Hue

For 143 years, from 1802 to 1945, Hue was the center of power of the Nguyễn emperors, Vietnam's last royal dynasty. Its stories follow the Perfume River past the Imperial City, Thiên Mụ Pagoda and the six steel spans of Trường Tiền Bridge, out to royal tombs that look nothing alike. Along the way, an old Hue folk verse keeps coming back: the bell of Thiên Mụ, the rooster's crow at Thọ Cương.