Historically the capital of Vietnam and the Imperial City, Hue is the home of the fabled Nguyen Dynasty that ruled over for decades. However, the constant destruction of the city due to years of war have seen the historic tombs and landmarks deteriorate significantly. In the last several years however, the city has made a comeback and has grown into an extremely popular tourist spot.

The best way to reach the city by flying out to the nearby Phu Bai International Airport. Tourism in Hue is booming from January to April when the weather is well-balanced and humidity is low. Hue is a dream for historians and architecture enthusiasts owing the wide variety of landmarks like the Tu Hieu Pagoda, ancient burial chambers, tombs and the famous Perfume River. This travel guide should help visitors discover more about this hidden gem of a city - Hue.

By Air:

This is the best way to reach Hue despite there being no direct flights to the closest airport, Phu Bai International 15 km away. Visitors will need to fly out to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and catch a connecting domestic flight to get to Hue.

By Road:

A highly time consuming way to reach Hue, the drive spans over 700 km and can take up to 14 hours for visitors travelling from Hanoi. Visitors may need to take an overnight break before continuing the drive down. 

By Rail:

With approximately 4 daily trains from Ho Chi Minh, this a comparitively better way to reach Hue. The Hue Railway Station is barely 2 km away from the main city. However, the journey time is very long, ranging at almost 20 hours. 

Dry Season (March - August):

Arguably the best time to visit Hue due to the high visibility, clear skies and reduced humidity and rainfall, this is also a hectic period for tourism. Additionally, Hue tends to get hotter in the summer as opposed to other parts of Vietnam due its geographic location. Temperatures in May can rise to as high as 40°C.

Monsoon Season (September - December):

Considered to be the tourist off-season, this brief period involves heavy, periodic showers and a rise in humidity levels. However, that aside the city of Hue tends to be less crowded and accommodation prices also drop considerably. 

Visit the Tombs of the Ancient Emperors:

Exploring the ancient tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty is one of the most intriguing things to do in Hue as it gives visitors an insight into this forgotten ancient empire that ruled the country for hundreds of years.

Visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda:

Created back in 1843, this is one of the most celebrated pagodas in the country and still houses several monks that visitors can observe going about their daily prayer routines. The whole area has a serene atmosphere.

Walk along the Perfume River:

Surrounded by historic landmarks on its banks, the Perfume River is a gorgeous waterbody and a great place for visitors to spend the day unwinding and taking in the surrounding natural landscape of Hue.

Sample the food:

Hue is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam to sample the local delicacies. Historically home to the famous Imperial Banquets, this ancient city is a food lover's paradise, offering a wide variety of vegetarian and meat-based dishes.

Still known as the Imperial City to this day, Hue offers some of the most mouth-watering delicacies in the country. Most food spots here, whether roadside stalls or restaurants all serve authentic cuisine that is native to the region and was served to the Vietnamese royalty back in the days of the Nguyen Dynasty. Some of the best dishes include the meat-oriented noodle soups, skewered meats infused with lemongrass, seafood with rice and dumplings. Ancient Hue Restaurant and Elegant Restaurant Hue are 2 of the best spots in the city to sample this kind of food

Hue’s shopping scene is made up mostly of native marketplaces, tailor stalls and boutiques. Some must-buy items here include the genuine handiwork ware, like the Nón Lá hat, which is made up of palm tree leaves. The local handicraft industry is additionally supported by a variety of NGOs and the proceeds from product sales tend to go back to the communities to empower them. Dong Ba Market and Gia Huy Silk Hue are 2 of the must-visit spots to pick up mementos and souvenirs like paintings, clothes and accessories.