Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [210]
The Nguyen Dynasty
In 1802 Prince Nguyen Anh, one of the southern Nguyen lords, defeated the Tay Son Dynasty with the help of a French bishop, Pigneau de Behaine. When Nguyen Anh assumed the throne under the title Emperor Gia Long he thus founded the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from Hué until the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai in 1945. Eleven of the Nguyen emperors are buried in Hué ((see "The Royal Mausoleums") for information on several of their mausoleums), the exceptions being Ham Nghi and Bao Dai; the latter died in Paris in 1997 after four decades in exile, while Ham Nghi was exiled to Algeria and eventually buried there.
Gia Long 1802–20
Minh Mang 1820–41
Thieu Tri 1841–47
Tu Duc 1847–83
Duc Duc 1883
Hiep Hoa 1883
Kien Phuc 1883–84
Ham Nghi 1884–85
Dong Khanh 1885–89
Thanh Thai 1889–1907
Duy Tan 1907–16
Khai Dinh 1916–25
Bao Dai 1926–45
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The central provinces | Hué |
Accommodation
The majority of accommodation in Hué is located south of the Perfume River; top-class establishments overlook the river, while budget hotels and guesthouses are scattered in the streets behind, particularly the backpacker enclave of Hung Vuong and Nguyen Tri Phuong, and along Pham Ngu Lao. A few hotels have opened up within the citadel, though as yet you’ll find better value south of the river. Thanks to a dramatic increase in the number of private hotels, there’s now an oversupply of rooms most of the year and you should be able to bargain. All the accommodation below is marked on the map "The Imperial City", except where otherwise stated.
Binh Duong III 4/34 Nguyen Tri Phuong 054/383 0145, binhduong1@dng.vnn.vn. The real highlight of this friendly hotel is that each room is equipped with a computer for free internet access. In addition, it has large, spotless rooms with a/c, cable TV and full-size tubs. Binh Duong I – slightly cheaper but not as plush – is just up the alley. US$11–20
Binh Minh I 36 Nguyen Tri Phuong 054/382 5526, www.binhminhhue.com. Bright, welcoming hotel in a great location with a range of clean, homely rooms, some with balconies looking towards the mountains. A popular and good-value option. Rooms are cheaper when booked through the website. US$11–20
Canh Tien Guesthouse 9/66 Le Loi 054/382 2772, tvphuong1@dng.vnn.vn. Immaculately clean and with spacious rooms with cable TV, a/c and spotless bathrooms. The owner, Phuong, is the head of foreign languages at the local university, so the odds are he can understand anyone, and is always keen to share a beer. US$10 and under
Century Riverside Inn 49 Le Loi 054/382 3390, www.centuryriversidehue.com. Inter-national hotel on the banks of the Perfume River with swimming pool, bar, post office and souvenir shops. The comfortable but characterless rooms, some very small, are overpriced. US$76–150
Dong Tam 7/66 Le Loi 054/382 8403. Pink and plush-looking from the outside – especially when the sun is shining on the pool out front – this secluded guesthouse features rooms that, while simple, are a real steal at $10 and up. US$10 and under
Duy Tan 12 Hung Vuong 054/382 5001, nkduytan@dng.vnn.vn. Large, government-run hotel with big, old-fashioned yet comfortable rooms on the main drag; not bad value if you fancy something a bit less frenetic than many of the other budget options. US$31–50
Green Hotel Hue 2 Le Loi 054/382 4668, www.greenhotel-hue.com. See "Hué". A large and architecturally adventurous hotel right next to the train station. Green is the theme in the fresh, rattan-furnished rooms, four levels of which curl around a central outdoor swimming pool. US$76–150
Huong Giang 51 Le Loi 054/382 2122, www.huonggiangtourist.com. One of Hué’s top hotels, built in 1962 and well renovated, with a pool, gardens, tennis court and other four-star facilities. It’s a more homely establishment than the next-door Century Riverside, but can’t match the Saigon Morin for service and room size. Larger rooms overlooking the river offer better value for money. US$51–75
Imperial Hotel 8 Hung