Hue, vietnam: 8 fun things to do!

Hue holds incredible importance in Vietnam's history, và it's no surprise there are so many wonderful things to vì in Hue. Here's 19 to lớn get you started!

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Hue is a popular tourist destination that’s great for anyone choosing lớn visit Vietnam.

There are so many fun things to vày in Hue that it appeals to lớn happy families and broke backpackers alike.

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However, it is known most famously for the Imperial đô thị of Hue which has stood for more than two centuries.

And as the previous capital city, it’s had a crucial part to play in Vietnam’s long & illustrious history.

As such, it’s a wonderful place lớn learn about Vietnamese culture.

So, if you were wondering, “Is Hue worth visiting?”, then I’m here to tell you that the simple answer is, YES!

Let’s get stuck in ...

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19 awesome things to vì in Hue

1. The Imperial City

Even if you’ve got just 1 day in Hue, you need to visit the Imperial Citadel.

It was built back in the early 1800’s under the orders of Gia Long, who was the first ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty.

For a long time, it served as the Imperial Seat of Government, but has longs since lost this purpose.

In fact, it was bombed heavily throughout the 20th century, due to lớn wars with the French and the Americans.

Today, it is the most popular thing to do in Hue, and is a wonderful place lớn wander around and read up on the city's rich history.

Here are some of the most popular questions about visiting the Imperial city in Hue:

How much does it cost lớn go in?

The Imperial city entrance fees are as follows:

Adults: 150,000VNDChildren aged 7-12: 30,000VNDWhat dress code does the Imperial city have?

According to this press release from June 2017, the dress code in place at the Imperial Palace is meant to lớn be quite strict.

However, we visited in August and there didn't seem khổng lồ be too many formal checks.

We were walking in shorts và t-shirts & we weren’t stopped. However, we were encouraged not lớn enter the temples & other sacred places housed inside the Hue Citadel.

Typically, if you bởi vì wish to lớn visit such places you should have your shoulders và legs covered, & should not wear any offensive or rude clothing.

What are the Imperial city opening hours?

Between the 22nd April và 15th September, you can visit the Imperial Palace between 8am in the morning và 10pm at night.

These long opening hours make it great for the large amount of tourists who descend on Hue in the summer months.

Outside of this time period however, it is mở cửa from 8am till 5:30 am. Except for Thursdays, when it seems lớn be xuất hiện til 10pm.

For up lớn date opening hours, head khổng lồ their official website and scroll khổng lồ the bottom of the page. 

What does the Hue Citadel look like?

Here is a bản đồ of the Imperial đô thị in Hue. It should help you understand where khổng lồ park và which side is best khổng lồ enter from. If you have any more questions, then you should check out their official website.

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2. Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

The entrance fee into this museum is covered by the same ticket you used lớn get into the citadel.

It houses relics from the Nguyen Dynasty và is situated right outside of the Citadel’s walls, making it the next logical place to visit.

When you tìm kiếm online, review of the museum are mixed, as much of what’s in there aren’t really “antiques” as you might expect.

But, seeing as it's free, it's definitely worth a look if you're passing by.

3. Tomb of Khai Dinh

The Tomb of Khai Dinh is perhaps the nicest tomb you can visit in Hue, as it has its own quality appeal to it.

The Emperor Khai Dinh actually spent parts of his life living in France, và so become quite fond of French architectural design.

In turn, his tomb strays slightly from the typical Vietnamese design & includes elements from both cultures.

It is also situated on the side of a mountain, offering spectacular views. Having only been completed in 1931, it is also one of the best-kept tombs you can visit.

4. Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady)

In case you hadn't already realised, Hue is surrounded by royal tombs & pagodas, so it’s easy lớn get fed up with seeing them all.

However, the Thien Mu Pagoda is perhaps the most highly favoured pagoda around and is an interesting place lớn visit.

It was built back in 1844 & still acts as a working monastery. Also, it offers wonderful views over the Perfume Lake.

5. Tomb of Minh Mang

The Tomb of Minh có is situated in a beautifully landscaped area which includes lakes và canals.

Emperor Minh có oversaw the start of construction on his tomb, but passed away only 4 months in.

It took another 2 and a half years for the work to be completed, & it’s easy to lớn why. With so much care và detail, it really is a wonderful place khổng lồ explore.

6. Tomb of Tu Duc (Khiem Tomb)

As opposed lớn Minh Mang, the Tomb of Tu Duc was constructed well before the death of the emperor.

It also took 3 years lớn construct & is just as nice khổng lồ explore, và you can also look around the nearby pavilion và lakes.

It’s also interesting khổng lồ learn more about Emperor Tu Duc whilst you are there.

He had over 100 wives but was never able lớn father a son (though it was likely down khổng lồ him becoming infertile due to smallpox, rather than a lack of trying).

7. Bach Ma National Park

Visiting the Bach Ma National Park is actually pretty easy to bởi vì from both Hue and Danang as it stretches between both cities.

It was once trang chủ to a French Hill Station but is now a popular spot for tourists and locals.

The area is covered with hiking trails & a few campsites if you’re that way inclined. It costs just 40,000 VND lớn enter the park.

8. Hue abandoned water park (Ho Thuy Tien lake)

Perhaps one of the earliest and most unusual things to bởi in Hue is to visit the abandoned water park they have nearby.

I’m not too sure on the exact history, but it was almost finished & opened its doors back in 2004.

However, after being open just a few weeks, và having spent about $3 million building it, it shut down.

Since then it’s been left khổng lồ ruin. It’s hard to see how it couldn't have been successful, as the Vinpearl Amusement Park in Nha Trang does incredibly well. 

Either way, if you’re into your photography, this has to lớn be a great place to visit.

9. Head up to lớn Phong NHA

If you want to explore rural Vietnam in it's finest, then Phong NHA is definitely one of the best places lớn go.

Amongst there things, it includes the best caves khổng lồ be found anywhere in the country. So, if you're nearby you can't miss it.

If you can't afford he time lớn go there for a couple days, or if you are flying out from Hue, then you can still vì a day trip to lớn Phong NHA.

Here is a useful link to a tour company who can help you get there & back và take you to all of the best sites.

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10. Tiger Fighting Arena (Ho Quyen)

Just 3 km outside of Hue you come across Ho Quyen, which is a Tiger Fighting Arena built back in 1830.

But don't worry, there’s no fighting going on anymore! In fact, the last one took place back in 1904.

Which is good as well, as this arena still has marks of the grim past (there are tiger claw marks still to be seen inside some of the cages).

Before each fight, the tigers were drugged và had their claws removed so they couldn't fight the elephants that came at them.

This is because the elephant represents the monarchy, whereas the tiger was a sign of rebellion and it had to be crushed.

11. Hon Chen Temple

If you head 10 km upriver from Hue, then you’ll come across the secluded Hon Chen Temple nestled on the banks of the Perfume River.

One of the least well-known things to do in Hue is to lớn visit the Hon Chen Festival which takes place twice a year.

They includes drums and women nhảy in brightly coloured clothing (or so I hear).

The festival wasn't on whilst we were there. However, if you are interested then I recommend you check out this article here.

12. The Huyen Tran Princess Temple

The Huyen Tran Princess Temple is located roughly 7km outside of Hue city centre & lies at the foot of ngốc Phong mountain.

The temple is rather lovely in và amongst itself, however, many people visit lớn also walk all the way up to lớn the Hoa Binh belltower.

It can take a long time khổng lồ walk up all the stairs, and is not one of the better things to vị in Hue when raining as the stairs can get slippery.

However, the panoramic views down over Hue make the walk worthwhile, despite the effort it takes.

I’d recommend having your taxi driver wait for you whilst you visit, as this it’s not a very popular tourist spot so there aren't many taxis around.

13. Go on a sightseeing walking tour

There are a number of walking tours that take place in Hue. Though, from what I can gather, none of them are free.

Though, then again, there's so much to see that they likely are worth paying for.

They are held by local Vietnamese citizens who are best placed khổng lồ know not only what to bởi vì in Hue, but also to lớn explain the rich and vivid history behind each of the attractions.

If this is something that interests you, then there are a few companies who seem khổng lồ offer the tours, such as this one:

14. Take your own private bicycle tour

Hue is a popular đô thị to rent out a bicycle for the day và to phối of exploring.

If you’re sticking to lớn within the main part of the city, then that’s certainly not a bad idea as nothing is within too far a distance.

Also, you could enjoy a nice peaceful cycle up Perfume River.

However, many of the tombs are located at least 10 km or more outside of Hue city centre, so you might need a moped lớn go & visit these.

15. Thanh Toan Bridge (or Japanese Bridge)

The Thanh Toan Bridge is located slightly more than 10 km outside of Hue, and can be a little tricky lớn find as it is one of the less touristy things to see in Hue.

However, it is still worth driving out to, và the ride takes you through some really lovely spots.

I’ve taken a screenshot of where to head khổng lồ below. (I recommend using maps.me khổng lồ find your way).

Also, the bridge has a rather interesting history that you can read more about here. 

16. Perfume River

The Perfume River runs through the centre of Hue và is a popular spot all throughout the day.

In the morning, you’ll see joggers out getting their run in before the rising heat of the day.

Later, there will be tourists roaming either side or taking a slow boat tour down the river itself.

By night, the edges of the river come khổng lồ life as local vendors open their stalls và start selling their wares.

It’s also a nice place to go and get a bite lớn eat.

17. Dong tía market

If you’re looking for somewhere to lớn go shopping in Hue, then the Dong tía market is your best port of call.

It is the biggest commercial centre in that whole region of Vietnam, and you can buy everything through from classical conical hats lớn traditional Vietnamese food.

It’s xuất hiện from 3am through till 8:30 at night, so you have plenty of time khổng lồ visit.

However, be warned that because you are a tourist, they will try khổng lồ rip you off.

In fact, some of the prices you hear will sound almost comical at first, before you realise it’s all a part of the game.

I recommend knocking at least 1/2 off everything they offer và then counter with that.

18. Hue lớn Danang day trip

Plenty of people choose lớn go on a Danang khổng lồ Hue day trip, as Danang is a popular coastal đô thị to stay in.

However, going on a day trip from Hue to lớn Danang is an equally worthwhile experience.

Especially if you’ve got plenty of time and would lượt thích to catch a glimpse of the stunning beaches there.

If you’re riding your own moped there, then be sure to take the nhì Van Pass.

It is a mountainous road that offers you some truly stunning views of the Vietnamese coastline.

However, only go if you’re a confident rider và the weather is clear as the pass can be notoriously treacherous.

Alternatively, there's a number of tours you can take, such as:

19. Hue Festival

The Hue Festival is an incredibly popular event, but you’ll be lucky if you get the chance to see it as it’s hosted only once every two years.

In 2018 it takes place on April 27th and lasts through lớn May 2nd.

The first festival took place back in 2000 & it is a chance to lớn celebrate the rich historical và cultural values you can find in the nation’s old capital.

Like the Olympic ceremony, the Hue festival is opened with a grand firework display and there’s plenty of events taking place all throughout the rest of the week.