Hue Vietnam: A Brief Guideline for First-Time Travellers

Hue Vietnam, the former capital of Vietnam, is world-renowned for its long-lasting treasure trove of royal mausoleums, imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas. It proudly boasts of a place where visitors can immerse themselves in Vietnam’s illustrious history as if traveling back in time. Embark on an exciting Hue city tour with Asia Legend Travel and discover all the beauty of this ancient city!

Overview of Hue Vietnam, the Former Capital of Vietnam

As regards historical aspects, Hue Vietnam was the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty dating back from 1805 to 1945, the last and the longest dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal period. This ancient capital is famous for numerous temples, pagodas, tombs, and palaces that still exhibit the brilliance of an entire dynasty.

The ancient capital of Hue is also famous for its exquisite cuisine, enriching Vietnamese culinary art. Influenced by the royal court, Hue cuisine is both sophisticated and elegant, offering a delightful mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Several specialties of Hue, such as mussel rice and Hue beef noodle soup, are worth a try.

Besides, this ancient capital is considered a festival city. Throughout the year, numerous Hue festivals take place, with the Hue Festival being the most prominent. Since the first time in 2000, this biennial cultural festival has become a particular cultural affair and the pride of Hue’s residents. With the participation of domestic and foreign artisans, festivities have revived many of Vietnam’s antique capital values. Visiting the main attractions in Hue and savoring many specialties here will bring tourists many memorable experiences.

How to Get to Hue Vietnam

Hue City is centrally located in Vietnam, 639 kilometers from Hanoi and 883 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. There are several transportation options to get to Hue Vietnam, including plane, bus, train, and motorbike.

Plane

Direct flights to Hue Vietnam are available only from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, lasting about 1.25 to 1.5 hours. Prices vary depending on the day, starting from VND 1,200,000.

Bus

You can take a bus to Hue:

• Hanoi: From VND 350,000, 10-15 hours
• Ho Chi Minh City: From VND 500,000, 19-28 hours
• Da Nang: From VND 130,000, 2-3 hours

Train

Taking a train is another option:

• Hanoi: From VND 505,000, 13-15 hours.
• Ho Chi Minh City: From VND 617,000, 20-23 hours.
• Da Nang: From VND 180,000, 2.5-3.5 hours.

Motorbike

For the adventurous, a motorbike tour from Da Nang to Hue is a great choice. The distance is about 90 kilometers, making it an easy ride and a fantastic opportunity to experience Vietnam’s stunning scenery.

Tourist Attractions to visit in Hue Vietnam

Below is a list of top-rated tourist attractions in Hue Vietnam. Remember, these suggestions only skim the surface!

The Imperial Enclosure

The Imperial Enclosure, the most popular destination in Hue Imperial City, is a must-see when visiting Hue. It is a citadel-within-a-citadel, serving as a venue for significant court ceremonies, ancestor worship, and the royal family’s residence. With a tremendous value in history, culture, and architecture, this landmark has been regarded as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2010.

There are some critical architectural landmarks that travelers should not miss including The Meridian Gate, Hue Flag Tower, Thai Hoa Palace, Temple of Literature or today’s Thua Thien Hue Historical Museum, and Long An Palace also known as Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Located on Ha Khe hill, Thien Mu pagoda has become the symbol of Hue Vietnam and one of the must-visit Hue pagodas with its natural beauty. Built-in 1601 by the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty – Nguyen Hoang, this was the largest-scale pagoda. The experience not to be missed when coming to Thien Mu Pagoda is to see the magnificent Phuoc Duyen tower and listen to its unique sound of bells ringing twice per day (13:00 and 19:30), which hits 108 chimes each time.

Perfume River

Stretching the imperial city of Hue is the gentle and winding Hue Perfume River. As an iconic symbol of this ancient capital, visitors can admire its breathtaking beauty from many points of view, like from Thien Mu pagoda, a dragon boat ride, among others. Each experience will bring a unique image of this tranquil river.

Trang Tien Bridge

This historic bridge is a must when coming to Hue. As a symbol of the ancient capital, Trang Tien Bridge crossing the Perfume River is the pride of Hue’s people, which witnesses all the ups and downs of this city’s history. The rows of flamboyant trees along the road by the bridge bring a peaceful and romantic scene to passersby.

Dong Ba Market

A visit to the Dong Ba Market, one of the oldest Hue local markets, is a fascinating insight into Vietnamese daily life. This market is likened to a paradise for snapshots of locals’ daily activities and shopping with its extensive range of offers so visitors can find everything they want, like food, and daily supplies, especially Hue specialties.

Tombs of Nguyen Dynasty Kings

Hue tombs of the emperors under the Nguyen Dynasty are destinations worth experiencing in Hue. There are a total of seven tombs among the 13 kings of this dynasty. Each of them has a unique architectural style, designed according to Eastern feng shui, and bears the specific characteristics of the king, which contributes to the extraordinary features of these landmarks.

Thuan An Beach

As a small beach near Hue, Thuan An beach is an ideal attraction for beach-lovers. The beach stretches for more than 1 km, making a strong impression with its spectacular sunset and sunrise sceneries.

Lang Co Gulf

Regarded as one of the most beautiful bays in the world in 2009, Lang Co Bay is famous for its tranquil natural sites, converging rivers, mountains, sea, and lagoons. This place is an ideal tourist destination for its peaceful and poetic beauty of winding sand beaches and clear crystal blue sea, which helps relax after stressful working days and escape from bustling city life.

Tam Giang Lagoon

As the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia, Tam Giang lagoon, along with the Thai Duong Ha fishing village, is an isolated oasis amidst beautiful natural landscapes. This lagoon, one of Hue’s most beautiful sunset spots, is the meeting place of the O Lau, Bo, and Perfume rivers before flowing into Thuan An Beach. Besides the majestic pristine nature, exploring the daily life of local people in the fishing village is also a valuable experience to visitors. The local life is quite lively in the morning but sometimes peaceful.

Best Places to Enjoy Hue Specialities

Take a look at this list of top local restaurants to try the most authentic and delicious Hue specialties, as recommended by residents in Hue Vietnam.

Bun Bo Hue Noodles (Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup in Hue style)

• O Cuong Chu Diep – 6 Tran Thuc Nhan Str – 06:30 – 11:00
• Ba Tuyet – 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Str – 06:00 – 21:00

Banh Canh Noodles (Vietnamese thick noodle soup)

• Di Huong – 14 Le Thanh Ton Str – 15:00 – 21:00
• Thuy – 16 Pham Hong Thai Str – 12:00 – 20:00

Banh Beo Cake (Water fern cake)

• O Le – 104/17/9 Kim Long Str – 06:00 – 10:00
• Hue Xua – 1 Nguyen Binh Khiem Str – 10:00 – 22:00

Banh Ep Cake (Hue pressed cake)

• Chi Hue – 116 Le Ngo Cat Str – 14:00 – 21:00

Hue Clam Rice

• Hoa Dong – 64/7 Ung Binh Str – 07:00 – 22:00

Bun Thit Nuong Noodles (Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli)

• Huyen Anh – 50 Kim Long Str – 09:00 – 21:00

Banh Khoai Cake (Hue crispy pancake)

• Banh Khoai Hanh – 11 Pho Duc Chinh Str – 10:00 – 20:00

Duck Congee

• Chao Vit Thuan – 94 Bui Thi Xuan Str – 09:00 – 21:00

Hue Che (Hue sweet soup)

• Che Hem – 1/29 Hung Vuong Str – 10:00 – 22:00

Essential Tips for Visitors to Hue Vietnam

For a pleasant trip to Hue Vietnam, here are some practical Hue travel tips!

• Souvenirs from Hue: Consider bringing back a Vietnamese colonial hat, Ao Dai, Hue incense, Hue areca-nut candy (Keo Cau), peanut and sesame candy (Keo Me Xung), and Hue royal tea.
• Don’t Miss: A cyclo ride and a night cruise on the Perfume River are must-try experiences during your visit.
• Accommodation: Book your stay in advance, especially during peak seasons to secure the best options.
• Festival Days: Plan your trip during Hue festival days for a rich cultural experience.
• Getting Around: Using a motorbike is a great way to explore Hue, but make sure you have a valid driving license.

Best Time to Visit Hue Vietnam

There are two distinct seasons in Hue Central Vietnam, correspondingly the dry season and the rainy season. While the former is usually from March to August with scorching weather, the latter lasts from August to next January, accompanied by heavy rains or sometimes storms.

Tourists travel to this ancient city at different periods during the year. Domestic visitors typically go to Hue Vietnam from May to the end of September, while many foreigners do not. Their choice is often around the period from October to the end of April.

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Overall, Hue Vietnam is an ideal place for those looking for historical experiences in Vietnam. From royal mausoleums, ancient imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas, a Hue tour promises to immerse every visitor in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese history. Take a Da Nang Hue Hoi An trip and savor every moment you spend in this enchanting city. Enjoy your time in Hue!

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