Highlights of Hue Ancient Capital in Vietnam

Highlights of Hue Ancient Capital in Vietnam - Hue is famous for its historic monuments, which had been recognized as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. About 700km south from the capital of Hanoi, 1,100km north from Ho Chi Minh City, Hue is located in central Vietnam and on the bank of Huong River (Perfume River). Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty.

Hue has tropical monsoon climate. From March to August is the dry season with very high temperatures of 35 - 40°C. It is truly scorching and uncomfortable. The rainy season is between August and January. A flood season is from October onwards. The average temperature during rainy season is 20°C, sometimes as low as 9°C. The spring is short and lasts from January to the end of February.

What to see in Hue Vietnam

1. Imperial Citadel

This is a great complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history. Thanks to its size, it is also delightfully peaceful - a rare commodity in Vietnam. There are some attractions that you should not skip: Ngo Mon Gate - the main southern entrance to the city, built in 1833 by Minh Mang Emperor, Thai Hoa Palace - the emperor's coronation hall, Truong Sinh Residence (Palace of Longevity), Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City), Hue Jungle Crevice...

It takes at least one day to visit the whole complex. If do not like walking around the citadel, tourists can catch a taxi, hire a bike or rent a cyclo (xich lo in Vietnamese).

Thai Hoa Palace (the Palace of Supreme Peace) was built in 1805 

Ngo Mon Gate

Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City)

2. Tombs of the Emperors in Hue

Tombs of the Emperors are also the most famous attractions in the ancient capital of Hue. Along the Huong River (Perfume River), there are tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, Khai Dinh. The finest of all Tombs are the Tomb of Tu Duc, the Tomb of Minh Mang and the Tomb of Khai Dinh. They are excellent examples of Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetics and architecture. Tourist should hire a river boat and go for a cruise to visit Tombs of the Emperors. Or the most inexpensive and easy way to reach the tombs is hiring a bicycle.

Tombs of Khai Dinh Emperor

Lake and pavilion at the tomb of Tu Duc 

Tomb of Minh Mang

3. Pagodas in Hue City

Thien Mu Pagoda has become an essential part of the ancient capital. Situated on a bluff over the river, Thien Mu Pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is the official symbol of the city of Hue. Thien Mu means "elderly celestial woman", and refers to an old legend about the founding of the pagoda. It is an attractive destination for those who love taking photos.

Tourists can also visit other pagodas in Hue such as Tu Dam, Tu Hieu, Huyen Khong...

Thien Mu  Pagoda - symbol of Hue

What to do in Hue Vietnam

Besides visiting imperial citadel, tombs and pagodas, traveling to Hue, tourists will have chances to swim and sunbathe on the most beautiful beaches of the central Vietnam: Lang Co beach and Thuan An beach. Moreover, there are some mineral hot springs such as My An Hot Spring and Spa or Thanh Tan Hot Springs that you can spend time on relaxing after a long day of walking around.

You can easily get a boat trip along Perfume River from many tour agencies. During the boat trip, you can enjoy Hue specialties and watching Nha Nhac – Hue Royal Court Music.

Trang Tien Bride and Perfume River at night

Perfume River

Lang Co Bay

Thuan An beach

What to eat in Hue Vietnam

Hue's culinary traditional features are highly decorative and colorful food, reflecting the influence of ancient Vietnamese royal cuisine. Spices, especially chili, play an important role in Hue’s cuisine.

There are some dishes that you have to try when travel to Hue: Bun Bo Hue (Hue-Style Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup), Com Hen (Mussels rice), Banh Beo (water fern cake), Banh Khoai (delicious pancake), Banh Xeo (sizzling pancake), Banh Bot Loc (rice pastry with meat and shrimp), Mam Tom Chua (sour shrimp sauce)...

Bun Bo Hue

Com Hen (Mussels rice)

Banh Beo (water fern cake)

Mam Tom Chua (Sour shrimp sauce)

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