Hue is a major city in Vietnam, although many monuments have been razed to the ground. The Forbidden City of Hue was indeed destroyed by the French. That's why the city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in order to raise funds allowing the reconstruction of one of the jewels of Vietnam. Discover the must-see visits to do in Hue!
Discover the Imperial City
The Imperial City is located north of the Perfume River. This is where the writers and poets of Vietnam have stayed., but also and above all the emperors of the N'Guyen dynasty. It is a wonderful place to discover, notably with the Porte du Midi, the Palace of Supreme Harmony, or the Royal Library. The Palace of Harmony overlooked an esplanade on which the mandarins moved.
An interior door of the Forbidden City
Take a cruise on the Perfume River
Winding through the city and surrounding countryside, the Perfume River is a must-see in Hue! Go to the pier to hire the services of a dragon boat, and go sailing with the waves. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the place, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Throughout the walk you will be able to see several historical sites on the banks.
Take a cruise on the Perfume River
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda or Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady
After a short cruise, you will reach the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady. It is a Buddhist pagoda. It was built in the 17th century following the predictions of an old lady who would have been seen by peasants. The gardens surrounding this pagoda are sumptuous, demonstrating all the Vietnamese know-how. You can continue with a visit to the tomb of Minh Mang, then that of Emperor Khai Dinh.
Thien Mu Pagoda
See the Tomb of Tu Duc
Initially, this place was the second home of Emperor Tu Duc. It is therefore above all a place of life that you will visit here, with, for example, a pavilion on which the emperor and his concubines used to write poems. Note that we do not know where exactly the body of the emperor is located: the men who were responsible for his burial were executed, in order to avoid any escape.
Tu Duc Tomb
Admire the Tomb of Khai Dinh
Located about 10 km from the city, the Tomb of Khai Dinh is a must-do in Hue. Recognized as an original place, its architecture is varied: concrete, porcelain mosaics and crystals line the walls. It's an explosion of colors that awaits you! Mixture of old and new, tinged with Asian and European influences, the Tomb of Khai Dinh is very different from the others: a visit not to be missed.
Tombeau Khai Dinh
Cycle around the city and its surroundings
An original and ecological way to visit the place: rent a bike. The city is quite flat and as you move away, you find yourself in breathtaking landscapes: rice fields, villages, markets, schools, temples, grapefruit fields… there is no shortage of paths. An ideal activity to do in Hue to discover the countryside and meet the locals!
A paddy field near Hue
Bubble on the magnificent beaches
After all the sightseeing in Hue, you might just want to relax. Not far from the city you will find beaches, each as beautiful as the next. The closest are of course the most frequented. If you are independent in terms of transport, don't hesitate to walk along the coast: you will be alone in breathtaking landscapes!
Lang Co Beach
Useful information
To help you organize your stay, here is some information that should interest you:
- To get to Hue, there are no direct flights from France. You will have to go through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Allow a 12-hour journey from Paris for a direct flight. The easiest way to reach Hue is then to take a domestic flight (about 1h20 from the two main cities of Vietnam). If your budget is tight, you can head to Hue by bus or train, but the journey is long and tiring, you have been warned!
- To see all there is to do in Hue, get a Pass which will allow you access to three monuments.
- To drive around Hue you will be spoiled for choice: bike, motorbike, pedicab, car or even boat.
- The best time to go to Hue is between January and May. You can consider going between July and September, but there is more chance of rain.
- In terms of accommodation, the coolest thing is to sleep in the backpacker area, around la rue "Pham Ngu Lao". You will then be in the heart of the lively area (restaurants and bars galore) while being able to sleep in peace.
Ben Bac
The essentials of Hue… and after?
Do not hesitate to spend several days in Hue, before continuing your trip to Vietnam. And to organize your trip, consult our complete guide to Vietnam, you will find there all the necessary information for a dream vacation!
