What to do in Hue, Vietnam

The historic city of Hue is worth a stop in your trip through Central Vietnam. Here are some of the must-see sights that you’ll enjoy.

Gaze up at Thien Mu Pagoda

Located on the north side of the Perfume River, on elevated ground, the Thien Mu Pagoda is an important religious and spiritual site. One of Hue’s most-visited attractions and a symbol of the city, the soaring pagoda features intricate details and beautiful sculptures. The surrounding area has many fragrant and colourful flowers too.

Discover the Imperial Tombs

There are several important imperial tombs in Hue, the final resting places of the emperors of old. The most visited tombs include those of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc.

During his life, Minh Mang started to build his own lavish tomb. It took three years to finish, but, unfortunately, the king died four months after construction began.

Tu Duc Tomb was built on the orders of the emperor himself. It is situated in a stunning area that includes a small lake. Interestingly, even though the tomb was created by the emperor, he decided to be buried in a different, secret place. So, although people can honour the late emperor here, it remains a mystery as to where his remains actually lie.

Khai Dinh Tomb is often considered as the last cultural remnant from the Nguyen Dynasty. This magnificent tomb took a decade to be finished.

While these three tombs are generally considered the most interesting from a tourist’s point of views, there are a further four tombs in the area that are open to visitors. I didn’t visit these, having just a couple of days in town, but if you have longer they would surely add more insights to your stay.

Explore the historic citadel of Dai Noi

Dai Noi, the old citadel, is one of Hue’s most-popular tourist attractions today. A cultural and architectural heritage from the Nguyen Dynasty, the expansive complex includes several museums, ornate pavilions, and interesting sculptures, all surrounded by imposing walls. Although the citadel suffered much damage during wars, several sections have now been restored. Albeit popular, it’s still fairly quiet, partly thanks to its large size. It’s easy to escape the crowds and enjoy the peaceful air as you reflect on the site’s history and admire the remaining details. As you wander through the complex, passing crumbling walls and overgrown patches, take a moment to imagine how splendid it must have been in its heyday. Climb up onto the front section of the wall for good views over the site and to see cultural objects displayed with pride.

Visit the Japanese Bridge / Thanh Toan Bridge

The charming Thanh Toan Bridge, also known as the Japanese Bridge, lies a few kilometres outside of the city centre. Located in the sleepy countryside, it was constructed in the late 1700s to connect two sides of a small village. The pretty bridge features elements from both Chinese and Japanese cultures. Today, villagers often sit and chat on the quaint and picturesque bridge and pray at the small shrine, providing a terrific window into local life.

Admire the Perfume River 

The delightfully named Perfume River is a source of local pride. You can stroll and cycle along the scenic banks, but the truly perfect way to enjoy the views, cool weather, and ambience is to take a boat trip along the waterway. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and travel back in time through the city’s rich history. Don’t miss one of Hue’s cutest riverside attractions too: the I Love Hue sign! It’s great for selfies!

Pick up souvenirs at Dong Ba Market

Sitting on the edges of the Perfume River, Dong Ba Market is one of the oldest and biggest markets in Vietnam. It provides a good opportunity to discover traditional Vietnamese items, local dishes, handicrafts, and so on. Additionally, many tourists do not go to the market just to shop; the market is also a great place to observe daily Vietnamese life.

See more: Come to Hue and visit its most popular royal tombs

Source: Internet

Visit the cutest places in Seoul, South Korea

Renowned as a shopping capital and a country with numerous historical wonders, Korea does not conventionally pop into mind when you mention the word ‘cute’. Dispel this myth, for here are our top picks on where you can find Seoul at its pinnacle of cuteness.

LINE Store

Brimming with an immense galore of LINE merchandise up for grabs, the LINE store at Ehwa definitely comes in at the top of our list of cute places in Seoul! Be sure to drop by this Instagram-worthy store when you’re shopping in Ehwa, especially since it’s only a short distance from the main fashion street. This place is virtual reality-come-true with the LINE characters from your chat app morphing into irresistible keepsakes!

I couldn’t stop gushing over the array of merchandise available! Pose with the stars of the show, a life-sized Brown or Cony that welcomes you upon your entrance.

The most arresting feature of this store is the quaint brick wall that hits all the right notes in the visuals department, displaying rows of Brown bears dressed in a plethora of outfits. And if you can’t get enough of the charm of this store, there is a little booth in which more LINE plushies await to greet you… This has got to be the epitome of cuteness, hands down!

Address: 59 Ehwa Women’s University Road, 56-136 Daehyun-dong Level 1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 서대문구 이화여대길 59 대현동 56-136 1층)

Teddy Bear Gallery

The child within each of us can never resist cuddly teddy bears, what more a whole gallery of them! This slightly obscure find within the N Seoul Tower is not to be missed the next time you’re there.

With teddy bears in all shapes and sizes, this is a haven if you’ve got a soft spot for cuddly plushies and collectors’ items! Go ahead and purchase your favourites, because some of these teddies are truly rare and unique. Now you know that the locks of love and observatory tower aren’t the only attractions at N Seoul Tower!

Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가) )

Ihwa Mural Village

Tucked in a secluded area, this humble yet extraordinary residential area is worth the trek up Naksan Mountain – it’s a tourist paradise where modernity and tradition meld into a harmonious concoction. We were surprised to find shops selling intricate costume jewellery, a plenitude of souvenirs, and even a few cafes brewing the whole range of coffee beverages!

Be dressed in your best; you will definitely want to look as gorgeous as the hand-painted murals which are pure artistry. Besides posing for your #ootds against the murals in the village, you can also enjoy the tranquillity of this place away from the bustle of the city.

Address: Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 이화동)

Yeouido Hangang Park

If you’re visiting Korea during spring, don’t miss out on chilling at Han River Park. This is the time to behold flowers in a riot of vibrant colours here. You can literally take your time to smell the roses! Prepare your selfie stick for the highlight of the park — the cute “I Seoul U” sculpture that lends itself to enhancing the aesthetics of your Instagram feed.

Have a languid evening lounging on picnic mats with food and drinks purchased from the street food stall nearby and give yourself an auditory treat as you listen to the buskers perform. The refreshing breeze and panoramic views are sure to liberate you from all your troubles. Cheers!

Address: 330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 330 (여의도동))

Souvenir shop at Anguk Station

Still find yourself short of souvenirs for your friends and family back home? Suppress that sigh and make a beeline for this little souvenir shop near Anguk Station! Souvenir shopping was unbelievably fun for me when I stumbled upon this trove of delights.

This lovely shop is a cavern housing an amazing variety of souvenirs — from themed handmade dolls decked primly in hanboks (the traditional Korean costume), to gold-plated bookmarks that depict icons of Korea such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are also purses made from rich textiles, novelty keychains, elegant fans adorned with intricate carvings and calligraphy paintings. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. We assure you that your friends and loved ones will simply adore you for these souvenirs!

How to get there: Walk to the shops near Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2

See more: 7 reasons why you should visit Seoul once

Source: Internet

The best ecotourism experiences in Vietnam

Struggle to find a place for eco tour in Vietnam? Here is the list of top 6 incredible ecotourism destinations for your hiking, trekking, sightseeing and discovering unspoiled natural landscapes in Vietnam.

Boat on Ba Be Lake

This beautiful lake is the largest in Vietnam. Nestled among surrounding mountains, Ba Be Lake sits northeast of Ha Noi. There are boat tours that will take you out into the smooth waters during the day where you can watch the mist rise off the water in the morning, admire the clear waters in the afternoon, and gaze at a romantic sunset in the evening. This dreamy location makes for an idyllic scenic trip so make sure to bring your camera.

A trip to Cuc Phuong National Park

140 kilometers to the south of Ha Noi, Cuc Phuong National Park is considered as the oldest nature reserve in Vietnam. Covering an area of 22 hectares of rainforest, this place is one of the most attractive ecotourism destinations when you travel to Northern Vietnam. Thanks to its botany diversity and long history, Cuc Phuong attracts not only tourists but also archaeologists who are long for exploring primitive life in Nguoi Xua Cave (Pre-historic Man Cave).

The most notable scenery in Cuc Phuong is thousands of vibrant butterflies flying in ‘butterfly season’ from April until the end of May. Tourists will be blessed by a colorful realm of 280 butterfly species gathering in the park. You can see butterflies landing everywhere, on the road, your cars and your helmets.

Boat trip along Ngo Dong River in Ninh Binh

Literally meaning “three caves”, travelers visiting Tam Coc – Bich Dong will be amazed by the Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba caves that are situated on Ngo Dong River in Northern Ninh Binh Province. Bich Dong refers to a beautiful pagoda complex built in the fifteenth century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will take your breath away with its limestone mountains, lazy rivers, serene rice fields, and bright blue skies.

The gorgeous natural beauty makes this complex a top destination for ecotourism experiences in Vietnam. There is a wide range of day trips that include a visit to the ancient Hoa Lu Citadel and a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River.

Trekking through Ha Giang

Ha Giang province borders China in northern Vietnam. This remote, stunning location is perfect for travelers seeking a multi-day trekking experience. Trekking tours through Ha Giang range from 5-13 days and itineraries include touring breathtaking rice terraces, limestone karsts, and visiting minority villages. The view from the province’s Ma Pi Leng Pass is surreal. Trekking Ha Giang offers an excellent selection of tour packages, from quick hikes to two-week adventures. Note that the price depends on tour length and group size.

Biking Tours in the Mekong Delta

These multi-day tours begin in the southern city of Saigon, a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly nine million people. Seeing the city fade in the distance as you cycle into glorious natural surroundings is an amazing sight in itself.

Over the course of several days (4-6) you will cycle through fields of sugar cane, banana plantations, narrow country lanes, and across water channels. This is the perfect getaway from the big city for anyone with an affinity for traveling several days on a bicycle.

See more: Top beautiful towns in Vietnam

Biking and Trekking Tours in Sapa

Favored by nature, Sapa has long been a famous tourist destination in the northwest of Vietnam. Taking a tour to Sapa, you can contemplate a lot of strikingly beautiful landscapes with some famous destinations like Fansipan Mountain, Muong Hoa Valley, O Quy Ho Pass, Ethnic villages, etc.

Likewise, there is a wide range of forests and terraced rice fields that are extremely suitable to hold some fascinating activities in ecotourism. Sapa trekking tours will definitely offer the most authentic experiences and help tourists respectively experience their life and culture. The stunning views and scenery do not hurt either.

Source Internet