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As a foreign traveler, you may not have heard much about Vy Da Village, but for Vietnamese people, the village is already well-known through the poem “Here, Vy Da Village.” In the poem, the author appears as a dreamer before the village’s dreamy beauty. Let Asia King Travel take you there in this Vietnam travel guide.
The Countryside Beauty of Vy Da Village
Vy Da Village belongs to Vy Da Ward, located right in the center of Hue City. The village lies on the beautiful banks of the Perfume River, not far from the Hue Imperial Citadel. Along with the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, etc., this is a destination you simply can’t miss when enjoying a Hue tour.
Let’s take the Hue Imperial Citadel as the starting point. From Le Loi Street opposite the Citadel, head east. At the end of the road, you’ll reach Dap Da Bridge, which leads into Vy Da Village. Crossing the bridge, you’ll come to Han Mac Tu Street, named after the author of the famous poem “Here, Vy Da Village”.
Panoramic View of Hen Islet in Vy Da Ward
Although time has passed and Hue City is now home to modern high-rise buildings, with the scenery quite different from Han Mac Tu’s poetic description of “sunlight on the areca trees” and “bamboo leaves casting shade”, Vy Da Village still preserves its timeless, peaceful, and ancient beauty.
Autumn (from September to November) is considered the best time to visit Vy Da Village. The weather is cool, the golden sunlight is gentle, and the scenery along the Perfume River takes on a quiet, contemplative beauty, just as described in the poem.
The summer months before that are also an ideal time to visit. The sky is clear with little rain. However, it can get quite hot, so it’s best to go in the early morning or late afternoon to fully enjoy the beauty without getting too exhausted by the intense sun.
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Situated along the Perfume River, Vy Da Village gives visitors a sense of peace and relaxation from the very first steps. Winding paths shaded by lush trees and ancient houses hidden within leafy gardens create the unique countryside scenery of Hue. The atmosphere here feels like a harmonious natural painting, where travelers can retreat to serenity and calm after the hustle and bustle of daily life.
If you wander around the village, you’ll easily come across ancient architectural structures from the Nguyen Dynasty that still remain today. These include old houses, residences of mandarins, and members of the royal family. Many of these buildings have preserved their original architecture almost intact since the feudal era.
A Remaining Structure from the Feudal Era
When your feet grow tired, take a seat at a small roadside drink stall. Inside, you might notice items that have been around for decades and walls covered with faded lime paint, giving off a nostalgic vibe. These humble little shops usually serve only familiar drinks like coffee, soft drinks, and fruit smoothies, yet they carry an odd charm.
From Nguyen Sinh Cung Street at the entrance of the village, walk straight about 200 meters and you’ll reach Phu Luu Bridge, which connects to Con Hen. True to its name (literally meaning Mussel Islet), this place is home to plenty of delicious mussels nurtured by the waters of the Huong River.
Phu Luu Bridge is the only road leading to Hen Islet
Most locals make their living by harvesting mussels from the river, which is why this is considered the birthplace of mussel-based dishes that have become Hue’s specialties. You can stop by to capture photos of the locals collecting mussels, a simple yet unique scene that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Local residents of Hen Islet are harvesting mussels
A visit to Hen Islet and Vy Da Village wouldn’t be complete without trying mussel rice. Mussels in Hue are known to be sweeter and more nutritious than elsewhere. The ingredients of the dish are incredibly simple and easy to prepare, yet they come together to create a bowl of spicy, tangy, and richly flavorful mussel rice.
You might be surprised to learn that everything in the dish is served cold even the rice, which can be leftover rice. Only when it’s time to eat is hot broth poured over it. This is because it originated as a poor man’s dish, but its unexpectedly delicious taste has made it beloved by many.
The dish became a specialty thanks to the delicious taste of mussels
In addition, Hen Islet’s cuisine also features another famous snack: corn sweet soup. Although it’s not a specialty, this dessert stands out thanks to the delicious corn grown right on the islet. The dish is a perfect harmony of the sweet nuttiness of corn, the chewiness of sticky rice, and the rich aroma of mung beans and coconut milk. It’s definitely an irresistible dessert to enjoy after a bowl of mussel rice.
A sweet and hearty dessert
Vy Da Village offers you the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside right in the heart of Hue City. Come and experience the very beauty immortalized in Han Mac Tu’s timeless verses. Asia King Travel will be your guide to discovering every corner of Vietnam.
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