A Riverside Picnic by the Perfume River – An Experience Not to Be Missed in Hue
A Riverside Picnic by the Perfume River – An Experience Not to Be Missed in Hue
Hue — Vietnam’s Heritage city — is a place where time seems to slow down, where ancient values are meticulously preserved with deep reverence. Although it is one of Vietnam’s five centrally governed cities, towering skyscrapers are a rare sight in Hue. In fact, any construction within and around the Imperial Citadel must comply with a strict regulation: no building can be taller than Hien Lam Pavilion, a sacred structure inside the Imperial City.
This has given Hue its open, gentle, and authentic landscape — a city where rustic beauty and ancient architecture are honored in their purest form. And thanks to this, life here moves at a unique pace: slow, relaxed, and filled with poetic charm.
One of the things that surprises visitors from other provinces — even many Vietnamese — is seeing locals swimming and bathing in the Perfume River each afternoon. While rivers elsewhere are often considered dangerous or unclean, in Hue, the Perfume River is an inseparable part of daily life.
In the early afternoon, you’ll easily come across groups of locals leisurely cycling, jogging, or enjoying a family picnic by the riverside. Some people swim, children gather in lively conversations, while others quietly sip hot tea or savor a glass of Hue’s signature salted coffee. In those moments, as the sunset paints the sky in vivid hues of purple, you will understand why the color purple has become an iconic symbol in the poetry and music intertwined with this city.
Hue’s purple skies are not merely a feeling — they are a real phenomenon. The city has the highest humidity in Vietnam and lies close to a long stretch of coastline, causing intense light scattering during sunsets. As the sun lowers, pink rays illuminate the underside of the clouds, reflecting onto the deep blue sky and creating a profound purple glow — a spectacle that only Hue can truly offer.
When staying at Ancient Hue — just a few hundred meters from the Perfume River — don’t forget to borrow one of our bicycles and ride out to the river in the early afternoon. Let nature, the people, and the rhythm of life in Hue guide you on a journey that is unhurried, profound, and profoundly beautiful.
