A view of King Khai Dinh's salutation court which can be found below the structure where his tomb is located - Photos: Salome Mic Mic Villaflor.

If you are interested to get a glimpse of Vietnam’s royal past, Hue is the right place to go.

Located at the central part of Vietnam, Hue is the country’s ancient capital and the stronghold of Vietnam’s royal families some 60 years ago.

My holiday wandering brought me to this place, which I have been targeting for an educational trip, for quite sometime. However, with its 1080-kilometer-distance from HCMC, it took me an overnight stay on the train. A long travel, so to speak. But once I saw what I came for, the restlessness resulted from a long trip were all forgotten.

Treading into the grounds where the Emperors were buried brought me back to how Vietnam was, during Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The tombs of seven royal rulers, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc, Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Duc Duc and Dong Khanh showcase how these royal leaders lived and led their people during their reign.

There were 13 Emperors and Kings during Nguyen Dynasty but only seven tombs were built and preserved for tourist attractions, outskirts of Hue . Those tombs were constructed with walls, ceilings, gates, salutation court, temples, ponds, pavilions, and gardens. A guide told me that most of the architectural design of these tombs remained the same even after the war.

After an informative trip to the different tombs, there’s that heavenly Lady Pagoda for a quick stopover where you can meditate while resting from a day’s visit to the royal tombs.

On the streets of Hue, there are also students, oftentimes come in number, wearing their white long dress ao dai with long flowing hair and a conical straw hat, riding in bicycles. It’s a perfect opportunity to capture in the pictures Vietnamese school girls in their white traditional dress.

Hue’s richness in culture and heritage were enough comfort, for me, to take another 16-hour bus ride to Hanoi.

I left the place in a pensive mood, thinking myself lucky to be able to visit a place that is important to the country’s history.

(*) Salome Mic Mic Villaflor is a Filipino working and living in HCMC.

(Source: SGT)

By Salome Mic Mic Villaflor in Hue (*)