Hue

Why visit Hue?

The former imperial capital, and once the cultural and religious centre of the Nguyen Dynasty (the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history), Hue is steeped in tradition. You may not think it at first – the city itself feels busy, pulsating with modern life. Hipster cafés jostle for sidewalk space alongside local beer haunts (Hue is where Huda beer comes from, after all, and locals and tourists alike enjoy it in vast quantities) and the roundabout outside the modern shopping mall and cinema swarms with traffic, day and night.

But look closer, and you’ll see traditional, beautiful, fragments of Vietnamese life. The riverside at night looks like a film noir set, as eerie lamps light up its street food and market stalls. Speaking of street food, Hue is home to some amazing dishes and its signature “cuisine food”, including bánh bèo (small steamed rice cakes with shrimps) and bún bò (thin noodles with sliced beef) aren’t to be missed.

Hue market itself is a fun and hectic adventure in itself, a sensory overload of vibrant colours, smells and tastes. The 19th century Da Noi Citadel may be what draws the crowds in, but there’s plenty to enjoy when you arrive.

In saying that, the journey to Hue – whether by rail or by road – is a pretty special experience, too, thanks to how rich it is in terms of scenery, history and cultural significance. We can also arrange a transfer to Hue by jeep over the renowned Hai Van Pass, and a Hue motorbike tour by pillion when you arrive…for an adventurous, but safe, way to explore the city.

Hue Vietnam: Things to do

Hue holds many treasures outside of the citadel’s walls. And though you’ll see plenty of tour buses pulling up outside for a quick visit before leaving after lunch, we’d recommend sticking around a little longer: with a customisable Hue tour that includes the hotspots…and much more.

However long you have to spend, there’s plenty of things to do in Hue.

Hue Citadel & Forbidden Purple City

The hugely impressive Da Noi Citadel is surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. Inside it lies the Imperial City, featuring wide and leafy streets lined with cornflower and lychee trees. It’s a pleasure in itself to stroll along these quiet roads – but don’t miss venturing further inside to the Purple Forbidden City, to get a sense of Vietnam’s last royal family.

Thien Mu Pagoda

On the banks of the Perfume River, this iconic seven-story pagoda is the unofficial symbol of the city and was home to the venerable monk, Thich Quang Duc, who self immolated in Saigon in 1963. 6km from downtown Hue, you can also visit the Tu Hieu pagoda. Former home of the Zen master, author, peace activist and renowned Buddhist leader, Thich Nhat Hanh, the temple and its surroundings offer a peaceful and important break from the rush of the city.

Hue Motorbike Tour

Want a Hue city tour…but in a different way? Our local guides can take you on an unforgettable adventure through the winding backstreets of this enchanting city. Start your day within the ancient palace, surrounded by a moat of giant lily pads and lotus flowers and end it with a delicious vegetarian Buddhist banquet prepared by nuns at a pagoda. Our guides will tell you stories about the city and its people before taking you out along the Perfume River, crossing quaint wooden bridges and riding through vibrant green rice paddies. A motorbike tour in Hue offers you a cultural and a countryside fix in one: don’t miss it!

City of the Dead

Spanning over 100 acres, this cemetery is most definitely not on the main tourist trail. Unless you’re driving a motorbike into Hue yourself, you’d miss this vastly important site – but our local guides can take you there, too, as part of your trip to Hue. The cemetery holds thousands of beautiful and ornate tombs, influenced by Chinese, Buddhist, Catholic, Taoist and European architecture. The cost to build these tombs ranges from $20,000 USD to $150,000 USD – and they’re quite a spectacle to witness.

Jeep Transfer to/from Hue

Although getting to Hue is pretty leisurely by train, there’s a more exciting way to approach the heart of Vietnam: by jeep. Our repurposed Russian army jeeps can take you through some of Vietam’s most dazzling countryside: from its sandy beaches to its fertile river valleys, bursting with colour. Enjoy a visual feast of sweeping ocean views to your right and endless acres of vibrant green fields to your left as you travel from Hoi An to Hue by jeep: ascending the famous Hai Van Pass as you do. Just make sure you clear your phone memory before you leave…you’ll need the space!

Say hey to Hue…

Although Hue may be the cultural heartland of Vietnam, unfortunately many visitors to the former capital never find its heart. They don’t notice the women wandering around the citadel in floaty purple ao dais, the traditional Vietnamese dress, their matching purple umbrellas shading them from the harsh Central Vietnamese sun. They don’t know where the nuns serve vegetarian meals that can rival any restaurant in the country. And most of all, they never hear the true story of Hue, a city with more history than anywhere else in Vietnam.

Our local guides, however, know every secret of the city. We can take you on an adventure to every moss-covered pagoda, jaw-dropping citadel, and eye-popping market this gem of Vietnam has to offer.

Depending on where you are in the country, we can organize travel to Hue for your family or group. Whether you choose to fly, catch the train or travel via private car, bus, or jeep, we’ll help to make your journey as simple, yet special, as we can.

But where to stay in Hue? Well, we can personally recommend our favourite resorts and hotels to suit your budget and preferences – from the hillside Pilgrimage Resort and secluded beach villas, you’ll find the Hue accommodation that will energise you for your explorations.

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