7 places to definitely explore!

There is so much to do in Hue! Admire the richness of this extraordinary city throughout your visits.

Although many monuments have been destroyed, Hue is a large city in Vietnam. The Forbidden City of Hue was indeed destroyed by the French. For this reason The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO., to raise funds for the reconstruction of one of Vietnam’s jewels. Discover essential visits to Hue!

Explore the Imperial City

The Imperial City is located north of the Perfume River. This is where Vietnam’s writers and poets reside., but also and especially the emperors of the N’Guyen dynasty. It is a great place to explore, especially with the Porte du Midi, the Palace of Supreme Harmony or the Royal Library. The Palace of Harmony dominated a walkway with tangerines moving.

Hue Forbidden City
The inner gate of the Forbidden City ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Take a cruise on the Perfume River

The Perfume River, which runs through the city and the surrounding countryside, is a must-do in Hue! Head to the pier to charter a dragon boat and set out to sail the waves. Enjoy the peace and quiet, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. During the walk, you will be able to see many historical places on the shores.

perfume river cruise
Take a cruise on the Perfume River ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady Pagoda

After a short journey, you will reach the Heavenly Lady’s Pagoda. This is a Buddhist pagoda. It was built in the 17th century on the prophecies of an old woman seen by the villagers.. The gardens surrounding this pagoda are majestic, showcasing all of Vietnam’s know-how. You can continue by visiting the tomb of Minh Mang, followed by the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

See the Tu Duc Tomb

Originally this was the second residence of Emperor Tu Duc. Therefore, what you will visit here is first and foremost a place of residence, for example, a mansion where the emperor and his concubines wrote poetry. Note that we do not know the exact whereabouts of the emperor’s body: the men responsible for his funeral were executed to avoid any escape.

Tu Duc tomb
Tu Duc tomb ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Admire Khai Dinh’s Tomb

Located about 10 km from the city, Khai Dinh’s Tomb is a must-do in Hue. Recognized as an original place, its architecture is diverse: concrete, porcelain mosaics and crystals cover the walls. A burst of color awaits you! A mix of ancient and modern, adorned with Asian and European influences, Khai Dinh’s Tomb is unlike any other: a visit not to be missed.

tombstone Khai Dinh
Tombeau Khai Dinh ©Clay Gilliland

Cycle in and around the city

An original and eco-friendly way to visit places: rent a bike The city is quite flat and as you get further away you find yourself in breathtaking landscapes: rice fields, villages, markets, schools, temples, grapefruit fields… the number of paths is not lacking. An ideal activity to do in Hue to explore the countryside and meet the locals!

tons of paddy field
A rice field near Hue ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Bubble on gorgeous beaches

After all the sightseeing in Hue you might want to rest. You will find beautiful beaches not far from the city. The closest ones are, of course, the busiest.. If you are independent in terms of transportation, do not hesitate to walk along the beach: then you will be alone with breathtaking views!

Lang Co Beach
Lang Co beach ©Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Useful information

To help you organize your stay, here is some information that may be of interest to you:

  • To reach HueThere are no direct flights from France. You will need to pass through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Count 12 hours from Paris for a direct flight. The easiest way to get to Hue, domestic flight (about 1 hour 20 from Vietnam’s two main cities). If your budget is tight, you can go to Hue. by bus or trainbut the journey is long and tiring, you have been warned!
  • formalities : Depending on the duration and type of travel, it may be necessary to obtain a visa or e-visa before departure to Vietnam. Check the entry formalities or do it directly by reading our article devoted to visas your visa application With RapideVisa.
  • To visit all things to do in Hue, pass this will give you access to three monuments.
  • Touch Getting around Hue You will be spoiled for choice: bike, motorcycle, wheeled taxi, car or boat.
  • Best time to go to Hue Between January and May. You can plan to go between July and September, but there is a greater chance of rain.
  • In terms of accommodation, the best thing is to sleep nearby, in the backpacker zone. street “Pham Ngu Lao”. You will be in the heart of the lively area (lots of restaurants and bars) so you can sleep peacefully.
Ben Bac Hue
Ben Bac ©ThanhNamNguyen

Hue basics… and beyond?

Do not hesitate to spend a few days in Hue before continuing your journey in Vietnam. Check out our complete Vietnam guide to organize your trip and you’ll find it there all necessary information for a dream vacation!

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