From 1802 to 1945 Hue was the capital of the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family. Behind the walls of the Citadel stands the Imperial City, and along the Perfume River the kings built their tombs among the hills. Together they form the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hue moves at a gentler pace than the coast. Take a dragon boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, walk through the Ngo Mon Gate, sit down to a table of Hue cuisine, and visit the villages where incense and conical hats are still made by hand.
Best time to go
January to April is usually mild and fairly dry; May to August is hot; the heaviest rain tends to fall from about September to December.
What it feels like
- Gliding up the Perfume River on a dragon boat
- Walking through the Ngo Mon Gate into the Imperial City
- Tasting a table of royal-style Hue dishes
A local's tip
Hue is a long day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An – the tour over the Hai Van Pass turns the drive itself into part of the sightseeing.
Tours in Hue
Guides for Hue
Hai Van Pass by Jeep or Day Tour: Hoi An to Hue
Two ways to cross the Hai Van Pass: a one-way jeep tour from Hoi An to Hue with a spring bath and seafood lunch, or a day tour that includes Hue and returns.
5 min read
Hue Imperial City in One Day: Citadel and Royal Tombs
How to see Hue in one day: the Imperial City, Khai Dinh and Minh Mang tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Perfume River, from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An.
5 min read