Sitting in Mai Uyen café beside the Huong River as it flows towards Vy Da, he spoke with great enthusiasm about Hue and the love he had for the land and its people, all while enjoying a cup of coffee. “I fell in love with Hue when I read about it in high school. I enjoyed the feeling of peace in my visits to Hue. Despite the busy pace of life, Hue preserves its distinctiveness that cannot be found anywhere else,” shared Ha.
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| The simple beauty of Dong Ba market in the heart of Hue city. Photo: Bao Phuoc |
Unlike other lands, Hue has many naturally beautiful destinations. Therefore, in many people's opinion, traveling to Hue always brings a comfortable feeling. Nguyen Dinh Tu, a writer from Hanoi, once visited Hue and was filled with excitement for his first time exploring the primeval mangrove forest of Ru Cha on Tam Giang lagoon. He was taken aback by the wild and picturesque beauty of Ru Cha in the fall. The breathtaking wilderness and natural beauty of Ru Cha is a major attraction for tourists from all around the world.
While returning to Hue, Nguyen Dinh Tu made a joke: “Hue locals are incredibly generous to offer a complimentary Ru Cha free for visitors. Perhaps Hue people love the inherent natural beauty, so they do not exploit it as a tourist destination”.
Compared to other cities, Hue is not very bustling. Everyone who is far from Hue is sorely missed. The feeling of happiness when returning to the elegant land satisfies long-awaited expectations.
Thu Hong, a citizen of Quang Nam province, spent 4 years studying at a university in Hue. After graduating, Hong went to Saigon to start a career. After being away from Hue for over 5 years, Hong deeply misses it. In early 2024, she returned to Hue.
Hong told me: “After a long time, I still felt familiar when returning to Hue. I yearned to leisurely bike down the tree-lined Le Loi street, savoring a bowl of spicy mussel rice and a glass of elegant Hem sweet soup. During my return trip, I plan to revisit all the places I've been to before, savor all the Hue dishes, and catch up with friends who work in the area. I am so excited”.
After 125 years of establishment and development, Dong Ba market has become a repository of the cultural and material values of Hue. With over 47,600 square meters of space, the market stretches from Gia Hoi bridge to Truong Tien bridge and offers around 60 different product lines, ranging from high-end to popular items. Dong Ba Market resembles a miniature Hue, captivating tourists and shoppers who have visited the Ancient Capital.
Head of the Market Management Board, Ms. Hoang Thi Nhu Thanh, along with the small traders, have “transformed” Dong Ba market to always attract tourists.
Ms. Mallorie, a French tourist, shared: “When I visit Hue city, I like to visit Dong Ba market. Everyone here is happy, friendly and hospitable.” Tourists can stroll through Dong Ba market and listen to the melodious voices of the local women, enhancing their love for the city of Hue.
Hue people are preparing all the necessary elements for Thua Thien Hue to become a centrally-governed municipality by 2025. It is the responsibility of every Hue resident to preserve and promote the unique characteristics of the land of Ngu Mountain and Huong River, creating a positive impression for tourists near and far, as stated by Prof. Dr. Phan Huu Dat: “There is rarely a nation in the world and a region of any country on the globe as well as in our country, where human personality is perceived in such a unique, rich, diverse, and strange way.”