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A few hours away lies Hue, the
historic capital of Central Vietnam and another UNESCO site. It’s
very different from charming Hoi An as Hue itself is a fairly
grubby city buttressed by robust
walls. But the gentle
Perfume River offers an easy escape
and there’s a lot to see, most of it in the scenic green areas
around the city.
• The centerpiece is the bold 200-year-old Citadel is inspired by
the vastly superior version in Beijing. Crossing the moat takes
you past the sturdy walls and into the rather somber palace and
halls. Further back from the forecourts there are some nice
crumbling and forgotten structures. The Citadel maybe seems a
little predictable but it’s pleasant enough. Directly opposite is
the proud Flag Tower, Vietnam’s tallest, and not far away a row of
old cannons |