When I suggested my friend, Mai, having a walk with me a few days ago, she asked how far I could walk. “Around 10 km,” I proudly replied. After arranging our time, we met up at Papaya shop where she is working as a saleswoman, and started our walk this morning. Unlike many other walks […]
Author: lanhue
24 Hours in Huế City, Việt Nam
Huế is (again) my home and paradise so I never recommend you to come and stay only one day or two. I’d suggest that you stay longer as I believe there are so many things to see and experience in my hometown. Unfortunately, many of you often have a short holiday but long travel list. […]
A Leisure Walk Around Huế City With My Best Friend
It was Monday afternoon when an expected storm missed our city and while many employees were almost defeating their Monday Blues, my best friend Dũng and I walked the alleys and streets of Huế City. Dũng went home from New York City for a break before starting his new job in a few weeks while […]
Ooh La La, I Love Wearing My Nón Lá (Vietnamese Conical Hat)!
If I am asked to picture an impressive image of my country, this should be it: a young woman wearing white áo dài and nón lá (Vietnamese conical hat) while riding her bicycle under leaf canopies in a sunny and breezy day. A women in áo dài and nón lá always looks charming and gentle […]
Dì Nhơn Of The Rice Paper Village
Lựu Bảo is a peaceful village located to the Northwest of Huế City’s center. The village lies along Bạch Yến Stream, a branch of Hương River. I love the ride along their main road which is lined with garden houses and temples on one side and the slim Bạch Yến River and vegetable farms on […]
The Eternal Homes of Nguyễn Dynasty’s Phoenixes
Like their emperor, Nguyễn Dynasty’s empresses also have their “eternal homes” built grand and solemn for them by their emperor or descendants after they left this world. Most of the empresses’ graves are decorated with images of a phoenix because this legendary bird symbolizes their prestige as the dragon does to an emperor’s power. Empresses’ […]
Nấm Tràm (Bitter Bolete) and How I Cook It
Nấm tràm (bitter bolete) might be favored by Huế people as much as truffle is to many French gourmets although it is way cheaper than the truffle. Nấm tràm’s season is between summer and autumn and it only appears after a few days of heavy rain. Nấm tràm is very bitter, especially its skin, which […]
Our Charming and Timeless Áo Dài (The Vietnamese Traditional Costume)
Áo dài is a set of traditional costume worn by both Vietnamese men and women but it’s more popular among the women. Most of the Vietnamese women have at least one set of áo dài in their wardrobe. You might think that it’s common because it’s our national costume. Well, yes, it’s partly true. It’s […]
The 7 Imperial Tombs of Nguyễn Dynasty in Huế
Our ancestors believe that our present life is just temporary and life after death is eternal. So did the emperors of Nguyễn Dynasty. Therefore, plans for a lăng – their eternal home was made long before they left this world. Locations of imperial tombs in Huế were selected according to the rules of feng shui. […]
How To Make Sugar-coated Pomelo Peel
Markets in Huế are flooded with pomelos now as these fruits are in their season. I love eating this juicy fruit and love its fragrant peel as well. I use its peel to make hair treatment and even snack. I’ve recently made sugar-coated pomelo peel using Auntie Tuyết’s recipe. This is a great snack to […]