Hué
Hué is known for being the former residence of the emperor and the capital of Vietnam.
Inside the imperial fences there is a complex of palaces, temples, pavilions, gardens and ponds that together form the Citadel where the Imperial City, inspired by the Beijing one, rises up. Although a little less lavish, it was strictly reserved for the Emperor’s concubines and guardians.
After crossing the Perfume River, we entered the Imperial City through the majestic Ngo Mon gate. From here, you can start discover this wonderful residence.
A boat trip on the Perfume River allows you to visit the most important monuments of the Nguyen dynasty: their seven tombs. The best preserved and most visited are the Minh Mang and Tu Duc ones, majestic complexes which include pavilions, lakes, and gardens.
Although many people praise the beauties of this city, we did particularly loved it.
Hoi An
Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is very popular for the liveliness of its shops and its tailors’ skills. All kinds of clothes are sewn in less than 24 hours. There is a wide selection of patterns and wonderful fabrics.
The same applies to shoes (slippers and sandals). Everything is done rapidly, in a very simple way. The foot measurements are taken on a white sheet, the model is chosen, the leather is decorated and then, a few hours later… everything is ready.
Moreover, on the 14th of every month, the town celebrates the full moon festival where hundreds of lanterns will illuminate the river.
It is worth seeing the small temple dedicated to Quan Cong, a Chinese general who was held in high regard for his loyalty, sincerity and justice.
Saigon/Ho Chi Min City
A modern, clean, lively and very pleasant city. Shops and department stores are just like in other big Western city.
If you are a bit tired by your travel, we suggest a very a unique and relaxing experience: getting a massage… at the blind association, where income is used to support the community.
You should also visit the war crimes museum. Mostly photographic, the museum shows the terrible consequences of the war on population. Here you will find a replica of the war prisons, and pictures of the devastating effects of napalm on people and children… even writing results hard for me. It seems almost a lack of respect. It is an experience that has shaken us a lot.
When we left the museum, Ale and I did not speak for several minutes. It was as if someone punched us in the stomach. How can there be so much cruelty and inhumanity?
Yet we had read books, seen documentaries and films describing that period, but being there in person and seeing those testimonies with our own eyes is a whole different story.
We did not have the chance to visit the Cu Chi tunnels but we believe it is an interesting destination. They are a vast underground network of tunnels, outside the city of Saigon. The tunnels were used in the Forties, by the Viet Minh guerrillas, during the fight against the French forces and during the Sixties and the Seventies by the Viet Cong – who fought against the forces of South Vietnam and the United States – during the Vietnam War.
From Saigon, several agencies (Sinh Cafè is one of the best) organize tours to Mekong Delta and, eventually, the passage from Vietnam to Cambodia by river, visa included.
