HUE: MUST-SEE attractions

1. Overview of Hue

Recognized as one of the most well-known locations for Vietnam travel and was once the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945), the last dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal history. Hue is regarded as Vietnam’s little cultural museum since it has so many appealing historical and cultural aspects. Among them, the Hue Citadel complex was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1993.

Coming to the ancient capital, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse in the nostalgic and poetic space when exploring works bearing bold feudal imprints, and experience one of the most unique cuisine in Vietnam. With the above factors, this land is always an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists

General Information

Area: ~ 4,947 square km
Population: ~ 1,160,224 people (2022)
Region: Central of Vietnam
Best time to visit: March – April
Tourist Destinations: Imperial Citadel; Royal Tombs; Tam Giang Lagoon; Kim Long Ancient Village; Bach Ma National Park

2. Tourist Destinations in Hue

Hue Imperial Citadel

Once the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty for 143 years, The Imperial Citadel is an extremely important historical and cultural relic complex of Hue in particular, and Vietnam in general. In addition, The Imperial Citadel also known as Vietnam’s first cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO (1993) with its unique architecture, expressing the quintessence of Vietnamese culture during the feudal period.

Hue Imperial City - UNESCO Heritage Site

Hue Imperial Citadel

UNESCO Heritage Site

Royal Tombs of Emperors

Hue mausoleum complex is known as the resting place of the Nguyen kings. Each mausoleum has a distinct architectural style, depending on the aesthetic concept of each period, as well as the personality of the king buried there. Currently, the Hue mausoleum system includes 7 main mausoleums, including: Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh, and Duc Duc.

the mysterious beauty of the Khai Dinh Tomb

Mausoleum

Kim Long Ancient Village

Kim Long ancient village is located on the north bank of the Perfume River, about 5 km from the city center. Formed in the 17th century, this is known as the home of many noble families and mandarins of the Nguyen Dynasty. Therefore, Coming to Kim Long village, visitors will be impressed by the garden houses with typical architectural style of Hue. At the same time, experience the simple life of local people.

Ancient architectural work in Kim Long Village

Hue traditional dish

Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang Lagoon is the largest freshwater lagoon in Southeast Asia, with an area of up to 52 square kilometers, stretching more than 24 kilometers from O Lau River to the downstream of Huong River. Tam Giang Lagoon possesses a diverse ecosystem including more than 100 species of fish, 30 species of shrimp, as well as rare bird species. This is also a place associated with the lives of fishermen, who have explored and settled here for hundreds of years and created a special culture for this land.

Tam Giang Lagoon

Sea Food Paradise

Bach Ma National Park

Established in 1937, Bach Ma National Park located in the Truong Son mountain range (Thua Thien Hue province – Vietnam) is one of the first national parks in Vietnam. This place was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009. Therefore, Bach Ma National Park is an ideal destination for those who love eco-tourism and exploring pristine nature.

Bach Ma National Park

3. Best time to visit Hue

The most ideal time to travel to Hue is considered to be from March to April, however each season Hue has its own beauty.

Spring (March – April): The weather is cool and pleasant, extremely suitable for sightseeing and tourism activities.
Summer (May – August): This period is quite hot, but this is the season of festivals. Among them, Hue Festival is held in June every year.
Fall (September – November): The weather is mild, the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. Suitable for sightseeing and tourism activities. However, the period October – November sometimes has heavy rain and storms (you should check the weather before your trip to get the best preparation).
Winter (December – February): The temperature is relatively colder than the other periods, however exploring the poetic and somewhat mysterious beauty of Hue in winter is also a favorite activity of tourists. .