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Hue - the lost imperial city located on the bank of the Huong River in central Vietnam, was recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, this city served as both the national capital and the political, cultural, and educational hub of Vietnam.
Hue Huong River
It is considered to be the birthplace of Vietnamese culture. In order to fully understand and contemplate the beauty of Hue, you have to look carefully into its significant role in Vietnamese history for the past several hundred years. History is the foundation of Hue and it contributes to the image of Hue nowadays.
The lost imperial city is a combination of traditional and romantic beauty. The Vietnamese mention Hue as a new town on one side of the Huong River (Perfume River), but they also consider this beautiful city the pride of the country, with a collection of old pagodas, imperial buildings, and tombs on the other.
Let’s come with us - Vietnam Travels - on the Hue tour to explore the captivating charm of this city.
Hue is a city that is filled with stories of history. This ancient city originally belonged to the Champa Kingdom before the occupation of the Vietnamese. The nine Nguyen lords of the Inner Realm ruled Hue from 1687 to 1775, marking the beginning of the city's history as a capital.
Huong River in the past
Hue was subsequently taken over by the Tay Son brothers, and from 1788 to 1801, it served as the country's administrative center. Emperor Gia Long (Nguyen Anh), a descendant of the Nguyen lords, recaptured Hue's imperial capital following the collapse of the Tay Son Dynasty and united the Vietnamese monarchy.
This opened the way for the thirteen emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 and was the final dynasty to do so.
In the 1880s, Hue remained the Imperial Palace of the French colonial (Annam) established over Central Vietnam. This is why many of the famous attractions in Hue have an architectural style that reflects strong French influences.
Princess My Luong
Hue's monarchy finally ended in 1945 with the abdication of Bao Dai, the final Nguyen King.
Hue sustained significant damage during the Vietnam War because of its proximity to the border that divided the North and the South. After that, renovation and reconstruction projects were started in the ancient capital to preserve its priceless historical relics.
In Hue, there are four distinct seasons because of the tropical monsoon climate, including a cool spring; a scorching summer; a mild fall; and a windy, chilly winter. March to August is considered the dry months. It is hot, and the temperature rarely rises above 39.5°C.
The weather in Hue between late February and April is pretty comfortable, not too cold nor too hot. But the time after is extremely hot with lots of clouds. However, the heat will reduce when July comes, and there will also be lots of chances for rain since the beginning of this month.
February to April can be considered the best time to go on a Hue tour. Going on a sightseeing trip is more comfortable because of the nice, dry, and sunny weather. Rain won't have a chance to ruin your trip because rainfall during these months is at its lowest.
Hue Festival
Especially for the tourists who love walking around and contemplating the beauty of ancient relics, these months are thought of as Hue's springtime. Therefore, you can see the historical capital at its most beautiful.
The city is crowded, and accommodations run out quickly, so you must book at least 2 weeks in advance. But don’t worry about it. With the help of Vietnam Travels, we can help you book everything in just a nick of time, so don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. And be well prepared for higher prices. But if you are looking for a Hue beach tour, June, July, and August can be ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
September through February are the rainy months. The temperature is typically 19.7°C, but it can drop as low as 8.8°C. It rains a lot during this time, sometimes all day.
The annual temperature ranges from 9 to 29 degrees Celsius in the mountain region. Because of the heavy rain and sometimes typhoons, tourists should avoid visiting Hue in October and November. Although it may be hard to travel around in the rainy season, there are various things to do in Hue. Take part in a royal cooking lesson or sample the delicious delicacies of Hue.
If you want to start your Vietnam holidays at Hue, there are three main ways to get to this city.
Hue’s Phu Bai (HUI) is the domestic airport and it is about 15 kilometers from Hue city center and presently only serves flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, and Hanoi.
Thua Thien-Hue Province is 654km from Hanoi, 1,051km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 85km from Da Nang. In the main Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City train line's north-south direction, Hue is an express stop. On the southern bank of the Ben Ngu River, at the eastern end of Le Loi Road, is where you'll find the train station.
Train go to Hue
Local trains, which are slower but cheaper, have the prefix TN, while express trains have the prefix SE. Based on the speed and your needs, you can choose the type of seat you want to have the most comfortable journey to Hue. Vietnam Travels recommends you choose the Thong Nhat Express train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at Hue Railway Station.
Taking the local bus to Hue is an affordable option, but it's also the slowest and most difficult mode of transportation due to the infrequent English-speaking drivers, crowded buses, and lack of air conditioning. There are many bus operators that can help you get to Hue but if you want to have the best experience of a bus for Vietnam tours, contact Vietnam Travels for updated advice and for the best deals.
The Hue is undoubtedly an ideal place for people who are keen on discovering historical attractions. Hue, a former imperial capital, is well-known for its numerous royal structures, which in 1993 led to Hue being named Vietnam's first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
It is the home of Vietnam's last Royal Dynasty. The square walled complex, with 2.500m on each side, served the royal family and local people to live in the past and present. This is a big area with local people still living there today, and it is surrounded by walls to protect Royal Family members living in the middle (Imperial City and Forbidden City).
This was the Long An Palace built in 1845 under the reign of King Thieu Tri. In 1923, King Khai Dinh decided to turn this palace into a museum after he returned from France.
Hue Royal Antiques Museum
Of the seven known Imperial tombs in the area, Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh's tombs are significantly more well-known than the others due to their relatively good condition and accessibility.
One of Hue’s oldest historical sites - preceding the Citadel and the tombs in age and veneration – is Thien Mu Pagoda, a hilltop temple located about three miles from Hue city center.
The landscapes in Thua Thien-Hue are stunning and incredibly diverse. Bach Ma (White Horse) National Park and other alluring beaches like Thuan An, Lang Co, and Canh Duong are examples of how nature and people can coexist in harmony to create beauty. Apart from the ancient historical beauty, Hue is also an ideal place for people who want Vietnam beach tours.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Travelling to Hue, you will regret you miss Ham Rong Beach– a fairly newly discovered beach in Vinh Hien commune, Phu Loc district. It is only 50 km from Hue's city center, but it gives off a distinctive impression that is somewhat wild and rustic, giving the area its own unique beauty.
From April to September, a lot of people come here to escape the heat and, in particular, to take in the breathtaking natural scenery from dawn until dusk. An excellent activity in this location is renting tents and strolling along the beach as the lovely night falls.
Canh Duong Beach is a brand-new destination that draws both domestic and foreign visitors. What grabs the attention of tourists and travellers to Canh Duong beach is its peaceful beauty long white sand stretches, the casuarina trees, and the clear blue sea. All of them form a poetic, lovely natural scenery that becomes a favorite vacation spot.
Hue is definitely one of the Vietnamese cities with the best and most unique cuisine culture. In the past, the dishes were only exclusively served to the royal families. However, nowadays, tourists can find them very easily on the streets or in restaurants at a very reasonable price. The must-try food here is Bun bo Hue - Hue beef noodle soup, Nem Lui - Hue lemongrass skewers pork, Bun Thit Nuong - Hue grilled pork noodles, Com hen - clam rice, etc.
Nem Lui in Hue
If you visit Hue, you must go to the renowned Perfume River. A century ago, when people could smell the sweet fragrance of flowers floating in the river from the upriver orchards, the word "perfume" first appeared. In particular, the autumn, from July to October, was when the floral scent was the strongest.
Attending a Hue royal dinner will give you the chance to dress up as the Vietnamese emperor and empress, eat dinner on a boat, and be served some of our most delicious and elegant royal food. You can book this tour online through Vietnam Travels.
Strolling around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City of Hue is an experience that you would not want to miss. During the tour, you can learn about the Life of the Emperors, Their Wives - Concubines - Eunuchs, and the history and culture of Hue and Vietnam with our local guide.
Hue's most famous attraction, the Imperial City, which is located on the bank of the Huong River - the city's center, can be considered the best place to stay. For customers who want to spend luxurious days in Hue, Azerai La Residence, Indochine Palace Hotel, or Vinpearl Hue would be the best options.
For travellers who want to experience Vietnam family tours near the beach, you should consider which beach you want to stay near, whether it is Thuan An beach, Ham Rong beach, Canh Duong beach, etc. Ana Mandara Hue Beach Resort, Banyan Tree Lang Co or Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa are some of the famous Hue beach hotels that are located nearby the city and the stunning beaches.
Hue Imperial Palace
Compared to bigger cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, Hue has fewer public transportation. If you are a kinesthetic person, you can have a walking tour around the city to fully contemplate its beauty it. However, if you don’t, taxis or private cars are all available and you can hire your motorbike to travel around the city.
Hue is a city that is full of stories about Vietnamese culture, religion, and history. You would not want to miss the mysterious and ancient city when spending your Vietnam holidays. Choose us as your companion, we will make your journey joyful and meaningful. For the latest information related to Hue tours or any other Vietnam Tour Packages, contact Vietnam Travels!
