Hue is always reminiscent of the poetic and ancient beauty of the ancient capital for many generations. Even though it has now become one of the central cities of Vietnam. If you suddenly want to leave the noisy and bustling city, save the Hue travel experiences below to enjoy the period-style lifestyle on every small alley.
Let’s discovery the hidden beauty of Hue with VietLong Travel team!
1. Where Is Hue?
Hue is a province on the central coast of Vietnam, including the mainland and the territorial sea of the continental shelf of the East Sea. Hue is 675 km north of Hanoi capital, 94 km south of Da Nang city with the natural boundary being the Bach Ma mountain range. Geographically located:
- The North borders Quang Tri province
- East sea bordering the east
- The West borders Salavan and Sekong provinces of Laos
- The South borders Quang Nam province and Da Nang city.
Hue is famous for its poetic, peaceful and gentle beauty. That charm makes anyone want to travel to Hue once in their life.
2. How Is Hue Unique?
Traveling to Hue brings many emotions and impressions to tourists from all over. If anyone has been to Hue, they will surely linger on this land and not want to leave. Many people have asked, what is so beautiful about Hue tourism that makes so many tourists want to come back? It is difficult to describe in words unless you have stepped foot in this ancient capital.
Hue has beautiful and unique architecture: The system of Hue palaces and mausoleums bears the bold royal architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty with ancient, quiet, and majestic features. Today, architectural works, despite many events and renovations, still retain their Vietnamese identity and soul.
Hue is a green, clean, beautiful city: When traveling to Hue, you can easily see images of people participating in environmental protection campaigns, cleaning the streets, picking up trash in the Perfume River and encouraging tourists. These little things contribute to creating a “green – clean – bright” city in the eyes of tourists.
Hue people are friendly and gentle: People in Hue are especially close and friendly. They always smile and are enthusiastic about helping others at any time. If you come to Hue and don’t know where the ancient capital of Hue is or how to get there, just ask the people here, they will be very happy to help you.
Impressed by famous Hue royal music: Hue royal court music is the cultural beauty and musical quintessence of Vietnam and has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. When traveling to Hue, try listening to this unique type of music.
3. When Is The Best Time To Visit Hue?
In Hue, there are many scenic spots and delicious dishes that you should try. Therefore, if you travel to Hue in good weather, you will easily explore the beautiful ancient capital without fear of being interrupted by sudden rains.
According to the experiences of previous tourists traveling to Hue, the summer in Hue is hot, lasting from March to August. The rainy season in Hue often has storms and floods from June to November. Winter The weather is cold, sometimes the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius. Spring in Hue is the most pleasant climate, from January to the end of March. Therefore, with Hue travel experience, you should go to Hue in the spring. Because spring to enjoy the cool air and enjoy the beautiful scenery here most comfortably.
It’s More Detailed As Below:
From January to March: The weather is cold, trees are budding, and the scenery is beautiful. Suitable to admire the gentle beauty of Hue.
April: Hue Festival season. The atmosphere is vibrant and bustling, the streets are beautifully decorated. If you are a person who likes prosperity, you can travel to Hue at this time.
From May to July: The climate is cool and dry at this time, which is also the most beautiful time to travel to Hue, especially in early August. You should also consider and check the weather forecast before going because This is also the rainy season.
Hue flower season: Just like Hanoi has 12 flower seasons; Hue also has many attractive flower species that bloom all year round. March and April are cornflower season. Summer is the time when red poinciana blooms brightly in a corner of the sky next to Trang Tien bridge. Throughout May to August, lotus flowers in the Imperial Citadel bloom, etc. All contribute to the dreamy beauty of the ancient capital.
Especially if you plan to travel to Hue and stay for 2-3 days, choosing the time is quite important. Good weather also helps you conveniently visit the ancient capital of Hue at night, which is also a very interesting experience.
4. How To Get To Hue?
If you have a lot of time, you can combine the Hue – Da Nang tour or otherwise choose the Hue tour. No matter what you choose, the method of transportation is the same. You can use the following means:
4.1 Moving To Hue
By plane
This is the most convenient and fastest means of transportation for tourists from other provinces and cities to reach the Hue tourist area. Most domestic airlines currently have direct flights to Phu Bai airport, Hue. Flight time from Hanoi to Hue takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue about 1 hour 30 minutes.
By passenger car
If you live in a nearby locality, choosing a bus is quite suitable because the travel time is short and the cost is relatively low. If you are in remote provinces, you can choose a sleeper bus to travel. From Hanoi to Hue, please refer to buying bus tickets from popular bus companies running the Hanoi – Hue route such as Hung Thanh, Camel, Duc Thinh,… The Hanoi – Hue route has a travel time of about 12 – 14 hours.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Hue it takes about 20 hours. Some popular bus companies running the HCM – Hue route include Hoang Long, Huong Ty, Minh Phuong,…
By train
If you have a lot of time to travel to Hue and love sightseeing along the way, choose the train. Train tickets are not too expensive. Trains usually have hard seats, soft seats, beds and air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned compartments. If you go far in the hot season, you should choose trains SE3, SE1, buy air-conditioned sleeper tickets to be comfortable and shorten travel time.
4.2 Means Of Transportation In Hue
Traveling in Hue is also quite easy. You can choose the following means of transportation for your Hue trip:
By taxi: Taxis are very popular and convenient for tourists, especially those traveling in groups or when the weather is not good. However, taxi costs are quite expensive, you should consider.
By motorbike: To actively travel to Hue and explore local cuisine, you should rent a motorbike. The rental price is not too expensive, from 100,000 to 200,000 VND/day.
By cyclo: Coming to the ancient capital, you can also try the experience of traveling by cyclo to enjoy the fresh, peaceful air here. Prices range from 40,000 to 70,000 VND/trip depending on the schedule.
By car rental: If you want to combine many attractions, you can rent a tourist car. The price for renting a 4-seat, 7-seat, 16-seat car ranges from 400,000 to 1,600,000 VND depending on the route.
5. Exploring The Beauty Of Hue
In Hue, there are many beautiful places for you to have fun and explore. Don’t miss the following most attractive places when you travel to Hue.
5.1 Hue Citadel
Hue Citadel, also known as the Citadel, is the most famous tourist destination of Hue, associated with the history of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue Imperial City includes the Forbidden City and the Royal Palace, built with unique royal architecture, retaining its historical and cultural value. This place has also been recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.
5.2 Huong River
Huong River is like a soft silk strip stretching from Vi Da garden through Thien Mu pagoda with majestic ancient features, adding to the ancient and romantic beauty of Hue. Coming to Hue, you can’t help but stop by the Huong River to enjoy Hue songs, take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful scenery, watch the brilliantly lit Trang Tien Bridge and the dreamy Hue sunset.
5.3 Gia Long Tomb
Gia Long Tomb, also known as Thien Tho Lang, is located in a mountain range quite far from the center. But this place is said to have the most beautiful feng shui position in the tomb complex of the Nguyen Dynasty kings. This Hue tourist destination attracts those who like peaceful, ancient beauty.
5.4 Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the largest and oldest market in Hue, located on the banks of the romantic Huong River. This is one of the places that tourists visit and shop when traveling to Hue. The market sells many items from popular to high-end.
5.5 Hue Walking Street
The walking street includes streets: Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An, Vo Thi Sau, stretching more than 1km and operating on 3 weekends. Invested with a large budget, Hue Walking Street is an ideal destination for high-quality entertainment activities, attracting many tourists to experience.
5.6 Bao Quoc Pagoda
Bao Quoc Pagoda is located on Bao Quoc Street, Duc Ward, Hue. The pagoda was built in the style of Khau script, where many tomb towers of the Patriarchs are located. This place is also famous for many thrilling stories about Ham Long well. Today, Bao Quoc Pagoda is visited by many tourists to admire and worship Buddha for peace.
5.7 Thuan An Beach
Thuan An Hue beach with clear blue water, fine white sand and wild beauty captivates many tourists who have the opportunity to travel to Hue. The best time to go to Thuan An beach is early in the morning. You will see the bustling scene of fishermen’s boats full of fish and shrimp, and enjoy the fresh seafood they have just caught.
5.8 Thanh Tan Mineral Spring
Mineral spring area with temperatures up to 68 degrees Celsius, providing nutrients and energy for the body. Not only bathing in mineral springs, visitors can also participate in adventure games and enjoy diverse cuisine here.
5.9 Thanh Toan Tiled Bridge
Thanh Toan tiled bridge is an architectural work with unique beauty in the style of a covered bridge. The bridge was built for the purpose of convenient travel and to protect people from rain and sun. Today, Thanh Toan tiled bridge is an attractive tourist destination for many tourists when traveling to Hue.
5.10 Hai Van Quan
Hai Van Quan is located at the top of Hai Van Pass, known as “the most majestic gate in the world”. Traveling to Hue and especially coming to Hai Van Quan, you will see beautiful scenery with majestic mountains, vast sea and sky here. From above, looking down at the winding mountain pass as far as the eye can see, enjoying the cool sea breeze, everyone feels life is truly peaceful.
5.11 Bach Ma National Park
Bach Ma Hue National Park is a famous eco-tourism destination with magnificent natural landscapes. This is also a strip of primeval forest in Vietnam that connects across the country with an extremely large area. Bach Ma national park has a very diverse biological system with 2,147 species. Coming to this place, you can participate in exploring Vong Hai Dai, Do Quyen waterfall, dwarf village,…
5.12 Cau Hai Lagoon
Cau Hai Lagoon is considered a natural masterpiece of Hue. This place is adorned with small islands lying quietly listening to the waves, with the Bach Ma range looming in the distance. Coming to Cau Hai lagoon, visitors will observe the fishing methods of local people and enjoy fresh dishes from caught shrimp and fish. You can both relax and participate in recreational activities such as fishing, boating,…
5.13 Ru Cha Forest
Ru Cha Forest is a primeval forest famous for its mysterious and poetic beauty. The forest is located about 15 km from Hue city center. This is the only rare primary mangrove forest left in the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia – Tam Giang lagoon. Coming here, you will be able to enjoy beautiful scenery on the river in the forest, visit the mangrove forest and check in many beautiful photos…
5.14 Canh Duong Beach
Possessing a coastline of nearly 4 km long, Canh Duong beach is blessed with poetic beauty by nature with long stretches of fine white sand, clear sea water all year round, and fresh, cool air. That’s why this place always attracts tourists to visit. Coming here, in addition to sightseeing, you can also swim, camp, experience fishing,…You can also enjoy many fresh seafood dishes.
5.15 Vong Canh Hill
Vong Canh Hill Hue is considered the most beautiful place to watch the sunset in Hue. This place has mountains, clouds, rivers and trees blending together to create a dreamy, romantic beauty. Tourists often come here to camp, sightsee, and enjoy the fresh air to forget the troubles of life.
5.16 Lang Co Bay
Lang Co Bay Hue is an ideal destination for those who love romantic and peaceful beauty. This place is known as one of the most beautiful bays on the planet with long stretches of fine white sand and cool, clear blue water. Coming here, you can watch the sunrise over the beautiful Canh Duong beach, visit and explore Bach Ma mountain. Moreover, you can also admire the beauty of Lang Co bay and experience interesting fishing, camping and entertainment activities.
5.17 Ngo Mon
As the main gate of the Imperial Citadel, Ngo Mon is only used as the king’s entrance or to welcome envoys. Since it was built during the reign of King Minh Mang, Ngo Mon has been the place where many important events and ceremonies took place. It includes the event of King Bao Dai reading the Abdication Proclamation in 1945.
5.18 Citadel Flagpole
The flagpole is the flagpole that hangs the flag of the Nguyen Dynasty, located in the middle of the south of the capital. According to the I Ching, the King faces the south to rule the world.
5.19 Thai Hoa Palace
As a symbol of the power of the Nguyen Dynasty, Thai Hoa Palace and Dai Trieu Nghi yard were the places where important royal ceremonies were held. Such as the coronation ceremony, reception of envoys, the king’s birthday, or the royal court every month. 2 times.
5.20 Quoc Tu Giam – Thua Thien Hue History Museum
Quoc Tu Giam acted as a feudal university, originally established in Thang Long during the Ly Dynasty. During the Nguyen Dynasty, Quoc Tu Giam was built in Hue, the facility outside Hanoi was designated as the Temple of Literature – a place to worship saints. Quoc Tu Giam Hue has since then served as the only university in the country, gathering and training hundreds of talented people during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Today, Quoc Tu Giam of Hue has become the Thua Thien Hue History Museum, a place to preserve historical artifacts of Hue through many periods. Especially the revolutionary period and the heroic resistance during the wars against Vietnam.
5.21 Long An Palace – Hue Museum Of Royal Antiquities
Built by King Thieu Tri as a place to rest and read, Long An Palace is now built into the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities. This is where royal artifacts are kept, giving a closer look at the golden life of the past.
5.22 Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda possesses a dreamlike location on Ha Khe hill, on the left bank of the Huong River, and has long become a typical image of dreamy Hue. The pagoda was built in 1601 by the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty – Nguyen Hoang and remained the largest pagoda throughout this dynasty.
Attached to Thien Mu Pagoda is Phuoc Duyen Tower and the sound of the temple bell ringing far away. What makes the bell of Thien Mu Pagoda so special is that the bell is rung twice a day, at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., each time ringing continuously 108 times in 1 hour. Only people with practice and passion can do this.
5.23 Trang Tien Bridge
Also a symbolic image of the city, Trang Tien Bridge spanning the Perfume River is also something that the people of Hue are always proud of. The bridge was built more than 200 years ago, initially it was only made of ordinary rattan material. But then the French built it into the six-span iron bridge it is today.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hue in the summer, don’t miss the time when Truong Tien Bridge is most beautiful – when red phoenix flowers bloom brightly, dotting the inherently peaceful scene.
5.24 Ngu Binh Mountain
Ngu Binh is a mountain that always goes alongside the Huong River. Possessing a quiet location reflecting on the romantic Huong River, Ngu Binh Mountain has a trapezoidal shape, a flat top, looking from afar like a screen protecting the ancient capital. Standing on the top of Ngu Mountain, you will also have a panoramic view of the beautiful city.
5.25 Hon Chen Palace
As the most sacred shrine in Hue, Hon Chen Palace is also associated with many historical anecdotes. Initially, this was the place to worship the goddess Po Nagar (Thien Y Thanh Mau) according to Cham beliefs and was also the goddess revered by the Nguyen Dynasty as a superior deity.
This palace located on Ngoc Tran mountain can be considered a harmony between folk spiritual beliefs and ancient royal culture. Up to now, the third and seventh months of the lunar calendar every year are still major festivals at Hon Chen Palace. With large-scale processions filled with flags, flowers, banners, music, and thousands of people flocking to attend.
5.26 Truoi Lake
Located at the foot of the Bach Ma range, Truoi Lake also has the dreamy beauty typical of Hue. This is essentially an irrigation project, but thanks to being surrounded by mountains. Truoi Lake has become a place to “cool off” when traveling to Hue in the hot summers.
Near Truoi Lake is Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, belonging to the Truc Lam Yen Tu sect. Tourists who want to visit the monastery must take a ferry and climb up 172 steps to reach the three-entrance gate. It’s like a small challenge, but in return what awaits you will be the scenery of a peaceful lake amidst the enchanting mountains.
5.27 Tam Giang Lagoon
Tam Giang Lagoon belongs to the large Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon system, which is the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia. The vast lagoon area, along with the Thai Duong Ha fishing village. Which is like a lonely oasis in the middle of the water, will attract you at first sight.
The life of the people in this ancient fishing village is vibrant but also extremely peaceful. Every morning, boats leave the shore to catch seafood. In the afternoon, there is nothing more wonderful than sitting on a boat watching the orange sunset gradually cover the water surface.
5.28 Lap An Lagoon
Also located at the foot of Hai Van Pass, right next to the beautiful Lang Co Bay, Lap An lagoon also possesses its own rare beauty. The lagoon is vast, immersed in the tranquility of the mountains. The lives of people around the lagoon are equally peaceful with fishing activities, digging worms every time the tide is low,..
6. Specialties When Traveling To Hue
Cuisine in Hue has its own unique characteristics. The dishes are not too sweet or too spicy, rich in Central flavors and are prepared very skillfully and delicately. It makes you remember them forever after eating once.
6.1 Hue Beef Noodle Soup
Beef noodle soup is a famous specialty of Hue. When traveling to Hue, you definitely have to wake up early and eat a delicious bowl of beef noodle soup here. The broth is carefully simmered from beef bones, onions, and other traditional spices to create a delicious, attractive flavor. Hue beef noodle soup is large and soft, served with pork patties and a little blood and fatty pork hoof. Before eating, add some fresh lemon, a few pieces of chili and raw vegetables and mix well. The delicious taste of beef noodle soup in Hue is hard to compare anywhere else.
6.2 Hue Duckweed Cake (Banh Beo)
A hot cup of Banh Beo with sweet and aromatic filling comes with a bowl of slightly spicy dipping sauce. When eating, pour fish sauce over a bowl of Banh Beo, enjoy the soft, flexible taste of the dough, the aroma of fried onions, and the sweetness of the shrimp and meat filling.
6.3 Nam Pho Noodle Soup
A delicious bowl of Nam Pho noodle soup, mixed with rich shrimp and meat filling and green onion stalks, sprinkled with a little green chili sauce, who can refuse this unique dish when traveling to Hue.
6.4 Hue Sweet Soup
Hue is famous for many types of sweet soup, each with its own delicious taste such as lotus seed sweet soup, floating sweet soup, taro sweet soup, roasted meat sweet soup. No need to go to big restaurants, just sit next to street vendors or small alleys, order a cup of sweet soup, and you can enjoy the sophistication of Hue’s snacks.
6.5 Hue Pressed Cake
The still hot cakes were placed on a small plastic plate. When eating, guests add laksa leaves, papaya, and cucumber, then roll it up and dip it in a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce. The cake is rich in the taste of fat, crispy sour of soaked papaya, rich in meat, eggs and the aroma of green onions, perfect for a summer afternoon snack for Hue tourists.
6.6 Nem Lui Hue (Lui Spring Rolls)
Although Lui spring rolls are not a strange dish in many other localities, in Hue, Lui spring rolls have a very unique, delicious flavor. Nem Lui is served with rice paper, herbs, and dipped in broth. The dipping sauce is mixed with a thick paste, including pureed peanuts, pork liver, and minced pork.
6.7 Hue Tapioca Cake
Inside the layer of leaves are flexible cakes, the filling can be seen through. When eaten, the cake dough feels chewy and sweet, mixed with the rich flavor of shrimp and meat, dipped in a little sweet and spicy fish sauce. It will definitely make Hue tourists unforgettable.
6.8 Ram Cake
The cake consists of two parts: the ramen part and the small part. When placed on a plate, the chef will put the white cake on top and sprinkle a little shrimp powder on top. The cake is dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce and a little fresh Hue chili. You should try it when traveling to Hue.
6.9 Nam Cake
Nam cake is a typical rustic dish of Hue. The cake has a delicious flavor, soft and smooth, rich in shrimp flavor. The correct way to eat banh nam is to peel off the leaves on top of the cake, leave the wrapped leaves underneath intact, and spread the cake flat on a plate. Then sprinkle a little sweet and sour dipping sauce on top and use a spoon to scoop each piece.
6.10 Mixed Figs
Mixed fig is a very popular dish in rustic meals of Hue people. Boil the figs, then fry them with onions and garlic. Finally, add shrimp and meat and stir together. When placed on the plate, the chef will sprinkle some sesame, roasted peanuts and Vietnamese coriander.
6.11 Sour Shrimp Paste
Hue people always have an endless love for fish sauce dishes, of which one of the dishes that many tourists love to buy as gifts is sour shrimp sauce. The special feature of this dish is that fresh shrimp will soak in white wine, so it will cook slowly and create a dark red color. The best sour shrimp paste is rolling with boiled meat, rice paper and raw vegetables.
6.12 Beautiful Cafes In Hue
In addition to diverse cuisine, Hue is also one of the busiest cities in the country. So of course there is no shortage of lovely cafes here for “virtual living teams” to freely check in. Plan to take hundreds of photos at the most beautiful cafes in Hue.
7. Accommodation When Traveling To Hue
Hue has many quality hotels and homestays for tourists to choose from. Depending on your needs and cost level, you can refer to resort locations after traveling to Hue.
7.1 Resorts:
If you are looking for a perfect tours in Hue, relaxing amidst beautiful nature. Moreover, if you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere without any problems, the resorts in Hue will be an irresistible choice.
- Lang Co Beach Resort.
- Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa.
- Ana Mandara Hue Beach Resort.
- Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa.
Above are all names that satisfy your dream vacation. Choose one of the luxury resorts in Hue for a vacation in the tropical paradise of the ancient capital.
7.2 Hotels:
Hotels in Hue are of great interest thanks to their affordable prices, plus beautiful locations – most are located in the central area, or near famous tourist destinations:
- Golden Star Villa Hue.
- Cherish Hotel Hue.
- Thanh Uyen Hue Hotel.
- Villa Hue.
- Cherry Hotel Hue.
- Rosaleen Boutique Hotel.
- Indochine Palace Hotel.
- Imperial Hue Hotel.
- Eldora Hotel.
7.3 Homestays:
For young tourists who travel in the form of discovery, want to save money but still like a great place to stop, go straight to the hostels and homestays in Hue. What’s better than staying at a very affordable price, you still have the opportunity to own a lovely, small but cozy place to rest, right in the center of Hue city.
- Deja Vu Homestay.
- Mosaic Garden.
- April Hostel.
- EMT Homestay.
- Branchiee Homestay.
8. Some Necessary Notes When Traveling To Hue
To make your trip to Hue meaningful and complete, please refer to some necessary notes below:
- Choosing a good time to depart for Hue.
- Preparing all personal items and belongings such as: Sunscreen, hat, medicine, shoes,…
- Hue’s weather at night is often cold, so bring a thin jacket to preserve body heat.
- Hue food is usually quite cheap, so you can freely enjoy the specialties here.
- Paying attention to the expiration date when buying tickets to visit the ancient capital of Hue.
- To buy fresh food at Dong Ba market. Tt’s best to go early in the morning, and it’s best to buy dry food in the afternoon.
- Wearing polite clothes when visiting mausoleums.
During peak tourist seasons such as the Festival, the number of visitors is very large, causing hotels in Hue to easily become overloaded. Don’t forget to plan early, book a room in advance to find the best place to rest.
Hue has a number of specialties you can buy as gifts. Such as spring rolls, sesame seeds, bamboo baskets, or poem hats as souvenirs.
The ancient capital complex – Hue citadel has a very large area. You should determine in advance the places you want to visit and arrange a reasonable route.
If you can not eat spicy food, remember to tell the seller in advance to reduce the spiciness. So you don’t have to eat and inhale it at the same time.
Before using travel, shopping, or dining services, you should also ask the price in advance. You can also bargain when necessary to avoid being overpriced.
9. It Is Worth Visiting Hue?
Hopefully through our Hue travel experiences above, you and your family have a useful Hue travel guide. Please immediately contact Origin Vietnam’s Hue Team – a professional tour operator, we will share with you a detailed and reasonable itinerary, an ideal resort that will make your holiday in Hue more memorable than ever.
As such, what are you still waiting for? Let’s join our trip to discover the beauty of Hue in Central Vietnam. VietLong Team’s tour ensures a seamless experience with a private car, expert guides, and carefully chosen accommodations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this versatile tour promises cultural immersion, scenic exploration, and personalized adventures. The trip encapsulates the diverse landscapes and rich cultures of Hue, offering an unforgettable glimpse into central Vietnam’s enchanting beauty. For more details about our Viet Nam tours with Hue, there are many option for you to choose: https://vietlongtravel.com/?s=Hue
