If you’ve ever visited Danang or Lang Co Beach (Hue), you will not overlook Hon Chao Island. Hon Chao is located between the beach area of Danang and Hue with the administrative boundaries of Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue province. From Lang Co, it takes you just 20 minutes to go to Hon Chao, or if you go from Xuan Thieu beach, it will take you just 10 minutes travelling by boat to come to this beautiful island.

Hon Chao is the only island of Thua Thien – Hue province. This island is from the mainland about 10 knots. The island has an area of ​​more than 1,6km² and are also known by many different names such as Son Tra island, Han isle…which is an attractive destination for many tourists.

Hon Chao looks like an upturned pan emerging between the ocean 

Hon Chao is formed from the part of the sea stretched of Hai Van mountain range. This is a horizontal branch through the sea of Truong Son mountain, divides into 2 parts including the Northern Truong Son and Southern Truong Son. Seen from a long distance, the island looks like a clam with the shape of the upturned pan so people call it as Hon Chao. This green island is the only place on the sea to preserve the rare species – antelope. The around island have many radiant stones which is a good environment for fish, shrimp to reside and also the place for the anchored boats.

Hon Chao is formed from the part of the sea stretched of Hai Van mountain 

Photo: coviet.vn

In the past, Hon Chao Island is the bordering area between Vietnam and Champa. Under Tran dynasty, it was once named as Huyen Tran island to commemorate Tran Huyen Tran princess, who was brought back to Vietnam 2 Thuan, Hoa provinces and the important Hai Van area. Under Tay Son dynasty, in a walk, Quang Trung King called it by Pearl Island because it is too beautiful. In the beginning of the Nguyen Dynasty, the island is known as Han isle. Then, Minh Mang King named it by Ngu Hai Dai. Under the French colonial period, it is called Son Tra. Currently, the island’s official name is Hon Chao to avoid the confusion with the Son Tra peninsula in Danang.

Hon Chao with the wild beauty 

Photo: bookin.vn

In the past, Hon Chao Island is the bordering area between Vietnam and Champa 

Photo: baomoi.com

• Things to do in Sapa Vietnam

From 1802 to 1945, Vietnam was ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty, a powerful family who had its capital in the city of Hue (pronounced “Hwhey“) for more than 100 years. They would become the last ruling family of this sort in Vietnam, since the Emperor abdicated in 1945 in favor of the new communist government being set up in Hanoi under Ho Chi Minh.

But, since the Nguyen Dynasty was based here for so long, Hue is often still referred to as “Vietnam’s Imperial City.” Read more thing to do in dalat

And the things you can do here largely reflect this interesting history.

This sprawling complex in Hue was where the Emperors of old would have lived and conducted all their business. There was even a part of the citadel known as “The Forbidden Purple City,” which, much like China’s Forbidden City, was reserved for only the most important people in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, the Imperial Citadel today is just a shadow of what it once was. The temples, pavilions, walls, and gates were damaged first during skirmishes with the French in 1947, and then most of what was left was destroyed by American forces during the Tet Offensive(a major military campaign during the American-Vietnam War) in 1968. Xem hanoi opera house

It’s still well worth a visit, though, even if the restoration process has been slow.

Since Hue was an imperial capital for well over a century, many of the Emperors have elaborate tombs dedicated to them here. Most are located along the Perfume River south of Hue, and you can make a full day of it if tombs are your thing.

I visited to tomb complex of Tu Duc, which was actually built between 1864 and 1867 while the Emperor was still alive. It’s a sprawling complex set around a lake that the Emperor basically treated like a summer home.

Overlooking the Perfume River, the Thien Mu Pagoda is akin to the “symbol” of the city of Hue. It’s striking to look at, and the grounds are lovely, as well. You’re also sure to see young monks in training here going about their duties and studies.

If it’s kitsch you’re looking for (and especially if you’re traveling in a larger group), book an evening at a royal banquet. You’ll dress up like Vietnamese royalty, enjoy traditional music, and dine on traditional “royal” dishes that often come out with intricately-carved garnishes shaped like birds.

This is not something I would usually be into, but since I was traveling with a really great group on my Intrepid Travel tour of Vietnam, it ended up being an incredibly fun evening.

Lastly, if you only do one thing in Hue beyond the citadel and tombs, go on a countryside cycling tour. I love bike tours a lot — they give you such a different perspective on a new place, and it was no different in Hue.

The tour I went on had us riding through rice paddies, visiting a countryside market, and having lunch at a local family’s home. It was probably my favorite part of my time in Hue.

This of course is not an exhaustive list. You can also take a dragon boat cruise down the Perfume River, or wade through the chaotic central market. You can even book day tours from here to the Demilitarized Zone not far from Hue that marks where the border between North and South Vietnam used to be.

Whatever you do though, don’t skip Hue   da lat  if you’re traveling through Vietnam!

Source: dangerous-business.com

A visitor to Hue once remarked after his vacation here: “A visit to Hue would not be complete without a boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, or else you cannot feel the romance of Hue”.

The Perfume River(Vietnamese: Sông Hương or Hương Giang) is a river that crosses the capital city of Hue, in the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien Hue. Perfume or Huong River is around 80 kilometers long, and owes its name to the fact that it flows through many forests of aromatic plants before reaching Hue, bringing with it a pure and fresh aroma.

Source and flow

The Perfume River has two sources, both of which begin in the Truong Son Mountain range and meet at Bang Lang Fork. The Ta Trach (Left Tributary) originates in the Truong Dong mountains and flows northwest towards Bang Lang Fork. The shorter Huu Trach (Right Tributary) flows through the Tuan ferry, landing towards Bang Lang Fork.

Then it flows in south-north direction passing the temples of Hon Chen and Ngoc Tran, and turns north-west, meandering through the Nguyet Bieu and Luong Quan plains. From this, the River then continuously flows int the north-east direction to Hue city, only an echo of Truong Son mountain, and passes the rest place of the Nguyen Emperors. The river of green water continues its itinerary, passing Hen Islet and various villages, crossing the Sinh junction, which is known as the capital of ancient Chau Hoa, before emptying into the Tam Giang Lagoon.

From Bang Lang to Thuan An estuary, the Perfume River is 30 km long and runs very slowly (as the river level is not much above sea level). The Perfume River darkens as it winds along the foot of Ngoc Tran Mountain – home of the Jade Cup Temple – where there is a very deep abyss.

Artist inspiration

The poetic romantic Perfume River is the deep inspirations to numerous artists, poets, and composers;

“Who turns to Hue

Who comes back to Ngu Mount

Who comes back to Huong River

The river water never sinks

Ngu Mount birds fly back to friends

Whoever are children of Hue remember to return…”



A river tour