Do you know they way to ancient Hue?

HUE, is the ancient capital of Vietnam. When I was there , the Festival of Hue was taking place (it always coincides with the World Cup) and what a festival it was too!  The Forbidden City (the Citadel) comes alive with actors in period costumes going about their business and on the grounds there were delegations from everywhere in the world, singing, dancing, walking on stilts.  The whole of Hue (and possibly half of Saigon and Hanoi) were there out in force.  A great time to visit the splendid city by the Perfume River.  Wonderful name, isn’t it? It refers to the fragrance that wafts from the shore where hundreds of frangipani and jasmine trees add a special touch. A riverboat cruise is a must. The boats are beautifully made to look like dragons and is one of the most relaxing things to do in Hue.

As for the food I mentioned on air, Phuoc Thanh Garden Restaurant serves great lunches, full of fragrant herbs: 30 Pham Ngu St, Hue,   www.phuocthanhrestaurant.com.

For dinner, just before sunset, don’t miss the exotic garden setting in an old house:

Y Thao Garden, 3 Thach Han St, Hue (pictured left). Wonderful, heavenly Vietnamese food.

If your your taste buds need a break and  are clamouring for sushi, don’t miss JASS on Chu Van An St just across The Temple Restaurant (also very good). JASS (pictures below) is a charity restaurant run by orphaned and street  children who grew up under its founder a Japanese philantropist. The institution trains kids in all aspects of Hospitality, giving them the tools to survive and do well.