Basic HTML Version
timeout
retary of UNESCO described Hue as “a
masterpiece of urban poetry”.
Development here has not yet
boomed like that in Ho Chi Minh City,
Hanoi or nearby Danang; nonetheless,
it shows the strains of unchecked ur-
banization with many more modern
vehicles and buildings. However, time
seems to flow smoothly along the banks
of the Huong River, and Hue remains a
peaceful place.
The ancient capital city still be-
witches tourists at first sight thanks to
its graceful girls in white or dark violet
ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress)
with their long black hair and white
conical hats.
Hue people are not as moving as
those from Danang, or as brilliant as Hoi
An’s folk, nor as melancholic or discreet
as those of My Son. They are friend-
ly and passionate, if a little shy. They
sometimes look very ashamed when
meeting strangers and never want to
say anything in a straightforward and
direct way. However, after that, they
become extremely energetic, dynamic
and sociable.
It seems that the smooth, green
river makes Hue girls unique. Many
writers describe Hue girls as warm as
summer sunshine, as graceful as wil-
low, as sweet as honey and as smooth
as silk. However, they are also written
of as cold as winter wind, as sharp as
a needle and as deep as an ocean. Suc-
cessful men have long sought Hue girls
because their attributes make them
ideal woman to choose as wives.
Hue people, and females in particu-
lar, are very sophisticated and choosy,
especially in terms of cooking. They
have created their own art of cuisine
which is very distinct and widely regard-
ed as the best in Vietnam. Typical Hue
dishes include com hen (clam rice) and
bun bo Hue (beef rice noodle soup).
There are also various kinds of rice flour
cakes and Hue is a paradise for vegetar-
ian cuisine.
Hue’s culinary traditions demand
that meals be presented aesthetically,
harmonising colours to create gas-
tronomic works of art. The food is a
feast for the stomach and the eyes.
Simple meals have been transformed
into royal delicacies by expert chefs.
Elegantly and colourfully presented,
often in the form of animals, the dish-
es impress. Food is often served in
small dishes or bowls and there are
many in one feast.
In addition, Hue people treasure
the role of their family. Every Tet holi-
day, no matter how busy they are, Hue
people try to go back to their home-
town in order to enjoy the cosy atmos-
phere. To them, Lunar New Year is the
most precious chance to gather.
These days in many parts of Viet-
nam it has become the norm for young
couples to live independently from their
parents, but it is still traditional in Hue
for three or four generations to live
together.
Hue’s people also place a very high
value on education. The people rec-
ognise that only by being equipped
through education can they lift them-
selves and their family out of pover-
ty. Another reason is that under the
Nguyen dynasty annual examinations
were held here and as a result a desire
to succeed academically has become
ingrained.
Furthermore, the culture is diversi-
fied and special. With its well-preserved
citadels, tombs and pagodas recognised
by UNESCO and listed among the coun-
try’s top cultural attractions, the town is
home to numerous legends.
Inspired by the romantic river and
imposing landscapes, many traditional
artworks and performances were cre-
ated to satisfy the sophisticated de-
mands of the imperial families. Hue
Royal Court Music (Nha Nhac), recog-
nised by UNESCO as one of its Master-
pieces of the Oral and Intangible Herit-
age of Humanity in 2003, is a vivid
example of the rich culture here. The
form includes worshiping ritual music,
court ritual music, court dances, cham-
ber music and opera.
Currently, there are more than 500
festivals a year in the area, including
more than 100 traditional festivals. The
Hue Festival is held biennially on even
years and the Hue Traditional Craft Fes-
tival is held every other year. Both have
helped develop Thua Thien-Hue’s cul-
tural tourism.
38
Danish royalty visit the Citadel
THUA THIEN - HUE IN SPOTLIGHT