style dinners, or even luxurious imperial banquets. All will be complemented by the experience of listening to Hue singing on the Perfume River.

Traditional dishes with strong flavors of ancient Hue court cuisine

Dinner on the dragon boat will consist of specialties from the ancient capital, such as chicken soup, fresh spring rolls, steamed squid, fish in sauce, rice, braised meat, and more, providing you with a delicious meal. For a more upscale experience, there’s the royal-style dinner, featuring fancier dishes like phoenix-shaped spring rolls, lotus leaf-wrapped rice, seafood soup, and steamed cakes.

If you want to fully experience the uniqueness of ancient Hue’s imperial cuisine, you can opt for the royal banquet package for your dinner on the dragon boat. The royal banquet was traditionally reserved for kings, princes, and high-ranking officials of the court. Now, when visiting Hue, any tourist can enjoy these luxurious dishes. The banquet menu includes many dishes that deeply reflect the essence of Hue’s imperial cuisine, such as the nine-dish appetizer, dragon boat shrimp, royal grilled chicken, royal rice, moon-viewing shrimp, and Hue-style dessert.

Hue singing on the Perfume River

This is perhaps the most remarkable activity during the entire journey on the dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue. Hue singing is a traditional cultural feature of the ancient land, combining two musical genres: folk music and Hue court music. The system of Hue singing is extremely diverse, consisting of about 60 pieces including vocal music and instrumental music, with two main styles: the Northern style and the Southern style. While the Northern style features cheerful melodies, the Southern style conveys emotions of sadness, longing, and nostalgia.

The Hue singing program includes traditional Hue folk songs and distinctive modern Hue music. Drifting along the Perfume River, listening to the deep, heartfelt tunes, infused with a touch of sweetness, promises to captivate the hearts of any visitor.

You can also check out ticket prices for the Hue singing and dinner cruise on the Perfume River.

Price list for Dragon Boat service on the Perfume River in Hue

Ticket prices for a leisurely cruise on the Perfume River in Hue

For single boat:

  • 300,000 VND/ 1st hour
  • 250,000 VND/ each subsequent hour

For double boat:

  • 500,000 VND/ 1st hour
  • 400,000 VND/ each subsequent hour

Renting a boat and listening to Hue singing on the Perfume River

For single boat: 1.300,000 VND/ boat, maximum 8 people

For double boat: 1.500,000 VND/ boat, maximum 28 people

Dragon Boat on the Perfume River route from Toa Kham Pier to Thien Mu Pagoda (one way)

For single boat: 250,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 450,000 VND/ boat

Dragon Boat on the Perfume River route from Toa Kham Pier to Thien Mu Pagoda (round trip)

For single boat: 350,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 650,000 VND/ boat

Dragon Boat on the Perfume River route from Thien Mu Pagoda to Hon Chen Palace (round trip)

For single boat: 600,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 1,100,000 VND/ boat

Tour route visiting 5 main destinations: Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Khai Dinh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb

For single boat: 800,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 1,500,000 VND/ boat

Tour route from Boat Pier – Hen Islet – Thanh Tien Village

For single boat: 450,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 750,000 VND/ boat

Dragon boat rental service package with Hue singing on the Perfume River

For single boat: 1,400,000 VND/ boat

For double boat: 1,600,000 VND/ boat.

ATTENTION:

  • Single boats can accommodate up to 15 passengers, while double boats can accommodate up to 35 people.
  • These prices are applicable on normal days; they may vary during major holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

How much is the ticket price for listening to Hue singing on the Perfume River, and where can I buy it?

If you want to combine a dragon boat ride with listening to Hue singing on the Perfume River but want to keep costs low or are traveling with a small group, you can opt for a group tour. In this case, even if you’re traveling alone, you can still enjoy exploring Hue by boat according to your preferences. You can book in advance or purchase tickets directly at the boat pier because the Hue singing tour on the Perfume River takes place every evening.

Once you have secured your ticket for listening to Hue singing on the Perfume River, you will be treated to some remarkable experiences:

  • Experience the romantic beauty of Hue as the sunset descends over the Perfume River.
  • Enjoy performances of Hue singing, resonant and lingering, by professional Hue artists.
  • Learn about the traditional culture of Hue amidst the blend of folk music and Hue court music.

Currently, the ticket price for a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River is only 100,000 VND, including transportation. For international visitors, it is 150,000 VND.

You can book our Hue dinner cruise tour on the Perfume River. Contact us via email: info@danangprivatecar.com or WhatsApp: +84 886660396 for detailed advice.

Dragon Boat on the Perfume River in Hue – Information about location and opening hours

Address for departure point of the dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue.

To book a tour for the dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue, you can head to Toa Kham Pier, which is a famous pier for boat tours in Hue.

  • Address: 49 Le Loi Street, Hue City.

What are the opening hours for the dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue?

  • From Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Specifically for Hue singing tickets on the Perfume River, there are 3 sessions available daily, at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM, and 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Therefore, each tour will have approximately 1 hour for tourists to enjoy.

When is the best time to go on a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River in Hue?

Because dragon boat rides on the Perfume River in Hue are an outdoor activity, this service is only available during the dry season, from March to September. From October onwards, Hue enters the rainy season, during which dragon boat activities are significantly reduced.

Therefore, if you want to experience a wonderful night of Hue singing on a dragon boat, choose to go during the dry season. This is also the ideal time to visit other historical sites and attractions in Hue, such as the Imperial City, the tombs, Vong Canh Hill, Thien An Hill – Thuy Tien Lake, Bach Ma Mountain, or beaches like Thuan An Beach and Canh Duong Beach.

Dragon boat rides on the Perfume River in Hue are one of the fascinating tourist activities in Hue. With its romantic scenery and close proximity to historical sites, renting a dragon boat is a sensible way to both explore the beauty of the river and visit famous attractions. This is perhaps one of the most meaningful experiences that tourists will find in their journey to Hue.

Kien Trung Palace used to be the most magnificent palace in the imperial capital of Hue, Vietnam. Over the years, although only the foundation remains, the immense historical and cultural value that this structure brings is still intact as it was originally. Currently, this palace is undergoing restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement processes.

Introduction to Kien Trung Palace

  • Address: 32 Dang Thai Than Street, Phu Hau Ward, Hue City.
  • Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM daily
  • Ticket Prices (updated as of 2024):
    • Adults & Foreigners: 200,000 VND per ticket
    • Children < 1.3m: 40,000 VND per ticket

Kien Trung Palace is also known as Kien Trung Pavilion. It is the most splendid palace of the Nguyen Dynasty preserved to this day within the area of the Imperial City, part of the Hue Citadel heritage complex. The construction of the palace commenced in February 1921, serving as the working place for the last two kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, Bao Dai and Khai Dinh.

After 1946, only the foundation of Kien Trung Palace remained within the Hue Citadel

Almost entirely destroyed in 1946, Kien Trung Palace has undergone meticulous restoration efforts by the Hue Imperial City Conservation Center and the Central Region Institute of Science and Technology in Construction. Currently, the palace is in its final stages of completion.

Directions to Kien Trung Palace

Kien Trung Palace is located approximately 2.7km from the city center of Hue, taking less than 10 minutes to travel. Therefore, you can get here by various means of transportation such as taxi, bus, motorbike, car, etc., depending on your needs and personal conditions.

As for the route, from the city center, DanangPrivateCar.com suggests you go towards Phu Xuân Bridge, then turn left onto Lê Duẩn Street – right onto Cửa Ngăn Street – 23 Tháng 8 Street – Đoàn Thị Điểm Street. Then drive along Cửa Quảng Đức Street to reach the Imperial City area of Hue – where Kien Trung Palace is located.

Additionally, if you are looking for a quick and convenient option, you can immediately book a private car rental service with a driver in Hue from DanangPrivateCar.com. With a team of professional drivers with many years of experience, understanding the traffic in Hue, they will help you have the fastest journey. Furthermore, with our private travel car service, we can help you move to other places such as Thien Mu Pagoda, royal tombs in Hue, etc., ensuring you have a private and comfortable trip.

Kien Trung Palace, the majestic structure of the ancient capital of Hue

History of Kien Trung Palace

In 1827, King Minh Mang initiated the construction of Minh Vien Pavilion on the land where Kien Trung Palace now stands, with a total height of about 10.8 meters. By the time of King Tu Duc, this structure was completely destroyed.

This magnificent palace was built during the reign of King Khai Dinh

In 1919, King Duy Tan mobilized labor to build Du Cuu Pavilion on this site. During the reign of King Khai Dinh, the Du Cuu Pavilion area was expanded to build a palace and named Kien Trung. This was the main residence of the king within the imperial citadel.

During the reign of King Bao Dai, modern amenities from the West were installed in Kien Trung Palace.

In 1932, King Bao Dai renovated the interior of this palace, installing some modern conveniences from the West, including bathtubs. After the August Revolution, Kien Trung Palace became a witness to the event of King Bao Dai meeting with the Provisional Government delegation to discuss abdication.

By 1947, due to the impact of war, the palace was completely destroyed, leaving only the foundation for the reconstruction process later.

Location and Architecture

In terms of feng shui, Kien Trung Palace is located at the northernmost point of the celestial axis passing through the center of the Imperial City. The combination of Renaissance Italian architecture, French architecture, and the characteristic features of ancient Vietnamese structures brings a unique and exquisite beauty to the palace.

In terms of architecture, in front of Kien Trung Palace is a scenic garden with a system of three beautifully sculpted dragon staircases leading up to the palace terrace. The facade is adorned with prominent colorful ceramic pieces.

The beauty of Kien Trung Palace lies in the fusion of Italian, French, and traditional Vietnamese architectures

The main floor consists of 13 open doors, with the central space having 5 doors, and each side space having 3 doors, with two corner spaces on each side having 2 doors. All are designed to protrude outward.

The upper floor of the palace is the attic, with architecture similar to the main floor. At the top is a tiled roof with decorative balustrades in the traditional Vietnamese style.

The beauty of Kien Trung Palace after complete restoration is captivating

In 2019, the Hue Imperial City Conservation Center launched a project to restore Kien Trung Palace, with a total budget of over 123 billion Vietnamese dong. After several years of restoration, the palace is now ready to open its doors to the first visitors during the Tet holiday in 2024.

On February 6, 2024, Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Imperial City Conservation Center, announced that the restoration project for Kien Trung Palace had completed 100% of the construction volume.

After many years of restoration, the palace is now ready to open its doors and welcome visitors

Below are some images after the completion of the restoration of Kien Trung Palace. This is one of the hottest destinations in Hue, welcoming tourists from both domestic and international destinations.

The exterior of Kien Trung Palace now exudes a majestic and ancient charm, while inside, it reflects the grandeur of the Hue Imperial City.
The stunning dragon emblem at Kien Trung Palace is truly magnificent
The interior furnishings of the palace are splendid and luxurious
Inside Kien Trung Palace, original artifacts closely associated with the history of the palace’s formation are carefully arranged.
Artifacts from the time of King Khai Dinh, the owner of this palace, are displayed inside the first floor
A royal palanquin, commonly used by kings, is displayed here

Tips for visitors

  • Kien Trung Palace is located within the complex of Hue Imperial City. Therefore, you can combine visiting the palace with many other outstanding architectural works such as Ngo Mon Hue, Thai Hoa Palace, Dien Tho Palace, etc.
  • Because Hue Imperial City is very large with many attractions, DanangPrivateCar.com recommends bringing a map in your backpack to avoid getting lost.
  • Prioritize wearing appropriate and historically suitable attire when visiting historical sites.
  • Read and adhere to the regulations here, especially for some sites that do not allow interior photography or touching artifacts.
  • Pay attention to maintaining cleanliness and dispose of trash in the designated areas.

With its significant historical, cultural, and artistic significance, Kien Trung Palace is considered a symbol of the ancient capital region. It promises to be a tourist destination in Hue that helps you turn back the clock, discover the Nguyen Dynasty – the last feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history, and what remains after many years of ups and downs in the Forbidden City.

Once a year, during the end of the year, people from all over will return to their homeland to reunite with family for the Tet holiday. This is the largest festival of the year in Vietnam, as well as in other East Asian countries such as China, Japan, etc. So, what is the significance of Tet Nguyen Dan (Tet Holiday)? Let’s explore more useful information with DanangPrivateCar.com’s through this article!

Tet Holiday, What Is It?

Lunar New Year, also known as Tet or Tet Holidays, is the most important festival of the year for the Vietnamese people, celebrated at the beginning of the lunar year. Lunar New Year goes by various names such as Tet Ca, Tet Am Lich, Tet Ta, Tet Co Truyen, and more.

The Tet Holiday is the most important festive occasion of the year for the Vietnamese people, as well as in some other Asian countries

In terms of Han-Vietnamese phonetics, ‘Tet’ in Han characters represents the festival, ‘Nguyen’ signifies the beginning, and ‘Dan’ refers to the early morning. Therefore, the most accurate pronunciation in Han-Vietnamese phonetics is Lunar New Year.

How is the time of Tet Holiday calculated?

Lunar New Year is calculated to begin on the first day of the lunar year, typically falling 1 to 2 months later than the Gregorian New Year due to the rule of adding an intercalary month every three lunar years. Therefore, the start of Lunar New Year usually falls between January 21st and February 10th.

Lunar New Year takes place during the leisure time of farmers, providing a break for rest and preparation for the upcoming farming season. Traditionally, as the majority of people in Vietnam are involved in agriculture, the holiday allows them to take a break and rejuvenate their spirits after days of hard work.

Example: According to the lunar calendar, the 30th day of Tet in 2024 falls on a Friday, February 9, 2024, in the Gregorian calendar, and the 1st day of the Year of the Wood Dragon is on February 10, 2024, falling on a Saturday.

What is the origin of Tet Holiday?

The origin of Lunar New Year is still a subject of debate. Most information suggests that Lunar New Year originated in China and was introduced to Vietnam around the time of the Chinese domination, about 1000 years BCE. However, according to Vietnamese historical folklore, particularly the story of “Banh chung banh day,” the Vietnamese people celebrated this festival during the reign of the Hung Kings, which is more than 1000 years BCE, predating Chinese domination.

What is the origin of Tet Holiday?

Confucius wrote, ‘I do not know what Tet is, I heard somewhere that it is the name of a great festival of the Man people, where they dance wildly, drink alcohol, and have fun on those days.’ This suggests that Lunar New Year may have originated in Vietnam.

While there is ongoing debate about whether the origin of Lunar New Year is from Vietnam or China, it is evident that each country’s celebration of Lunar New Year has unique characteristics. This festival holds significant importance for the people of each nation.

What is the significance of the traditional Tet day?

Lunar New Year is the intersection of heaven and earth

Lunar New Year is considered a time representing the intersection of heaven and earth, where spiritual beings connect with humans. ‘Tet’ during Lunar New Year signifies the seasonal changes, operating through the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, reflecting an agricultural cycle that held special meaning in the ancient economy.

Lunar New Year is an occasion to express reverence to ancestors

It can be said that this is the most important time of the year when family members gather to prepare and offer the most elaborate meals and trays of fruits to the ancestral altar.

The Tet holiday is an occasion to express reverence to our ancestors

According to tradition, during this holiday, ancestors return home to celebrate Tet with their descendants and bless the family with health and harmony.

Tet Holiday is a day of luck and hope

The new year symbolizes a new beginning, so every Tet, people often visit temples to seek blessings and good fortune for the upcoming year.

From ancient times until now, there is a belief that Lunar New Year will drive away the misfortunes of the old year and welcome the hopes for a better new year. Therefore, many people choose this time to start their work for the year and initiate new ventures due to the auspicious energy of the new year.

Tet Holiday is a time for families to come together

Not every family is always close by, so Lunar New Year is the most anticipated time for everyone to reunite with their loved ones. Coming together around the pot of Chung cake on New Year’s Eve is a dream shared by many.

The Tet holiday is a time for families to come together.

Moreover, it is also a time for descendants to express gratitude to their grandparents, parents who gave birth and raised them with the most sincere affection, whether through heartfelt thanks or simple gifts for Tet day.

Lunar New Year is an occasion to express reverence to the spiritual beings.

From ancient times to the present, the Vietnamese people highly value the act of worshiping their ancestors to seek blessings for the family. This is the most emphasized ritual, and according to folklore beliefs, farmers express their gratitude to Rain God, Earth God, Sun God, etc., for the assistance they provided throughout the year.

Tet is the birthday of everyone.

“Happy new age”: This is a familiar saying from grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts when they exchange Tet greetings to celebrate each other’s additional year.

During this occasion, people exchange the best wishes, hoping for a better new year. Adults celebrate the age of the elderly and the young to wish the elders a long, healthy life and hope that the younger ones grow quickly, behave well, and excel in their studies.

Customs and traditions of the Vietnamese during Lunar New Year

Worshiping Ong Cong and Ong Tao (Kitchen guardians)

Before Lunar New Year, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month each year, families clean their kitchens and prepare an offering with fruits, savory foods, and a live carp. This is to prepare for Kitchen guardians, who ascend to heaven to report the family’s activities to the heavenly court.

Making Chung cakes (Stuffed sticky rice cake) and Tet cakes (Cylinder sticky rice cake)

As Tet approaches, markets are filled with stalls selling dong leaves, banana leaves, and bamboo sticks for wrapping traditional Tet cakes. Stuffed sticky rice cake and Cylinder sticky rice cake are essential items in the Tet menu, offered to ancestors on the ancestral altar or given as Tet gifts to friends and family.

Wrapping Chung cakes and Tet cakes is an indispensable culinary tradition during the Tet holiday

Cleaning and decorating homes

For the Vietnamese, cleaning the house at the end of the year symbolizes getting rid of the negatives from the old year, preparing to welcome luck and prosperity for the new year. It is a time for family members to come together to refresh their homes.

In addition, to decorate their homes for Tet, the Vietnamese also buy various flowers, such as Water Lily, Money Tree, Chrysanthemum, with different colors and meanings.

Arranging the Five-Fruit Tray

Arranging a Five-Fruit Tray to offer to the ancestral altar is an indispensable tradition during Lunar New Year. It expresses the respect and gratitude of the descendants to their ancestors.

In each region, there are different ways to arrange the Five-Fruit Tray, and various fruits may be used. However, all share the common meaning of wishing for luck and peace in the new year.

Tending to ancestral graves

This custom takes place in the days leading up to Lunar New Year. On these days, family members gather at the graves of their ancestors to clean and visit. This practice demonstrates the respect and filial piety of the descendants towards their deceased grandparents, parents, and ancestors.

Year-end worship

Year-end worship is a long-standing tradition in Vietnamese culture. It is a significant ritual usually performed on the 30th day of Tet to invite the ancestors to celebrate Tet with the family. It marks the end of the old year and prepares for a new year of safety and prosperity.

First-Footing

After the New Year’s Eve moment, the first person to enter the house is the one performing the ‘first-footing’ for the family. According to tradition, this person should be compatible with the family’s head to bring a prosperous and harmonious year with good health.

Giving red lucky money envelopes to children is a tradition for wishing them luck and success in the new year, especially in their studies

Tet greetings and birthday celebrations

The new year symbolizes everyone getting a year older. People exchange the best wishes to hope for a successful new year. On the first day of Tet, the younger generation visits their grandparents, parents, and then the elders traditionally give lucky money to the children for a fortunate and successful new year.

This article has presented the significance of the Tet Holiday and common activities during Tet for the Vietnamese people. Hopefully, through this, you have gained more information about the traditional Tet day and wish you a warm and joyful Tet celebration with your family!

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village is the most vibrant destination in the ancient capital of Hue every spring. The paper flowers of Thanh Tien not only stand out for their bright colors but also for being crafted by the skillful hands of talented artisans. Visiting Hue without holding a paper lotus from this village is truly regrettable. Let’s explore this unique craft village with DanangPrivateCar.com.

Overview of Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village

  • Location: Phu Mau Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien – Hue Province

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village, with a history dating back over 300 years, is considered a distinctive folk belief of Hue, captivating anyone passionate about exploring the city.

This unique craft village is situated along the southern bank, downstream of the Perfume River, approximately 7 km from the city center of Hue. To reach Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village, you can pass through Dong Ba Market from the city center, go down Huynh Thuc Khang Street for about 5 km, and you will approach Bao Vinh ancient town. Taking a ferry to the opposite bank – Tien Non Village, and traveling an additional 1 km will bring you to the destination.

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village has a long-standing history in the land of Hue

Around the lunar months from September to December, you will see people busy preparing handmade paper flowers, specifically known as Thanh Tien flowers.

There are two types of Thanh Tien flowers: Lotus flowers and Multicolored flowers. While lotus flowers are commonly used for year-round decoration during festivals and cultural exchange events, multicolored flowers are only made in October of the lunar calendar each year for altar decorations in temples, pagodas, ancestral shrines, and for the Kitchen Gods Festival.

In addition, you can also see the vibrant colors of multicolored paper flowers arranged in bookstores, private homes, or cafes. Particularly, foreign tourists often visit Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village to buy flowers as souvenirs for their loved ones.

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village is a worthwhile destination to include in your independent exploration itinerary of Hue.

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Everything about Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village

Paper Flower Craft

The craft of making paper flowers originated from the folk worship of the people in the ancient capital of Hue. Due to the challenging climate conditions, intense sunlight, and heavy rainstorms, fresh flowers in Hue could not maintain their original beauty.

As a result, the people of Thanh Tien Village creatively invented paper flowers for worship and decoration during the Tet festival, gradually turning it into the renowned Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village, a cultural and spiritual essence of the entire population of Hue every spring.

Explore Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village

The materials needed to create paper flowers in Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village are not hard to find. With just bamboo and rattan, the artisans of Thanh Tien Village can unleash their creativity. They replicate images of various natural flowers such as trumpet flowers, daisies, wallflowers, lotus flowers, wild sunflowers, etc., with such precision and realism that, from a distance, it’s hard to distinguish between real and paper flowers.

While usually only 1 or 2 people work on paper flowers on regular days, on full moon days and Tet holidays, artisans in the village mobilize their relatives and even hire additional help to collectively make paper flowers. Almost everyone in the village, including children, is skilled in the steps to create the distinctive Thanh Tien paper flowers.

The process of making paper flowers is entirely manual and requires extensive preparation, often starting months in advance. Only with considerable effort can a beautiful and lifelike masterpiece be completed. Bamboo must be selected for its flexibility, split into small sections, and then rounded to create branches or flower stems. The most crucial step is choosing durable paper and natural dye colors to ensure freshness, as artificial colors or harmful chemicals are not used.

The final steps involve meticulous cutting, trimming, creating folds for the flowers to appear lively and vibrant, similar to real flowers. Then, adhesive glue is used to attach the flowers to the stems. The most challenging aspect is creating the veining for lotus petals, requiring a great deal of skill and experience from the artisans. Each step demands precision, dedication, and diligence, allowing an artisan to produce only 15 to 20 flowers at most in a day. Despite the meticulous work, the cost of Thanh Tien paper flowers is quite affordable, ranging from 5,000 VND to 7,000 VND per pair (for simple flowers like roses, daisies, orchids) and 20,000 VND per flower (for more complex flowers like lotus). This makes it possible for you to purchase these flowers as memorable souvenirs.

Lotus paper flowers are the most famous product in Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village
The Thanh Tien Paper Flowers have become an indispensable cultural tradition during the springtime in the ancient capital of Hue
The people of Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village bring the paper flowers to sell in both rural markets and the city
Just seeing Thanh Tien Paper Flowers is enough to feel the arrival of spring

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village in general, and the paper flower artisans in the village in particular, contribute to the cultural and spiritual values of Vietnam reaching far beyond the world. It would undoubtedly be wonderful if we could set foot in Hue at least once to have the opportunity to visit, enriching our understanding of this ancient, tranquil, and charming land. DanangPrivateCar.com wishes you and your family a meaningful time exploring and enjoying Hue, and don’t forget to share those memorable moments with DanangPrivateCar.com.