Vietnam’s Hue Citadel has stood for over two centuries, dating back to 1802. It serves as a vast and significant site of the Nguyen Dynasty, representing the heart of its imperial heritage. Today, Hue City retains many architectural marvels, including temples and palaces, each showcasing remarkable cultural and historical value.
Despite the challenges it has faced over the years, Hue Citadel continues to stand as a testament to beauty and resilience in the modern era. For 143 years, under the Nguyen Dynasty, it was a vibrant and prosperous center, witnessing both cultural flourishing and conflict. This remarkable site was not only a hub of political power but also the cultural epicenter of Vietnam, characterized by the grandeur of its palaces and ancient tombs that reflect its majestic legacy.
The historic complex of the ancient capital of Hue in Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1993.
“Vẻ đẹp Huế chẳng nơi nào có được.
Nét dịu dàng pha lẫn trầm tư.
Tình yêu… Từ chiếc nón bài thơ,
Từ giọng nói ấm trầm sâu lắng lạ…”
***
“The beauty of Hue is unlike any other.
Gentle features intertwined with contemplation.
Love… From the poem hat,
From that strangely warm, deep voice…”
(Song: Huế Tình Yêu Của Tôi – Hue, My Love)
Hue captivates with its unique charm, embodying a delicate blend of serenity and depth that resonates in its poetry and culture.
One of the significant milestones in Vietnamese Ao Dai culture occurred when Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, the 8th Nguyen Lord, implemented various policies that influenced clothing styles. Since then, the Ao Dai in Hue has been celebrated and cherished, a tradition that continues to this day.
In Hue, from the time the Ao Dai emerged, it was not only worn by beautiful concubines but also became a beloved garment for women from all walks of life. This enduring custom remains vibrant today, as you’ll find Ao Dai donned by everyone—from vendors at Dong Ba Market to young female students. Their presence in the streets of Hue adds a captivating charm, inspiring countless works of literature, poetry, music, and art.
For the women of Hue, the Ao Dai is more than just a festive outfit; it’s a casual staple that they wear regularly. Many own several Ao Dai, and the iconic purple hue has become synonymous with the city itself. This shade of purple bestows an elegance that is both modest and striking, embodying the quiet beauty of Hue’s women. As a result, the purple Ao Dai has inspired poets and musicians to create timeless works that resonate through the ages.
It’s rare for anyone to visit Hue without being enchanted by the sight of these graceful garments. The image of young girls riding bicycles in their Ao Dai and conical hats after school is a quintessential representation of this enchanting city.
Hue, the ancient capital, is also known for its serene landscapes and the gentle rhythms of life, especially the Nam Ai Nam Bang song along the Huong River. It is often affectionately referred to as “beloved Hue,” a place that embodies tranquility and nostalgia, capturing the hearts of those who leave. The beauty of Hue is intertwined with the Ao Dai and the poem hat, especially by the iconic Truong Tien Bridge.
Even amidst the rain and sunshine, the vendors carrying their baskets are a sight to behold. Clad in faded Ao Dai—sometimes patched from wear or crafted from precious fabrics—these women radiate grace, embodying the essence of softness and elegance akin to the summer lotus blooming in the ancient capital’s ponds.
The Ao Dai holds a special place in the hearts of all Vietnamese. Over the years, it has evolved, adapting to the changing times. The Hue Ao Dai, distinct from its Northern and Southern counterparts, features a moderately high collar and a silhouette that elegantly accentuates a woman’s figure without being overly tight or extravagant.
Nestled in the heart of Vietnam, Hue boasts stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine. Whether you are a traveler, writer, musician, or photographer, encountering the girls in slender Ao Dai and conical hats is essential to truly experience Hue. Without this, your visit feels incomplete, lacking the essence of “Hue” to take home with you.
Imagine catching a glimpse of an Ao Dai on a misty morning or in the fading light near the ancient tombs and temples. The sight of the flowing fabric in the breeze, accompanied by gentle laughter, evokes the melody of a song, a stroke of color in a painting, or a fleeting moment captured in a photograph.
PPhotographers from around the world have visited Hue through my “Vietnam Phototours,” often highlighting this enchanting city as a favorite stop on their journey. The images of Hue girls in their Ao Dai hold significant places in their collections, encapsulating the beauty and spirit of the city.
Once you’ve experienced Hue, you’ll undoubtedly want to return time and again.
“Trở lại Huế yêu lần theo ân tình câu hát…Tìm người con gái áo tím mộng mơ.’’
“Return to beloved Hue following the love song …
Find the girl in dreamy purple ao dai ”(Song: Huế Thương – Beloved Hue).
@nguyenvuphuoc.com -Oct, 2019
More info: vietnam-phototours.com
The historic complex of the ancient capital Hue of Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1993
Located in the middle of Vietnam stretching the S-shape, Hue belongs to central Vietnam. Hue has beautiful landscapes, Hue has good food. Whether you are a traveler, a writer, a musician, a photographer, who come to Hue but do not see Hue girls with a slender ao dai and a conical hat, your trip is meaningless and you will not bring “Hue” back home with you.
Women in Hue see the ao dai as a casual outfit, not just for use at festivals, New Year, or important events. Therefore, everyone here also buys at least a few ao dais for themselves. The strange thing is that it is not only in Hue that people wear purple dresses, but somehow the most appropriate purple dress is in Hue. Purple makes Hue women have an elegant yet modest elegance, quiet but ready to stand out. Therefore, the purple ao dai of Hue has inspired many poets and musicians to create immortal works for the times.
Different from Ha Thanh Ao Dai or Saigon Ao Dai, Hue Ao Dai is not lengthenend to the heels or splitted up too high, with moderately high collar, where the waistline is also attached to the delicate curves of women but not too tight.
Ao Dai has long been in the minds of every Vietnamese people, the ao dai goes through the years, slowly changing its shape to match the changes of the period.
I think that, if you come across the image of an ao dai on the street, early in the morning tha is slightly foggy, in the late afternoon that is blurry in the corners of the Tombs, Temples, following the footsteps, the dress fluttering in the wind, with gentle laughter that is strangely lovely, you will think of a tablature in your song, a color in the picture or a quick click in the camera in hand.
Rarely does anyone come to Hue without being impressed by the dreamy ao dai. The girls of the spring age, wearing a conical hat, riding a bicycle every afternoon after school is a beautiful image, a symbol of this famous land.
One of the milestones of Vietnamese Ao Dai culture was when Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, the 8th Nguyen Lord, promulgated many policies and mentioned amendments to clothing. Since then, the Ao Dai in Hue has been focused and cherished to this day.
Hue is a land of ancient capital with Nam ai and Nam bang dances on the Huong River. People often call it beloved Hue because the land is quiet and still, because of the sadness that lingers in the eyes of people who go away. The beauty of Hue may be wrapped in the ao dai and the poem hat on the side of Truong Tien Bridge.
In the land of rain and sunshine, the pannier seller also looks respectable. In a faded ao dai because of hard work, patched for lack of fabric or sewing with precious velvet, the women are still elegant, light like clouds, gentle as rice, fragrant as summer lotus in the pond and lake of the Ancient Capital.
” The beauty of Hue is nowhere to be found. Gentle features mixed with thought Love … From the poem hat From that strangely warm, deep voice … ” (Song: Huế Tình Yêu Của Tôi – Hue, My Love)
Vietnam’s Hue Citadel has existed for more than two centuries since 1802. Hue Citadel is a large space, the most important place of Nguyen Dynasty.
“Return to beloved Hue following the love song … Find the girl in dreamy purple ao dai ” (Song: Huế Thương – Beloved Hue).
Photographers from other countries have come to Hue on my ‘Vietnam-Phototours’ .. They loved this place the most during a long journey through every part of Vietnam, they loved the beautiful moments, in which images of Hue girls in ao dai have always been important positions in their picture frames.
And if you already visited Hue once, be sure that you will want to come back again for several times more as soon as you go home.
