globtr: Hue

Showing posts with label Hue. Show all posts

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Bike in Hue

2013 January, The Long Trip - Vietnam, Hue

The first day of 2014 was also an active one. In the evening I had a bus to Hanoi so in the morning I rented a bike and went for another ride.
I heart about one famous pagoda in Hue. It is Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest Vietnamese one and it is located on the river bank, around 3 km from the city.
Hue was a magical place for me as I found there a Nelson DeMille's book 'Up Country' which action took place in Vietnam. I'd visit more interesting places in this country if I had it before my trip.
In the evening I took a bus to Hanoi. The price was 280,000.00VND (9.7e) Unfortunately, I didn't check that it was due to 5 am in Hanoi. Luckily, it wasn't so cold there.

Thien Mu Pagoda

On the way from Thien Mu Pagoda

Friday, January 10, 2014

New Year Eve in Hue Four Season Hotel

2013 December, The Long Trip - Vietnam, Hue

The last day of 2013 I decided to spend actively. I rented a bike for 20,000 VND (0.7e) and went to see a Japanese Covered Bridge - Thanh Toan Bridge. I cycled net to the canals to see the true live of the local people. It was a lovely day and my route was excellent. Everybody suggested to go there via Nguyen street but I did it via Phan Chu Street. On the way there were signs to Can Nguoi which is a Vietnamese name of this bridge. Near the bridge I met some foreigners and local kids.
In the evening our hotel owner told us that they had a celebration in the lobby. The party was well prepared, on the tables were cakes and drinks, everything was ready for counting down into 2014. We had it 6 hours before Europe.

On the way to Thanh Toan Bridge

Laundry service

On the way to Thanh Toan Bridge

Thanh Toan Bridge

Cemetery

New Year's Eve at Hue Four Seasons Hotel

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

DMZ trip from Hue

2013 December, The Long Trip - Vietnam, DMZ

I visited DMZ in South Korea and I was curious how Vietnamese DMZ looks like. I checked online reviews of trips. All of them were clear at one point, most of the time you spend on the bus. The best option is to rent a car with driver. Unfortunately, if you don't have a group to travel with it might be too expensive and it was for me. I decided to take a tour and was ready for long time on the bus. The trip cost me 310,000.00 VND (11e). The following day, they picked me up from my hotel at 7 am. If you decided to have breakfast included, your trip would have started at 6.00 am. It took 30 minutes to pick up the rest of the group from their hotels. The first stop was around 10 am in a local restaurant in Dong Ha where our guide joined us. After another 40 minutes ride we stopped near The Rockpile where US Marine had a look out. Now you see only a Vietnamese flag. The next stop was after 10 minutes and it was a village with ethnic people. We stopped on the road from where we were allowed to take pictures. It was like a ZOO and they should stop doing it. Another stop was near the river on the Dakrong Bridge. The last stop before lunch in Dang Ha was the Khe Sanh Combat base. It was the first point worth stopping but this is only my opinion. It used to be an old US Marines base. Nowadays, there is a museum and some US tanks, helicopters and a plane displayed. The lunch wasn't included so I went to other bar to eat something as my group was a big one.
After lunch it was time for the main attraction, the Vinh Moc Tunnels. The entrance fee was 20,000.00 VND (0.7e) included in the tour price. There are several entrances and it has 3 levels. Make sure you see the entrance number 10 but please note that it might be slippery and wet. We spent there only 40 minutes. The last stop was a military cemetery. If someone decides to organize a tour visitting the US base and the tunnels only, it would be much better trip.
I was back in my hotel around 7 pm.