You might have probably heard of the Forbidden City in China, or the ancient Kyoto Capital of Japan – where emperors, feudal lords and ladies of different Imperial dynasties reside. But do you know that in Vietnam there exists a similar city? Located in the very heart of Vietnam, Imperial City Hue (pronounced /hwě/) used to be the capital for hundreds of years. After bearing witness to generations of historical changes, Hue has slowly shifted itself into an amicable little city, with tons of ancient buildings, tombs and relics alongside friendly, peace-loving locals who can melt your hearts with their hospitality. Hue offers a lot more than just old architecture, for it is also a city of distinctive history, high culture, exquisite cuisine and amazing sights. Hue is also one of the best places to visit in Vietnam! Follow our ultimate guide to this Imperial City and discover the best things to do in Hue!
History
Now, we wouldn’t want to get you all drowned in history lessons. So briefly speaking, Hue used to be the capital of Dang Trong Kingdom (1738 – 1775) and house the Imperial Palace of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).Geographically wise, Hue sits quietly next to the beautiful Perfume River, only a few minutes to the coast of the South China Sea. Its surrounding hills and mountains proved to be the strategic location for Emperor Gia Long – the first ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty – to establish his new capital in 1802. The city then became the centre of administration and military of the country, serving several generations of Nguyen emperors until the last monarch – Emperor Bao Dai – under French influence, abdicated from his throne in 1945.
The ruins of Hue Citadel today. Flickr: Dennis Jarvis
Being situated so close to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Hue was also the battleground during the Vietnam War. Miraculously, it survives the Tet Offensive in 1968 – one of the bloodiest and most destructive battles, causing thousands of civilian casualties and destroying the Purple Forbidden City – the most inner part of Hue Citadel.The capital was later changed to Hanoi. However, since the Nguyen Dynasty was based here for so long, Hue is still referred to by most as “Vietnam’s Imperial City”.
When to visit Hue?
Annual average weather in Hue
The city of Hue is largely affected by the tropical monsoon climate, and thus the weather is divided into two distinctive periods: wet and dry season. The weather in Hue is famous for being unpredictable and uncomfortable. It can be blazing hot during the day and the next thing you know, it starts to rain profusely from noon until midnight! Hence, it is best to always bring an umbrella or a raincoat with you at all times.
Wet Season in Hue
From September to March
Average temperature: 18°C – 23°C, can be as low as 8°C during the night
Very high humidity
Avoid September to December if possible, as this is the typhoon season. Expect a lot of downpour and floods during this time
Dry Season in Hue
From March to August
Average temperature: Around 30°C, sometimes the weather can skyrocket to 40°C
Mostly hot and sunny, with fluctuating humidity
Holiday season – with most visitors within a year
TipsAlthough the summer months get the most travelers, the best time to visit the Imperial City Hue is in fact, from January to April. The rains are not as aggressive, and the weather is more tolerable, with an average of around 20°C - 24°C. It is neither too hot and humid nor too cold and wet during the day - perfect for exploring the city. Additionally, many annual events and activities also take place during this time of the year. Namely, Tet (Lunar New Year), traditional village festivals and Hue Festival in April. You can experience cultural shows, spring markets, traditional music performances, royal ceremonies and seasonal local dishes. Immerse in the local life with all of these exciting activities!
How to get there and around?
From the North
Hue is easily within reach from Hanoi. The easiest way to travel to Hue is by flight. The city has its own airport (Phu Bai International Airport – HUI), so you can always catch a domestic flight. You can also travel to Hue by train, or by car, but it usually takes much longer (around 12 hours) to reach the inner city.
From the South
Similarly, you can fly directly from Saigon to Hue if you’re staying in the South. If you’re already in Hoi An or Danang, you can hop on a bus or hire a driver. While the bus is definitely cheaper, travelling to Hue by car is significantly faster and more comfortable for you. If you’re in for some adventure, consider taking the train from Danang to enjoy the spectacular view of Son Tra Peninsular from the windows of your cabin!
Transportation guide
Once you’ve reached Hue, it is quite easy to navigate around the city. As the main sites are closely knitted next to each other, you can just walk, or quickly grab a cab or a motorbike to your destination. However, to reach the imperial tombs along the Perfume River (Song Huong) or side-trip areas, it’s best to drive. We recommend you hire a private driver or rent your own motorbike if you’re feeling adventurous!
Best places in Hue
Tourist Attractions
Hue Citadel. Shutterstock: @amadeustx
The Imperial Citadel
The biggest and most important point of interest in Hue is, undoubtedly, the Imperial Citadel. This is the outermost part of the city, which is made up of several parts. It also covers a large area in the city centre that you can easily pinpoint when looking at the map. The Imperial Citadel is surrounded by enormous brick walls and a great moat next to the Perfume River. Back in the days, this is where officials and military commanders sat, carrying their day-to-day administrative work. Now this area is bustling with shops and commercial businesses.
Once you enter the Citadel, the Imperial City is right inside, on the southern side. Hundreds of years ago this place used to be where the emperors and their royal families reside. Only selected guests and servants were allowed to enter, but now you can freely access this area! Inside the Imperial City you will find the Forbidden Purple City. This was actually the most guarded place in the Citadel – where the emperor’s consorts lived. Only the emperor himself, the handmaidens and eunuchs serving the consorts were allowed here. As expansive and sophisticatedly beautiful as it was supposed to be, unfortunately the majority of the Old Citadel was destroyed during the Vietnam War. However, the city is making constant effort to restore the Imperial Citadel to its original form.
An entrance to Hue Citadel. Shutterstock: Luciano Mortula
Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh from above. Instagram:@vietnam.tm
Imperial Tombs
After discovering the main attraction of Imperial City Hue, you can head to the outskirts of town and explore some of the best historical gems on the river banks. There are several royal tombs located around the city, dedicated to the emperors and their families. Each one carries its own story and charm. Not one is like the other. Some main tombs you should not miss are Emperor Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc’s tombs.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Overlooking the Perfume River is Thien Mu Pagoda – the symbol of the Imperial City Hue. The seven-storey pagoda was built in 1601, known by both locals and foreign visitors not only for its intricate design but also its involvement in many historical and political events.
Thien Mu Pagoda. Instagram: @Christinallar
Off the beaten track
Instagram: @nicolasjehly
Ho Thuy Tien
Located roughly 8km away from the city centre, this abandoned amusement park is definitely not for the faint of heart. The park is initially planned to become a place for families to get away in the weekends, with exciting rides, fun water park and colorful shows. Unfortunately it only operated for a few years before finally shutting down and being left to deteriorate. Yet apparently its run-down state attracts a certain amount of visitors with a knack for the unusual! This eerie and creepy vibe of the deserted ex-paradise actually pairs well with some landscape photos – making you feel like you’re in a post-apocalyptic movie!
Tam Giang Lagoon
If you are looking for a place to escape the crowd and a chance to interact with Vietnamese locals, then Tam Giang Lagoon is a destination you should not miss. The lagoon, though quite far from the centre (around 15km), is well worth the effort to travel. Take a boat trip, and seize this opportunity to join local people catch fish, prepare fresh seafood dishes and enjoy the fruits freshly picked right on the boat in this natural lagoon. It would be a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sunset in Tam Giang Lagoon. Instagram: @seanhenson7
Lang Co Beach. Instagram: @adamkulig84
Beaches
The ancient capital of Vietnam does not only have captivating historical sites and a beautiful curvaceous river in its heart. Outside of the city centre, Hue also paves the way to some stunning natural scenery, including a variety of tranquil beaches. What’s better? Since most tourists flock to Danang for beaches, very few people visit or even know about these hidden tropical gems! Some of the most recommended beaches are Lang Co, Thuan An and Ham Rong beach. All of them have pristine aquamarine water and blinding white sand, perfect for a dip in the ocean!
Bach Ma National Park
This 40000 hectares old French hill station is about 40km away from Hue and home for over 1400 species of plants, ferns and faunas. Bach Ma National Park is an unspoilt land filled with lovely forest animals, beautiful cascading lakes, and picturesque waterfalls. Its selection of great hiking trails, basic but accommodating lodgings, and plenty of wildlife make for a perfect day-trip from Hue or a getaway camp.
A waterfall in Bach Ma National Park. Instagram: @bhendss
Things to do in Hue
Visit historical sites
Without question, visiting all the historical sites is one of the very first things to do in Hue. From the Old Citadel with the Forbidden Purple City or the Imperial City to the various tombs and relics found nearby, come and spend several hours here to learn and reflect on feudal Vietnam’s largest historical heritage.
Visit Thanh Tien Village
A local craftsman making paper flowers. Instagram: @quocbaophan
About 10km down the Perfume River stream lies a quirky little village called Thanh Tien. The village is renowned for crafting intricate paper flowers – a tradition that lasts over 300 years. Come take a look in the village and have hands-on experience in creating your own version of lotus, orchids, dahlias, roses and more!
Check out the Infinity Stairs
Stairway to Heaven! Instagram: @phuong315
If you’re having a day trip to Tam Giang Lagoon, make sure to stop by Con Toc Restaurant. This is one of the biggest restaurants with the grandest view in Hue. The restaurant wastes no time in ensuring you have the best experience while dining – with their unique Infinity Stairs! It’s a fairly new addition to the restaurant – the perfect Instagrammable spot where you can showcase the world as if you’re on a staircase to heaven.
Perfume River Cruise
Spanning over 80km in length, Perfume River is the heart and soul of Hue. Legend has it that over 100 years ago, the river carries a strong scent of flower petals that fell down and flowed along the streams, hence the name Perfume River.
Trang Tien Bridge from above. Instagram: @hue_danang_vietnam
Today the scent might not be as fragrant due to the huge amount of boats and river cruises operating on Perfume River. Nevertheless, it is still a widely popular landmark that both foreigners and locals enjoy. You can have a dinner cruise on the Perfume River, watching a breathtaking view of the sunset and the sparkling bright LED lights illuminating the Trang Tien Bridge.
Cycle through the countryside
The city of Hue is beyond old citadels and rustic tombs. You can take a bicycle ride around the rural countryside of Hue, passing through lush green rice terraces, lively local markets and colourful little houses of the locals. This might be one of the rare chances for you to experience the authentic, “real” Vietnam!
Enjoy “Royal Banquet” dinner
If you’re travelling in a group and want something extra, why not try having a banquet dinner in royal style? You will dress up like real noblemen or even emperors and queens of Imperial Vietnam, listen to traditional Vietnamese music, and taste a variety of exquisite “royal” cuisine that is intricately garnished and decorated.
What to eat in Hue
Each region of Vietnam has a distinctive selection of delicious cuisine, and Hue is no different. Hue dishes are characterized by the use of various ingredients and their extreme spiciness. What’s more? They are unbelievably cheap! Spend only a few dollars in Hue and you can get yourself stuffed for the rest of the day!
Instagram: @what.jessie.eats
Bun Bo Hue
Bun Bo Hue is a widely popular noodle soup dish in Vietnam, but Hue is where the most authentic one was invented. With two main ingredients – rice vermicelli and beef – the dish is a perfect blend between salty, sour, spicy and umami, with a strong predominant scent of lemongrass. Take your taste buds on a wild trip with this special bowl of noodles!
Find the dish at:
Bun Bo O Cuong – Chu Diep: 6 Tran Thuc Nhan Street, Hue
Bun Bo O Phuong: 24 Nguyen Khuyen Street, Hue
Quan Bun Bo Hue: 19 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hue
Com Hen
This is another of Hue specialities. It is made from baby mussels or basket clams and leftover rice and is normally served at room temperature. Best restaurants serving Com Hen are:
Com Hen Hoa Dong: 64 Kiet 7 Ung Binh Street, Hue
Com Hen Ba Cam: 2 Truong Dinh Street, Hue
Quan Nho: 28 Pham Hong Thai Street, Hue
Instagram: @hueoi
Jam it with some Ram It! Instagram: @nicoleisapig
Rice cakes
Imperial City Hue also has a wide range of tasty and savoury steamed cakes made from glutinous rice. The most famous ones you should try are “Banh Beo”, “Banh Nam”, “Banh Ram It”, and “Banh Bot Loc”. Each one has a very special unique taste to it, so come to Hue and try them for yourself!
Ba Do: 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Hue
Quan 109: 109 Le Huan Street, Hue
Me Le: 104/17/9 Kim Long Street, Hue
Banh Canh
For generations, this Banh Canh has been a staple dish that is hugely loved by Hue locals. A bowl of this soupy delicacy, with the sweet taste of fresh shrimps and crabs, exploded with hot and spicy flavour, is enough to make even the toughest heart swoon.
Thuy Restaurant: 16 Pham Hong Thai Street, Hue
Banh Canh Nam Pho O Thu: 374 Chi Lang Street, Hue
Banh Canh Cua Pham Hong Thai: 37 Pham Hong Thai Street, Hue
Instagram: @foodyhue
Instagram: @bino.chio
Che Hue
There are as many as 36 variations of sweet dessert soup in Imperial City Hue, incorporating friendly and healthy ingredients such as red beans, black beans, lotus, corn or taro. Normally, you can find local street vendors selling a variety of sweet dessert soup ingredients. You can go for it buffet-style and choose your favourite ones according to your liking. My personal favourite is taro, lotus seeds and mung beans iced sweet dessert soup topped with shredded coconut flakes! Only around 15000VND (~0.75USD) for a bowl full of sweet delicacies – how awesome is that!
