Tourist Attractions in Hue - Best Places to Visit

Hue is the ancient capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last dynasty of the Vietnam Monarchy. It has been selected on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most attractive destinations in the country. Vietnam's last royal capital has quickly become a must-see place for its formidable historical heritage, as well as for its divine gastronomy and all the tourist interests offered by the poetic city of Hue. In this article, we present to you a list of the must-see attractions in Hue for your best planned journey.

1. The Perfume River (Song Huong)

Being the pride of the residents in Hue, the Perfume River has a graceful and tranquil beauty. With its length of 80 km from the Ta Ngan and Huu Ngan rivers to the sea, Perfume River flows through many forests with herbs, plants and natural fragrant flowers. When entering the city of Hue, the river always carries its pleasant fragrance. That is why it has been lovingly called the Perfume River.

The Perfume River has a very special value to Hue. Many famous landscapes, architectural works and cultural heritages converge on the river banks. Therefore, by driving a boat along the river, visitors could easily access many famous tourist attractions in Hue such as the Imperial City, mausoleums, and Thien Mu pagoda.

Best time to visit: February - April

2. Dong Ba Market

Being right in the centre of Hue, Dong Ba Market has been standing for 100 years. In the market, you can find everything from electronic devices to vegetables, fish sauce. The market is really a gastronomic paradise in Hue, where you can buy all specialties and the small restaurants can satisfy all foodies  

Address: No. 2 Tran Hung Dao street, Phu Hoa commune, Hue

Opening hours: 05:00 AM. - 10:00 PM

3. Truong Tien Bridge

Like the Long Bien Bridge over the Red River in Hanoi, the Truong Tien Bridge is the first bridge over the Perfume River in Hue, right next to the Imperial Citadel. The bridge is regarded as a symbol of Hue.

It is one of the first bridges built in Indochina in 1897 with new Western iron techniques and materials. It was built by the Eiffel Company, which gave birth to the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of France. Initially, the official name of this bridge was Thanh Thai - the name of a King Nguyen who decided to build the bridge, then Clémenceau, Nguyen Hoang, etc. However, since there used to be a mint near the bridge on the, local people call it Truong Tien Bridge or Trang Tien Bridge (Mint Bridge).

4. Hue Imperial Citadel

Located right on the bank of the Perfume River, the Hue Citadel is one of the most unique and ancient architectural works. This is one of the relics belonging to the Hue monument complex of the Nguyen Dynasty. The Hue Citadel was built between the early 19th and early 20th centuries and has been recognized as a world cultural heritage site since 1993.

Hue Citadel still retains many unique features of the feudalism of the Nguyen Dynasty for hundreds of years.  It is considered the largest remaining architectural work of Feudalism in Vietnam, an identity of a glorious era of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Address: 23/8 Street commune Thuan Hoa, Hue.

Opening hours: 06:30 AM to 05:30 PM in summer and 07:00 AM to 05:00 PM in winter

5. Mausoleums of the Nguyen Kings in Hue

Normally mausoleums are the resting places built after the death of kings, however the mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty Kings are very special places. In addition to being special architectural works that perfectly comply with Feng Shui rules, mausoleums are also the place where Nguyen Kings lived even when they were still alive and demonstrates the characteristics of its owners.

5.1. Mausoleum of King Gia Long - Thien Tho Lang

The mausoleum is not only the resting place of King Gia Long, the first King who founded the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam but also demonstrates the King's love to his Queen. The mausoleum is built between 1814 - 1820

Address: Huong Long commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien Hue province

Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 5:30 PM

5.2. Mausoleum of King Minh Mang - Hieu Lang

King Minh Mang Mausoleum, also called Hieu Lang, is dedicated to King Minh Mang, the second King of the Nguyen Dynasty. The Nguyen King who made so many contributions to the development of the country is also remembered. Hieu Lang started to be built from 1834, 14 years after the King's enthronement and was completed in 1843. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mausoleums in Hue.

Address: Mount Cam Khe, Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien Hue province

Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

5.3 King Tu Duc Mausoleum - Khiem Lang

Dubbed one of the most beautiful works of the Nguyen Dynasty is the mausoleum of King Tu Duc, the fourth King of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam. The mausoleum demonstrates the delicacy of the poetic King Tu Duc's resting place. Khiem Lang was built between 1864 - 1873.

Address: Duong Xuan Thuong Village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue

Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 05:30 PM

5.4 Mausoleum of King Khai Dinh

The mausoleum of King Khai Dinh, the penultimate Nguyen Dynasty king, is recognized for unique architecture that inherits the quintessence of Vietnam's ancient architecture, harmoniously combining the extraordinary cultural beauty of East and West.

Address: Bang Thuy Commune, Huong Thuy District, Hue

Opening hours: 07:00 AM - 5:30 PM

6. Villages in Hue

6.1. Ancient village

With poetic landscapes among rivers, lakes, lush vegetation, with a fairly long coastline with many large lagoons, Hue has been a perfect place to live since ancient times. In Hue, there are many beautiful and verdant ancient villages that so far preserve their own history, culture and above all a particularly quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The most beautiful and respected way of local culture to visit these villages is to take the tour on foot or by bicycle. You will feel like you are living in the past, when there is little motor noise.  

The ancient villages you can visit in Hue are:

• Thuy Bieu Village
• La Chu Village
• Phuoc Tich Village

6.2. Handicraft villages

Since the foundation of Hue, even the best craftsmen from all over the country have been invited here to build the Imperial Citadel, one of Vietnam's most important works in the 19th century. This is why the famous craft villages in Hue are formed.

You can visit the craft villages:

• Bao La village: traditional bamboo and rattan weaving village
• Thuy Xuan village: Traditional incense village
• Thanh Tien village: Paper flower village
• Phu Cam village: Cone hat village
• Sinh village: Village of paintings
• Tien Non: Traditional Vietnamese lacquer village

7. Pagodas, temples in Hue

Visiting Hue, you cannot miss visiting the peaceful pagodas nestled in the green and poetic nature of Hue. Through those temples, you will know more about the history of the ancient capital.

7.1. Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu pagoda, or known by the name Linh Mu is a symbol of Hue. This pagoda is located on the bank of the Perfume River in a very poetic hillside landscape. If you take a boat trip along the river, you can see the Phuoc Duyen tower from afar. The Thien Mu pagoda is a must-see once you visit Hue.

7.2. Tu Hieu Pagoda

Tu Hieu Pagoda, located in Duong Xuan Thuong village, Thuy Xuan district, is an ancient pagoda in Hue. The pagoda is loved by many people for its very touching history and also for its sense of peace and tranquillity to all who come there.

7.3. Hon Chen Temple

Hon Chen Temple is definitely a famous tourist attraction in Hue. The temple is surrounded by scenic landscapes as unique as a painting. This place holds many anecdotes and many mysterious stories.

7.4. Zen Truc Lam Monastery in Bach Ma

Zen Truc Lam is a meditation peculiar to Vietnam. Normally monasteries are always found in very quiet and silent places amidst nature. The Zen Truc Lam monastery in Bach Ma is also located on the top of Bach Ma Mountain which is not so easy to reach. However, the monastery is much loved for the beautiful scenery and peaceful environment.

8. Beaches in Hue

Although the beaches in Hue are not mentioned in all articles about the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, they attract many tourists because of their authentic beauty.

8.1. Thuan An Beach

Thuan An Beach is the most beautiful beach in Hue that captivates tourists with its fine white sand and crystal clear sea. The sea is still not so crowded by mass tourists because there are not so many hotel choices here, which makes the beach remain pristine.

8.2. Lang Co Bay

Being selected as one of the most beautiful bays in the world in 2009, Lang Co Bay is famous for its tranquil natural scenery, where all the rivers, mountains, sea and lagoons converge.

9. Other tourist attractions

9.1. Thanh Toan Tile Roof Bridge

Location: commune Thuy Thanh, district Huong Thuy, province Thua Thien Hue

9.2. Bach Ma National Park

Location: Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province

9.3. Dam Chuon Lagoon

Location: village An Truyen, Phu An commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province

9.4. Lap An lagoon

Location: Lang Co commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province

9.5. Ancient house An Hien

Location: 58 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Huong Long District, Hue.

With the list of best places to visit in Hue, have you got any idea for your stay? Share your thoughts about Hue in the comments below.