The tomb of the rulers are located in Hue

The tomb of the rulers are located in Hue

During the era of 1802-1945, Vietnam was ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty. This was Vietnam's last ruling Royal family. There were in all 13 kings in different times. As a mark of tradition the rulers built tombs of their own name around the palace. These tombs are famously known as the Royal Tombs of Hue. Though there were 13 rulers but only seven tombs are found in the site. Due to various only seven of the rulers had tombs built after their name. These tombs form the architectural wonder of Hue and definitely a reason to visit the place.

The seven imperial tombs of Hue are built on a hilly region on the southwestern front of the Citadel, another famous monument of Hue. The kings having their presence in the form of the tombs are Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Dong Khanh and Khai Dinh. These tombs were constructed during their respective reigns and were named after them too. These were very aesthetically built monuments showcasing the taste of the respective rulers.

The tombs showcase the statute of the kings and are built in a way which perfectly synchronizes with the harmony that strings all the monuments in the same tune. The array of tombs presents a picture perfect of poetic setting in the lap of nature. The components which were incorporated in every of the constructions were: : walls, triple gate (Tam Quan Gate), Salutation Court, Stele House, temples, lakes and ponds, pavilions, gardens, and finally the tomb.

In the year 1957, the Royal Tombs of Hue were enlisted as World's Wonders. Unfortunately most of the artifacts are now stolen by the French and the crooks. It is really unfortunate for Hue for losing one of its wonders. Still today Hue has retained its glory and has been regarded as "a masterpiece of urban poetry" by Mr. Amadou-Mahtar-M'Bow, the Director General of UNESCO in 1991.

Some of the tombs of the rulers are:
Minh Mang

It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to complete this tomb consisting 40 different monuments of various sizes and shapes.
Tu Duc

The romantic ruler left the impression of his romance on the architectural wonder. The monument was built as a fairyland with extreme poetic traits. Almost every poetic element seems to be embedded in this tomb.
Khai Dinh

This tomb is characterized by the brilliant interiors of colored glass and ceramic chips. The oriental designs are created to give the tombs a distinct look that makes it stand out among the similar looking tombs.

The Pu Mat National Park - Nghe An Province

The Pu Mat National Park

The Pu Mat National Park is located in the southwest of Nghe An Province, about 130 km from Vinh City. Recently, plans have been made to turn this park into one of the province’s five main tourism areas. The other four comprise of Cua Lo Beach, Nam Dan, Quy Chau - Que Phong and Vinh City.
The park, formerly known as Pu Mat National Reserve, covers three districts - Anh Son, Con Cuong and Tuong Duong – with an area of over 91,000 hectares.
Pu Mat, home to diverse flora and fauna, has 896 flora species, 241 mammal species, 137 bird species, 25 reptiles and 15 amphibians. Many scientists also see Pu Mat as Vietnam’s great museum of animal gene pool.
Significantly, Pu Mat is one of Vietnam’s rare forests such as Quang Nam, Danang, Ha Tinh and Thua Thien-Hue where Sao la (long-horned bovid or scientific name Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) can be found. Sao la is one of the animals facing extinction, according to the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Endangered Species. A mature Sao la can weight up to 100 kg and groups of scientists, natural reserve managers and foreign experts are discussing ways to protect the animal.

Waterfall

Together with many unique animals, the primitive forest also has many beautiful landscapes. Among the favourite destinations are the 150-metre Kem Waterfall, Giang River and ethnic minority villages in the forest such as Thai, Tho, Dan Lai and H’Mong.
As such, Nghe An Service of Tourism is hoping to promote the park as the best ecological tourist destination in central Vietnam. The province will be preserved and the forest and surrounding areas developed to attract visitors, who come to Pu Mat for research or to experience adventure tours.
So far, the trekking tours, where travellers have an opportunity to explore the jungle and unique villages, are among the top choices for visitors of Pu Mat. These tours also allow visitors to speak to ethnic minorities and learn about their arts and culture, visit villages making brocades or tho cam and enjoy special food such as com lam (rice in bamboo cylinders).
Currently, Pu Mat welcomes over one thousand guests a year. Late last year, the provincial tourism service organised a familiarisation trip for photographers, guiding them to Dan Lai village, Kem Waterfall and rowing on the Giang River, so they can take beautiful photos of Pu Mat to promote to tourists.

Hue Imperial Citadel

Hue Imperial Citadel Information

The Imperial Citadel in Hue is a walled
fortress and palace in the former capital of
Vietnam.

The Imperial Citaldel in Hue is a walled fortress and palace in the former capital of Vietnam. The former imperial seat of government and Hue’s prime attraction, this is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history. Thanks to its size, it is also delightfully peaceful – a rare commodity in Vietnam. The citadel was badly knocked about during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls, and an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact, though, and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go. Allow several hours to see it properly. Entry 55,000 dong open 06:30-17:00.

Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park

One of the outstanding gems of the region, the 72, 000-hectare Cat Tien National Park (Ticket price: adult/child 50,000vnd /20,000vndd; Time: 7am-10pm) comprises an amazingly biodiverse region of lowland tropical rain forest. The hiking, mountain biking and bird-watching are easily the best in Southern Vietnam. Always call ahead for reservations as the park can accommodate only a limited number of visitors.

Fauna in the park include 326 bird species, 100 types of mammal, 79 types of reptile, 41amphibian species, plus an incredible array of insects, including 400-odd species of butterfly. Many of these creatures are listed as rare and endangered, including the Javan rhinoceros. Considered one of the rarest mammals in the world, this unusual rhino exists only in Cat Tien (there are believed to be seven or eight living in the park) and on the island of Java, in Indonesia. Leopards are also believed to live in the park, while another unique creature found here is a type of wild ox called a gaur. Rare birds in the park include the orange-necked partridge, green peafowl and Siamese fireback. There is also a healthy population of monkeys. Leeches are a less desirable member of the local fauna so come prepared, especially during the wet season.In the 2nd century AD the Cat Tien area was a religious centre of the Funan empire, and ancient Oc-Eo cultural relics have been discovered in the park. Cat Tien was hit hard by defoliants during the American War, but the large old-growth trees survived and the smaller plants have recovered. Just as importantly, the wildlife has made a comeback and in 2001 Unesco added Cat Tien National Park to its list of biosphere reserves. Since then, infrastructure has improved markedly with decent overnight options. It’s worth spending at least two full days here, if possible.

Elephants roam the park, but their presence has caused some controversy. In the early 1990s a herd of 10 hungry elephants fell into a bomb crater, created during the American War, just outside of Cat Tien. Local villagers took pity on the elephants and dug out a ramp to rescue them. Tragically, since then 28 villagers have been killed by rampaging elephants. Theoretically, the problem could have been ‘solved’ by shooting the elephants, but the Vietnamese government wasn’t willing to risk the wrath of international environmental groups. However, none of these organisations has come up with the funds for relocating the elephants, some of which were finally removed to zoos. In the longer term such conflicts are likely to be repeated because of the increasing competition between Vietnam’s wildlife and its growing population for the same living space.

Cat Tien also boasts a wide range of evergreen, semideciduous and bamboo forests; some 1800 species of plants thrive in the park.

Cat Tien National Park can be explored on foot, by mountain bike, by 4WD and also by boat along the Dong Nai River. There are many well-established hiking trails in the park, though the catch is you’ll need to hire a guide (per half-/full day 60, 000/120, 000d), as well as transportation to and from the start of the trail (4WDs can also be rented for 120, 000d per hour). Unfortunately, guides don’t speak much English.

Highly recommended is an overnight visit to the Crocodile Swamp (Bau Sau), which is a 9km drive from the park headquarters and you have to trek the last 4km to the swamp; the walk takes about three hours return. It may be possible for smaller groups (four or less) to spend the night at the ranger’s post here. It’s a good place to view the wildlife that comes to drink in the swamp. Another evening activity is the night safari (160, 000d) that the park offers. Wherever you decide to go, be sure to book a guide in advance and take plenty of insect repellent.

The park lies 150km northeast of HCMC and 40km south of Buon Ma Thuot and straddles the border of three provinces – Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc.