Planning a trip to Hue? Known for its rich history, royal heritage, and stunning landscapes, Hue offers travelers a unique blend of cultural experiences, ancient architecture, and natural beauty. From the iconic Imperial Citadel to the serene Perfume River, Hue is a must-visit destination for those looking to dive into Vietnam’s imperial past. In this comprehensive Hue Vietnam travel guide, discover the best things to do, where to eat, and how to get around, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hue experiences three distinct seasons with variable weather throughout the year.
This is the best time to visit, with typically dry weather. Temperatures range between 22 and 30°C (71-86°F), making it seem ideal for shorts and T-shirts. However, it’s wise to pack warmer clothes as well, as high humidity can make the air feel quite cool when there's even a slight breeze.
While Hue’s summers are hot, they are not as extreme as in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Average temperatures hover around 30°C (86°F), with peak afternoon temperatures rarely exceeding 33°C (91°F).
This period brings heavy rainfall and the risk of dangerous flash floods in the lowlands around Hue. If traveling to central Vietnam during this time, it’s better to visit other regions, such as the nearby central coast or Da Lat in the Central Highlands.
Overall, the clear season (January to Early May) and summer season (Late May to August) offer the most favorable conditions for visiting Hue. However, even during the rainy season, you can still enjoy the city's attractions with proper planning.
Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Here's a guide to some of the must-see attractions:
The Imperial City, or Citadel, is undoubtedly the most impressive attraction in Hue. Inside its fortified walls lies the Forbidden Purple City, royal tombs, pagodas, temples, royal chambers, a library, and a museum. Exploring the Citadel can easily take up to three hours. While a guide isn’t required, hiring one is a good idea if you wish to dive deeper into its history, especially the periods of intense fighting during the Vietnam War.
Beyond the Imperial City, Hue is home to numerous tombs, temples, and pagodas. The royal tombs of the Nguyen emperors are scattered across the hills south of the city, accessible by boat or bicycle. The seven tombs include the Minh Mang and Tu Duc Tombs, Hon Chen Temple, and The To Mieu Temple—each offering a unique historical experience.
Connecting Hue and Da Nang, the Hai Van Pass is one of Vietnam’s most stunning coastal routes. Popular for motorbike rides, car trips, or even old army jeep tours, the pass offers breathtaking views. You can also stop along the way to visit Lang Co Beach, quaint fishing villages, the Marble Mountains, and a small waterfall.
Bach Ma National Park, once a French hill station, spans over 40,000 hectares and is filled with hiking trails, waterfalls, French villa ruins, campsites, and abundant wildlife. A trekking tour through the park is the best way to experience its natural beauty, with trails leading to serene lakes, waterfalls, and the park’s peak, offering panoramic views over the forest.
The largest market in Central Vietnam, Dong Ba Market, offers an authentic glimpse into local life. Here, you can browse stalls selling handicrafts, fresh produce, meats, and clothing. Located near the Citadel and Perfume River, the market is a great place to experience local culture and witness daily life unfold.
One of Vietnam’s finest beaches, Lang Co Beach, is located not far from Hue. This 10-kilometer stretch of sandy shore is lined with palm trees and clear waters, with several quality resorts nearby. It’s about a 60-kilometer drive from Hue’s city center, making it a perfect spot for a day trip, overnight stay, or a stop between Hue and Da Nang before crossing the Hai Van Pass.
Explore the Perfume River on a traditional dragon boat, experiencing the local culture and scenery. The Perfume River runs through Hue, offering a relaxing escape from the city. Dragon boat rides are the ideal way to explore the river, with views of local life, fishermen, and riverside temples. These boat tours are a must for visitors seeking a peaceful and scenic adventure.
Hue’s relatively low traffic makes it one of the best cities for cycling in Vietnam. Many visitors opt to cycle along the banks of the Huong River or explore the Citadel and surrounding temples. Several accommodations offer bicycles for free, or you can easily rent one from the city center.
For photography enthusiasts and urban explorers, Ho Thuy Tien, an abandoned water park near the city, is a fascinating site. Closed for over a decade, the park has become overgrown and eerie, with crumbling structures and a dragon-shaped sculpture in the middle of the lake as its centerpiece. While not an official tourist site, it’s a unique experience—just watch out for broken glass and wear appropriate footwear.
Hue's cuisine is distinct, with dishes that are not overly sweet or spicy but rich in Central Vietnamese flavors. Each dish is prepared with care and skill, leaving a lasting impression after just one taste.
Bun Bo Hue is one of the most famous specialties in Hue. A must-try when visiting, it’s best enjoyed in the early morning. The broth is carefully simmered from beef bones, onions, and traditional spices, creating a rich, savory flavor. The noodles are soft and large, served with pork patties, a bit of blood pudding, and fatty pork hock. Add some fresh lemon, chili, and raw vegetables before eating for an unforgettable flavor that’s hard to match elsewhere.
Banh Beo is a popular snack in Hue, served hot with a sweet and fragrant filling and a slightly spicy dipping sauce. Pour fish sauce over the cake before enjoying it to savor the softness of the dough, the crispiness of fried onions, and the sweetness of shrimp and meat.
This delicious noodle soup, filled with rich shrimp and meat, green onions, and a touch of green chili sauce, is a unique Hue dish that’s hard to resist during your visit.
Hue is well-known for its wide variety of sweet soups, each with its own distinct flavor. From lotus seed sweet soup to floating sweet soup, taro sweet soup, and even roasted pork sweet soup, you can enjoy these treats by simply stopping at a street vendor or a small alley for a true taste of Hue’s street food.
Served hot on a small plate, this cake is a delightful combination of fatty pork, crisp pickled papaya, eggs, and fragrant green onions. Hue visitors will enjoy rolling the cake with laksa leaves, papaya, and cucumber before dipping it in sweet and sour fish sauce—perfect for a summer snack.
Though Lui spring rolls can be found in other regions, Hue's version stands out for its unique flavor. Nem Lui is served with rice paper, herbs, and a special dipping sauce made from pureed peanuts, pork liver, and minced pork, offering a rich and delicious taste.
Wrapped in leaves, these chewy tapioca cakes reveal a shrimp and meat filling when opened. Dipping the cake in a sweet and spicy fish sauce adds to the experience, making this an unforgettable dish for travelers.
This dish consists of two layers—the crispy fried bottom and the soft white cake on top, sprinkled with shrimp powder. Dip it in sweet and sour fish Nsauce with a little fresh chili from Hue for an authentic local taste.
A classic rustic dish of Hue, banh nam is soft, smooth, and bursting with shrimp flavor. To eat it the traditional way, peel off the top layer of leaves, spread the cake flat on a plate, and drizzle sweet and sour dipping sauce over it. Use a spoon to savor each bite.
Hue is easily accessible from other parts of Vietnam by plane, train, or car. Here's a breakdown of your options:
Flying is the quickest and most convenient way for tourists to reach Hue. Many domestic airlines offer direct flights to Phu Bai Airport in Hue. The flight from Hanoi to Hue takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, while the flight from Ho Chi Minh City takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For those living in nearby areas, traveling by bus is a practical and affordable option due to the shorter travel times. If you're traveling from farther provinces, sleeper buses are a good choice. From Hanoi, bus companies like Hung Thanh, Camel, and Duc Thinh offer services on the Hanoi-Hue route, with travel times of around 12 to 14 hours. For those traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, the journey takes approximately 20 hours. Some popular bus companies on the HCM-Hue route include Hoang Long, Huong Ty, and Minh Phuong.
If you have more time and enjoy scenic routes, traveling by train is an ideal option. Train tickets are reasonably priced, and trains offer various seating options, including hard seats, soft seats, and sleeper cabins, with or without air conditioning. For long journeys, especially during the hot season, it's best to choose air-conditioned sleeper tickets on trains like SE3 or SE1 for a more comfortable experience and a quicker journey.
Hue offers various convenient transportation options to explore the city and its surrounding attractions. Here's a breakdown:
Choose the transportation option that best suits your needs and preferences for a memorable exploration of Hue.
Renowned for its rich imperial history, Hue captivates visitors with its grand ancient architecture, including the majestic Hue Imperial Citadel and royal tombs scattered along the Perfume River. The city's blend of historical landmarks and serene landscapes creates a peaceful atmosphere that invites exploration.
Beyond Hue, consider venturing to the vibrant streets of Hanoi, the serene beaches of Nha Trang, or the lush landscapes of Cat Ba and Co To Island. To facilitate a smooth travel experience, we provide comprehensive Vietnam visa services, ensuring that your journey to Hue and other incredible destinations is effortless and enjoyable.
