Why visit Hue
Hue was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty, from 1802 to 1945. The emperors left behind a walled citadel, palaces, pagodas and grand tombs spread along the Perfume River. Together they form the Complex of Hue Monuments, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Today Hue is a calm, green city with some of the best food in Vietnam, and an easy stop between Hoi An and Da Nang in the south and Phong Nha in the north.
What to see
The Imperial City
Inside the citadel on the north bank of the river, the Imperial City (Dai Noi) holds the throne palace, temples, gates and gardens of the Nguyen court. Give it at least half a day.
The royal tombs
South of the city, emperors built their own tombs as landscaped parks. The best known are the tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh, each with a very different style. Many travellers visit two or three in a day by bike, taxi or boat.
Thien Mu Pagoda
The seven-storey tower of Thien Mu stands on a hill above the Perfume River and is one of the symbols of Hue. It is lovely late in the afternoon.
The Perfume River
A slow boat trip on the river is a relaxing way to reach the pagoda and some of the tombs.
What to eat
Hue’s royal and street cooking is famous across Vietnam. Do not leave without trying:
- Bun bo Hue, the spicy beef and lemongrass noodle soup named after the city
- Banh beo, small steamed rice cakes with dried shrimp
- Com hen, rice with baby clams and herbs
- Banh khoai, crispy pancakes with peanut sauce
- Che, sweet desserts sold all over town
How long to stay and when to go
Two to three days is enough for the Imperial City, a few tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda and plenty of food. Central Vietnam has a rainy season from around September to December, with the heaviest rain usually in October and November. The rest of the year is drier, and summer can be very hot.
From Hue to Phong Nha
Phong Nha is about 4 hours north of Hue by bus. With HK Buslines we pick you up at your hotel in Hue for free and drop you in the centre of Phong Nha town, on the main traveller street. You travel in a private sleeper cabin, and there is a toilet on board.
Phong Nha is worth at least two nights rather than a long day trip from Hue. Read our Phong Nha guide to plan it.