What to do in Hue, Vietnam

The historic city of Hue is worth a stop in your trip through Central Vietnam. Here are some of the must-see sights that you’ll enjoy.

Gaze up at Thien Mu Pagoda

Located on the north side of the Perfume River, on elevated ground, the Thien Mu Pagoda is an important religious and spiritual site. One of Hue’s most-visited attractions and a symbol of the city, the soaring pagoda features intricate details and beautiful sculptures. The surrounding area has many fragrant and colourful flowers too.

Discover the Imperial Tombs

There are several important imperial tombs in Hue, the final resting places of the emperors of old. The most visited tombs include those of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc.

During his life, Minh Mang started to build his own lavish tomb. It took three years to finish, but, unfortunately, the king died four months after construction began.

Tu Duc Tomb was built on the orders of the emperor himself. It is situated in a stunning area that includes a small lake. Interestingly, even though the tomb was created by the emperor, he decided to be buried in a different, secret place. So, although people can honour the late emperor here, it remains a mystery as to where his remains actually lie.

Khai Dinh Tomb is often considered as the last cultural remnant from the Nguyen Dynasty. This magnificent tomb took a decade to be finished.

While these three tombs are generally considered the most interesting from a tourist’s point of views, there are a further four tombs in the area that are open to visitors. I didn’t visit these, having just a couple of days in town, but if you have longer they would surely add more insights to your stay.

Explore the historic citadel of Dai Noi

Dai Noi, the old citadel, is one of Hue’s most-popular tourist attractions today. A cultural and architectural heritage from the Nguyen Dynasty, the expansive complex includes several museums, ornate pavilions, and interesting sculptures, all surrounded by imposing walls. Although the citadel suffered much damage during wars, several sections have now been restored. Albeit popular, it’s still fairly quiet, partly thanks to its large size. It’s easy to escape the crowds and enjoy the peaceful air as you reflect on the site’s history and admire the remaining details. As you wander through the complex, passing crumbling walls and overgrown patches, take a moment to imagine how splendid it must have been in its heyday. Climb up onto the front section of the wall for good views over the site and to see cultural objects displayed with pride.

Visit the Japanese Bridge / Thanh Toan Bridge

The charming Thanh Toan Bridge, also known as the Japanese Bridge, lies a few kilometres outside of the city centre. Located in the sleepy countryside, it was constructed in the late 1700s to connect two sides of a small village. The pretty bridge features elements from both Chinese and Japanese cultures. Today, villagers often sit and chat on the quaint and picturesque bridge and pray at the small shrine, providing a terrific window into local life.

Admire the Perfume River 

The delightfully named Perfume River is a source of local pride. You can stroll and cycle along the scenic banks, but the truly perfect way to enjoy the views, cool weather, and ambience is to take a boat trip along the waterway. Soak up the peaceful atmosphere and travel back in time through the city’s rich history. Don’t miss one of Hue’s cutest riverside attractions too: the I Love Hue sign! It’s great for selfies!

Pick up souvenirs at Dong Ba Market

Sitting on the edges of the Perfume River, Dong Ba Market is one of the oldest and biggest markets in Vietnam. It provides a good opportunity to discover traditional Vietnamese items, local dishes, handicrafts, and so on. Additionally, many tourists do not go to the market just to shop; the market is also a great place to observe daily Vietnamese life.

See more: Come to Hue and visit its most popular royal tombs

Source: Internet