Things To Do In Hue

Hue, located in central Vietnam, was the former capital of the Annam empire and is a page in the imperial history of the Nguyen dynasty.

• The magnificent heritage of the Imperial City has earned Hue a place on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.

• Royal palaces, mausoleums, ancestral pagodas, poetic landscaped gardens and harmonious pools reflect the imperial splendor.

• The typical boat of Hue, the “Dragon Boat” on the Perfume River completes this beautiful picture in an atmosphere reminiscent of Imperial Vietnam.

Things to do in Hue? What to see?

The imperial city of the Nguyen dynasty

Visit the imperial city of the Nguyen dynasty with citadel, pagodas and imperial tombs. The citadel is enclosed within a wall, and an architectural ensemble consisting of bridges, small temples, terraces, pavilions, small parks and water features.

The mausoleums of the Nguyen dynasty

• Visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang who reigned from 1820 to 1840.

• Visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, who reigned from 1848 to 1883.

• The tomb of Khai Dinh

Dragon boat cruise on the Perfume river

Stretching over 80 km, the Perfume River is the heart and soul of Hue. Legend has it that over 100 years ago, the river carried a strong scent of flower petals falling and flowing along the streams, hence the name Perfume River.

Today, the scent may not be as strong due to the enormous amount of boats and river cruises on the Perfume River, but it is still a popular landmark for foreigners and locals alike.

You can dine on the Perfume River while admiring a stunning view of the sunset and the sparkling lights that illuminate the Trang Tien Bridge.

Bike or cyclo ride

Hands-on cooking class in Hue

Experience a morning of learning Vietnamese cuisine, starting with choosing ingredients at Dong Ba Market, followed by a boat transfer to the cook’s house for a demonstration, lesson, and lunch tasting. It is an informative and delicious experience.

Flash flavors

We will be happy to take you to one of our favorite places in Hue known for its specialties. Your palate will discover the unique flavors of our Vietnamese cuisine!

Flash show

We invite you to a performance at the Royal Theater. A beautiful costume theater performance and ballets modeled on those given at the royal court. By reservation through your guide, showtime every day at 10:30 am. Optional fee of 10 USD.

When to go to Hue

It is important to note that Hue is largely affected by the tropical climate. Therefore, the climate is divided into two distinct periods: the dry season and the rainy season.

The weather in Hue is known to be unpredictable. It can be very beautiful during the day and then rain heavily at night! Therefore, it is advisable to always prepare an umbrella or raincoat with you.

The rainy season, from September to March: average temperature is from 18 °C to 23 °C with high humidity.

The dry season, from March to August: the average temperature is around 30 °C, and sometimes the temperature can reach up to 40 °C. During this period, it is rather hot and sunny.

Many festivals are held in this city, such as Tet (Lunar New Year), traditional village festivals, and the Hue Festival in April. You can attend cultural performances, spring markets, traditional music concerts, royal ceremonies, and seasonal local dishes.

How many days to visit Hue

1 day to discover Hue

• Visit the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty with citadels, pagodas, imperial tombs.

• Relaxing cruise on a typical boat on the famous Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady).

• Visit the An Hien Garden House to discover the traditional and typical architecture of old Hue.

• Visit the Mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty, beautiful complexes formed by small ponds, pavilions, temples, and courtyards.

• The making of incense sticks will no longer be a secret to you after a stop in a small village near Hue, specialized in this activity.

• Stroll through Dong Ba market.

2 days to discover Hue

• Visit the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty with citadels, pagodas, imperial tombs.

• Visit the Mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty, beautiful complexes formed by small ponds, pavilions, temples, and courtyards.

• The making of incense sticks will no longer be a secret to you after a stop in a small village near Hue, specialized in this activity.

• Stroll through Dong Ba market.

• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest religious monuments in Hue.

• Continue to Thuy Bieu Village to get a deeper insight into the life of the locals through a bike ride.

• Visit the old worship house.

• At the colorful Thuy Bieu market, all the necessary ingredients for the cooking class will be purchased.

• Vietnamese cooking class: demonstration and lesson followed by a tasting as lunch. Instructive and delicious.

• Herbal foot bath and massage to end the Zen afternoon.

Where to stay in Hue?

Romance hotel

Located in the heart of Hue city, this 4-star hotel features a beautiful rooftop swimming pool. With their slogan “A life of happiness”, their main goal is to ensure an unforgettable stay at the Romance Hotel.

Spatel Hue hotel

The Spatel Annam Hotel was built on the former grounds of Thai Y Vien under the Nguyen Dynasty. With the motto of connecting and preserving the ancient cultural values of the former land of Nguyen with modern life, it is located in the center of the Citadel of Hue.

Just 200 meters from the Hue Citadel, the Spatel Annam Hotel is a destination for guests who want to immerse themselves in the romantic green space of Hue garden houses, which are equally modern.

Pilgrimage village in Hue

Just 4 km from the city center, the Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa is an excellent choice. In this quality hotel, you can enjoy the hospitality of the staff and be pampered in multiple ways: treatments, spa, restaurant… The hotel goes out of its way to meet every requirement of its customers!

Moreover, this establishment is very well located and allows you to reach the authentic Hue city in Vietnam with its tombs, imperial citadel, and other absolutely fabulous historical monuments by shuttle.

Azerai la Residence Hue

Views of the Perfume River up to the ancient citadel, with the fragrance of frangipani flowers floating on your balcony… Azerai la Residence Hue, a 10-minute walk from the center of Hue, but the warmth and dust of the streets seem far from this splendid Art Deco Governor’s Mansion transformed into an Azerai hotel.

Choose Hanoi Voyages for a seamless and personalized travel experience crafted by experts dedicated to exceeding your expectations. From tailored itineraries to insightful cultural tours, we ensure every detail is taken care of, so you can focus on exploring Huế’s imperial citadel, serene pagodas, and poetic Perfume River. If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, consider our 12-day Vietnam tour for an unforgettable journey through this beautiful country. This season, immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Vietnam’s ancient capital, where history, culture and cuisine come together in perfect harmony.

Book your unforgettable journey to Hue with Hanoi Voyages today!