Hue Travel Guide – Imperial City of Vietnam
Discover Hue, or Huế, Vietnam’s former imperial capital, where ancient citadels, royal tombs, and peaceful rivers tell the story of a glorious past. This charming city along the Perfume River is perfect for history lovers, cultural explorers, and travelers seeking a slower, authentic Vietnam experience.
Table of Contents
- Why Visit Huế?
- Best time to visit Huế
- Top 6 Things to Do in Huế
- What to Eat in Huế
- How to Get to Huế
- Local Tips for Huế
- Useful Resources
Why Visit Huế?
Hue is known as the historical heart of Vietnam, famous for its royal heritage and serene landscapes. Once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s imperial history, traditional architecture, and laid-back Central Vietnamese lifestyle.
Best time to visit Huế
The best time to visit Huế really just depends on what you prefer. Summer tends to be more popular for tourists. But if you prefer cooler weather, you can visit later in the year or early in the year before summer time, but bring some poncho and expect rain.
Tip: If you visit during Tết (Vietnamese New Year), Hue is extra festive with flowers and cultural events.
Top 6 Things to Do in Huế
Explore the Imperial City of Huế, Wander through palaces, temples, and ancient walls, and explore the complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t forget to check out the throne palace (Điện Thái Hòa) and Purple Forbidden City (Tử Cấm Thành).
I had a chance to visit the palace with my family when I was a kid. They had an area that they allowed tourists to take photo on the throne, not the real one of course. We rented the Vietnamese traditional clothes at the site and they took photos for us. You should definitely check that out.
Visit the Royal Tombs. Explore the grand resting places of Nguyen Dynasty emperors: tomb of Khải Định, tomb of Tự Đức, and tomb of Minh Mạng.
Take a dragon boat ride on Perfume river. Relax on a dragon boat along the Perfume river and visit Thien Mu Pagoda (chùa Thiên Mụ.), Huế’s iconic riverside temple.
Sample Hue’s unique cuisine. Tour the city and try popular Huế’s dishes, such as bún bò Huế (Huế-style beef noodle soup), bánh bèo (small savory rice cakes), and Huế’s royal-inspired vegetarian dishes.
Walk across Truong Tien bridge. Truong Tien bridge, or cầu Trường Tiền, is a historic French-built bridge. It is a great spot for river views, especially at sunset.
Day trip to Bach Ma National Park. Explore jungles, waterfalls, and hiking trails in Bach Ma National Park, or Vườn quốc gia Bạch Mã. There are one-day tour and two-day tour. For more information regarding the park, tours, and current price, check out their website: bachmapark.com.vn
What to Eat in Huế
Huế cuisine is famous for bold flavors, delicate presentation, and royal influence. Huế has many popular dishes. Some of them are:
- Bún Bò Huế – Spicy beef noodle soup
- Bánh Bèo – Steamed rice cakes with shrimp topping
- Nem Lụi – Grilled lemongrass pork skewers
- Bánh Khoái – Hue-style crispy pancake
- Chè Huế – Huế sweet desserts
How to Get to Huế
You can get to Huế by air, car, bus, or train.
There are domestic flights from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to Phu Bai airport.
If you want to travel by train, you can also take the Reunification Express train and enjoy the scenic ride.
Depending on where you are, you can also get to Huế by car, bus, or motorbike.
Local Tips for Huế
If you are visiting during the hot season, it is best to go sightseeing early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and the crowd.
When visiting temples and tombs, don’t forget to dress modestly.
If you are visiting during the period from September through December, expect rain and bring a poncho.
