Hue
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting city of Hue. As a World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Nguyen emperors, Hue offers a poetic blend of places and pagodas, tombs and temples, culture and cuisine. Delve into the opulent world of royal tombs and explore the grandeur of the crumbling Citadel.
How to say ‘Hue’? It rhymes with ‘way’, as in ‘Hway’.
This is your DIYdly guide to Hue, Vietnam.
Prices provided are in Vietnamese Dong (VND) or US Dollars ($), are correct at the time of writing and may vary depending on time of year, deals available and changes to exchange rates. Booking via our links may provide DIYdly with a small commission at no cost to you.
ARRIVAL
HUE TRAIN STATION TO HOTEL: The main Hue Station is only 2km from the centre of town so it is possible to walk if you have the urge. It can be a bit manic getting off the train in Hue so the best approach is to use Grab to order a taxi or motorbike to get to your hotel.
HUE AIRPORT TO HOTEL: You have a range of choices for getting from Phu Bai Airport to your hotel (14km):
Taxi: Outside arrival you’ll find metered taxis. If you have your SIM and Grab App you can order a Grab taxi.
Airport Shuttle Bus: Vietnam Airlines operate a minibus to their office which will get you close to the hotel district where you can walk or taxi the last bit. 50,000 VND.
ACCOMMODATION
The bulk of the hotels in Hue are located on the south side of the Perfume River. Our recommended hotels are all in this area so they are close to restaurants and all the services you need. They are 1.7km-2.7km from the entrance to the Imperial City so you can walk or take a Grab taxi/motorbike if you don’t want to walk.
BUDGET: Hue Serene Palace Hotel - amazing standard for such a low price
VALUE: Value: Jade Scene Hotel - has a small rooftop pool, make sure you book with breakfast
COMFORT: Comfort: White Lotus Hue Hotel - swimming pool, spa, great views
SWISH: Swish: Senna Hue Hotel - swish hotel at a comfort price, we think this is one of the best value hotels in Vietnam
An option for those looking for something a bit different:
Swish: Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa - a beautiful resort located outside town but with a free shuttle bus into Hue.
ACTIVITIES
These are our very favourite guided and self-guided things to do in Hue. Pick and choose the ones that appeal to you. By doing one of the guided tours or our self-guided walks you will cover a whole bunch of the historic and cultural sites that we consider Hue highlights.
MOTORBIKE SIGHTSEEING TOUR: Ride on the back of a motorbike with an experienced rider and visit villages, the 17th-century Thien Mu Pagoda, and the royal tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Great fun! $47
CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR: If you really can’t handle jumping on the back of a motorbike, this all inclusive full day tour will take you to all the highlights of Hue including the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Khai Dinh and Minh Mang Tombs. It also includes a boat trip along the river. $55
STREET FOOD TOUR: If you have time try to fit in the slow paced food tour by cyclo which is particularly interesting in Hue because this was the royal capital and the food here was designed to be fit for a king. $53
SELF-GUIDED WALK: Head out and explore on your own. Here’s a self-guided walking tour of the Imperial City that takes you around all the highlights.
HIGHLIGHTS
Hue’s main highlights are largely historic and based around the fact that this was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). You are likely to visit most of the main highlights if you join a tour.
If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing it is worth buying a combo ticket:
Imperial City with any two mausoleums: 420,000VND
Imperial City with three mausoleums: 530,000VND
THE CITADEL: It can confusing talking about the the Citadel, Imperial City and Forbidden City. Like a Russian doll, each layer sits inside the previous larger layer.
The Citadel was built between 1804 and 1833 and is the huge walled city consisting of 2m thick, 10km long walls and a moat. Within the Citadel is the Imperial City as well as the homes of people, shops, hotels, museums, temples and the huge flag pole platform. It is the original city of Hue.
The Imperial City is the royal part of the Citadel which is also surrounded by walls, these ones 2.5km long. This area was the scene of intense fighting during the American War so only 20 of the original 148 buildings remain. However, this is still a fascinating and historic place that will take up half a day of exploring by foot either on a guided tour or DIYing on a self-guided walk.
The Forbidden Purple City is within the Imperial City and was the exclusive home of the Emperor - only eunuchs servants and concubines were allowed in. Little remains of the building.
Imperial City: Daily 7am-5:30pm • 200,000VND
EMPEROR MAUSOLEUMS: Spread out along the banks of the Perfume River are the extravagant mausoleums of the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Each one is unique to the ruler and were planned and built during the life of the Emperor. If exploring on your own you can rent a bicycle to get to these tombs. The best preserved and most visited are:
Emperor Tu Duc: this is the most impressive and therefore the most popular and can get a little crowded. Daily 7am-5:30pm • 150,000VND • map
Emperor Khai Dinh: set high up on a hillside and mixing European and Vietnamese design, the blackened exterior gives it a Gothic look. Daily 7am-5:30pm • 150,000VND • map
Emperor Minh Mang: renowned for its Chinese design and lovely forest setting. Daily 7am-5:30pm • 150,000VND • map
Emperor Gia Long: the first ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. Restoration work is still being undertaken but it is a very quiet place to visit. Daily 7am-5:30pm • 150,000VND • map
THIEN MU PAGODA: Overlooking the Perfume River, the 21m high tower, Thap Phuoc Duyen, which sits within the grounds of the pagoda, is potent symbol of Hue. map
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
These sites are worth exploring if you are looking for something a little quirky and different, or you have a deeper interest in particular parts of Vietnamese history and culture.
TIGER ARENA (Ho Quyen): Left overgrown in the countryside, this arena was built for the Emperor to enjoy watching fights between tigers and elephants. We’ve not seen anything like this anywhere in South East Asia. Unique and worth a visit if you are in the area. map
JAPANESE BRIDGE (Thanh Toan): It’s takes a bit of effort to find this stunning covered bridge in sleepy Thuy Thanh Village. A great place to hit if you hire a bike and go cycling in the countryside. map
RESTAURANTS
Our favourite places to eat in Hue:
LES JARDIN DE LA CARAMBOLE: Located in a beautiful colonial building and serving both local Hue specialities, including royal banquet dishes and European meals. $$ map
Y THAO GARDEN: Set in a beautiful garden, specialises in royal set menus but also has a la carte. $$ map
HANH RESTAURANT: People queue to get in here it is that good. Hue specialities. Try the set meals so you get to try everything. $$ map
BISTRO LA CARAMBOLE: French owned, specialising in French and local Hue dishes. $$ map
NIGHTLIFE
WALKING STREET: After covid, the city assigned a group of streets to make a Walking Street area on weekend evenings. There are plenty of restaurants, beer gardens and entertainment to spend your time enjoying. Sat-Sun 5-11pm • map
NIGHT MARKET: Located on the bank of the Perfume River, this is confusingly also sometimes referred to as a ‘walking street’, but really it is a market with lots of food and handmade crafts. A spot for an evening walk. Daily 4-10pm • map
BARS & CLUBS: Popular spots include DMZ Bar, Ta Vet, Sirius, and Why Not? Bar.
SHOPPING
DONG BA MARKET: The main market of Hue sells everything. If you haven’t done a local Vietnamese market, this is a good one to hit up. Located on the north side of the river. map
NIGHT MARKET: Located on the bank of the Perfume River, this is confusingly also sometimes referred to as a ‘walking street’, but really it is a market with lots of food and handmade crafts. Daily 4-10pm • map
DEPARTURE
TRAVEL TO HOI AN: The journey from Hue to Hoi An takes you over (or through) the famous Hai Van Pass, the geographic separator of north and south Vietnam. There is a lot to see on the journey so we think it’s worth taking your time and not just taking a bus.
The most fun is on an open air jeep tour ($121).
You could take a private transfer by car ($88 up to 3 people).
If you are into train travel book a train ticket for the beautiful 2.5 hour journey which gets you to Danang and take a Grab taxi from there.
TRAIN TO HANOI: Book tickets on the overnight train to Hanoi
Read more about trains and train tickets in Vietnam.
HOTEL TO HUE TRAIN STATION: The main Hanoi Station is only 2km from town so it is possible to walk if you have the urge. Otherwise the best approach is to use Grab to order a taxi or motorbike to get you there.
FLIGHT TICKETS: Hue is connected to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Dalat and Danang. Use 12go.asia to find flights.
HOTEL TO HUE AIRPORT: You have two choices for getting to Hue Airport:
TAXI: Use the Grab App to order a taxi.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS: From the Vietnam Airlines office. 50,000VND
PRACTICALITIES
DIYdly LOCAL SUPERHERO: Our local superheros are there to help you out if you want to book something and can’t do it online, need to attend to an emergency back home, or just want some advice. In Hue our hotels serve this purpose. All hotels have excellent reception staff and a tour services desk that can help with bookings if you need anything done last minute.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
Hospital: Hue Central Hospital, ph 0234 382 2325 • map
VIETNAM STORIES
ITINERARIES FEATURING HUE
-
![]()
Highlights of Vietnam
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or reverse
12 days -
![]()
Vietnam in Depth
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
18 days
DIYdly VIETNAM DESTINATION GUIDES
-
![]()
Hanoi
-
![]()
Halong Bay
-
![]()
Hoi An
