Hue

The former capital of Vietnam's last dynasty, the Nguyen, with its Forbidden City, Perfume River and royal tombs, imperial cuisine and bun bo Hue; reachable in a day from Da Nang via the Hai Van Pass.

Hue lies in central Vietnam on the lower Perfume River, about 15 km from the sea. From 1802 to 1945 it was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam's last feudal dynasty, and its layout and palaces were modeled on Beijing's Forbidden City. The Complex of Hue Monuments became Vietnam's first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993, and in 2025 Hue was upgraded to a centrally governed city. Sights fall into three areas: ① the Citadel on the north bank of the Perfume River (the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City ruins and Dong Ba Market), 1 day on foot or by bike; ② the royal tombs spread along the Perfume River southwest of the city, including the tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, each with its own style, half a day to a full day by hired car or motorbike, or by dragon boat with a stop at Thien Mu Pagoda; ③ the Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Bay about 60 km south, often visited as a stop between Hue and Da Nang. Climate: Jan–Apr is cool and dry, the best season; May–Aug is sunny and hot, often above 35°C; Sep–Dec is the rainy season, and Oct–Nov often brings typhoons and floods that can inundate the old city. Getting there: Phu Bai Airport is about 15 km from the city; most Chinese visitors travel via Da Nang (which has many direct flights from China), then take about 2–2.5 hours by road through the Hai Van Tunnel, or 2.5–3 hours on the North–South Railway (with fine coastal scenery). Allow 2–3 days. Note: Vietnam offers e-visas to Chinese citizens (up to 90 days, multiple entry); check the Vietnam Immigration Department's official website. The Imperial City and each tomb are ticketed separately, and combo tickets offer better value; wear clothing that covers the knees when visiting temples and tombs. Must-tries include bun bo Hue, imperial cuisine, com hen (clam rice) and Hue's many rice cakes.

Top sights

• Imperial City of Hue – The palace of the Nguyen dynasty's 13 emperors, laid out after the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden…
• Thien Mu Pagoda – An ancient temple on a hill along the north bank of the Perfume River. Its seven-story octagonal Phuoc Duyen Tower is the symbol of the cit…
• Tomb of Khai Dinh – The tomb of the second-to-last Nguyen emperor blends Eastern and Western styles. The Thiên Định Palace is lavishly decorated with mosaics o…
• Tomb of Minh Mang – The tomb of the second Nguyen emperor. Its structures are arranged symmetrically along a 700-meter central axis and surrounded by lakes, ma…
• Tomb of Tu Duc – A garden-style tomb that Emperor Tự Đức used as a summer palace during his lifetime. Lakes, lakeside pavilions and pine forests create a de…
• Perfume River – The 'mother river' of Hue, flowing through the city. Ride a dragon boat upstream to Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal tombs, or hear Hue royal…
• Dong Ba Market – Hue's largest traditional market, at the northern end of Truong Tien Bridge, where you can buy conical hats, sesame candy and all kinds of…
• Hai Van Pass – A mountain pass where the Truong Son Range runs out into the sea. The coastal road winds for about 20 km, with misty peaks on one side and…
• Tomb of Gia Long – The mausoleum of Gia Long, founder of the Nguyen dynasty, cradled by hills and linked by lakes. It is the most unspoiled and peaceful of Hu…
• Tomb of Thieu Tri – The tomb of Thieu Tri, third emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. It has no enclosing wall and faces south, and its layout blends the styles of t…
• Tomb of Dong Khanh – A small royal tomb that fuses East and West. Lacquered gilt carvings and French-style painted glass coexist inside, making it one of Hue's…
• Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities – A court relics museum housed in Long An Palace, built in 1845. The timber hall itself is one of Hue's most exquisite buildings.
• Nam Giao Esplanade – The round altar where Nguyen emperors worshipped Heaven. Its three tiers, square, square and round, represent humanity, earth and heaven, a…
• Hon Chen Temple – A Mother Goddess shrine on a cliff upstream on the Perfume River, dedicated to the Holy Mother Thien Y A Na. It can be reached by dragon bo…
• Truong Tien Bridge – A steel truss bridge built by the French in 1899, linking the old and new parts of the city across the Perfume River. Its colourful lights…
• Thanh Toan Tile-roofed Bridge – An 18th-century countryside covered bridge, with a timber tiled roof spanning a small stream amid rice fields. It is a good place to experi…
• Tu Hieu Pagoda – A century-old temple among pine woods, where Thich Nhat Hanh was ordained and passed away. Its half-moon lotus pond and eunuch cemetery cre…
• Ho Quyen Tiger Arena – A royal arena built in 1830, where Nguyen emperors watched elephants fight tigers. It is a rare surviving example of its kind in the world.
• An Dinh Palace – A European-style palace built by Emperor Khai Dinh for his son and heir, Bao Dai. Its interiors are richly decorated with murals, and it wa…
• Vong Canh Hill – A low hill on the banks of the Perfume River, overlooking the winding river and Ngoc Tran Mountain. It is Hue's most popular sunset viewpoi…
• Thuan An Beach – A beach about 15 km from the city centre, the local favourite for cooling off. Seafood stalls line the shore, and you can also see where th…
• Lang Co Bay & Lap An Lagoon – A bay and lagoon on the northern foot of Hai Van Pass, where white sands and mountain reflections meet. It is a must-stop on the way from H…
• Bach Ma National Park – A hill station from the French colonial era, with tropical rainforest, the Five Lakes waterfalls and clouds above a 1,450-metre peak. It is…
• Tam Giang Lagoon – Southeast Asia's largest lagoon system, where bamboo fishing nets and stilt houses dot the water. It is a photographers' favourite at sunse…
• Phuoc Tich Ancient Village – A pottery village with more than 500 years of history, preserving dozens of traditional timber 'lu' houses. It once made ceramics for the N…
• Vinh Moc Tunnels – A three-level underground village dug by villagers during the Vietnam War, reaching a depth of 23 metres. It is the core stop on Hue's DMZ…
• Hien Luong Bridge (17th Parallel) – The bridge that divided Vietnam into north and south, its two halves once painted in different colours. It is a signature stop on DMZ day t…

Where to eat

• Madam Thu Restaurant – Taste all the Hue classics on a single menu; the platters are perfect for first-time visitors. Located near the walking…
• Com Hen Hoa Dong – A famous clam rice eatery hidden in the alleys of Hen Island, costing less than 20,000 VND per bowl, offering an authen…
• Quan Hanh – An established Hue eatery with over 30 years of history, famous for its lemongrass grilled pork skewers and Hue pancake…
• Quan Cam - Bun Bo Hue – A family-run beef noodle soup shop near the Perfume River, popular with locals and travelers for its rich broth and gen…
• Quan Banh Ba Do – An established eatery specializing in Hue-style steamed rice cakes, featuring a spacious dining area perfect for trying…
• Ancient Hue Royal Dining – A royal banquet set in an ancient garden house in the Kim Long area, featuring beautifully carved vegetable garnishes…

Itineraries

• Classic North-to-South Vietnam Tour – Travel south from Hanoi to Saigon, connecting Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta.
• Da Nang and Hoi An in Depth with a Day in Hue – Son Tra Peninsula, the Cham Museum and the market, a day trip over Hai Van Pass to Hue, then Hoi An and My Son.
• Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and Ly Son Island – Da Nang's beach and Ba Na Hills, one night in Hue, then Ly Son Island for volcanoes and a sea arch.
• Central Vietnam: Phong Nha Caves, Hue & Hoi An – Head north from Dong Hoi to explore caves, then travel south across the 17th Parallel via Hue to the ancient town of Ho…
• Da Nang, Hue & Hoi An Family Vacation – Stay at My Khe Beach, visit Ba Na Hills, take a scenic train to Hue, and end with the lantern-lit nights of Hoi An.