Hue
The seat of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945, and the first place in Vietnam to be listed by UNESCO. The Perfume River runs through the middle, with the walled Citadel on one bank and royal tombs scattered in the hills upstream.
Highlights
- The Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, with the Ngo Mon Gate and Thai Hoa Palace
- Royal tombs: Khai Dinh in concrete and mosaic, Minh Mang and Tu Duc in gardens and lakes
- Thien Mu Pagoda and its seven-storey tower above the Perfume River
- Dong Ba Market and the city’s own kitchen: bun bo Hue, banh khoai, com hen
- Thuy Xuan incense village and the conical hat makers nearby
Best time to visit
February to April is dry and mild. Hue is the wettest city in Vietnam from October to December; expect rain then.
Getting there
Phu Bai Airport is about 30 minutes from the centre. Hue to Hoi An is about 3 hours by road over the Hai Van Pass, or 2 hours through the tunnel.
How long to stay
Two to three days: one for the Citadel and the city, one for the tombs.
Where to stay
The south bank around Le Loi street keeps most hotels, a short walk from the river and the restaurants; garden houses and small resorts sit upriver near the tombs, quieter and greener.
What to eat
Bun bo Hue, banh khoai, banh beo, banh nam and com hen, rice with baby clams. Hue also keeps the old royal kitchen, so many restaurants serve small imperial-style dishes.
Good to know
- February to August is warm and dry, roughly 25–35°C.
- The Citadel, the tombs and Thien Mu are spread out; a car or cyclo saves time between them.
- Hue has the heaviest rain in Vietnam from October to December.
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Tours that visit Hue
Questions about Hue? Message us on WhatsApp +84 345 827 501 or email booking@hynatravel.com.