Who needs a rough guide?
The medieval city of Hué (pronounced Wey) was the chosen venue for our arrival back into the world of comfort. Dramatically set on the Perfume River, it is a glorious fusion of history, old and recent. The Imperial City used to house the palaces, pavilions and courtyards of the Emperor and his enormous entourage. Used to that is, until it was bombed by the Americans after the Viet Cong took up residence for a few days in 1968. Many buildings and the citadel walls survived, however, and other parts are being reconstructed so it is still perfectly possible to sense the lost world of extravagance and plenty. Additionally, Hué is only 65 miles south of the 17th Parallel and it is a short ride to the old Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which saw some of the heaviest fighting during the Vietnam war. The city is also less hectic than other Vietnamese cities – you are only asked if you want a ride on a motorbike every four minutes rather than the usual two in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon).
