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They are only two covered bridges in Vietnam. The Japanese pagoda bridge in Hoi An, built in 1593 and restored in 1917, and Thanh Toan bridge near Hue, built in 1776.

The Japanese pagoda bridge in Hoi An.

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Hué being only 100 km away from a main Vietnam war combat zone, I decided to check it out. Initially, I wanted to treat myself to a day trip on a moto taxi taking me to various landmarks. (Being on the passenger seat of a motorbike is truly awesome.) But my driver let me down at the last minute ”because it’s raining and it’s too far.” I think he wanted to stay in town with his friends to get drunk for Tet. So I hopped on a bus with twenty other tourists instead.

The Rockpile on top of which a US army base used to be during the Vietnam war.

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Hue has had so many names, it can be a little confusing.

Quiz: Before the city was named Hue in 1833, what was the name of the city?
a) Kandarpapura b) Thuân Hoa c) Phu Xuân

Check your anwer at the end of this post!

Minh Mang temple.

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While walking around Hue, I met a French-looking Vietnamese old man who owns a small candy shop: he was wearing a béret! Oh yeah!

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The imperial city of Hue, also known as citadel, is a must-see… unless you can visit the one in Beijing that’s in a much better shape.

For me, it’s the first time I have ever set foot in an imperial city of any kind. The place was badly destroyed during the Vietnam war, hence the many ruins. But Thai Hoa palace and a few houses are beautifully holding up.

The entrance of the citadel.

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