Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, shines with the glories and collapse of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the last royals in Vietnam. Much more than a historical city with ancient imperial, golden palaces and majestic mausoleums, this small city is also little hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Where will you go if you want to look for different things in Hue out of the most famous attractions and the relics of Hue’s history? The answer is taking Hue countryside tour, the different off the beaten track beyond the traditional sight-seeing route.

The first ideal place for peaceful countryside is Thanh Toan village in Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy district with 8 km away from Hue city. This village attracts clients because of its beautiful roads, peaceful rural scenery and particularly the tile-roofed bridge named Thanh Toan bridge.

Thanh Toan bridge has great artistic and architectural value as an excellent example of Hue architecture and be comparably beautiful to the iconic bridge in Hoi An. It was made of wood and the structure is “a bridge under a house” that made Thanh Toan Bridge different from others ancient bridges. The bridge is 17 m in length and 4 m in width and divided into 7 departments like 7 small rooms in a house.

On the other side of the bridge is a agriculture museum displaying agricultural tools where you can experience farming practices and local people’s daily activities and a local village market which is small but offers variety of products, especially culinary specialties of Hue.

While visiting Thanh Toan village, you can cross the rice fields, relax yourself and feel the most peaceful image of a traditional Vietnamese village.

The second must see place for Hue countryside is Chuon Lagoon, a part of Tam Giang lagoon system with 15 km from Hue city. The best time to visit is in summer from Apr to Jul during sunrise and sunset when you can see colorful skies reflect on the lagoon waters.

Arrive Chuon Lagoon, you will easily see “Nha Cho”, the spectacular cabanas built from bamboo on the lagoon where fishermen take a rest during the day and become a very local restaurant for you to enjoy in this lagoon. There are plenty types of fresh seafood for your meal here with crabs, shrimps and fishes, but the most special specialty here that you should not ignore is “Kinh fish pancake”. Unlike other kinds of pancakes made with shrimp, meat, eggs, here, they are replaced with “Kinh fish”, a famous type of fish in Chuon lagoon.

This is also a place where you can see working life of fishermen in this area. The fishermen here start fishing at 6pm in the last afternoon and finish at 6am in the next morning, then bring these all shrimp and fish to the market for selling out when they are still fresh.

Chuon Lagoon at every moment of the day has its own beauty, but the most beautiful moment on the lagoon are at sunset when the sky start to change colors which makes for a truly spectacular setting. How beautiful it is when the horizon stretches out on the golden water, glowing silvery sparkling sunlight on the water surface with the whole lagoon’s surface shaking in the breeze.The violet of heaven covers the lagoon creates the charming painting of “Tam Giang lagoon”, a wonderful spot for photo lover from all over the world.

Stroll around peaceful rural landscape at Thanh Toan village and magical waterland at Chuon Lagoon with Hue countryside tour, you will feel a sweet Hue in the different way and see more of what this beautiful city can offer.