I revisited Khiêm Lăng – Emperor Tự Đức’s Modest Tomb (1964-1967) one late afternoon when the last tourists were almost done with their visit and were about to leave. Light was changing to golden color and painting the trees, the lakes, the roofs, the stones and bricks with their warmth and gentle touch. I walked […]
Photostories
- Huế
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Huế Imperial City After Sunset
I never knew Huế Imperial City after sunset until it has recently been opened to guests until late at night since April 2017. Light is on at every main palaces, temples, long corridors and lanes in the Imperial City but the rest is dominated with darkness. It gives me a feeling of mystery and a […]
- Food
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Making Wood Fire-baked Bánh Mì in Huế
My mother loves nothing but loaves of bánh mì which are freshly baked in wood-fired ovens and still feel hot in her hands the moment she has them. I’m happy that I could always make her satisfied thanks to the traditional bakeries near our house. Many bakeries in Huế have changed from baking bánh mì […]
- Food
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Bánh Ú Tro – The Once-In-A-Year Treat (or Trick)
In Huế, bánh ú tro only appears once a year on Tết Đoan Ngọ (Duanwu Festival) which is on the fifth day of the fifth month according to lunar calendar. People buy it to offer to their ancestors on this special occasion. It is sold at Đông Ba Market or other traditional markets from early […]
- Huế
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The Gangsters of Hương River
Especially for The Gangsters of Hương River, When the hot summer comes and the school year starts to end, the Gangsters of Hương River are back to the water. They are around 10 years old and they live not very far from the river. I nicknamed them the “Gangsters of Hương River” because whenever they […]
- Huế
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Lantern Fruits Light up My Memory
On those days back to early 80s, what do you think I did in my free time? Of course, no video games neither Youtube to entertain a bored kid as I was. All I had was a spacious blue sky overhead, wide spread green fields, hedges, bushes, and earth roads overgrown with different kinds of […]
- Huế
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Photos: Linh Mụ Pagoda
I live near Linh Mụ, the iconic landmark of royal capital of Huế. It’s about 3 km away from my home but some time it takes me at least an hour to reach the staircase leading to the seven-storey of Phước Duyên since my photo walk is always slow and leisurely. I love this pagoda’s […]
#ComeWalkWithMe: Lê Lợi Str., Huế City
I love weekend when I have more time for walking. My companion could be a friend or my camera. I love walking with friends but most of the time I’d prefer to be on my own. It was a sunny day today so I decided to park my violet scooter at Huế Railway Station and […]
#ComeWalkWithMe: Bạch Đằng Str., Huế City
Bạch Đằng Str. in Huế City runs along the man-made river of Đông Ba and dotted with a dozen of traditional panel houses and old temples on one side and with bodhi trees on the other. There is Diệu Đế Pagoda, built by Emperor Thiệu Trị in 1844, half way along the street. The pagoda […]
#ComeWalkWithMe: Ngọ Môn at Sunrise
Many Westerners as well as the local people mistranslated Ngọ Môn – the main entrance to Hoàng Thành (Huế Royal City) is Noon Gate. This happens as the word “Ngọ” in ancient Chinese – Vietnamese language means “noon” when talking about time but it indicates “South” when referring to direction. Ngọ Môn of Huế Royal […]