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The film "Mắt Biếc" (Blue Eyes), adapted from the novel of the same name by author Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, is currently taking the Vietnamese film market by storm. Besides Ngạn's unrequited love for his hometown girl Hà Lan, audiences are also captivated by the film's fairytale-like setting.
Mắt Biếc (Blue Eyes) was filmed in Hue, with the main setting being Ha Cang village - a peaceful, picturesque village that perfectly embodies the characteristics of Hue. Other locations include Thien An pine hill, Do Do Community Primary School, Khai Dinh mausoleum, Vong Canh hill, etc.
After the film was released, many young travel enthusiasts quickly discovered these locations, visiting them to take photos, explore, and "transform" themselves into the two main characters in a romantic setting.
Ha Cang Village
The peaceful scenery of Ha Cang village - the main setting in the film "Eye of the Beholder" (Photo: Nguyen Vo Dong Truc)
Ha Cang village, located in Quang Phu commune, is situated on the outskirts of Hue city. This area is famous for its Bao La rattan and bamboo weaving craft and the Con Toc ferry terminal - Tam Giang lagoon area.
The paulownia tree, also known as the lonely tree, is the filming location for the scene where Ngan plays the guitar for Ha Lan. Paulownia trees typically bloom from around February to March in the lunar calendar, after the leaves have fallen, with clusters of pink and purple flowers. From the center of Hue city, visitors can find this location on Google Maps using the keyword "Palong Tree of Blue Eyes".
Do Do Community Elementary School
The school sign from the film was preserved as a tribute from the film crew to this peaceful countryside (Photo: Nhu Quynh).
This is the school where the characters Ngan and Ha Lan attended as children. Although the word "community" only appeared in the final years of the war against the Americans in the South, in Ha Cang village, everything has been preserved intact, creating a setting of a simple, old-fashioned school that is also familiar and close to home.
Hue University of Education
With its ancient architecture, Hue University of Education, before appearing in the movie "Eye of the Beholder," was also a popular check-in spot for young people (Photo: @vixcto)
Hue University of Education appears in scenes where the characters Ngan and Dung wait for Ha Lan after school. It is one of the most famous and oldest universities in Central Vietnam. Located at 24 Le Loi Street (Hue City), it has been chosen as a setting for many famous films.
The long, romantic paths outside the school campus (Photo: @goker.glt)
Khai Dinh Mausoleum
A familiar and famous landmark that any visitor to Hue would wish to visit at least once, the Khai Dinh Mausoleum, featured in the film "Eye of the Beholder," still retains the solemn and ancient charm of a truly outstanding structure, thanks to its blend of Asian and European architecture.
The Khai Dinh Mausoleum can overwhelm visitors with its rectangular architecture rising up 127 steps (Photo: Hoang Linh Ha).
This is the only location among the film's settings where visitors have to pay an entrance fee (Photo: Hoang Linh Ha)
The Khai Dinh Mausoleum was built over 11 years (1920-1931), spanning the reigns of two Nguyen Dynasty emperors, Khai Dinh and his son Bao Dai. Despite being the smallest in area, it was the most labor-intensive and expensive of all the Nguyen Dynasty mausoleums.
Viewpoint Hill
The Perfume River flows like a gentle silk ribbon at the foot of Vong Canh Hill (Photo: @caphebien__)
Vong Canh Hill appears in a scene of Ngan and Ha Lan strolling. It's a 43-meter-high hill located southwest of Hue city, its base bordering the Perfume River. From Vong Canh Hill, one can see the picturesque scenery of the city, especially the royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.
The road leads to the hillsides lined with pine trees, the carpet of pine needles is similar to that in Da Lat (Photo: @golliwog21)
Thien An Hill
Thien An Hill is the myrtle forest where Ngan picked myrtle for Ha Lan, and it's the road they both cycled along during the summer days.
Before appearing in the movie "Mắt Biếc" (Blue Eyes), Thien An Pine Hill was also a popular check-in spot in Hue (Photo: @kitcamellia)
Although Thien An Church doesn't appear in the movie "Eye of the Beholder," tourists visiting the pine hills often stop by to take photos (Photo: @nlpt.kyy).
Located south of Hue city, Thien An Hill is situated along the road leading to Khai Dinh Mausoleum. It's a vast hillside covered in lush green pine trees. At the edge of the pine forest lies an ancient church, a popular spot for young people to take photos. To get there, simply drive straight along Dien Bien Phu road, near Nam Giao, then turn left and continue straight for a short distance.
