Hue, Vietnam
Population: 652,600
A New Haven Sister City since 1993
What’s Our Connection?
Ironically, New Haven’s Sister City relationship with Hue was started by U.S. Veterans of the Vietnam War in 1993. These veterans wanted to remain in contact with Hue after they spent time there. This was controversial because the war was so unpopular and some felt that establishing a Sister City in Vietnam would be helping “the enemy.” New Haven is the first American city to create a sister city bond with a Vietnamese city. In the year 2000 Vietnam experienced a devastating 100 year flood, which resulted in the destruction of food, supplies, and nearly 400 lives. Shortly after the flood began, Mark Spence, who was part of the sister city organization at the time, helped to organize the delivery of two and a half tons of medical supplies along with computers and other supplies for schools. In the early years of their relationship, the two cities were in closer contact and there were visits back and forth, but sadly the relationship has waned overtime. The Sister City Organization hopes to strengthen the connection in the near future.
Map courtesy of Britannica
What is Hue Known For?
Hue is located in Central Vietnam amidst the foothills of the Annamese Cordillera, only five miles from the South China Sea. It is home to countless landmarks and features a unique culture. The Huang River (also known as the Perfume River) flows straight through the center of the city. The city’s heart is the ancient imperial capital. Located on the North Bank of the river. The “Downtown” commercial section is located across the river.
Photo Courtesy of La Sinfonia del Rey
History
Places: The Imperial Citadel
The Imperial Citadel is one of the most important landmarks of Hue. It was built for the Nguyen Dynasty in 1805 and was modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. During the Vietnam War, the Citadel saw heavy fighting and was partly destroyed. After the war, the Vietnamese government was able to repair it. Since 1993, the Citadel has been recognized as a Unesco World Heritage site. As a result of the war, surrounding countryside was left infertile because it was sprayed with ‘Agent Orange’, a chemical that destroys all life it encounters.
Fun Fact: The Tet Holiday
The Tet Holiday is observed across Vietnam, but it is especially significant in Hue. Tet is similar to the Chinese New Year Celebration which includes traditional practices such as house cleaning and ancestral worship. Test is traditionally celebrated with young bamboo soup and sticky rice. On the first day of the lunar year, the festivities begin. The festivities take place over the first three days of the lunar calendar.
North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers occupied Hue during the Tet holiday in early 1968, and a fierce battle raged for a month throughout the city. This was part of the Tet offensive that turned the tide of the war in favor of the north.