The Hue Festival 2008

  Hue, Vietnam
Monday, June 2, 2008

Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty (968 to 980) It is also known as "the Dry Halong Bay", because of the many limestone formations that dot the area.

Hoa Lu

The huge rock edifices jut out of paddy fields and canals providing an unusual and dramatic landscape. Small boats carry travellers along the canals for a small fee in a relaxed and romantic setting .I have two Vietnamese ladies paddling for me, sometimes even using their feet like on the famous " Inle Lake" in Myanmar.But we are by far not the only boat today, lots of Vietnamese students are crossing my way, waving and chanting to me, as if I was a foreign celebrity.The trip takes about 3 hours, and we are passing 3 caves, the longest 128 meters of length.Suddenly the metal box is opened and the floating bazar starts with the sale of T-shirts, pants and other souvenirs.Later on, I realize that on almost all boats similar acitivities are taking place.This is Asia, people are doing their business anytime, anywhere, without prior notice..!
I have booked my Night Bus from Ninh Binh to Hue in a small travel agency in Hanoi, but Idid not get a ticket, just a paper with the departure time, no logo, no contact number, no address, so I was only told to wait along the highway for the passing Open Tour bus, at around 20.30h in the night.Well, the first bus was just passing and did not stop.The second one stopped, but they argued that I did not have a valid voucher .After some arguments going back and for, I finally made it, and was now well on my way to the Imperial City of Hue,in a 9 hrs night bus trip, with a bed just behind the bus driver, but luckily far away from the toilets!
Hue was the Imperial City of Vietnam about 200 years ago and but was badly damaged by American bombardments.Many of the historic monuments have been renovated, and are open for visits now.
Every two years, the city organizes a huge cultural event, the Hue Festival, with dances, singing, and other performances by local and foreign groups.I was not aware of this festival, and was very pleased to realize that my visit to Hue was a perfect timing, just arriving a few hours before the Opening Ceremony, so I quickly bought the ticket!

Hue Festival 2008

It was a great event, with theatrical arts groups, colourful costumes, dances and fireworks, in the most stunning setting, right in front of Hue's ancient Citadelle.

Hue Festival 2008 (3)

Most applause was however given to the Germans who dressed up in their national colours, played some military march music, and were balancing themselves on high stilts.Job well done!
For 80,000 dong (about 5 usdollars!) I booked a whole day excursion to the Imperial tombs along the Perfume River.

Excursion boats in Hue

It all starts at around 8.30am on the boat station close to the Trang Trien bridge, and the trip is very interesting on landscape, cultural heritage and daily life, plus you get to meet with fellow travellers on the boat.
First stop is the "Thien Mu" pagoda, about 400 years old,

Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue

followed by several imperial tombs from the Nguyen dynasty.Entrace fees to each tomb are charged seperately, it therefore does not make sense to visit all, just select the most beautiful ones.Motorbikes are available for some tombs like the one of the emperor " Tu Duc" that are far away from the riverbank
.