Mai Thúc Loan (Mai Thuc Loan Street), Hue

Mai Thuc Loan Street-an artsy, vibrant artery running along the eastern edge of Hue’s Citadel-is a must-visit for travellers seeking a taste of local life beyond the Imperial City walls. Stretching from the Imperial City gates to the historic Dong Ba Canal, this street is lined with boutique galleries, cafe-shops, and stalls showcasing traditional crafts and contemporary reproductions. Stop here to admire lacquer paintings, silk prints, and hand-thrown pottery, each echoing Hue’s refined artistic heritage.

The street is also a culinary hotspot, especially in the evenings. You’ll find grilled chicken and pork belly sizzling over charcoal, as well as popular Hue dishes like bun bo Hue served in cheerful roadside eateries. Food tours and cyclo rides often include this stretch, guiding visitors past the An Hon intersection, where the curries and street food scene come alive at night. Be sure to pause for a bowl of spicy beef noodle soup or a glass of iced lotus tea-local specialty drinks served along the leafy sidewalks.

Beyond its creative and culinary appeal, Mai Thuc Loan Street also holds deep historical resonance. It was once known as Dong Ba Street, and early in the 20th century, it was home to the young Nguyen Sinh Cung (later President Ho Chi Minh), whose family lived at No. 112 (now No. 158) while his father worked in the imperial court. The transformation from colonial market street to modern cultural hub mirrors Hue’s journey-a city weaving together threads of past and present.

For tourists, this busy avenue is a complement to Hue’s stately palaces and pagodas. By day, browse galleries and artisanal shops; by night, sample grilled street fare under the glow of lanterns; and between bites and bazaar finds, pause to consider how this unassuming street both witnessed and contributed to the life of one of Vietnam’s most influential figures.