This city can’t be rushed when one visits Vietnam

Dipping my head as I walked into a hundred-year-old café, I knew I was somewhere different. Hue City in the centre of Vietnam is a stunning example of a location that you can't rush. And to those who take the time to slow down and feel the atmosphere, it is considered the true gem of Vietnam.

When travelers plan their Vietnam adventures, they almost always have two nights in one city and quickly plan to hop to the next big city and 'experience' the real Vietnam. Rarely do people choose to visit Hue, which, in my opinion, is the single greatest disaster for guests to the country.

Hue, the imperial capital, carries in its streets and buildings the stories of great victories, cultural excellence and the tragedy of war. The oldest buildings have been preserved from the days when it was the capital of Vietnam well before French influence.

'An exhibition of time'

Walking the streets of Hue is like walking into an exhibition of time. As I walked down the streets, I came across a combination of architecture that stemmed from a mix of French colonial era and the times of the dynasties that ruled over the growing country hundreds of years in the making.

After three days in this beautiful city, I realised I had made a big mistake in my travel plans. I planned to spend just three days in the most amazing place in Vietnam. And standing on the Hue Railway Station platform, I promised myself that I would return soon, but this time it would be for at least 10 days so I could take in the sights and feelings of this culture in more detail.

When we think of travel plans, we often make a list of things to see. In Hue, there are a multitude of places to visit in the city and the surrounding countryside that tell the story of emperors of the past, religious history and the region's people, who are the backbone of every amazing moment in my experiences.

The Perfume River runs through the centre of the city. It alone is a photographer's paradise as the sun sets to the northwest in summer, giving photographers views rarely seen in any city in Vietnam.

One side of the river is the mostly modern part of the city. Walking Street opens at sunset and is considered the go-to location for foreign travellers and backpackers because of the significant number of bars, western food and other services specifically suited to these travellers.

The other side, however, is a different feeling. Considered the original part of Hue, the buildings are a historical footprint of the life of this city. From the citadel and palace of the emperors of Vietnam to small old buildings housing some of the best cafés I have ever seen, this place cannot be rushed.

And that is exactly what I did, albeit for far too short a time. Walking through the small streets and lanes, I stumbled across temples, homes and buildings that were so old and beautiful they stopped me in my tracks. What was a 30-minute trek to buy a coffee turned out to be a five-hour stroll that took in four coffees and a few hundred photos.

My wife also got into the spirit by renting an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) from a local store. Together, we went to a house, formerly a residence for the family of an emperor, and spent the morning surrounded by beautiful ladies and a building locked in time. It was social media heaven for everyone as over 100 people wandered in to grab that perfect Instagram shot in the morning sun.

You can never be rushed with food

Food is another reason not to rush Hue City.

Bun bo Hue (Hue-style spicy beef noodles) is the iconic dish of the region but other food items have also raised themselves to hold a special place in the region.

My favourite was bun hen (baby clam noodles). This cold noodle dish has a mixture of salad and noodles, served dry with chilli, nuts and fried pork skin. But it is the two spoonfuls of a small clam, each piece smaller than a headache tablet, that give this dish a true uniqueness that is difficult to describe. I could eat it every day because it was just that good.

Coffee also brings a delight that is totally unexpected. Being surrounded by mountains, Hue is a centrepiece for the supply of fresh local coffee and it is evident when getting a coffee at one of the many specialist cafés across the city. The taste of a straight black coffee is far less bitter than the average cup found in other locations. It is mild and easily drinkable, so much so it is often difficult to stop at just one.

For variety, there is a plethora of street food sellers found in the most unorthodox locations. The adventure of the experience must include sitting on a small plastic stool and experiencing one of many kinds of food made by a woman who prides herself on supplying one dish with love and pride.

Whilst I learned a lot in my three days in Hue, the one big lesson is that the city cannot be rushed. You need time to sit and look. You need time to walk down a street for no reason and you need time to feel the beauty of the city, not just see it.

In my mind there are many beautiful places in Vietnam but Hue is special. It carries a history of happiness, sadness and survival that can be seen through the walls on the street and through the eyes of the local community. Go too fast and you just might miss it all. That is why I have promised myself to visit there again.

As I squeezed myself into this old building in a back lane, I sat on a chair less than 30cm tall and I drank amazing coffee. I looked around at the old typewriter, books and other things on display and I could see that Hue combines growth and progression with a fierce sense of history, pride and character. That is why I will be visiting again, and I suggest that if you are a person seeking the true Vietnamese Timeless Charm, this is the place you must visit, and make sure when you do, you don't rush.