Hue Tips

Find here all Hue Tips. This city used to be the capital of the Vietnamese Empire for almost 200 years during the French Protectorate. Wonder at the Imperial Citadel and discover fascinating emperors’ tombs. Immerse yourself in the flavors of Hue’s unique cuisine style.

Basic Tips

Airport Transfer

The nearest airport is Da Nang. From there you have several options available to do the 30 km that separate Da Nang from Hue, using either public transport or a private car.

Taxis.

Use the Grab (e-taxi) app to move around the city. It’s cheaper than a regular taxi.

Weather

The best time to visit Hue, regarding weather, is between April and September, from October to December there’s the rainy season.

History.

Keep in mind that from 1802 to 1945, Hue was the capital of the Vietnamese Empire while the Nguyen dynasty ruled. The main attractions of the city are related to this period in the Vietnamese territory history.

Foodie.

The gastronomy in Hue has its unique style. We received super good recommendations from our host and we’d love to share them with you. We are just going to insist on this: try the salty coffee, it is very very good.

Highlights

Imperial City

Discover the Imperial City, the residence of the Nguyen emperors. The citadel was built between 1802 and 1945. It’s a fortified area surrounded by a 10km perimeter wall. Inside the citadel there is the “Purple City” where only the emperor, the empress and their concubines had access. You’ll also find pagodas and constructions that were used as homes or for recreation. This place has been greatly affected by the wars, so some buildings are just ruins today. The ticket price is VND 150000.

Tombs.

Visit the emperors’ tombs. The tombs are located in huge properties in the outskirts of Hue. The emperors themselves ordered building these complexes that they used as a home in their last years of life and that would eventually become their own mausoleums. They are outside the city and quite distant one from each other, so we recommend hiring a car with a driver or a guided tour.

Tickets

You can buy a combined ticket at the Imperial City ticket office, which includes the entrance to the citadel and the 3 main tombs for VND 360,000 (USD 15, fifteen).

Perfume River

Walk along the Perfume River. It owes its name to the aromatic plants that were planted on its banks. There is a promenade to enjoy this part of the city. We saw many young people who gathered there in groups at night to have a drink.

Dong Ba Market

Tour around Dong Ba Market. It’s Hue’s main market. It offers fresh food, clothing, handicrafts and it also has a food court. Most products have no printed prices, which means you have to haggle for everything.