Take a cyclo tour in Hue
The authentic way to discover the hidden charm of Hue and the places hidden away from tourists. It is a very popular vehicle in Hue called the cyclo (or rickshaw).
Cyclos are available on almost all roads in Hue, especially the streets along the river bank and hotel area in the city where gather numerous travelers. The inner-city area is not very big, divided into north and south banks of the Perfume River. The south bank is the administrative area, schools, hotels… North bank is the trading zone and Imperial Citadel.
Cyclo in Hue
Start your Hue cyclo trip by crossing the Perfume River through Truong Tien Bridge, then ride along the famous Dong Ba Market. From here, you follow the branch of the Perfume River to an area surrounding the Citadel where local people have lived for generations in their old-style houses. While sitting on the cyclo, all of the activities on the street, in the shops and houses, just happen around you, and you can feel like you are a part of it.
Truong Tien Bridge
From outside the Citadel of Hue, you can view the outer part of the Imperial Citadel from a distance and then follow the beautiful bridge crossing the moat to one of its main gates. The traffic at the gate is very busy, and it will be fun to be on the cyclo in the middle of that traffic.
Imperial City
There are lots of green trees along the streets shading the local houses; houses with typical style gates, fences, and gardens. Cyclo runs slowly as a bicycle. From the cyclo, you can view the activities of the families and the interiors of the houses. Like other cities in Vietnam, Hue people like to do all of their work and resting on the streets in front of their houses, and you can see all these interesting things from the cyclo. A quiet and peaceful atmosphere and a tranquil flowing river make your mind relaxed.
The cyclo moves at a very reasonable pace, and everything just appears in front of your eyes like in a movie. Strolling along the side of Tinh Tam (“Peace of Mind”) Lake which is very well-known as the best place in Hue for growing lotus, you surely can feel the peace and greenness of this most famous lake in Hue. Going toward the Imperial Citadel, you can see more trading activity at the many local shops along the street where you can see lots of trading activities.
Cyclo moves at a very reasonable pace
Going around by the cyclo is convenient in that you can actively stop to take pictures or stop at the coffee shop to sat sipping some drinks.
Frequently serving tourists, the cyclo riders have a broad understanding. As the nature of Hue people is kind, they often leave a good impression on tourists. They can tell stories of the past and present, introduce destinations in the city, and show places to buy gifts and local products at a cheaper price. Many of them can speak a foreign language fluently, mainly English and French.
After the cyclo ride, walking to the Imperial Citadel from the Noon Gate will provide great balance. And you will have experienced classic and lively Hue in addition to the historical and famous Imperial Citadel.
Nguyen
Image source: Internet