Top places to visit in Hue

• Hue Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội)

  citadel · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The walled Citadel complex of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945) — a UNESCO World Heritage site spanning 520 hectares. The Forbidden Purple City, temples, pavilions and courtyards. Partially damaged in 1968 Tet Offensive; ongoing restoration.

• Thien Mu Pagoda

  pagoda · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The oldest and most iconic pagoda in Hue — a 7-storey tower built in 1601 on a bluff above the Perfume River. The Austin car of monk Thich Quang Duc (who self-immolated in Saigon in 1963) is preserved in the complex.

• Tomb of Tu Duc

  royal tomb · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most poetic of Hue's royal tombs — a vast garden of pavilions, lotus ponds and pine-shaded paths built by Emperor Tu Duc (1864–1873). Tu Duc spent years writing poetry here.

• Tomb of Minh Mang

  royal tomb · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most symmetrical royal tomb in Hue — 40 hectares of forest, ponds and pavilions built 1840–1843 for Emperor Minh Mang. One of Vietnam's finest examples of imperial landscape design.

• Tomb of Khai Dinh

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most ornate Nguyen royal tomb, built 1920–1931, blending Vietnamese, French, and Chinese styles. The interior is encrusted floor-to-ceiling with porcelain and glass mosaic murals on a forested hillside 10 km south of Hue.

• Dong Ba Market

  Market · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hue's largest traditional market on the north bank of the Perfume River. Fresh produce and local spices on the ground floor; conical hats, silk, and crafts on upper floors.

• Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Housed in the elegant Long An Palace (1845) within the Imperial City. Displays 700+ Nguyen dynasty artifacts: imperial robes, jade, porcelain, lacquerware, and royal furniture.

• Bach Ma National Park

  Nature · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 220 km² montane rainforest 45 km from Hue, rising to 1,450 m. Known for the Do Quyen waterfall trail, gaur, clouded leopards, and 330+ bird species.

• Thuan An Beach

  Beach · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A long windswept beach 13 km north-east of Hue where the Tam Giang Lagoon — Southeast Asia's longest — meets the South China Sea. Far less crowded than resort beaches further south.

• Ngu Binh Mountain Viewpoint

  Nature · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 103 m volcanic hill south of Hue, historically a natural shield for the Imperial City. A 30-minute hike gives a 360° panorama over the Perfume River delta and city. Free to visit.

• Ngo Mon Gate

  Heritage · about 0.5 h · entry 200,000 ₫ (≈ ₹740)

  Main southern gate of the Imperial City, iconic five-phoenix pavilion.

• Perfume River (Song Huong)

  Nature · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Scenic river through Hue, popular for sunset dragon-boat cruises.

Things to do

• Imperial Citadel & Royal Tombs Day Tour Heritage · 7 h · from VND 386,000 per person
• Hue Perfume River Sunset Dragon Boat Cruise Cultural · 2 h · from VND 221,000 per person
• Hue Street Food Night Walking Tour Food · 2.5 h · from VND 248,000 per person
• Hue Royal Cuisine Dinner Experience Food · 2 h · from VND 606,000 per person
• Hai Van Pass Motorbike Tour from Hue Adventure · 8 h · from VND 900,000 per person
• Hue Countryside Cycling Tour Cycling · 4 h · from VND 350,000 per person
• Dong Ba Market Cyclo & Street Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from VND 450,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Hue Imperial City, Royal Tombs & Thien Mu Full Day 9 h · from VND 551,000

Where to stay in Hue

• South Bank — Le Loi / Pham Ngu Lao about VND 1,000 per night

  The most convenient accommodation strip — a 10-min walk to both the Citadel entrance and the Night Market. Lined with mid-range hotels, banh mi carts and the city's best bun bo Hue restaurants.

Hotels

• La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa 5-star · VND 3,500,000 to VND 15,000,000 per night
• Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa 4-star · VND 2,500,000 to VND 6,000,000 per night
• Melia Vinpearl Hue 5-star · VND 900,000 to VND 2,200,000 per night
• Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel 5-star · VND 850,000 to VND 1,900,000 per night
• Indochine Palace 5-star · VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,800,000 per night
• Hue Serene Palace Hotel 3-star · VND 700,000 to VND 1,500,000 per night

Where to eat

• Bun Bo Hue O Dieu Vietnamese · about VND 60,000 per person
• Lien Hoa Vegetarian Restaurant Vietnamese, Vegetarian · about VND 60,000 per person
• Com Hen Ba Do Vietnamese · about VND 40,000 per person
• Hanh Restaurant vietnamese, local_specialties · about VND 80,000 per person
• Mandarin Cafe & Restaurant vietnamese, cafe, western · about VND 150,000 per person
• Y Thao Garden Restaurant vietnamese, royal_cuisine · about VND 650,000 per person
• Nha Hang Viet vietnamese, local_specialties · about VND 120,000 per person
• La Carambole french, vietnamese, fusion · about VND 450,000 per person

Getting to Hue

Airport: Hue (HUI)

How visitors arrive in Hue

• Train from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang By train from Hanoi · common

  Hue station is on the north-south line; the southern leg via Hai Van Pass is scenic. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight into Phu Bai airport By air from Hanoi · common

  Flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; Da Nang airport is the larger alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or open-tour bus By road from Da Nang · common

  Public and open-tour buses connect Hue with Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport minibus to hotels

  A minibus runs from Phu Bai airport into the city and can drop you at your hotel. Buy tickets at the stand after baggage claim; it leaves when full. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi from Phu Bai airport

  Taxis are available at the airport. Make sure the meter runs, or agree the fare beforehand. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train from Da Nang to Hue station

  Several trains from Da Nang and further afield arrive at Hue railway station, a short distance from the main backpacker hotels. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental useful for some trips

  Renting a motorbike is a popular way to get around Hue, and hotels and shops can arrange one.

• Taxi

  Metered taxis are available in Hue and can be hired for a visit to the royal tombs, including waiting time at each stop.

• Walking

Best time to visit Hue

• Jan 24°C
• Feb 25°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 30°C
• May 31°C
• Jun 32°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 27°C
• Dec 24°C

More in Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Hanoi
• Hoi An
• Phu Quoc
• Da Nang
• Ha Long City

Frequently asked questions about Hue

How many days do you need in Hue?

A typical trip to Hue is 2 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Hue?

The highest-rated places in our Hue guide are Hue Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội), Thien Mu Pagoda, Tomb of Minh Mang, Tomb of Khai Dinh, Tomb of Tu Duc.

Where should I stay in Hue?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hue: South Bank — Le Loi / Pham Ngu Lao.

How do I get around Hue?

Ways to get around Hue covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Taxi, Walking.

What is the weather like in Hue?

Average daytime highs in Hue run from 24°C in Jan to 32°C in Jun.

Which airport is nearest to Hue?

The nearest airport to Hue has the code HUI.