The city of Hue in Vietnam is well known for its rich cultural heritage and for its historical landmark, the Imperial City of Hue. Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and was a major cultural, religious, and political center of the time.
The ancient city is located in central Vietnam along the Perfume river, approximately 780 kilometers (485 miles) south of Hanoi and 1,080 kilometers (670 miles) north of Ho Chi Minh City.
Today, visitors to the city can explore the many historic sites and attractions, such as the Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the royal tombs. The area is also home to many ancient temples and monuments, as well as a number of natural attractions like Ha Long Bay, Bach Ma National Park, and Lang Co Beach.
This wonderful historic city stood as the cultural and intellectual center of the country for many centuries. When you visit this fascinating area you will enjoy an absolute wealth of astounding architecture, interesting museums, and a host of exciting and remarkable venues to fill your days. Here are the Best Things To Do In Hue, Vietnam.
Spend Some Time In The Imperial City
The Imperial City of Hue is a walled fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in central Vietnam. It is the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty and served as the political, cultural, and religious center of the country from 1802 to 1945. The Imperial city, which is situated on the banks of the Perfume River, is home to many historic monuments, palaces, and temples, as well as a number of museums.
Visitors to Hue can explore the city’s ancient citadel, traditional pagodas, and tombs, as well as take part in the myriad festivals and activities that take place each year. The imperial city is yet another phenomenal remnant of Vietnam’s imperial past and stands as one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sites to visit in the country.
Once you pass the towering walls which guard the citadel you will be able to visit the temples, gardens, buildings, and shrines which still stand on the site.
The Imperial Citadel also features some fascinating on-site galleries and museums detailing the history of the site and displaying magnificent examples of local art and textiles. This is without a doubt one of the best attractions to visit in Hue.
Pay A Visit To The Stunning Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, is a historic temple and is considered the unofficial symbol of the city of Hue. It was built in 1601 and features seven stories, with an iconic seven-tiered tower that stands at 21 meters tall (seven stories). Inside the temple are a number of shrines, statues, and bells.
The Pagoda was built by Lord Nguyn Hoang, to fulfill the local legend of an elderly lady who foretold that a pagoda would be built on the site for people to visit and pray for the prosperity of Vietnam.
It is considered to be the oldest and most important of all of Hue’s monuments. It is the focal point of a complex of temples, pavilions, gardens, courtyards, and ponds. The temple and its grounds are open to visitors and are a popular tourist attraction.
This seven-storied traditional pagoda was built in 1601 and is one of the most uniquely recognizable sights in the city. You simply can’t miss it and must visit if you’re travelling to Hue.
The temple has been expanded over the generations and is a truly spectacular site with meditation halls, libraries for ancient texts, and a huge bell that can be heard for 10km.
The impressive building is bordered by a set of gorgeous garden grounds including a hidden bonsai garden for you to discover as you make your way along the paths. This beautiful spot is definitely one of the best attractions in Hue.
Visit The Thai Hoa Palace (Dai Noi Palace)
This is one of the most important palaces from the Nguyen Imperial Dynasty and sits in the center of the Hue Citadel, flanked by a gorgeous lotus lake and courtyard as you approach.
Like the Garden Houses which you will find along the Perfume River, this palace has been built according to the principles of the Ying/Yang philosophy where the physical aspects of the building are balanced by the spiritual.
The palace’s main room features eighty timber columns, a massive timber roof, and an exquisite gold throne in the center for royal functions.
This splendid residence was the venue for the crowning ceremony of Emperor Gia Long and served as the royal receiving room for visitors and business meetings.
For a taste of royal splendor and the imperial grandeur of Vietnam, this is a fascinating place to visit where you will really get a notion of the luxury and power the Nguyen dynasty held… Without doubt one of the best things to do in Hue.
Pass Some Time At The To Mieu Shrine
This impressive complex was built for the worship of past emperors and modeled after the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Forbidden City in China.
Nine emperors from the Nguyen dynasty are represented by nine monumental urns and each has a dedicated altar for worship and offerings, although none of the emperors are buried at this location.
The grounds are a favorite tourist destination in Hue, although three-quarters of the buildings were destroyed during the Vietnam War.
This is a quiet and peaceful place to visit to reflect upon the ancient and modern history of the area.
Take A Trip To The Thanh Toan Bridge
This pretty 18th-century footbridge is a great destination to head to when you want to spend some time outside of the city.
Traveling to this landmark is a perfect way to spend a few hours in the bucolic local countryside.
The bridge is tiled over to provide a cool walkway and also features a small altar dedicated to the woman who originally paid for the bridge’s construction.
The beautiful Japanese-style wooden bridge leads to the sleepy countryside village of Thuy Thanh, where you can get a great taste of local rural life and visit the temples and rice paddies.
The village also features a Farming Museum where you can get more of a sense of the local culture and history of citizens to contrast with the large imperial palaces you have visited.
Visit The Royal Tombs Of Vietnam’s Ancient Emperors
One of the biggest draws for tourists in Hue are the fascinating ancient tombs of Vietnam’s Imperial Rulers which date from the 19th and 20th centuries and feature stunningly ornate carvings of Buddhist stories and legends.
This is a magical way to start your trip as you fully immerse yourself in Vietnams past and get a sense of the grandeur, luxury, and power of the country’s former rulers.
To get the most complete experience, you should invest in a guided tour that will put the buildings into historical context and make sure you get the most enjoyment out of this huge ancient site.
You can book a private guided tour with Bee Bee Travel or from GoAsiaDayTrip for a price of about $84 USD which will include hotel pick up and drop off.
Visit The Majestic Royal Tomb of Khai Dinh In The Mountains
This historic tomb complex dates from 1925 and marks the grave of the Emperor Khai Dinh of the Nguyen Dynasty, an incredibly powerful ruler who had a controversial reign, to say the least.
This stunning mountain location is a wonderful place to visit to escape the city for a few hours and is a site you should definitely not miss if you can help it.
Emperor Kai Dinh was highly disliked by the Vietnamese people for his French colonizer sympathies and was also responsible for forcing a change from the original Vietnamese to a Romanized Vietnamese alphabet.
The emperor oversaw the building of his tomb after raising taxes to fund its construction, the result is one of the most incredible and elaborate buildings in Vietnam.
The tomb features two huge dragon sculptures, a temple, and a collection of statues that stand as bodyguards to the emperor’s grave.
Visit The Important Historical Site Of The Dieu De Pagoda
This golden pagoda, found in the center of Hue, has become famous as a site for Buddhist and political activism during the turmoil of the 1960s.
The temple is named after the “Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism and houses a wonderful Gautama Buddha Statue.
For a step into the more modern history of the city and to learn more about this symbol of national freedom, you can visit this gorgeous, towering building set amongst lush gardens and lying next to the Dong Ba Canal.
Enjoy the architecture, learn about the troubled history of the site and spend a few hours escaping the rush and heat of the city as you relax in the quiet gardens.
Enjoy The Beautiful Museum of Royal Fine Arts
Escape the heat and spend some hours strolling in the cool halls of the Museum of Royal Fine Arts, enjoying the vast collection of ancient ceramics, furniture, royal clothing, murals, and historical exhibits.
There are over 10,000 objects in this vast collection, and you will find English labels to put each item in context.
The museum building is located inside the former Long An Palace and is set amongst lovely gardens you can stroll in before or after your visit.
This is a relaxing and informative way to learn more about this ancient Imperial city.
Visit The Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the largest and oldest market in Hue and over 15,000 meters squared are covered with stalls of every type, from food to handicrafts, clothes, and souvenirs.
This is a fantastic place to sample local food at an affordable price and pick up some lovely clothes, traditional lacquerware, and bamboo gifts to bring home with you.
The market features an interesting array of stalls, catering both to tourists and the locals, and is open from 3 am each morning for seafood shopping.
The second floor of the market is devoted to souvenirs and amongst these, you will be able to pick up a wide variety of local textiles and even the traditional Vietnamese hat – the non la bai tho.
Experience an important part of daily Vietnamese life as you spend a couple of hours strolling around the stalls and amongst local people and tourists from all over the globe… One of the best things to do in Hue if you love soaking up the local food and culture.
Spend Some Time At The Peace Garden House
The city of Hue features quite a few of these interesting wooden houses which are unique to the area.
Garden Houses are wooden buildings, which sometimes stand on stilts in amongst gorgeous gardens and ponds.
The most famous Garden House is the House of Peace (An Hien) which was famously constructed upon the principles of Ying and Yang and dates to the 19th century.
The house features much of its original décor and furniture from when it served as the official home of the Ha Tinh province governor and the ancient altar shrine to ancestors is still in situ.
The fascinating wooden structure features a screen door that aims to drive evil energy away from the building and features a pool to ensure harmony for the inhabitants.
Spend Some Time Outdoors At The Bach Ma National Park
The Bach Ma Park stretches from Hue to the neighboring city of Danang and is a popular outdoor destination for locals and tourists.
The park features some lovely hiking trails amongst the mountains and provides some of the best views you will find in the area.
In amongst the spectacular waterfalls, you will find the ruins of old French Villas to explore and several refreshing pools to relax and swim in during your journey.
The entrance fee for the site is 40,000 VND and if you want to extend your visit, you can camp out under the stars on one of several campsites within the park.
The Back Ma National Park is definitely one of the best things to do in Hue.
Take A Dip In The Elephant Springs (Bo Ghe Waterfall)
A visit to the springs is a fantastic way to escape the heat and re-energize after long hikes and trips by having a relaxing dip in the soothing waters.
Avoid the crowds with a visit to the Elephant Springs situated in the jungles between the Hue and Da nag neighborhoods, often accessed by motorbike or scooter by those doing the Hai Van Pass.
The natural spring is a favorite amongst locals and is less likely to be crowded with tourists than the other springs.
Have a quiet relaxing time surrounded by the jungle greenery and the large elephant-shaped boulders which give the area its name before diving back into the city.
Head To Thuan An Beach
Escape the city for a day and make your way to Thuan An Beach, located 14km from Hue.
The white, soft sands are amongst the most scenic in Vietnam and the clear blue ocean is the perfect place to dive in to escape the sun.
This is a fantastic place to get away from the humid city heat, particularly during the hotter months between May and September.
A trip here is a terrific way to combine the best aspects of both a beach and city break in one trip.
The Binh Thuan beach is one of the best beaches and things to do in Hue.
Experience The Royal Theatre
To enjoy a traditional dance and music performance you can head to the gorgeous Royal Theatre, decorated with sumptuous gold and red decorations and an ornate stage.
The magical performances last around 45 minutes and feature traditional masks, costumes, and classic Vietnamese music played on local instruments.
You can also tour the galleries around the performance space which display exquisite local objects, instruments, and costumes.
This is a wonderful way to experience Vietnamese art and music within an absolutely stunning traditional setting.
Summary: The Best Things To Do In Hue, Vietnam
Hue is a city with reminders of its imperial past on every corner, with a wealth of fascinating palaces, ruins, and cultural sights to visit. Although not as well known internationally as Hanoi or Da Nang, for an insight into Vietnamese imperial history and awe-inspiring buildings and architecture this location is hard to beat.
Striking traditional buildings and temples are all over the city and when you need a break from the noise and hubbub, you can escape to the jungle, national parks, and springs that border the area. We hope that you now have plenty of ideas from our Top 15 Best Things to do in Hue, Vietnam for your trip and will enjoy visiting this wonderful, historic area.
Check out more of The Best Places To Visit In Vietnam to plan your entire trip.
