Two ancient quarters create highlights for Hue tourism

Bao Vinh ancient town is increasingly attracting tourists.

Bao Vinh ancient town (Huong Vinh ward, Hue city) is located in the north of the suburbs of Hue citadel. This is considered the largest trading port of Dang Trong region lasting for two centuries, 17th - 19th. There were many merchants from countries such as China, Japan, India and even European countries coming here to exchange and trade goods. Today, Bao Vinh ancient town is only about 3km from the center of Hue city. Therefore, it is very easy for tourists to come to visit the ancient features of the town that are more than a few hundred years old. Places not to be missed when visiting Bao Vinh ancient town are Bao Vinh communal house, Bao Vinh ferry, Bao Vinh market, Thien Giang Tu pagoda... Bao Vinh ancient town also has a unique feature of having a 2-storey house, a type of house architecture that is very rare in Hue.

Located at the downstream of the Perfume River, Edufarm in Bao Vinh Hue ancient town (Trieu Son Nam residential group, Huong Vinh ward, Hue city) with an area of 8,000m2 has attracted a large number of tourists. Coming here, visitors can experience activities such as horse riding, boating, fishing, camping, as well as playing with pets.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Dat, a Tiktoker (a person who uses Tiktok to post videos with creative content on a topic) specializing in Hue cuisine, was very excited to share breakfast dishes at Bao Vinh market in Bao Vinh old quarter. Starting with congee, then banh beo - nam - loc, bun hen, bun rieu, thach xoa... with affordable prices. Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Dat's feeling is that the vendors here are very friendly, hospitable and the dishes are delicious. Besides, among the markets in Hue, Bao Vinh market is the one that retains its ancient features, with the architecture of a traditional house, so visitors to the market can feel the soul of the old Hue vendors.

Gia Hoi ancient town still has a lot of room for tourism.

Currently, there is a website called “phocogiahoi.vn” to promote Gia Hoi ancient town (Gia Hoi ward, Hue city). Just by visiting this website, visitors will experience “virtual tourism” visiting Gia Hoi ancient town. In addition, on this website, visitors will also have useful information about the ancient town such as places to visit, eat, stay, tours, etc.

Not long ago, there was a tour called “Rolling with Hue” organized by the provincial Department of Tourism in collaboration with Beebeetravel in early September 2018. On the cyclo, visitors can explore and listen to many anecdotes about Chi Lang - Gia Hoi, visit Dieu De Pagoda, Phuc Kien - Trieu Chau Assembly Hall and stop at Me Xuong Thien Huong, a specialty brand that brought Hue to the world.

According to Resolution No. 1264/NQ-UBTVQH14 dated April 27, 2021 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, effective from July 1, 2021, Gia Hoi ward will be established on the basis of merging the entire natural area and population of Phu Cat and Phu Hiep wards. This is an advantage in the management and preservation of Gia Hoi ancient town.

In December 2021, the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Institute for Development Studies organized a scientific workshop on "Solutions to build Gia Hoi ancient town space into a typical commercial street of Hue city" to affirm the scientific values of history, culture, and architecture of Gia Hoi ancient town as a scientific basis for orienting research and implementing appropriate solutions in the future. In addition, the workshop also assessed the current status of Gia Hoi ancient town in terms of planning, construction, and architectural landscape management. According to a survey from the Thua Thien Hue Institute for Development Studies (September 2021), Gia Hoi ancient town currently has 83 tangible heritages, of which 3 have been ranked as National Monuments: The Lai Thuong Temple, Kim Hoan Ancestor Church, and Thanh Binh Tu Duong.

Resolution No. 83/NQ-CP dated May 27, 2020 of the Government promulgating the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW dated December 10, 2019 of the Politburo on building and developing Thua Thien Hue province to 2030, with a vision to 2045, also determined that the Central Government will support resources to preserve Gia Hoi ancient town (along with Bao Vinh ancient town).

Located in the southeast of the Hue Citadel, Gia Hoi Ancient Town is a land imbued with Hue culture. Gia Hoi Ancient Town is located on an island surrounded by the Huong River and the Dong Ba River. This ancient town was formed after the Nguyen Lords moved the capital of Dang Trong from Hoa Chau to Kim Long (1636) and Phu Xuan (1687). When the Nguyen Dynasty was established (1802), Gia Hoi Ancient Town, located next to Hue Citadel, developed rapidly, becoming a crowded city. It can be affirmed that Gia Hoi Ancient Town is the place that most vividly and authentically represents the life of ancient Hue people.

The most special thing in Gia Hoi ancient town is a series of mansions of kings, queens, and high-ranking officials in the Hue royal court such as the palace of Princess Nhu Sac, Gia Hung Vuong palace (Bach Dang street), Vinh Tuong Quan Vuong palace, Ngoc Son Princess temple, Tuy An Quan Cong palace (Nguyen Chi Thanh street), Hoai Duc Quan Vuong palace, Nghi Quoc Cong temple (Nguyen Du street), Tho Xuan Vuong palace, Thoai Thai Vuong palace, Hoa Thanh Vuong palace, Quang Bien Quan Cong palace (Chi Lang street). Some other mansions in Gia Hoi ancient town are An Thanh Vuong palace on Chua Ong street, Hoang Hoa Quan Vuong palace on To Hien Thanh street, Vinh Quoc Cong palace on Nguyen Du street...

Gia Hoi Ancient Quarter is home to a rich culinary life with famous Hue specialties. Thien Huong sesame candy shop (Chi Lang street), Me Keo's beef noodle shop (Bach Dang street), Ba Do's banh beo - nam - loc (Nguyen Binh Khiem street)... have long been famous and attract a large number of diners. In addition to the above specialties, this place also has many delicious dishes such as vermicelli with vinegar, grilled pork vermicelli, vermicelli with fish sauce, banh khoai, nem lui, hen rice, sweet soup...

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