Central Vietnam

Hue

An emperor's city, gone quiet by the river.

16.46° N, 107.59° EVietnam

Introducing Hue

Vietnam's last imperial capital, with a walled citadel, royal tombs and slow boats on the Perfume River.

From 1802 to 1945 the Nguyen emperors ruled Vietnam from Hue. They built a walled citadel on the north bank of the Perfume River, modeled in part on Beijing's Forbidden City, and laid out their tombs in the pine-covered hills upstream. Several were planned during the emperors' own lifetimes, part garden, part palace, part temple.

Much was damaged in war and restoration continues, but the Complex of Hue Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city still carries a certain formality. It is a food city too. Bun bo Hue, the spicy beef noodle soup, comes from here, along with dozens of small, delicate dishes once served at court.

Bun bo Hue, the spicy beef noodle soup, comes from here, along with dozens of small, delicate dishes once served at court.

Hue · Central Vietnam

Ornate stele pavilion at Tu Duc's tomb in Hue, with sun rays filtering through misty trees — Tu Duc Tomb, Hue, Vietnam

Why go

Reasons to go

01
The Imperial City
Gates, throne halls and courtyards inside the citadel walls tell the story of Vietnam's last dynasty.
02
Royal tombs in the hills
The tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh are each strikingly different, from lakeside pavilions to halls covered in mosaic.
03
Imperial and street cooking
Bun bo Hue, crisp banh khoai and little steamed rice cakes are local specialties worth the trip on their own.

Things to do

What to do in Hue

01
A dragon boat on the Perfume River
Cruise upriver to Thien Mu Pagoda and its seven-story tower, the unofficial symbol of the city.
02
Walking the citadel
Explore the Imperial City with a guide who can bring its ceremonies and court life back into focus.
03
Tu Duc's tomb in the late afternoon
Wander the pine-shaded grounds and lotus lake of the tomb the emperor used as a retreat while he was alive.
04
A royal-style dinner
Try a multi-course meal inspired by court cuisine, with dishes shaped and presented as they were for the emperors.

Before you go

The practical details

Hue is at its most pleasant from February to April. It is one of Vietnam's wettest cities in autumn, with the heaviest rain usually in October and November.

Best time to visit

Feb–AprSpring: Mild, mostly dry and comfortable for walking the citadel and tombs.
May–AugSummer: Hot and dry, often very hot at midday. See the tombs early and rest in the afternoon.
Sep–JanRainy season: Frequent heavy rain and a risk of flooding, especially in October and November. Cool and grey into January.

Getting there

By air: Phu Bai International Airport is around 25 minutes from the city, with daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
By rail: Hue is on the north-south railway. The overnight sleeper from Hanoi arrives in the morning, and the coastal run south to Da Nang is a scenic ride.
By road: Hoi An is about three hours by car via the Hai Van Pass, with a stop at Lang Co lagoon along the way.

Local tips

01Buy a combined ticket if you plan to see the Imperial City and several tombs.
02The tombs are spread out along the river. A car, or a boat and car combined, makes the day far easier.
03Dress modestly for Thien Mu Pagoda, which is a working monastery.
04Pack a light rain jacket between September and January, even if the forecast looks dry.

Good to know

Visiting Hue

How long should I spend in Hue?

One full day covers the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and one or two tombs. Two days allows a gentler pace and more time to eat.

Is it worth visiting Hue in the rainy season?

It can be, if your plans are flexible. Rain is often heavy in October and November and flooding can close roads, so leave some slack in the schedule.

How do I get between Hue and Hoi An?

By private car the drive takes about three hours via the Hai Van Pass, including photo stops. The train is another option as far as Da Nang.

If you want a route

Journeys through Hue

4 of our journeys include Hue. Every route can be reshaped around how you want to travel.

Explore tours

8 days

Hoi AnDa NangCham Island +1

Hoi An, Da Nang & Hue

Eight days along the central coast, from lantern making and the old town in Hoi An to Cham Island, the Imperial City of Hue and a dinner cruise on the Perfume River.

8 days, 7 nights
Private journey
4 places

View journey

6 days

Ho Chi Minh CityMekong DeltaDa Nang +2

Ho Chi Minh City & Da Nang

South to centre in six days: the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta, then a flight to Da Nang for Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, the Imperial City of Hue and the villages around Hoi An.