Hue (full name Thua Thien Hue) is the ancient capital city of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945). This place is famous for its ancient, quiet beauty, associated with world cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, along with lyrical and poetic nature. For those who are planning to visit Hue City, immediately save the Hue city travel guide shared below. There will definitely be all the information for everyone to have the most memorable trip! 

Hue City Overview

Hue is located in the Central coastal region of Vietnam, about 670 km south of Hanoi and 670 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh is about 1080 km to the North. The city is located on both sides of the romantic Perfume River, the East borders the East Sea, the West borders the majestic Truong Son range, creating harmony between mountains, rivers and sea.

 

                                                                                       Hue City Map

 

Featured destinations

 Featured destinations

  • Perfume River and Ngu Mountain:The Perfume River and Ngu Mountain are poetic symbols of the ancient capital of Hue, where nature and history blend to create lyrical, profound beauty. The peaceful Perfume River is like a blue silk strip winding around the city, reflecting the towering Ngu Binh Mountain - a "screen" protecting the capital. Standing on Ngu Mountain watching the Perfume River slowly drift by, visitors feel the peaceful breathing of the dreamy land of Hue. Perfume River and Ngu Mountain are not only landscapes but also endless sources of inspiration for poets and musicians, creating the soul of Hue poetry.

                                                                         A corner of Perfume River - Ngu Mountain

  • Lang Co Beach:is one of the most beautiful bays in the world, outstanding with a long winding strip of fine white sand, clear blue sea water and wild, majestic natural scenery. Located in Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province, Lang Co captivates tourists with its peace and poetry, nestled between Hai Van Pass and Lap An Lagoon. With harmonious natural beauty and fresh air, Lang Co beach is an ideal destination for tourists looking for a peaceful retreat, away from urban noise.

                                                                            Lang Co Beach

  • Thien Mu Pagoda (Linh Mu Pagoda): The ancient pagoda is located on Ha Khe hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River. This is a spiritual symbol and the oldest Buddhist temple in Hue, with the famous seven-storey Phuoc Duyen Tower.

                                                                                 Phuoc Duyen Tower - Thien Mu Pagoda

  • Thien An Hill - Thuy Tien Lake: Thien An Hill - Thuy Tien Lake is a famous tourist destination in Hue city, covered with green pine forests and peaceful space. Thuy Tien Lake is located in the middle of the hill, has a magical beauty with calm water surface and mysterious abandoned buildings. This place is an ideal check-in point for those who love to explore and seek a nostalgic feeling amidst romantic nature.

Other destinations

  • Vong Canh Hill (Place with panoramic view of Perfume River and mausoleums)
  • Bach Ma National Forest (Ecotourism and nature discovery site)
  • Truong Tien Bridge (Historic bridge across the river Huong)

 Outstanding historical sites

  • Hue Monuments Complex: Hue Monuments Complex is a world cultural heritage that includes many historical and architectural works built by the Nguyen Dynasty, such as the Imperial Citadel, the Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden City, mausoleums, and palaces. palaces, temples, pagodas, and many other relics in Hue city today. Prominent relics include the Imperial Citadel, mausoleums of Nguyen kings (such as Minh Mang, Khai Dinh), An Dinh palace, Thien Mu pagoda, Ky Dai, and other works such as Temple of Literature and Vo Mieu. 

                                                                                             Hue Monuments Complex

  • Ming Mang Tomb: Minh Mang Tomb, also known as Hieu Lang, is the resting place of the second king of the Nguyen Dynasty, Minh Mang (1791-1841). The mausoleum is located on Cam Khe mountain (now Hieu Son), in Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra town, Hue city. This place is a masterpiece of ancient architecture in harmony with nature, imbued with Confucian philosophy.

  • Khai Dinh Tomb: Is the tomb of the 12th King of the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a unique architectural work, delicately combining Asian and European styles, with extremely sophisticated porcelain and glass mosaic reliefs.

religion located on the banks of the Perfume River)

  • Ky Dai Hue (Vietnam's largest flagpole located south of the Imperial Citadel)
  • Tran Binh Dai (Mang Ca) (Military stronghold area northeast of the capital)
  • An Dinh Palace (Residence of King Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong after the abdication)

    • 4. The best time to travel

    The most ideal time to travel to Hue is during the dry season, from around January to April.

    • January - February: The weather is cool and chilly, very suitable for exploring the monuments without getting tired. hot.
    • March - April: Warm weather, little rain, is when many festivals take place in Hue, especially Hue Festival (usually takes place in April, May or June of even-numbered years).

    Note: From September to December is the rainy season storms, flooding may occur.

    5. Travel information

    Transportation to Hue

    • Airplane: Phu Bai Airport (HUI): Route Hanoi, City. HCM. Hanoi - Hue / City. HCM - Hue: 700,000 - 2,000,000 VND/way (depending on company and time).
    • Train: North - South railway line (Hue station): Hanoi - Hue, City. HCM - Hue, Da Nang - Hue. Hanoi/City. HCM - Hue: 600,000 - 1,500,000 VND (air-conditioned soft chair - air-conditioned bed). Da Nang - Hue: 100,000 - 300,000 VND (very beautiful, should try).
    • Passenger car:National Highway 1A route: Hanoi - Hue, City. HCM - Hue, Da Nang - Hue. Hanoi/City. HCM - Hue: 350,000 - 550,000 VND (bed). Da Nang - Hue: 80,000 - 150,000 VND (limousine or seat)

    Moving within the city

    • Motorbike/Bicycle: The most popular and flexible means of exploring. Motorbike rental price is about 100,000 - 150,000 VND/day.
    • Taxi/Grab: Convenient, local taxi companies and Grab services (cars and motorbikes) are available.
    • Cyclo: Ancient experience, very suitable for walking around the Imperial City area and the banks of the Perfume River. You should negotiate the price before going (about 50,000 - 100,000 VND/hour).

    6. Accommodation information

    Luxury (4-5 stars):

    • Indochine Palace Hue Hotel (105A Hung Vuong): Indochine Palace Hue Hotel (105A Hung Vuong) is the most luxurious 5-star hotel in the ancient capital, imbued with style. Indochina architecture is elegant and sophisticated. This place possesses a classy resort space, harmoniously combining classic features and modern amenities. With a city center location, Indochine Palace is an ideal stop for tourists who want to explore the cultural beauty and heritage of Hue. Room prices range (Reference): From 2,500,000 - 5,000,000 VND/night

    • Azerai La Residence Hue Hotel (5 Le Loi): Azerai La Residence Hue Hotel (5 Le Loi) is located on the banks of the romantic Perfume River, standing out with its unique and sophisticated Art Deco architecture. This is a luxurious resort, providing a peaceful and royal experience in the heart of the ancient capital. Room prices range from 3,500,000 - 8,000,000 VND/night.

    Resort (Resort, Villa):

    • Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa (Phu Loc, Hue - 40km from the center): Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa (Phu Loc, Hue) is located in the middle The romantic Lap An lagoon, about 40km from the city center, is an ideal place to immerse yourself in peaceful nature. The resort is famous for its overwater villas, high-end spa services and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Room prices range from 3,000,000 - 6,000,000 VND/night

    • Angsana Lang Co (Lang Co, Phu Loc - 60km from the center): Angsana Lang Co (Phu Loc, Hue) is a 5-star resort located between the blue sea and majestic mountains, about 60km from the city center. This place offers a luxurious, modern space along with many unique entertainment activities and cultural experiences.

    Experience (2-3 stars, Homestay)

    • a-mâze House (Homestay, 126B Phan Chu Trinh): A-mâze House (126B Phan Chu Trinh, Hue) is a homestay with creative design, youthful style and close to nature. This place offers a cozy, friendly accommodation space, suitable for those who want to experience Hue in a gentle and unique way. Room prices range from From 350,000 - 700,000 VND/night
    • Hue Ecolodge (3-star hotel, 638 Nguyen Tat Thanh) is a 3-star hotel located in the middle of a green space, with an ecological style close to nature. This place offers a peaceful resort experience, suitable for tourists who want to find relaxation and simplicity in the heart of Hue.

    7. Local festival cuisine and culture

    Food

    High-end restaurants

    • Tinh Gia Vien Palace Restaurant: is a unique culinary destination, recreating the ancient royal palace space in the heart of Hue city. Here, visitors can enjoy exquisite royal dishes, elaborately prepared and presented in an elegant, Hue-style setting. Address: 7 Kiet/ 28 Le Thanh Ton, Hue Citadel; Phone: 02343.522.243 - 077 441 000

    • Les Jardins de La Restaurant Carambole (32 Dang Tran Con) is located near the Hue Citadel, standing out with a classic and romantic French-style space. This is the ideal address to enjoy exquisite European and Asian cuisine in an elegant, cozy and artistic setting. Phone number to book a table 0243.3815

    Local cuisine

    • Hue beef noodle soup:  Mother Candy Hue beef noodle soup( Address: 20 Ba Trieu, Hue City; Features: Clear, sweet broth from beef bones, Mildly spicy, typical of Hue. Meat and pork trotters stewed moderately soft and delicious); Hue beef noodle soup O Cuong – Uncle Diep (Address: 6 Tran Thuc Nhan, Hue city; Features: Famous for a long time, rich flavor, soft small noodles. The restaurant is crowded with locals and tourists; Hue beef noodle soup Ba Gai (Address: 11 Hanoi, Hue city; Features: The broth is rich in shrimp flavor, spicy, true to Hue. Rich toppings: pork sausage, beef patties, blood, rare beef...; O Phung Hue beef noodle soup (Address: 19 Nguyen Du, Hue City; Special Featured: Famous for its dark broth, fragrant with lemongrass and shrimp paste. Rustic space, friendly service)...

    • Banh Beo Restaurant, Nam, Filter: Ba Do Restaurant (Location address: 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem, City. Hue; Features: It is the oldest famous brand of banh beo - nam - loc in Hue. Beautiful little cakes, rich shrimp and meat filling, harmonious sweet and spicy fish sauce. Clean space, quick service); Mu Do Restaurant (Ba Cu) (Address: 71 Nguyen Hue, Hue City; Features: Famous with sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, fragrant with the smell of braised shrimp. Banh beo is soft, fatty, served in a small bowl - traditional Hue style); Quan Ba Hue (Address: 109 Le Huan, Hue City; Features: Handmade banh beo, nam, filtrate, filled with peeled fresh shrimp, spicy dipping sauce, rich in ancient Hue flavor. The restaurant is near the Citadel, convenient for tourists. Sightseeing combined with enjoying...)

    Cuisine discovery experience

    • Dong Ba Market: If you come to Hue and have not visited Dong Ba Market, you will not have truly touched the culinary soul of the ancient capital. This place is not only the oldest and busiest market in Hue, but also a "paradise" of delicious rustic dishes, imbued with ancient Hue identity. Amidst the bustling space, visitors can easily see dozens of stalls close together with all kinds of colors - flavors - flavors: from spicy Hue beef noodle soup, soft and delicious banh beo, nam, lentil, to pressed cake, Hue sweet soup, tre or sesame truffle - simple but sophisticated gifts. Every dish here is prepared by the people with all their heart, preserving the traditional flavor over many generations.

    • Mussel Rice (Con Hen): Enjoy mussel rice and mussel vermicelli right in the "capital" of Hen (Con Hen area).

    Cultural Festivals

    • Hue Festival: Cultural, art, and tourism festivals of national and international stature, taking place periodically every 2 years (usually on even years). Hue Festival is a national and international cultural and artistic event, held periodically in Hue city - a land of rich traditional heritage. Originating in 2000, Hue Festival is not only the largest festival of Thua Thien Hue but also a symbol of the intersection between heritage and modernity, tradition and integration.

    • Hon Chen Electric Festival: Hon Chen Electric Festival is held annually on two occasions March and July of the lunar calendar, at Hue Nam Palace (Hon Chen Palace) on the banks of the romantic Perfume River, Ngoc Tran Mountain (Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra town, Thua Thien Hue). This is a folk festival imbued with the belief of worship of Mother Goddess Thien Y A Na, a delicate blend of folk culture and royal rituals.
    • Nam Giao and Xa Tac Sacrifices: Recreating Nguyen Dynasty rituals.

    8. Cultural Experience

    • Listen to Hue Ca on the Perfume River: Ride a dragon boat in the evening, enjoy traditional Hue melodies, admire the city at night. In the middle of the calm Huong River, when night falls, dragon boats gently glide on the water surface, taking visitors into the enchanting artistic space of Ca Hue - a type of royal music that combines folk quintessence, imbued with the soul of the ancient capital.

    • Join a making class Conical hats/incense making: Go to traditional craft villages such as Phu Cam hat village or Thuy Xuan incense village to make your own handicraft products.
    • Wear royal costumes: Rent Nhat Binh costumes or traditional ao dai to take photos at the Citadel and mausoleums.
    • Meditation and Yoga at ancient pagodas: Participate in activities Retreats at large pagodas such as Tu Hieu Pagoda.

    9. Amusement area

    Hue does not have many modern entertainment areas, but focuses on cultural and ecological experiences.

    • Amusement area/Park: Thuy Tien Park (currently abandoned but a unique check-in point).

     

    • Walking streets: Chu Van An, Pham Ngu Lao, Vo Thi Sau walking streets (Tay Ba Lo area) open on weekends, with many bars, pubs, and street food.
    • Cinemas: Vincom Plaza or Big C (now GO!) have current cinema complexes. great.

    10. Suggested tour

    Experience tour: 

    • Hue one day: Visit the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Khai Dinh Tomb, enjoy Mussel Rice, and learn to make Hue Cake. Suggested organizer (Reference): Vietravel, Saigontourist, Hue Smiling Tour
    • Suburban cycling tour: Cycling along the Perfume River, through craft villages and fields, visiting Tu Duc Tomb and Tu Hieu Pagoda. Suggested organizer:Velo Tour Hue, Homestay organizers

    Adventure tour:

    • Trekking Bach Ma National Forest: Explore the Five Lakes, Do Quyen waterfall, conquer Bach Ma peak. Suggested organizer:Bach Ma Village, local travel companies specializing in Trekking
    • SUP on Tam Giang Lagoon/Huong River: Experience stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) watching the sunrise/sunset. Suggested organizer:Tam Giang Lagoon Tour, SUP River Hue

    Family tour

    • Tour combining Mausoleum - Sea: Visit Minh Mang Tomb, Hon Chen Palace, then relax and swimming at Thuan An beach or Lang Co. Organizer: Local travel companies with private car rental services

    Eco-tourism: Experience Tam Giang lagoon: Take a boat tour, learn how to fish with fishermen, enjoy fresh seafood. Organizer: Lagoon Discovery Tour, floating restaurants on Tam Giang Lagoon

    11. Shopping and Souvenirs

    • Dong Ba Market: Hue's largest market, selling all kinds of specialties such as Hue sour shrimp paste, Royal Tea, sesame dried cakes and handicrafts.
    • Craft villages: Hue conical hats (Phu Cam hat village), Incense sticks (Thuy Xu incense villageSpecial souvenirs: Austria ao dai, Nhat Binh shirt, handicraft products simulating Royal architecture (models of gates, towers).

    • Packaged culinary specialties: Sesame truffles (peanut candy), Sour shrimp, Royal tea, various types of it, packaged cakes.

    12. Things to note when traveling

    Travel experience in Hue

    • Attire: Hue has The weather is quite sunny in the summer and rainy in the fall and winter, so you should bring a light jacket, hat, sunglasses and sneakers for ease of movement when visiting the monuments. If visiting pagodas or mausoleums, you should choose polite, discreet clothing to show respect.

    • Cuisine: Hue is famous for many typical dishes such as Hue beef noodle soup, mussel rice, banh beo - Nam - Loc, Hue sweet soup and exquisite royal dishes. You can visit popular shops at Dong Ba market, or enjoy the luxurious space at restaurants like Tinh Gia Vien or Les Jardins de La Carambole.

    • Experience: You should spend time boating on the Perfume River in the evening to listen to Hue songs, visit the Citadel and pagodas. Thien Mu, Minh Mang and Tu Duc tombs. Early morning or late afternoon is the ideal time to take photos because of the soft light and fresh air.

    • Food and spending: Prices in Hue are relatively reasonable. When buying goods at the market or taking a cyclo, you should ask the price first to avoid price increases.

    What to note when traveling to Hue

    • Rainy storm season (September - December): Follow the weather forecast carefully, especially information about floods if traveling at the end of the year.
    • Security: Hue is a peaceful city with good security. However, you still need to be careful to preserve personal belongings, especially in crowded places like Dong Ba market.
    • Movement: If renting a self-driving motorbike, bring all documents and wear a helmet according to regulations.

    Support information and other information other

    • Police/Police: 113 (Emergency call)
    • Ambulance: 115 (Emergency call) 
    • Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism:(0234) 3822 590 (Standby support for tourists)
    • Consumer Protection use:(0234) 3822 052 (Contact Thua Thien Hue Market Management Department
    • Tourist Information:(0234) 3835 729 (Tourism Promotion Information Center)