Best Places You Should Go To Visit In Hue, Vietnam

One of Vietnam’s most historic towns, Hue is packed to the brim with relics from the reign of the 19th-century Nguyen emperors. From 1802 to 1945, Hue was the capital of Vietnam and home to the Nguyen dynasty. After the Vietnam War, Hue’s unique history fell into ruin as the imperial era wasn’t viewed favorably by the communist authorities. These days, however, the temples and landmarks of the city are national treasures, attracting millions of visitors every year.

1. Hue Citadel

The Hue Citadel is one of the must-see attractions in Hue. It was the residence of ancient kings and the location of the Nguyen Dynasty’s political activities for 143 years. Hue Citadel, designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, is a symbol and source of pride for the people of Hue. When you visit, you will be able to admire over 100 unique and impressive architectural works, including Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Dien Tho Palace, Kien Trung Palace, Phung Tien Palace, Truong Sanh Palace, Hung Mieu, and The Mieu. They all contribute to the palace’s unique architectural beauty while preserving the heroic historical imprints of the Nguyen dynasty.

It has a circumference of 10km, a height of 6.6m, and a thickness of 21m, with winding fortresses accompanied by cannons, artillery, and ammunition depots. The fortress was originally built entirely of earth, but bricks were later added. A network of interlaced canals surrounds the city, protecting the city and a waterway nearly 7 kilometers long. Also divided into two major parts, excluding houses and mansions: the Citadel and the Forbidden City. The former protected the important palaces within, while the latter housed the emperor and royal family as well as the court’s workplace. All of the typical traditional architecture of the East, such as palatial palaces, mausoleums, and museums, coexist to form an extremely interesting attraction right in the heart of Vietnam.

2. Visit Ancient Emperors’ Tombs

2.1. Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb, officially known as the Ung Mausoleum, is located on Chau Chu Mountain, approximately 10 kilometers from Hue City, Vietnam. Compared to other Nguyen royal tombs, this one is the smallest, but the most expensive and recently built. It was established by Emperor Khai Dinh, the 12th Emperor of the Nguyễn Dynast, between 1920 and 1931. Khai Dinh became Vietnam’s penultimate emperor from 1916 to 1925, however, he was unpopular with the Vietnamese due to his strong collaboration with the French administration. This 11-year-old tomb is built on a hillside and features architecture in both Eastern and Western traditions. Khai Dinh Tomb is regarded as one of Hue’s most worthwhile attractions.

Entrance fee:

Adults: 150,000 VND per person

Children: 30,000 VND per person

Opening hours: 7 AM–5:30 PM

2.2. Tu Duc Tomb

Tu Duc Tomb, with its unique style and excellent harmony with the natural surroundings, is one of the buildings that contribute to Hue’s beauty. Tu Duc Royal Tomb, erected during the Nguyen Dynasty, is one of the most appealing and must-see attractions in Hue City.

Tu Duc Tomb spans an area of approximately 12 hectares, which is ten times larger than Gia Long Tomb. The layout of the tomb includes around 50 large and small buildings scattered throughout the grounds. Each structure in this architectural ensemble bears the name “Khiem,” which means “Modest” in English. Tu Duc Tomb resembles a vast park that harmoniously blends with the natural surroundings. The architecture eschews straight lines and sharp angles in favor of curves and winding paths, creating a sense of harmony despite being entirely man-made.

Entrance fee:

Adults: 150,000 VND per person

Children: 30,000 VND per person

Opening hours: 7 AM–5:30 PM

3. Explore Huyen Tran Princess Temple

Huyen Tran is one of Vietnam’s most well-known princesses and served as the primary mediator between Vietnam and Champanagara. She was married to the King of Champa while serving as a peace ambassador for Vietnam’s current territorial expansion. The temple was created to convey the Vietnamese people’s sincere regard and gratitude to her. It is generally a very melancholy and lonely area, yet it nevertheless attracts a lot of people, especially between January 9th and 15th, the death anniversary of Huyen Tran Princess. The temple is located at the foot of Ngu Phong Mountain, approximately 6 kilometers from Hue’s downtown. Because the temple is close to the royal tombs, it is best to see all of them on the same trip.

4. Savor Tasty Hue Cuisine

Hue is unquestionably one of the Vietnamese cities with the best and most distinct culinary culture. Previously, the meals were reserved only for royal families. However, travelers can now easily find them on the streets or in restaurants for a fair price. Hue’s cuisine is distinguished by its sweet and spicy flavors, as well as the abundance of herbs and sauces (particularly fish sauce). Some must-try meals in Hue are Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup), Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Skewers), Com Hen (Clam Rice), Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Cakes), Banh Ram It (Fried Sticky Rice Dumplings), and Che Hat Sen (Lotus Seeds Sweet Soup).

5. Find Peace in Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda (or Heaven Fairy Lady Pagoda), also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most fascinating and historic pagodas in Hue. It is located on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 kilometers from Hue and easily accessible from the city center. Due to its mysterious history, the pagoda has attracted a large number of tourists from both within and outside the country to come and discover the legend for themselves. With its classic Hue pagoda style and lovely location directly next to the Perfume River’s bank, it has become one of Hue City’s most famous tourist attractions. It is recommended that visitors on a city tour of Hue visit this pagoda in the afternoon to see the monk’s praying time within the pagoda and enjoy the lovely sunset on the Perfume River.

Hue has an abundance of wonderful activities that will fascinate every traveler. There are plenty of things to do in Hue, from exploring historic sites to savoring delectable local cuisine and embarking on spiritual journeys, there is no shortage of things to do in this enchanting city. Immerse yourself in Hue’s charm and embark on an adventure that will leave you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for Vietnam’s cultural heritage.