Hue

Travelling this morning from Hoi An to Hue and a stop along the way was at a marble workshop where most of the marble products for both Vietnam and for export are carved.  It was fascinating watching the sculptors work, and to see the end results.

A bit further along and we were travelling through the Marble Mountains (actually not where the marble comes from that we saw at the marble workshops) but they did have some fantastic views, particularly of China Beach which is actually a series of beaches stretching for about 30 kms north of Hoi An.  And from the top of the mountain pass you can look south and see the beaches of China Beach and look north and see the beaches of Thua Thien province where Hue is located.

Our morning tea (or coffee) stop today was again back on the beach, in a lovely little village called Lang Co.

Hue is located on the banks of the Perfume River and was part of the Champa Kingdom until 1306 when it was exchanged for the hand of a Vietnamese Princess.  In 1802 the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty moved the capital of Vietnam from Hanoi to Hue to try and unify the country.  Hue ceased to be the capital in 1945 when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated to republican president Ho Chi Minh.

This afternoon we saw a couple of sites that Hue is famous for, and the reason why UNESCO has listed Hue as a world heritage site.

There were 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945) and the royal tombs for these 13 emperors are all in and around Hue.  Unfortunately many were destroyed during wartimes but a few still remain and I visited one this afternoon.  The tomb of Khai Dinh is located on a hilltop and is a distinctive mix of Vietnamese and European styles.

And just in case the outside wasn't impressive enough, the inside was truly spectacular.

Thien Mu Pagoda was a second stop this afternoon.  It has a striking 21 m high, octagonal tower out front, which was constructed in 1844.   Each of the seven storeys is dedicated to a manushi-buddha (a Buddha that appeared in human form).

This is now the second time that I've been fortunate enough to be at a Pagoda while the monks were praying and chanting.   Photos obviously don't do it justice - as you really do need auditory.

Thien Mu is located about 5 kms south of the town of Hue and so to get back we took a 'dragon boat' along the Perfume River.

Dinner tonight was a Royal Banquet - complete with dress up clothes, royal musicians, good food, and lots of fun and imagination.