Hue Travel Guide

One of the most gorgeous cities in Vietnam is Hue, which is situated on the banks of the lovely Perfume River in the country's center. Its lengthy history has earned it the title of being the former seat of power for Vietnam's three feudal dynasties, the Chua Nguyen, Nha Tay Son, and Nha Nguyen. Strong historical remnants may be found throughout the whole old city. Hue, which is well-known for its royal palaces and cemeteries, is a lot of fun for history aficionados. The abundance of well-known structures, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking natural beauty should be enough to open your eyes.

Most Recommended Attractions in Hue

1. Hue Imperial City

The Nguyen Dynasty's Imperial Citadel included the Hue Imperial City, which is one of the most well-preserved ancient structures still standing in Vietnam. A large number of monuments and ruins, including the Forbidden City and Royal Tombs, can be found in Hue Imperial City, which was once the capital of Vietnam. Additionally, UNESCO has designated it as a World Cultural Heritage having a high status and decorative significance. The edifice, which was first constructed in 1804, is made up of a sizable complex of temples, pavilions, libraries, and even theaters that are all encircled by a high wall and moat. Unfortunately, the America-Vietnam War in the 19th century resulted in the destruction of many of the buildings. Even Nevertheless, the majority of the structures are in good repair, making the area still worthwhile to visit.

Hue Imperial City

2. Royal Tombs

Visitors must also visit the Royal Tombs in addition to the Hue Imperial City. The majority of the tombs were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries in memory of Hue's illustrious monarchs. Seven known royal tombs may be found in Hue, six of which can be found southeast of Hue Citadel on Perfume River's opposite side and one on the same side.

The tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc are three of them that are well-known. Minh Mang's tomb, which was finished in 1843, is the largest royal tomb in Hue and features distinctive architecture. A variety of palaces, temples, pavilions and other structures can be found here. The building itself strikes a good balance with the surrounding natural landscape of diverse trees.

The Khai Dinh Tomb is the least substantial but most expensive of the royal tombs; it is constructed like a monument with prominent French architectural features.

The Tu Duc Tomb is the most well-known and the one that is located the closest to Hue's central business district. Nearly 50 structures make up the overall pattern, which resembles a sizable park that is blended with the environment. The Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most popular destinations thanks to its elegance and beauty. Due to the size of the Royal Tombs, many people especially history buffs can easily spend a whole day there.

3. Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Tower, also known as Linh Mu Tower, is situated on Ha Khe hill on the picturesque Perfume River's north bank. It is one of Hue's most intriguing and historic pagodas, as well as one of its most well-known tourist destinations. The Phuoc Duyen Tower, which has an octagonal shape and is about 21 meters high, is one of the pagoda's features. It contains seven storeys, each of which represents a distinct rebirth of the Buddha, including a golden Buddha on the top floor. The interior also includes a massive bell called Dai Hong Chuong made in 1710 and an ancient stone turtle, all of which have contributed to the tower's appeal.

You can opt to come in the early morning or the evening when you are not busy in order to visit Thien Mu Pagoda more effectively. At the same time, the majority of visitors opt to travel to the pagoda by Dragon Boat or bicycle. In the former, you may more fully appreciate the coastal landscape, whereas in the latter, you must pay closer attention to the traffic.

4. Perfume River

Hue is home to the lovely Perfume River in addition to charming pagodas and imposing monuments. One of Vietnam's most well-known rivers and Hue's emblem is the Perfume River. The river flows through Hue's central business district and divides the old and new towns. It not only serves as a source of inspiration for a large number of contemporary poets and musicians, but it is also essential to local daily life. The perfume of flowers floating in the river upstream, which is highest from July to October, gave rise to the name Perfume River. You can ride in a dragon boat to observe the Perfume River from both sides. Whether you choose a romantic dinner cruise or a calm dragon boat trip, you will take in some of the most breathtaking cityscapes.

Perfume River is best visited in the late afternoon and early evening, not only for the magnificent sunset views but also for the sumptuous dinners and lovely nighttime views amid the multicolored lights that come on at night. If you don't want to hire a boat, you can stroll along the coast with your friends or loved ones.

Perfume River

5. Thanh Toan Bridge

One of the few bridges in Vietnam with distinctive architectural features is the Thanh Tou Bridge, often known as the Japanese Bridge. The lovely narrative behind it and its distinctive design has made it one of Hue's most well-known tourist attractions despite its location outside of the city center. The bridge was also given a national cultural relic designation by the Ministry of Culture. It is divided into seven spaces and measures around 17 meters long by 4 meters wide, and has two wooden chairs and handrails for resting on each of its two storeys. A solemn chapel honoring the wife of a prominent official is located in the center of the bridge. Additionally, green royal tiles, which were extremely valuable in ancient times, are used to cover the top of Thanh Toan Bridge.

There are many things to do in the neighboring villages in addition to being able to explore and rest on the bridge. You can work with farmers to learn about farming, make conical hats, or learn how to wrap Tet sticky rice cakes.

6. Bach Ma National Park

The Annamite Mountains, a mountain range straddling Laos, Vietnam, and northern Cambodia, are home to Bach Ma National Park. A delight for hikers, it rises to 1,450 meters above sea level and boasts some of the most stunning vistas in Hue. There are a few scattered ancient French-style villas, high slopes, lush forests, and enormous waterfalls. The abundance of flora, trees, and wildlife, including several uncommon birds and monkeys, will thrill nature enthusiasts. Cool waterfalls and lakes, like the well-known Ba Be Lake, allow visitors to observe the green moss plants growing underneath the water's surface in full view. Bach Ma National Park offers an exceptional setting for swimming, hiking, and mountain climbing. Additionally, there is a restaurant nearby the mountainside villa where you may eat lunch and dinner and quickly refuel.

7. Lang Co Beach

Lang Co Beach, which is situated between the well-known tourist destinations of Hue and Da Nang, is regarded as one of the most stunning beaches in Vietnam and one of the top 30 bays in the whole world. In addition to having a stunning coastline and clear, blue ocean, Lang Co Beach also includes the vital elements of sun and sand. Additionally, it is perfect for a variety of beach activities including swimming, scuba diving, sunbathing, and fishing, where you can unwind with a relaxing sunbath on the sand after a refreshing swim. Hue is the ideal spot to visit because of the vibrant coral reefs and mouthwatering seafood spread. The finest months to go are April through August when the weather is pleasant, the sea is quiet, and the landscape is stunning. Here, you may have a wonderfully tranquil vacation.

8. Dong Ba Market

If Dong Xuan Market represents Hanoi, Dong Ba Market represents Hue. One of Hue's largest and oldest retail districts as well as its main commercial hub, Dong Ba Market, is a bustling location. It must be an excellent option if you're seeking a little color in a city that is dominated by contemporary design. There are several food and retail stalls, as well as a flea market, to accommodate various demographics. In addition to selling regional favorites such as Bun Bo Hue, Nem Lui, Com Hen, and Banh Beo, the market also offers apparel, handmade goods, trinkets, and jewelry, as well as a traditional Vietnamese conical hat called Non La Bai Tho. To experience true Hue life, visit Dong Ba Market, purchase some local goods, and sample authentic Hue cuisine.

Best Food You Can Have a Try

1. Bun Bo Hue

A traditional Vietnamese meal called Bun Bo Hue is mostly comprised of rice noodles. Round rice noodles are combined with beef or pork bone stock that has been spiced with flavors including lemongrass, lime, ginger, sugar, and chili. In addition to the sliced beef and crab balls as side dishes, the soup base can be mild or spicy. Some restaurants also offer meatballs and pig's blood as a specialty. The tastes of sour, sweet, and spicy blend together well.

2. Banh Beo

Although Banh Beo is a well-known steamed cake in Vietnam, its flavor isn't as sweet as it appears. The circular, salty cake can be customized by adding noodles, roasted peanuts, or fried onions as desired. It is made with rice noodles, fish sauce with green chili peppers, and toppings like shrimp or crispy pork. There is only Sweet Banh Beo in Hoi An. Additionally, the names of the foods vary depending on the vessel of cooking, with a smaller ceramic saucer called Banh Beo Chen and a larger platter called Banh Beo Dia.

3. Banh Trang Trung

Banh Trang Trung is a term used to describe pieces of rice paper that are formed from steamed rice paste that has been sun-dried. It is frequently divided into strips and combined with flavors like dried shrimp, peanuts, Vietnamese coriander, quail eggs, beef jerky, dried garlic, and lime juice. Young people in the area love this thick, spicy dish, which is typically sold on the street for a relatively low price.

4. Nem Lui

Ground pork and beef are combined with seasonings such as fish sauce, sugar, and garlic to create Nem Lui, which is then skewered on stems of lemongrass to resemble a sausage. The cuisine is typically served with salad, which is used to cleanse the palate, and rice paper, which is used to wrap the meat. Pickled carrots, green papaya, lettuce, cucumbers, and trai va ( a green fig unique to Vietnam) are common ingredients in salads. The classic dish is accompanied by hoisin sauce, which has a deep flavor and is created with peanut butter, sesame seeds, shrimp paste, garlic, and shallots.

5. Com Hen

Com is Hen a Hue cuisine that means "clam rice." It was a farmer's meal at first, but over time it gained popularity because of its distinctive flavor. It is a dish of contrasting colors and flavors, with an excellent mix of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy. It is made up of rice, clams, crispy pork, roasted peanuts, rice pancakes, chilies, bean sprouts, and shrimp paste. Additionally, mint and Vietnamese coriander can be used to garnish it.

Hue's serenity and beauty are sufficient to make visitors eager to visit, as though removed from the hectic and congested existence. Enjoy the serenity of the Hue Imperial City or see history atop the old city walls where imposing pagodas and imperial artifacts are handed down from one generation to the next. No matter where you travel in Hue, you will still see beautiful landscapes, see colorful people's life, and discover historical remnants. If you're planning of coming to Vietnam and experience Hue's unique charm for yourself, please don't hesitate to contact us, just simply tell us your interests and needs, and one of our travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary for you within 24hrs.