Why this ride
114 km from Huế to Huế, about 2 h 24 of riding. On the way it passes Complex of Hué Monuments, Gia Long Tomb, Citadel of Hué and back through Gia Long Tomb.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Tran Hai Fortress and Citadel of Hué
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 114 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 2 h 24
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Scenic road chapters
Hai Van Pass
Expect company on a summer weekend. Early is better than fast. For about 15 km this is Hai Van Pass, a road with a name of its own and a reason for it.
Chapter facts
- Length
- 15 km
- Named road
- Hai Van Pass
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Tran Hai Fortress
Trấn Hải Thành sits at the sea mouth of the Perfume River's lagoon system, a low old fort looking out over the beach at Thuận An, about twelve kilometres from the centre of Huế. It was built in the early nineteenth century under Emperor Gia Long, the founder of the Nguyễn dynasty, and rebuilt and strengthened under his son Minh Mạng, to guard the one waterway by which a hostile fleet could reach the imperial capital. In the middle of the century French ships showed what that fear was worth, and the Nguyễn defences fell in 1883 when the French attacked the estuary forts.
Read the complete Tran Hai Fortress write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Tran Hai Fortress is where the day begins. Next is Complex of Hué Monuments.
2. Complex of Hué Monuments
The Perfume River bends around the old capital of Vietnam like a hand around a cup, and the Citadel of Hué sits on its north bank behind moats and thick brick walls. This is the heart of the Complex of Hué Monuments, the seat of the Nguyen emperors, who ruled from here from the early nineteenth century until the last of them abdicated in 1945. Inside the walls is the Imperial City, and inside that the Forbidden Purple City, where only the court was allowed. The Ngo Mon gate, with its upper pavilion where proclamations were made, is the grand entrance, and it is worth walking through on foot rather than just photographing from the saddle.
Read the complete Complex of Hué Monuments write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Complex of Hué Monuments comes up about 15 km into the recorded legs. Next is Gia Long Tomb.
3. Gia Long Tomb
Emperor Gia Long, who founded the Nguyen dynasty and reunified Vietnam in 1802, chose a spot for his tomb about eleven kilometres from Hué, and he chose it far from the city on purpose. The Thien Tho hills rise south-west of the capital, and his burial ground lies tucked among them, a long, quiet complex of terraces, stone courtyards and guarding statues of mandarins and elephants. He died in 1820. His queen is buried beside him, which was unusual enough that guides still mention it.
Read the complete Gia Long Tomb write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 36 km into the recorded legs you reach Gia Long Tomb. Next is Citadel of Hué.
4. Citadel of Hué
Planning note
Citadel of Hué, about halfway. Next is back through Gia Long Tomb.
5. back through Gia Long Tomb
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Gia Long Tomb write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Gia Long Tomb sits at 66 km, about halfway. Next is back through Complex of Hué Monuments.
6. back through Complex of Hué Monuments
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Complex of Hué Monuments write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Complex of Hué Monuments comes up about 99 km into the recorded legs. Next is Tran Hai Fortress.
7. Tran Hai Fortress
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Tran Hai Fortress write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Tran Hai Fortress closes the day.
Leg by leg
Tran Hai Fortress to Complex of Hué Monuments
Tran Hai Fortress → Complex of Hué Monuments is 15 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Complex of Hué Monuments to Gia Long Tomb
Complex of Hué Monuments → Gia Long Tomb is 21 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Gia Long Tomb to Citadel of Hué
Gia Long Tomb → Citadel of Hué is 21 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Citadel of Hué to back through Gia Long Tomb
Citadel of Hué → back through Gia Long Tomb is 21 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Gia Long Tomb to back through Complex of Hué Monuments
back through Gia Long Tomb → back through Complex of Hué Monuments is 21 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Complex of Hué Monuments to Tran Hai Fortress
back through Complex of Hué Monuments → Tran Hai Fortress is 15 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.