A Stroll in Hue

Hue, former capital of Vietnam and center for the Nguyễn Dynasty, first developed North of the Perfume River, around Kim Long and Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, it moved around the Royal Palace and the fortified city around the waterways and the canals.

During the Indochina Era, French settled on the southern bank of the river and many monuments, often ignored by the tourists, provide evidences of their former presence. Today, most of those monuments are nationalized and occupied by various city departments.

Thus, it’s very pleasant to walk along the Perfume River and An Cựu Canal to discover those old houses during a stroll of approximately 6 kilometers or 1h30 of walking. During your stroll, you will see many monuments which aren’t mentioned here, as their construction is more recent and has no relation with the Indochina Era. Also take time to visit the embroideries museum.

Điềm Phùng Thị’s Museum Start your walk next to Truong Tien Bridge, built between May 1899 and October 1900 following the design of Gustave Eiffel, then go up Lê Lợi Street to discover ancient monuments inspired by French architecture.

First, admire the Morin Hotel, built in 1901 under the name Grand Hôtel and which got its current name in 1906. Opposite, you will see an old French villa, nationalized in 1954 and recently transformed into an exhibition center where you can admire Điềm Phùng Thị’s sculptures.

Then turn left, right after the Morin Hotel and go up Hoàng Hoa Thám Street to reach Hà Nội Street. You will see on your left, the old building of the French-Chinese Bank then Lê Lợi Primary School in some colonial buildings.

Điềm Phùng Thị Museum

Then cross Hà Nội Street to reach Lý Thướng Kiệt Street. On your left, you will see Hue Science University in some former Indochina buildings. Then turn left in Nguyễn Huệ Street and go along the Redemptorist Church and Monastery inaugurated in 1929.. Afterwards, turn right in alley 148 Nguyễn Huệ then turn left to reach An Định Palace and discover this splendid place built in 1920 for Prince Bửu Đảo well-known as Emperor Khải Định. Admire the inside of the palace and enjoy the calm of the garden. The entrance fee is 20,000 vnd.

Then go down An Cựu Canal, along Phan Đình Phùng Street until you reach the crossroad with Phan Bội Châu Street. Along this street, you will discover the Archbishop’s Palace from 1850 then theformer house of Prince Nguyễn Phúc Hồng Khẳng built in 1889 on the model of the garden houses.. When you arrive at the market, I advise you to cross it to enjoy the local life.

Hai Bai Trung School

When going down Phan Bội Châu Street to reach the Perfume River you can admire some old French villas from 1907 and will go along the very famous Quốc Học School founded in 1897 to teach the sons of the elites. This school has seen very famous pupils, such as Hô Chí Minh in 1908 and General Võ Nguyên Giáp, former secretary of the Communist Party and war hero. Take time to visit it to admire its French architecture.

After visiting the school, go down Lê Lợi Street to reach your starting point, Truong Tien Bridge. NexttoQuốc Học School, also visitHai Bai Trung School. Built between 1916 and 1917 under the name Collège Dong Khanh, this was the first school for the daughters of the mandarins, civil servants, doctors and rich merchants.

Those two schools are accessible for free after 4pm from Monday to Saturday and all day on Sunday.

Opposite to Quốc Học School, stands the War Memorial, inaugurated in 1920 in the memory of the Vietnamese who died in France during the First World War.

Afterwards, you will cross the park to reach and go under Phú Xuân Bridge, then you will peacefully go along the Perfume River. Take the walkway to pass by the former art deco Sports Circle, dating back from the thirties and where the colonial elites were attending.

Finally, you will discover the former buildings of the Annam Public Works Service built during the late 20s with art deco design. Nowadays it’s the Art Museum of Hue. The entrance fee is 30,000 vnd and it opens from 7.30am to 5.30pm.

Contact us when you’re in Hue if you want to know more about this stroll on the footsteps of Indochina.

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