6.5 m wide and 27m long and can carry a hundred people. The cruise is a great experience for all those wishing to explore the romantic beauty of the Perfume River, a nature's gift to the city of Hue.
The Perfume River originates in the Truong Son Cordillera (mountain range running between Vietnam and Laos). In its course upstream grows abundantly a medicinal plant, Thach xuong bo Vietnamese. During flowering, the flowers fall into the water and perfume. This is why the river is called Huong (Perfume). This is the edge of this beautiful river as the capital of the Nguyen lords of the South (1569-1777), was built over 400 years ago. This is where they settled in 1802 the imperial capital, which remained so until 1945.
Nature and Culture in upstream
Initially, the Quang Long welcomes visitors to the pavilion Dinh Luong, former resting place of monarchs. The boat then rises on the river about six miles. A total of four hours walk along the water.
Located on the north bank of the river, the village of Kim Long, Nguyen fief of the lords between 1636 and 1687, is renowned for its town hall. The boat then moves to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Thien), one of the most beautiful and oldest of Hue. Its most striking feature is a seven-storey tower, dedicated to the Buddha appeared in human form. Visitors can stop at the Hon Chen temple, which sits on the hill of the Jade Cup (Ngoc Tran), and is dedicated to Po Nagar, the goddess mother of the Champa Kingdom. The Vietnamese perpetuated by renaming it worship the goddess Thien Na y A, or "Divine Mother". The temple existed here for centuries when it was rebuilt in 1886.
In return, the boat takes visitors to the foot of the hill Vong Canh (Contemplation). Then, visitors can admire the eve waterworks of the city whose architecture is a successful blend of Western style and Eastern style. This pumping station was built between 1909 and 1911 by French architect Bossard, who designed an architecture that harmonizes with the natural landscape and monuments nearby, including the tombs of the emperors. She is still active today. Finally, before ending the tour, visitors are invited to discover the island of Da Vien where was the pretty garden From Da Vien Tu Duc (1829-1883).
Urban living downstream
Different atmosphere for the second ride, the downstream one. Over mountains and hills sparsely populated but the plain bubbling with activity. Also scenes of urban life, visitors have the opportunity to admire the famous places of the old imperial city that Truong Tien bridge spanning the river. This metal bridge with seven arches, 400 m long, was built around 1900.
In its circuit, the boat also stops at the old trading port of Bao Vinh, who is currently a street décatie located along the Perfume River. First port of the imperial city of Hue, he was born in the nineteenth century and had its heyday at the time. Today, Bao Vinh attracts tourists for its old buildings, especially its fifteen houses nearly 200 years.
Towards the end of the trip, the boat made a stop at the village wharf Sinh, known for its festival of wrestling for his prints and worship. Built five centuries ago, the village has specialized in the manufacture of popular prints, a craft handed down from generation to generation, and which still adorn the walls and altars of the ancestors of many families.
And when any of these towers (upstream or downstream, morning or afternoon), visitors can taste dishes of the old imperial city, prepared by talented artisans, attend Theatre performances of traditional art of the court of Hue, listen to stories and legends told by the tour guides of the Centre for Preservation of Historical Monuments of Hue.
