The Citadel (Kinh Thanh). Construction began in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long. It has a 10km moated perimeter. The Emperors official "office" was the Imperial Enclosure inside the Citadel with a 6 metre high wall 2.5 km in length. Within the Enclosure was the Forbidden Purple City reserved for the Emperors private domestic life. The Imperial Museum is housed in a lovely hall built in 1845 and restored in 1923.

The Royal Tombs.
The tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty are located from 7km to 16km south of Hue. Most have a US$4 admission fee.
Nam Giao (Temple of Heaven) was once the most important religious site in Vietnam.
Dong Khan's Mausoleum. The smallest of the tombs, built in 1889.
Tomb of Minh Mang (1820-1840), is perhaps the most impressive. 12km from Hue on the west river bank
Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1925). On a hilltop, completed in 1921.
Ho Quyen. 7km from the city centre.

Pagodas.
Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the best known structures in Vietnam. Founded in 1601, its on the banks of the river 4km south-west of the Citadel.
Bao Quoc Pagoda. Founded in 1670.
Dieu De National Pagoda built under Emperor Thieu Tri (1841-47) is along the Dong Ba Canal.
Tang Quang Pagoda. The largest of the three Theravada Buddhist pagodas.

River Cruises.Boat trips down the Perfume River (Song Huong) are worthwhile. Typically they visit many of the Tombs. Restaurants and Hotels sell the tours at around US$2 per person. 8am-2pm daily.

Telephone
area code is 54
Old capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Traditional educational, religious and political centre.
Attractions:
Tombs of the Emperors, Pagodas and the remains of the Citadel. Thuan An beach, 13 km north, where the Perfume River comes into the sea. Boat Trips along the Perfume River. DMZ tours, permit required.

Coming & Going:
AIR. Vietnam Airways several daily flights to Hanoi & Saigon, office at 12 Ha Noi St. Tel.823249 and at Thuan Hoa Hotel (7 Nguyen Tri Phuong St).
BUS.to Danang (44), Hoi An ($5), Hanoi ($22). Three main Bus Stations. An Cuu, at the south-east end of Hung Vuong St. for southern destinations. An Hoa, north-west of the Citadel on Highway 1, serves northern destinations. Dong Ba, next to Dong Ba Market, for shorter local area trips.
Tourist Minibuses to Danag and Hoi An go at 8am daily (US$3), book at most budget hotels and cafes.
TRAIN. station is at the south-west end of Le Loi St. Ticket office open 7:30am-5pm daily.
Getting Around:
Bicycles are the transportation of choice here. Although it is easy to explore the narrow streets and ancient bridges and temples on foot or by cyclo, you can rent a bicycle for about $2 a day or a motorbike for about $5 a day. River Tours are popular.

Sometimes called the "Venice of Vietnam" because of the narrow canals that cut through part of the town.
Founded by Japanese traders in the 16th century, Hoi An became Central Vietnam's most important port and trading center.
Many of the buildings have barely changed in five hundred years.
Rows of tile-roofed shop houses memorialize a century of Portuguese traders, while others look as if they were lifted straight out of China.

Many homes here have been in the same family for hundreds of years and have become private museums that you can visit for a small fee.
There are several fascinating old temples worth seeing as well as the covered 17th Century Japanese Bridge that has become the icon of Hoi An.
What many consider to be Vietnam's best beach is only a four kilometer bicycle ride away.
You could be awakened by the sounds of motorbikes and bicycle bells just after four in the morning as many Hoianese head there for their daily swim.

It seems odd, but pale skin is considered attractive so people stay out of the sun during the day.
Except for a few tourists, the beach is empty throughout the day, food and drinks are readily available.

Scores of little shops here offer an astounding assortment of local handicraft items at bargain prices.
A third of the population seem to be tailors and very cheap shirts can be made to order in a matter of hours.
Suits take a day. At night, Le Loi Street is lined with glowing ricer paper lanterns in unusual shapes and vibrant colors.
You can have them made overnight in an astounding array of sizes, shapes and colors.

Party Boats that depart during Spring and Summer months from the quay along the river opposite Mr. Ly's restaurant.
Garish colored lights and blaring music remind you of a floating carnival ride. The cost is only about two dollars, not including drinks or food purchased aboard.
These boats are a favorite with local Vietnamese, who drink, sing and dance very freely as boats glide through the darkness of the river at night.

The Hoi An Legendary Night takes place on the 14th day of every full moon from 5:30-10pm.
The event features traditional food, song and dance and games along the lantern-lit streets in the town centre.
There are many interesting Chinese Assembly Halls, Pagodas and Churches.
All the skilful fake antiques in the shops are made in nearby villages.
Across the footbridge is the Peninsula, noted for its boat factory and mat weaving.
South of the Peninsula is Cam Kim Island, home to a woodcarving industry, accessible by boat from Hoang Van Thu St. jetty.
Cam Ha , 3km west, is known for fine pottery.
Cam Nam Village, across the Cam Nam Bridge, is a pretty place with an abundance of arts and crafts.
The local beach, Cua Dai Beach, is 5km east Hoi An and generally safe for swimming.
Hoi An gets very packed in the high tourist season.
Attractions:
Chinese Assembly Halls, Pagodas and Churches. nearby art & craft villages. Cua Dai beach, 5 km east of town.
Coming & Going:
Buses to Nha Trang ($15), Hue ($8).