Hue Holidays
Hue
Holidays
Vietnam's imperial capital — the Citadel, the Royal Tombs and the most refined cuisine in the country
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Flight Time
11–12h to Da Nang + 2h transfer
Best Time
February to August
Country
Vietnam
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Hue Holiday Guide
Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 — the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, the most powerful in Vietnamese history. The extraordinary Imperial Citadel, the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River, the Thien Mu Pagoda and the most refined cuisine in Vietnam make it one of the most rewarding destinations in the country.
The Imperial Citadel is the centrepiece — a 10km² walled city of extraordinary scale, with the Forbidden Purple City at its heart. Heavily damaged during the 1968 Tet Offensive, it is being gradually restored. The Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace and the Nine Dynastic Urns are unmissable.
The Royal Tombs are scattered along the Perfume River south of the city — each emperor built his own tomb complex during his lifetime. The Tomb of Tu Duc (the most beautiful), the Tomb of Minh Mang (the most formal) and the Tomb of Khai Dinh (the most ornate) are the finest.
The Hue royal cuisine is the most refined in Vietnam — bun bo Hue, banh khoai, com hen and the extraordinary royal banquet. The Dong Ba Market is the finest place to eat Hue street food.
The Hai Van Pass (21km of spectacular mountain road between Hue and Da Nang) is best experienced by motorbike. The DMZ (60km north) is one of the most historically significant landscapes in Vietnam.
The best time to visit is February to August — warm and mostly dry. October and November bring heavy rain. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals, with the FIBI discount applied automatically.
Average Temperatures
Jan
20°C
Feb
21°C
Mar
24°C
Apr
27°C
May
30°C
Jun
32°C
Jul
32°C
Aug
32°C
Sep
29°C
Oct
25°C
Nov
23°C
Dec
21°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Hue
The imperial citadel, royal tombs, Perfume River and extraordinary cuisine that make Hue the most historically significant and culturally rich city in Vietnam.
Imperial Citadel
The Hue Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary scale and beauty — a 10km² walled city within a city, built between 1804 and 1833 by Emperor Gia Long, with the Forbidden Purple City (the private residence of the emperor) at its heart. Heavily damaged during the 1968 Tet Offensive, it is being gradually restored. The Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace and the Nine Dynastic Urns are unmissable.
Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors
The Royal Tombs of the Nguyen emperors are scattered along the Perfume River south of Hue — each emperor built his own tomb complex during his lifetime, and each reflects his personality. The Tomb of Tu Duc (the most beautiful, set in a garden of frangipani and lotus ponds), the Tomb of Minh Mang (the most formal, with a processional avenue of stone mandarins) and the Tomb of Khai Dinh (the most ornate, with extraordinary mosaic decoration) are the finest.
Perfume River Boat Trip
A boat trip on the Perfume River (Huong River) is the most atmospheric way to see Hue — a dragon boat from the city centre to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Royal Tombs and the Thuan An Beach. The river is named for the flowers that fall from the orchards upstream in autumn, giving the water a faint perfume. Sunset on the river is extraordinary.
Thien Mu Pagoda
The Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady) is the most famous pagoda in Vietnam — a seven-storey octagonal tower on a hill above the Perfume River, built in 1601. The pagoda is still an active monastery and the monks' chanting at dawn is extraordinary. The Austin car that carried the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self-immolation in Saigon in 1963 is preserved in the grounds.
Hue Royal Cuisine
Hue has the most refined and complex cuisine in Vietnam — developed over centuries to satisfy the demanding palates of the Nguyen emperors. Bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup, far superior to pho), banh khoai (crispy Hue pancakes), com hen (rice with baby clams), banh beo (steamed rice cakes with shrimp) and the extraordinary royal banquet (a multi-course feast of tiny, exquisitely presented dishes) are all unmissable.
Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass (Pass of Clouds) is one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Vietnam — a 21km pass over the Truong Son mountain range between Hue and Da Nang, with extraordinary views over the South China Sea. Made famous by Top Gear (Series 12, Episode 8), it is best experienced by motorbike or in a vintage Citroën 2CV. The old French fort at the summit is unmissable.
DMZ — Demilitarised Zone
The DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) along the 17th parallel, 60km north of Hue, was the border between North and South Vietnam during the war — the most heavily bombed area in the history of warfare. The Vinh Moc Tunnels (where an entire village lived underground for 6 years), the Khe Sanh Combat Base, the Rockpile and the Ben Hai River are all extraordinary historical sites.
Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the largest and most atmospheric market in Hue — a vast covered market on the north bank of the Perfume River, selling everything from fresh produce and street food to silk, lacquerware and souvenirs. The food section in the basement is the finest place to eat Hue street food — bun bo Hue, banh beo and the extraordinary Hue sweet soups (che).
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Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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