Hue – Fit for a King

My trek through Central Vietnam next led me to Hue, the Imperial City of Vietnam, which housed generations of Kings and their burial tombs. I found myself charmed by the grandeur and opulence of some of its former rulers. Each King designed and built their own tomb and burial grounds as a legacy of their rule. The surrounding area was also the stage for some of the bloodiest battles in the Vietnam war (which the Vietnamese call the American War) and I was able to spend some time exploring the de-militarized zone and learning about the history behind the eventual unification of Vietnam. However…my departure from Hue was a bit chaotic…more on that in a bit.

Around Hue: Pagodas, Imperial City and Tombs

So many interesting things to see and do in Hue (including visiting a business that makes incense). The rich history of this area is seen at every corner!!

Vietnam’s War History

Over the course of a very long (and rainy) day – I got to travel to see many of the key battle sites of the Vietnam war. The highlights included crossing the bridge that separated North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel, driving along the Ho Chi Minh trail and exploring the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These tunnels were made by and then housed the people of Vinh Moc during some of the toughest battles over a 2 year period. The highlight of the tour was getting to meet a gentlemen who was one of the 17 village babies born in the tunnels.

Oh the Rain!!!

So during my time in Hue (and a few days before) the area had been getting a lot of rain. As it turned out…too much rain for the local dam and waterways to handle. On my last morning in Hue, I woke up to a local flood (and continued rain). A few videos below to help capture the vibe – arrivals to the hotel lobby by boat, homes and businesses destroyed. With the train tracks under water (my planned mode of departure) I happened to find the one crazy bus driver who went through barricaded roads to get out of Hue. Without a doubt a white knuckle ride…and one that might only be best told in person…over a glass of wine (or two).