Hue Huế

Hue stretches along the Perfume River. The citadel and the imperial enclosure occupy the north bank. Most hotels and restaurants are on the south bank. The royal tombs are scattered downstream and upstream and need a bicycle, a taxi, or a dragon boat plus a vehicle.

The city is quieter than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Eat bun bo Hue, com hen, and the small banh cakes. Give the citadel a morning, not twenty minutes between buses.

Common questions

Is one day enough in Hue?

You can see the citadel. The tombs make the second day. If you must choose, keep the citadel and one tomb.

Top attractions in Hue

1

Hue Citadel Đại Nội

The moated imperial city.

5.0 ★★★★★ Editor

Half a day · Paid entry; confirm at the gate

2

Tu Duc Tomb

A quiet complex of lakes and pavilions, often the tomb to keep if you only see one.

4.0 ★★★★☆ Editor

1 hour · Paid entry

3

Thien Mu Pagoda

The riverside pagoda west of the citadel, recognizable by its octagonal tower.

3.0 ★★★☆☆ Editor

30 minutes · Free

Side trips from Hue

Phong Nha

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a national park of river caves.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a preserved trading port of wooden shophouses, a Japanese covered bridge, and a river that floods…

Da Nang

Stay in Da Nang when you want the airport, a long beach, and a city that still feels like a city.

Hue by interest

Citadel, tombs, pagodas, and food. The war history of the 1968 fighting is part of the citadel’s story; read it on site rather than rushing the walls for a photo.

FoodOld townsPagodasWar historyFamily

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Getting there and around

Hue station is on the south side, a short ride from the hotel streets. A bicycle is the classic way to the nearer tombs. Further tombs are a taxi or a shared car. The airport is a short ride from town if you fly.

• Hanoi to Hue

  Fly if the date matters.

• Hue to Hoi An

  The coast road takes about three hours by private car, longer by bus, and can include the Hai Van pass.

Hue itineraries

Best of Vietnam in 14 daysCentral coast in 5 days

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Hotels

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• South bank near the river Hotels and guesthouses

  Walk to restaurants and the bridge toward the citadel.

  Search stays

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Restaurants

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• Hue food guide Food guide

  Hue’s kitchen is herbal, spicy, and proud of its imperial small plates. Bun bo Hue is the bowl to judge the city by.

  Open the food guide