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Sitting on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is often described as one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and romantic cities. Located in central Vietnam, it’s a popular stop on our Vietnam multi-centre holidays, with grand palaces, riverside pagodas and royal tombs to explore. Many of its historic landmarks form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hue has a much more relaxed feel than some of Vietnam’s bigger cities, and it’s well placed if you’re travelling between Hanoi, Hoi An and the central beaches around Da Nang.
Behind the walls of Hue’s historic Citadel lies the Imperial City, where the Nguyen dynasty once lived and ruled. There’s lots to explore within its gates, from grand palaces and temples to pretty gardens and quiet courtyards. It’s a lovely escape from the busy streets just outside.
Once you pass through the impressive Ngo Mon Gate, you’ll find the Thai Hoa Palace, the emperors’ throne hall, with its red and gold columns. At the heart of the complex is the Forbidden Purple City, which was largely destroyed by war but is slowly being rebuilt. Nearby, Hien Lam Pavilion overlooks the Nine Dynastic Urns, which are decorated with scenes of Vietnam’s landscapes. You’ll also find Duyet Thi Duong, the royal theatre, where you can often catch a performance of Nha Nhac, the traditional Hue court music. The complex is extensive, so you’ll need to do some walking. If you’d like to see more of the surrounding streets without walking as far, you can take a cyclo ride around the Citadel.
Just outside Hue, the Nguyen emperors built their tombs among the hills along the Perfume River. These impressive complexes were designed to reflect each emperor’s personality, and some were planned as peaceful retreats as well as final resting places. Tu Duc even used his as a getaway during his reign, writing poetry and relaxing by the lake.
Tu Duc’s tomb is particularly pretty, with gardens, pavilions and a lake, while Minh Mang’s is more formal and symmetrical. Khai Dinh’s is the most elaborate, and mixes Vietnamese and European architecture with colourful glass and porcelain mosaics.
Thuy Xuan incense village is close to several of the royal tombs, so it’s easy to combine the two. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the brightly coloured bundles of incense spread out to dry. You’ll often see local makers preparing the incense by hand too.
Thien Mu Pagoda (pictured in the Perfume River picture below) is one of Hue’s most recognisable landmarks. Perched on a hill above the Perfume River, its seven-storey tower has become a symbol of the city. The pagoda is still an active Buddhist monastery, and you’ll see monks going about their day as you wander around the tranquil gardens. For many, though, the real reason to come is to see the blue Austin car parked in the grounds. In 1963, it drove the monk Thich Quang Duc to a busy Saigon intersection, where he set himself on fire in protest against the South Vietnamese government’s treatment of Buddhists.
For a different view of the city, hop on a boat along the Perfume River. The river supposedly got its name from the flowers that drifted down from orchards upstream each autumn, giving the water a fragrant scent.
Colourful dragon boats are the traditional way to travel, and drifting past riverside villages and green hills is lovely and relaxing. Some trips stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, while others continue on towards the royal tombs. In the evening, you can join a cruise with a performance of ca Hue, the city’s traditional folk singing.
Just outside the city, Tam Giang Lagoon is part of the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia.
An ideal way to experience it is to take a boat trip in the late afternoon, and drift past the stilt houses and fishing villages before watching the sun set over the water. Chuon Village is a popular spot to watch it, and you can complete your evening by enjoying fresh seafood straight from the lagoon.
Hue’s cooking has been shaped by its royal past, and the city is considered home to the spiciest food in Vietnam. Some of the local must-try dishes include bun bo Hue, a fragrant, spicy noodle soup with beef and lemongrass; banh khoai, a crispy savoury pancake; and banh beo, little steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp and crunchy pork crackling.
Dong Ba Market, next to the river, is a great place to sample the local dishes among the various food stalls. You’ll also find plenty of small family-run restaurants and street food spots dotted around the city, particularly in the streets near the market and along the southern side of the river. For a more relaxed evening, explore the restaurants and cafés around the walking streets of Pham Ngu Lao and Chu Van An.
If you want to recreate some of Hue’s specialities when you get back home, a cooking class is perfect. Many start with a visit to a local market, where you’ll pick up the ingredients before learning how to turn them into delicious dishes. Some classes also take place in family homes, giving you a chance to see a bit more of everyday life in the city.
Hiring a bike and cycling out into the countryside is a lovely way to see a quieter side of the city. Just outside Hue, you’ll find Thanh Toan Bridge, a beautiful covered wooden bridge dating back to the 18th century.
It’s surrounded by rice fields and small villages, and the journey there is just as enjoyable as the bridge itself.
Hue is a good base if you’d like to explore more of Vietnam’s wartime history. The former Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which divided North and South Vietnam, is situated around 100km to the north of the city. Most day trips include the Vinh Moc Tunnels, a network of tunnels dug by villagers to escape the bombing. You’ll see their kitchens, wells and even a maternity room. Tours often also stop at Hien Luong Bridge and the former Khe Sanh Combat Base, which today has a small museum, along with restored bunkers, helicopters and planes. It’s a full day out, but well worth it if you’re interested in history.
Bach Ma National Park is a great day trip for nature lovers. The park sits high up in the Annamite Mountains, about 45km outside of Hue, and the landscapes here are phenomenal, with orchids, butterflies and endemic wildlife. You’ll also pass the ruins of 1930s French villas and wartime tunnels on the way up.
The highlight of the park is the Five Lakes trail, which follows a stream past a series of waterfalls and natural pools. You can swim in the fourth and fifth lakes, so make sure you pack your swimming costume. The hike is quite long and can be challenging, so you’ll need a good level of fitness, and we’d recommend going with a guide, who’ll point out things you’d easily miss on your own. As Bach Ma sits between Hue and Da Nang, you could also stop here on the way to Hoi An.
Many of our Vietnam itineraries that include Hue continue to Hoi An or Da Nang. If you’re travelling from Hue to Hoi An, you can take the scenic route over the Hai Van Pass. The road climbs over the mountains just north of Da Nang, with fantastic views over the coastline. Most traffic now uses the tunnel beneath the mountain, so let your driver know you’d like to take the pass. At the top, you can stop to explore the old fortifications, and Lang Co Beach makes another great stop along the way.
Hue makes a great addition to a Vietnam holiday, particularly if you’re travelling between Hanoi, Hoi An and the beaches of central Vietnam. For inspiration, our Best of Vietnam or our Complete Vietnam Experience holidays combine the country’s highlights, or simply get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you plan your ideal trip.
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