Huế

Regarding the place name, according to some information: • It is possible that Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of the Lê dynasty was the first to mention the place name Huế in Thập giới cô hồn quốc ngữ văn, a literature written in Chữ Nôm. In the literature, there is a line: “Hương kỳ nam, vảy đồi mồi, búi an tức, bì hồ tiêu, thau Lào, thóc Huế, thuyền tám tầm chở đã vạy then [Sandalwood incense, tortoiseshell scales, An Tức cloth, pepper hides, Lao bronze, Huế rice, an eight-fathom boat with a worn rudder].” • Older historical documents, with the exception of Quốc Triều Chính Biên Toát Yếu, used the name Phú Xuân, Kinh Đô, or simply Kinh, rather than the name Huế, when referring to Huế. • Việt Nam sử lược by Trần Trọng Kim was the first Vietnamese history book written in Chữ Quốc Ngữ. In addition to traditional historical sources, Trần Trọng Kim utilized Western historical sources, and the name Huế appeared. • In the memoir of Pierre Poivre, a French merchant who visited Phú Xuân (Huế) in 1749, the name Huế in the form of Hué appeared on occasions. • In 1787, Le Floch de la Carrière drew a map of the Đàng Trong coast for the French Navy, in which the map of Huế was depicted, and the name Huế was recorded as the French would later write it: Hué. • In a letter written in Saigon on July 15, 1789, by Oliver de Puynamel to Létodal in Macau, the name Hué was mentioned twice when discussing the situation there. ==History==

The oldest ruins in Huế belong to the Kingdom of Lâm Ấp, dating back to the 4th century AD. The ruins of its capital, the ancient city of Kandarpapura (lit. 'the city where Śiva burnt Kama'), is later located in Long Tho Hill, three kilometers to the west of the city. Kandarpapura might have only been established during the reign of Kandarpadharma (r. 629–640) and it was named after the king, certainly it may be not the name of the capital of former Lâm Ấp kingdom. Another Champa ruin in the vicinity, the ancient city of Hoa Chau is dated back to the 9th century. In 1306, the King of Champa, Che Man offered Vietnam two Cham prefectures, Ô and Lý, in exchange for marriage with a Vietnamese (Trần dynasty) princess named Huyền Trân. The Vietnamese King Trần Anh Tông accepted this offer. In 1592, the Mạc dynasty was forced to flee to Cao Bằng province and the Lê emperors were enthroned as de jure Vietnamese rulers under the leadership of Nguyễn Kim, the leader of Lê dynasty loyalists. Later, Kim was poisoned by a Mạc dynasty general which paved the way for his son-in-law, Trịnh Kiểm, to take over the leadership. Kim's eldest son, Nguyen Uông, was also assassinated in order to secure Trịnh Kiểm's authority. Nguyễn Hoàng, another son of Nguyễn Kim, feared a fate like Nguyễn Uông's so he pretended to have a mental illness. He asked his sister Ngoc Bao, who was a wife of Trịnh Kiểm, to entreat Trịnh Kiểm to let Nguyễn Hoàng govern Thuận Hóa, the furthest south region of Vietnam at that time. Because Mạc dynasty loyalists were revolting in Thuận Hóa, and Trịnh Kiểm was busy fighting the Mạc dynasty's forces in northern Vietnam during this time, Ngoc Bao's request was approved, and Nguyễn Hoàng went south. After Hoàng pacified Thuận Hóa, he and his heir Nguyễn Phúc Nguyên secretly made this region loyal to the Nguyễn family; then they rose against the Trịnh lords. Vietnam erupted into a new civil war between two de facto ruling families: the clan of the Nguyễn lords and the clan of the Trịnh lords. Tây Sơn rebellions broke out in 1771 and occupied an area from Quy Nhon to Bình Thuận province, thereby weakening the authority and power of the Nguyễn lords. While the war between Tây Sơn rebellion and Nguyễn lord was being fought, the Trịnh lords sent south an army and captured Phú Xuân in 1775. After the capture of Phú Xuân, the Trịnh lords' general Hoàng Ngũ Phúc made a tactical alliance with Tây Sơn and withdrew almost all troops to Tonkin and left some troops in Phú Xuân. In 1786, Tây Sơn rebellion defeated the Trịnh garrison and occupied Phú Xuân. Under the reign of the emperor Quang Trung, Phú Xuân became the Tây Sơn dynasty capital. In 1802, Nguyen Ánh, a successor of the Nguyễn lords, recaptured Phú Xuân and unified the country. Nguyễn Ánh rebuilt the citadel entirely and made it the Imperial City capital of all of Vietnam. Nguyễn Phúc Ánh (later Emperor Gia Long) succeeded in establishing his control over the whole of Vietnam, thereby making Huế the national capital. The second emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty to rule from Huế, reigning from his birthday on 14 February 1820 until his death, on 20 January 1841 was Minh Mạng. He was a younger son of Emperor Gia Long, whose eldest son, Crown Prince Cảnh, had died in 1801. Minh Mạng was known for his opposition to French involvement in Vietnam, and for his rigid Confucian orthodoxy. After the French conquest of Vietnam, Phú Xuân was officially renamed to Huế in 1899. It remained the capital of Annam, one of French Indochina's six constituent regions, until the State of Vietnam was established in 1949. Prior to 1975, the province was known simply as Thừa Thiên. During the French colonial period, Huế was in the protectorate of Annam. It remained the seat of the Imperial Palace until 1945, when Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) government was established with its capital at Ha Noi (Hanoi), in the north. While Bảo Đại was proclaimed "Head of the State of Vietnam" with the help of the returning French colonialists in 1949, his new capital was Saigon, in the south. The city underwent fighting during the Vietnam War, as it was the second-most northerly province of the South Vietnam, close to the North Vietnamese border (DMZ) at the 17th parallel. 2,893 U.S. soldiers died in Huế, more than in any other Vietnamese province. After the war's conclusion in 1975, some of the historic features of Huế were neglected because they were seen by the victorious communist regime and some other Vietnamese as "relics from the feudal regime"; the Communist Party of Vietnam (then Workers' Party of Vietnam) doctrine described the Nguyễn dynasty as "feudal" and "reactionary". With the adoption of liberalizing reforms, these hostile policies have been abandoned. Some of the city's historic areas and buildings are undergoing restoration, including the full reconstruction of Kien Trung Palace in 2024, and the city is developing into a tourism and transportation hub for central Vietnam. In recognition of Huế's rapid development, the city became Vietnam's sixth centrally-governed municipality in 2025. As part of this process, Huế was merged with the rest of Thừa Thiên Huế province to streamline administration. The National Assembly of Vietnam voted and passed a resolution to establish Huế city as a direct-controlled municipality, comprising the entirety of Thừa Thiên Huế province. At the same time, the former provincial city Huế was divided into two new districts, Phú Xuân district and Thuận Hóa district. Huế municipality officially came into operation in 2025. ==Geography==

The Perfume River passes through the center of the city. The city also accommodates the Tam Giang–Cau Hai lagoon, the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia, which is long with a surface area of . It is divided into four zones: mountainous areas, hills, plains, and lagoons separated from the sea by sandbanks. The city has a coastline of 128 kilometres (80 mi). The mountains, located along the western and southwestern borders, cover more than half of the province’s total area, with elevations ranging from 500 metres (1,600 ft) to 1,480 metres (4,860 ft). The hills, which lie between the mountains and the plains, account for about one-third of the territory and range in height from 20 metres (66 ft) to 200 metres (660 ft), with occasional peaks rising to 400 metres (1,300 ft). The plains occupy roughly one-tenth of the surface area, reaching elevations of up to 20 metres (66 ft) above sea level. The lagoons, located between the hills, represent the remaining 5% of the city’s area. Bạch Mã National Park is a protected area in the city of Huế. The area covers 220 square kilometres (85 sq mi) and is divided into three zones: a strictly protected core area, an administrative area, and a buffer zone. File:Sông Hương với hoa phượng.jpg|Perfume River File:Bach Ma NP2.jpg|Bạch Mã National Park File:Tam Giang and Sam-Thanh Lam lagoons.jpg|Tam Giang–Cầu Hai lagoon File:Mirador de Lang Co, Vietnam (29537339568).jpg|Lăng Cô File:Strand - panoramio (20).jpg|Phú Vang File:Hue DoiVongCanh.jpg|Vọng Cảnh Hill File:Vinh hien.jpg|Vinh Hiền Climate Huế’s climate mostly resembles the rest of central Vietnam, characterized as tropical monsoon, while because of the topography and altitude, climatic types occur which can be the same as found in temperate latitudes (A Lưới and Bạch Mã). In the plains and hills, the average annual temperature is 25 °C (77 °F), while in the mountains it is lower, at around (Statistical Yearbook 2004). The cool season extends from November to March, accompanied by northeasterly winds. January records the lowest average monthly temperature, 20 °C (68 °F), though temperatures in the plains can drop to 12 °C (54 °F). Relative humidity in this season ranges from 85% to 95%. From April to September, the climate becomes warmer, with average monthly temperatures reaching 29 °C (84 °F) in July and extremes of up to 41 °C (106 °F). The relative humidity may occasionally decrease to around 50%. Biodiversity and conservation A region known as the "Green Corridor" is home to species. New species of snake, butterfly, and orchid have been found there in 2005 and 2006, as stated by Chris Dickinson of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on 26 September 2007. The scientists discovered 11 new species of plants and animals, including a snake, two butterflies and five leafless orchid varieties. The new snake species is a white-lipped keelback (Hebius leucomystax). The new butterfly species are a skipper from the genus Zela, and the other from Satyrinae. The new plant species also include one in the genus Aspidistra, and a poisonous Arum perennial. == Administrative divisions ==

Huế is subdivided into 40 commune-level subdivisions: ==Demographics==

The average population of the province is 1,143,572; which consist of approximately 567,253 males and 576,319 females. The rural population is approximately 587,516 while the urban population is 556,056 (2015). == Culture ==

Clothing The design of the áo dài, a Vietnamese national costume, developed from the costumes worn by civilians in Đàng Trong in the 18th century after the costume reform of lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát. A court historian of the time described the rules of dress as follows: This outfit evolved into the áo ngũ thân, a type of five-part costume most popular in Vietnam in the 19th and 20th centuries. Inspired by Paris fashions, Nguyễn Cát Tường and other artists associated with Hanoi University redesigned the ngũ thân to create the áo dài in the 1920s and 1930s. While the áo dài and nón lá are seen by some as a symbol of Vietnam as a whole, the combination is seen by Vietnamese as being particularly evocative of Huế. Violet-coloured áo dài are especially common in Huế, the color having a special connection to the city's heritage as a former capital. Cuisine , a typical noodle dish The cuisine of Huế forms the heart of Central Vietnamese cuisine, while one of the differences is the prominence of vegetarianism in the city. All-vegetarian restaurants are scattered in corners of the city to serve the locals who have a tradition of eating a vegetarian meal twice a month, as part of their Buddhist beliefs. Nam Châu Hội Quán is a traditional dining hall. Huế dishes are known for their relatively small serving size with refined presentation, a vestige of its royal cuisine. Huế cuisine is notable for often being very spicy. Huế cuisine has luxurious and popular rustic dishes. It consists of distinctive dishes from small and delicate creations, originally made to please the appetites of Nguyen feudal lords, emperors, and their hundreds of concubines and wives. Religion Among Buddhist sites in the surrounding midland area of Huế is Chùa Phổ Lại, which hosts religious, cultural, and community activities. In 1963, Thích Quảng Đức drove from Huế to Saigon to protest anti-Buddhist policies of the South Vietnamese government, setting himself on fire on a Saigon street. Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Zen master who originated from Huế and lived for years in exile including France and the United States, returned to his home town in October 2018 and resided there at the Tu Hieu pagoda until his death in 2022. in Phong Thái Ward, Huế City, Vietnam Tourism Huế is known for its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Roughly along the Perfume River from Huế lie monuments, including the tombs of some emperors, including Minh Mạng, Khải Định, and Tự Đức. The Thiên Mụ Temple is the largest pagoda in Huế and the official symbol of the city. , containing palaces and shrines|left In the first 11 months of 2012, Huế received 2.4 million visitors, an increase of 24.6% from the same period of 2011. 803,000 of those 2.4 million visitors were foreign guests, an increase of 25.7%. While tourism plays a role in the city's socioeconomic development, it has impacts on environment and natural resource base. For example, services associated with tourism, such as travel, the development of infrastructure and its operation, and the production and consumption of goods, are energy-intensive. Research by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network has identified traditional 'garden houses' as having the potential to increase tourist traffic and revenue. Apart from the environmental, economic and cultural benefits provided by garden houses, their promotion could pave the way for other low carbon development initiatives. ==Economy==

The retail sales of goods and services (trade, hotel, restaurant, tourism) in the province is 10,960.6 billion đồng, or 0.9% of national GDP. This is compared with 12.7% for Hanoi and 23.5% for Ho Chi Minh City (2009). The province has more than 120 km of coastline, which provides for a seafood industry that produces over 40,000 tonnes per year, consisting of over 500 species of fish. There are more than 100 mines for minerals and non-mineral resources with the majority consisting of limestone, granite and kaolin. Huế is home to historical buildings, mostly a legacy from its time as a capital of the Nguyễn dynasty (1802–1945), including the Imperial Citadel, the Flag Tower, the Royal Palace, and the Royal Tombs. Huế's Forbidden Purple City was once reserved solely for the royal family's use; it was damaged during the Vietnam War. Outside the city is the religious site known as Nam Giao Hill ("Heaven's Altar"). Huế Brewery Ltd is located on the Perfume River. The Brewery is a joint state-private partnership founded in 1990, with an initial investment of US$2.4 million and a capacity of 3 million liters per year, which has since grown to a capacity of 100 million liters per year in 2007. == Infrastructure ==

Education The municipality is home to Huế University (e.g.: Huế Economic University, Huế University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Huế Pedagogical University, Huế Forestry and Agriculture University, Huế University of Sciences, Huế University of Arts, Huế Conservatory of Music and Huế College of Foreign Languages). As of 2009, the city had 190 schools, 1302 classrooms, 2184 teachers and 36,200 pupils. Health The Huế Central Hospital, established in 1894, was the first Western hospital in Vietnam. The hospital, providing 2078 beds and occupying , is one of three largest in the country along with Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi and Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, and is managed by the Ministry of Health. Transportation Phu Bai International Airport, the province's sole airport, is situated 15 km south of Huế; it ranks fourth in passenger numbers among Vietnam's airports. While a new terminal was completed in 2023 to receive international flights, Phu Bai still only has direct flights to domestic destinations; the first international routes to Kunming, Taipei and Seoul are planned to be inaugurated in 2025. ==International relations==

Twin towns – sister cities Huế is twinned with: • Gyeongju, South Korea • Hanoi, Vietnam • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam • Namur, Belgium • New Haven, United States • São Luís, Brazil • Yogyakarta, Indonesia Cooperation and friendship Huế cooperates with: • Blois, France == Notes ==