sam heart travel

Day 4 - Da Nang Travel Diary: Hue - Stepping Back in Time at the Imperial City After our fast-food lunch at Lotteria (hey, we needed the AC!), we hopped into a Grab and headed to the Imperial City. A quick 10-minute ride, and we were there!      The first glimpse of the Imperial City was...familiar. It struck me as a bit like Fort Santiago in Manila, with its imposing walls and historical vibe. So, what exactly is the Imperial City? It's a walled enclosure within the Citadel of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Think of it as the heart of the ancient empire, where emperors lived, ruled, and conducted affairs of state. Inside, you'll find palaces, temples, gardens, and other structures that offer a glimpse into the opulent life of the Nguyen Dynasty. After snapping some photos outside, we joined the queue for tickets. At 200k VND (around 500 pesos), it felt a bit pricey, but then we learned something fascinating: the Imperial City had recently undergone a major ...