The cyclo is a three wheeled vehicle with a seat in the front, powered by a bicyclist in the back.
Cyclos are common on the streets of Hue. The purple ones come from our hotel.
The citadel is the historic seat of government when Hue was the capital of Vietnam. It was contested fiercely during the Tet offensive in 1968, when South Vietnam lost control of it for several weeks and thousands of military and civilians died.
Beyond the citadel is the entrance to the Royal Palace.
Inside the Royal Palace, bullet holes from the Tet fighting are still visible.
Nevertheless, one finds a panel containing the Chinese symbol for "Happiness."
Finding a shaded place to rest, Several of us listen intently to the guide's explanation. Ed Tich photo.
Some buildings in the palace compound are in ruins.
Others are intact, and surrounded by beautiful foliage.
War damage to some buildings is clearly visible.
More war damage.
Outside one building, a row of bronze pots symbolizes the different regions of Vietnam.
Bullet damage can be seen on one of the pots.
The dragon is a traditional symbol of Vietnam.
Leaving the citadel area, more war damage can be seen; a new building is under construction behind the gate.
On the streets, large signs give publicity to blood drives.
An American flag flies again in Hue -- this time as one of many sponsors of Hue's Festival 2004.
En route to the airport we visited the Buddhist temple that was the source both of Thich Nhat Han, the monk who has done so much with American and other Vietnam veterans, and also the monk who burned himself in Saigon decades ago.
