We've read a lot about this coastal trading city, now 300,000 people, and its seat as the home of the Emperor Dynasties before the French took over and Vietnam became a communist country. The ego trtips associated with the dynasty are legion, shades of Xian in China on a much smaller scale. Vietname is attepting to regain its past, its a big tourist draw after all, and people from all over Asia come here for that reason.
Our NBFs from Oz have recommmended the Iperial hotel and indeed we feela bit like emperor and empress staying here. Our view fianlly after 1.5 days of rain emerges, 14 floors high above the Perfume River and it's gorgeous in the sun. Our corner room has two big picture windows and the other looks over the Old City and newer hotel/restaurant area. Everything within walking distance normally, except when we've had enough of traffic, noise and heat.
Cyclos are everywhere but we give them a miss as cabs are inexpensive and AC.
Our first nigh we visit Carambole for a nice Vietnamese meal, mine a set menu of several little courses which I love: crab soup, Hue's famous crispy rice wraps with pork/shrimp, stir fried veg and calamari, poached shrimp, beef wrapped in lot leaves and BBQd lightly (almost raw), topped with creamy coconut ice cream and tropical fruits.
We stroll back around downtown on the riverwalk, which is jumping tonight with all the locals and some tourists out. Night boat trips are popular, it's lovely watching the colours change on the main bridge across to the former sea of government, The Citadel.
Outside the main hotel on the corner of the river there are a group of students, sitting singing on EarthDay here, "Turn off the lights and turn on the future". The glorious optimism of young people eerywhere! The hotel lobby has turned off all the lights, lit candles and is passing out free lime dacquiries to passers-by. Yes to all that.
Our NBFs from Oz have recommmended the Iperial hotel and indeed we feela bit like emperor and empress staying here. Our view fianlly after 1.5 days of rain emerges, 14 floors high above the Perfume River and it's gorgeous in the sun. Our corner room has two big picture windows and the other looks over the Old City and newer hotel/restaurant area. Everything within walking distance normally, except when we've had enough of traffic, noise and heat.
Cyclos are everywhere but we give them a miss as cabs are inexpensive and AC.
Our first nigh we visit Carambole for a nice Vietnamese meal, mine a set menu of several little courses which I love: crab soup, Hue's famous crispy rice wraps with pork/shrimp, stir fried veg and calamari, poached shrimp, beef wrapped in lot leaves and BBQd lightly (almost raw), topped with creamy coconut ice cream and tropical fruits.
We stroll back around downtown on the riverwalk, which is jumping tonight with all the locals and some tourists out. Night boat trips are popular, it's lovely watching the colours change on the main bridge across to the former sea of government, The Citadel.
Outside the main hotel on the corner of the river there are a group of students, sitting singing on EarthDay here, "Turn off the lights and turn on the future". The glorious optimism of young people eerywhere! The hotel lobby has turned off all the lights, lit candles and is passing out free lime dacquiries to passers-by. Yes to all that.
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