Travel Highlights from Hue Vietnam

Next, we headed south 3.5 hours by car to Hue for quite a change of pace from the natural beauty of Dong Hoi. Here in Hue, we saw our first set of Vietnam War Tunnels utilized by local villagers to hide during the rounds of bomb strikes.  It is said that 400+ people were forced to live in these underground clay tunnels throughout the war.  Although sad, visiting the tunnels was very moving for us as we learned about the horrors of war. 

After the tunnels, we continued driving to the famous 17th Parallel which marks the border between North and South Vietnam on the Hien Luong Bridge. We actually walked across the bridge where there is a white line painted to mark the EXACT boundary between North and South.  Looking back, this was very impactful because even today, 45 years after the war ended, there are MAJOR differences in people, culture and beliefs between North and South.  That said, when visiting Vietnam, it’s important to incorporate enough time to explore both regions so you can get a real feel for the diversity and variety of the country.

We stayed at the upscale Indochine Palace Hotel in Hue which is a luxurious hotel in a great location. It is nearby the night market which is a fun experience for any tourist.  There are loads of bars, stores, street vendors, restaurants and cafes for locals and tourists.  We enjoyed wandering around and shopping for clothing, accessories and we especially enjoyed the people watching.  

As far as sights to see in Hue, our favorites are the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City to learn about Vietnamese dynasties and how the emperors lived before they dissolved in 1945.

As far as dining goes, you must have lunch or dinner at Hahn Restaurant for an authentic Vietnamese dinner in town.  Be ready to get adventurous and try dishes that are totally new to you.  The servers speak English and are very helpful. They even taught us how to eat some of the dishes we’d never seen before. They very easily and willingly accommodated Mike’s shellfish allergy too.  It’s a must try!