10 best things to do in Hue

date 21:37 | 23/04/2024

One of the main tourist attractions of Hue is the Royal Palace of the imperial city. There are also a number of places of interest left over from the Vietnam War, such as a military base and tunnels in the DMZ.

The ancient city of Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen dynasty at the beginning of the 19th century and during the Vietnam-US war some of the most intense conflicts took place in this region. One of the main tourist attractions of Hue is the Royal Palace of the imperial city. There are also a number of places of interest left over from the Vietnam War, such as a military base and tunnels in the DMZ.

5 reasons to visit Hue

Explore the ancient buildings and ruins of the Imperial City

Sail the Parfum River by boat

Learn more about the Vietnam War in the DMZ

Cycle around the city

Take a day trip to Bach Ma National Park

Best time to visit

The best travel time: From January to April, with 20 to 25 degrees and almost no rain.

Dry season: The complete season that there is little or no rainfall is from March to August.

10 best things to do in Hue

The city is a beautiful mix of old and new buildings that are mainly separated by the Parfume River. Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. Although many beautiful buildings have been lost as a result of the wars, Hue is busy restoring various highlights in the city.

1. Hue Imperial Citadel

Without a doubt, the most impressive and best thing to do in Hue is a visit to the Imperial City. In the walled Hue Imperial City, also known as the Citadel, you will find the Forbidden Purple City, dozens of royal tombs, pagodas, temples, royal rooms, a library and a museum.

You can easily walk around here for 3 hours to visit everything. A guide is not necessary but recommended if you want to learn more about the history and the times when there was fierce fighting here during the Vietnam War.

2. Lang Co beach

One of the best beaches in Vietnam can be found close to the city of Hue. The beach is 10 kilometers long with palm trees, clear water and a number of good resorts. It is still a 60 km drive from the center. You can also choose to stay here for a night, a day trip or a stop on the way between Hue and Da Nang just before the Hai Van Pass.

3. Tombs and temples

Besides the Imperial City, you can find many other tombs, temples and pagodas in and around the city of Hue. The tombs of the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty are scattered on hills south of the city and can be reached by boat or bicycle. In total there are seven tombs: the other emperors died in exile and were buried.

The best known and most impressive are the Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Hon Chen Temple and The To Mieu Temple.

4. Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass is located between Hue and Da Nang and is one of the most stunning coastal roads in Vietnam. It is very popular to drive the road by motorbike (or on the back of one), but you can also go by car or an old army jeep. The views along the way are spectacular and you can combine to drive with a visit to some other sights along the way, such as Lang Co beach, fishing villages, the Marble Mountains and a small waterfall.

Tip: Excited to go? Check out our Hai Van Pass tours here, including behind on the motorbike of an Easy Rider, a comfortable car or by military jeep!

5. Bach Ma National Park

Bach Ma National Park is an old French hill station that extends over 40,000 hectares and offers great hiking trails, dilapidated French villas, waterfalls, a campsite and lots of wildlife.

The best way is to go on a Bach Ma national park trekking tour through the forest. There are several routes to choose from. The nicest routes bring you along some small lakes and waterfalls. Also make sure to visit the peak with amazing views over the forest.

6. Dong Ba market

Dong Ba market is the largest market in Central Vietnam and is the perfect place to see the local life. It is a lively market hall where you can buy handicrafts, vegetables, fruit, meat and clothing.

The market is not far from the citadel and on the Perfume River, so you can easily combine a visit with other sights. Walk around the market to watch locals negotiate and get their daily groceries. It is a unique and above all authentic experience.

7. Dragon boat trip on the Perfume River

The perfume river flows through the middle of the city and can be a relaxing break from city life. Boat trips, pedal boats and dinner cruises are available.

The best way to discover the river is by a dragon boat ride – they are not to be missed. From the boat you can see the local life on shore and the fishermen and transport boats on the water. There are also a number of riverside temples that you can visit on a dragon boat tour.

8. Cycling

With less traffic than other major cities, Hue is arguably the best city for cycling in Vietnam. Many tourists choose to ride a bicycle along the banks of the Huong River, to the Citadel. You can also visit a number of temples a little further from the center. Some accommodations lend bicycles for free, otherwise you can rent a bicycle cheaply in the center of the city.

If you are a fanatic cyclist, you can also choose to cycle out of the city and explore the quiet countryside. You can also take a bike tour through Hue countryside so a guide can show you the way. It’s a very calming experience, and quite authentic, as you pass through areas where few other travelers go.

Tip: If you prefer not to cycle yourself, you can enjoy a traditional cyclo ride. A cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi that appeared in Vietnam during the French colonial era. Local Vietnam offers various cyclo rides in Hue. View all tours in Hue here to see your options.

9. DMZ

During the Vietnam War, there was fierce fighting in the city of Hue, which damaged many historic buildings. But the city is also adjacent to the DMZ – Vietnam’s Demilitarized Zone. Here you will find the border between the former North Vietnam and South Vietnam. There are still a number of sights that you can visit in this area where you can get an idea of how it went. On a tour of the DMZ you usually visit the Hien Luong Bridge which is right on the border, an abandoned American base with abandoned vehicles and the Vinh Moc Tunnels, a tunnel system where an entire village lived to shelter from the bombs.

Tip: If you want to see this area, have a look at our DMZ tour by small group. If you are also planning to go to Phong Nha after or before Hue, you can also do a sightseeing transfer through the DMZ between these two destinations.

10. Hue abandoned water park

Photography enthusiasts and urban explorers will want to go here. Ho Thuy Tien is a small abandoned water park on a lake not too far from the city.

The water park has been abandoned for over 10 years. Certain parts are ruins, overgrown and broken, it feels a bit like you’ve walked into a horror movie. In the middle of the lake is a dragon’s head, the main attraction. All around you will find empty swimming pools and dirty slides.

It is not an official tourist attraction and in some places there is glass on the floor, so watch out and don’t wear flip flops.