The Perfume River – A Timeless Beauty in Hue, Vietnam

Perfume River, with its poetic beauty and tranquil silence, has become the most distinctive symbol of Hue. Mentioning the Perfume River is like evoking a painting of the river flowing like soft and gentle silk in the background of Hue, a place inherently poetic. Join Deluxe Group Tours to discover what makes this river unique.

The derivation of the Perfume River

The Perfume River is the present soul of this ancient capital’s land, and its beauty bestowed by nature will captivate you when you visit. Stretching up to 80km, it originates from the Truong Son Dong Range, combining two major branches, Ta Trach and Huu Trach, and flowing to the Thuan An Sea. The Perfume River passes through numerous locations that have made the name of Hue famous.

The name “Perfume River” is partly derived from its geographical location. As the river flows through many forests with aromatic herbs and the natural fragrance of plants, when it reaches the city of Hue, it carries along that natural scent. This is how it earned the name Perfume River. Additionally, the Perfume River in Hue is known by other uncommon names such as Linh Giang River, Huong Tra River, Lo Dung River, Yen Luc River, etc.

Attractive Perfume River experiences

1. Perfume River boat trip

At different times of the day, the Perfume River presents various beautiful scenes. During the day, the Perfume River exhibits a tranquil and poetic beauty with its emerald green color and clear surface that showcases architectural wonders like temples, gardens, and mountain forests. The Perfume River resembles a soft and gentle silk in the picturesque landscape of Hue, which is inherently poetic. It enhances the romantic and poetic nature of the already dreamlike land.

As the sun sets, the faded remaining light rays glow, making the river even more serene, as if adorned with a warm orange-yellow garment and a characteristic light purple hue.

Each moment brings different landscapes, making boat trips to admire the natural beauty of the Perfume River even more captivating. Regardless of the time of day, the Perfume River can soothe your soul. Moreover, the river flows past landmarks such as Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial City of Hue, Minh Mang Tomb, Truong Tien Bridge, and more. Therefore, taking a boat trip along the Perfume River is not only an opportunity to enjoy the natural scenery but also a brief journey through the notable destinations of Hue.

2. Rowing Sup on the Perfume River

Rowing SUP on the Perfume River is a dynamic activity many choose when visiting Hue in the summer. When summer arrives, areas on both sides of the Perfume River, such as Ban Nguyet Bridge (Crescent Bridge) at Me Wharf or Go Lim Bridge, come alive, breaking the heat of summer in Hue.

Rowing SUP is not only a good choice for exercising for health and enhancing flexibility and endurance for muscles, but it is also an excellent choice for those passionate about exploration. Renting a SUP boat and watching the sunset are moments of relaxation, immersing oneself in the most beautiful nature. With prices of only 60,000 VND per person, you can rent a stand-up paddleboarding and be comfortable exploring new things in the middle of the river. This is also a way to fully enjoy the beauty of the Perfume River, an experience that will be an unforgettable memory when visiting Hue.

The ideal time to row SUP on the Perfume River is between sunrise and sunset when the weather is mild, and under the radiant red sun shining down on the water, you can comfortably check in and capture beautiful moments in Hue.

3. Watching the romantic Perfume River

The Perfume River is immersed in the sadness of twilight, yet its beauty is so captivating that it stirs the heart. Admiring the river bathed in the dim rays of the day-end sunlight is an experience one should not miss when in Hue. However, not everywhere allows you to witness the full embrace of twilight covering the river.

Vong Canh Hill is one of the best places to enjoy the beauty of the Perfume River. Especially at sunrise and sunset, when sunlight filters through each leaf, creating a sparkling scene on the river, it forms a magnificent painting. Getting here is also convenient, with a path through lush green hills, creating a relaxing atmosphere. You can park your car at the foot of the hill for 5,000 VND, then walk for about 10 minutes to reach the hilltop and admire the majestic panorama of nature.

Truong Tien Bridge is another must-visit spot where you can marvel at the Perfume River immersed in the enchanting sunset painting. This location often appears in the tourists’ photos.

Additionally, Thien Mu Pagoda is an ideal destination to witness the harmony between spiritual architecture and the poetic river. After spending time at the pagoda, you can relax and contemplate the serenity of the Perfume River, with dragon boats landing in front of the pagoda, creating a tranquil and contemplative space.

4. Admiring Trang Tien Bridge’s shining lights on the Perfume River

At the moment when the night falls, the Truong Tien Bridge adorns itself with a new garment of green, yellow, red, orange, and purple lights, casting reflections onto the surface of the lake. Thanks to this, the cityscape at night becomes even more sparkling and vibrant.

The dragon boats, echoing the tunes of Hue songs, gracefully glide along the river, adding an indescribable depth to the atmosphere. However, as visitors approach the Truong Tien Bridge, they will be overwhelmed by a new spectrum of emotions, marveling at the sparkling and radiant lights of the floating lanterns drifting gracefully with the enchanting and dreamy water.

5. Enjoying Hue songs on the Perfume River

Listening to Hue songs on the dragon boat and experiencing the beauty of the Perfume River at night is a unique experience in the ancient capital. The melodies of Hue songs, the folk songs deeply embedded in the thoughts of locals, are profound and sentimental. Despite more than a hundred years of development, Hue songs, or Hue royal court music on the Perfume River, are still highly regarded and preserved by the local people.

Sitting on the dragon boat and upstream on the Perfume River to listen to Hue songs will give you an experience with a strong Hue imprint. When night falls, the Truong Tien Bridge lights up, and it is also time for the dragon boat with the melodies of Hue songs to set sail, allowing you to immerse yourself in the deep and tranquil beauty of the folk songs of Hue.

As the boat gently glides on the surface of the Perfume River, the Hue songs begin to resonate. At that moment, you will feel captivated and attentive to the soothing music. The sound of the songs dives you into the dreamy beauty of Hue’s night.

A travel guide to the Perfume River

1. Location

Perfume River is located along Tran Hung Dao and Le Loi streets, in a prime location in the city center. Therefore, you can easily move here to experience tourism and admire the beauty of the Perfume River at all times of the day.

2. Best time to visit

In general, you can visit Perfume River in Hue at any time of the year, but perhaps the most ideal time is still in the fall or spring. Because then the weather will be pleasant, with gently flowing, clear river water and above all, in these two seasons, in the Perfume River there are also countless delicious dishes and unique curiosities only found in the ancient capital.

3. Moving instruction

For convenience in traveling to the Perfume River and fully experiencing the most attractive features of this poetic river, motorbikes and cycloes are two means of transportation you should consider.

If you are an adventure enthusiast and want to explore the surrounding areas of the Perfume River on your own, you can rent a motorbike. You can inquire about motorbike rental services right at the hotel you are staying at, which is very convenient with various types of bikes available. By using a motorbike, you can ride to the tourist attractions near the Perfume River, indulge in unique local specialties, and shop on famous streets.

Another option is to fully admire the scenery of the Perfume River and enjoy the beauty slowly and gently here without worrying about the traffic route, which is cycloes. Along the Perfume River, you can come across many cyclo service providers. The estimated price for a cyclo trip is around 50,000 to 100,000 VND, depending on the time and distance. During the journey, cyclo riders are always willing to share stories about the legends and history of the Perfume River, as well as many other famous attractions in Hue.

4. Recommend nearby tourist destinations

Next to the famous riverside locations such as Minh Mang Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, or the Imperial City of Hue, I encourage you to visit lesser-known but unique places that offer distinctive experiences. Immerse yourself in the pristine nature of Vong Canh Hill or Ngu Binh Mountain, and feel the rural soul with ancient houses faintly present in the heart of the Bao Vinh ancient town. Experience a unique check-in with prominent French architecture painted in vibrant red at Quoc Hoc High School for the gifted, and many other hidden gems are waiting for you to discover.