Phu Van Lau by the Perfume River at Hue, Vietnam

Tinh Thua Thien-Hue Holiday Weather today


Date/time of update: November 22, 2024, 4:27 am, Timezone: GMT+7
Broken Clouds

Temperature: 25.55°C
Temperature feels like: 26.2°C
Minimum Temperature: 25.55°C
Maximum Temperature: 25.55°C
Atmospheric pressure: 1016hPa
Humidity:78%
Visibility: 8000m
Wind speed: 6.69m/sec
Wind Direction: 50 degrees
Cloudiness: 75%
Sunrise: 2024-11-21 10:56:59
Sunset: 2024-11-22 10:14:59

Hue was the seat of the Vietnamese last Royal Court and the capital city of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. During its heyday, the city boasted the imposing Imperial Citadel overlooking the Perfume River, intricately ornamented temples and pagodas, and elegant houses nestled in the green gardens around the city. 

During the Tet Offensive in 1968, Hue Imperial Citadel was the site of major battles which resulted in the destruction of most of the splendid buildings within the complex… Still, the Imperial Citadel still boasts its weathered Ngo Mon Gate, the mossy walls and the defiant Flag Tower. The Royal Tombs bear on them the solemn look after experiencing so much of ups and downs. 

The Royal Citadel in Hue, Vietnam
Ngo Mon Gate, The Royal Citadel in Hue

Nowadays, Hue possesses the idyllic and poetic natural settings as ever. The Perfume River keeps on bringing fresh water as the source of life to every corner of the city. From the river, the traditional songs of Hue echo still in the air... Around the leafy streets, Hue girls in white Ao Dai keeps on shining with the chaste beauty! And that is not all; there are still the elegant Royal Cuisine, the mouth-watering street food… Hue is definitely not to be missed on your tour to Vietnam.

Hue Travel Guide, Tourist Attractions in Hue

1/ Hue Imperial Citadel

Of the Imperial Citadel, the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate and Thai Hoa Palace are still much intact. Though much of the other architectural structures within the Royal Citadel was destroyed, the once grandeur structure can still be imagined visiting the site, and the vibe of Hue Royal Life is still vividly present.

Hien Nhan Gate of Hue Imperial Citadel
Hien Nhan Gate of Hue Imperial Citadel

2/ Royal Tombs: Minh Mang’s Tomb, Tu Duc’s Tomb, Khai Dinh’s Tomb, Gia Long Tomb, Thieu Tri’ Tomb, Dong Khanh’s Tomb

The Royal Tombs in Hue are located to the west of the city, the west is the direction of permanent rest as their thinking. Some kings commanded the construction of their tombs themselves and lived in the complex when they were alive. So, some tombs functioned as a retreat place for the king and the royal family for a while.

Tomb of King Minh Mang in Hue Vietnam
Tomb of King Minh Mang in Hue Vietnam

And as the old thinking that the present life was temporary while the after life was permanent that the tombs were the permanent residence and deserved much time and effort in selecting the site, designing the architecture and constructing the structures. You will not be surprised finding out later that each tomb is a piece of art.

Tomb of King Tu Duc in Hue
Tomb of King Tu Duc in Hue

 

King Khai Dinh's tomb in Hue Vietnam
King Khai Dinh's tomb in Hue Vietnam

3/ Royal Arena

This was where the King and Royal Court observed battles between elephants and tigers in the past.

4/ Linh Mu (Thien Mu) Pagoda

The pagoda is right by the side of the Perfume River, close to the Imperial Citadel. Some consider the Buddhist Tower at the pagoda the unofficial symbol of Hue.

The Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue Vietnam
The Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue Vietnam

5/ Footpath by the riversides

Hue is a beautiful city with idyllic landscape on the riversides. There are footpaths by the river that are worth a stroll in your leisure time.

6/ Perfume River

The Perfume River which runs through Hue City get the water source from two rivers both of which start the source from East Truong Son Mountain Range:
- The Huu Trach River with length of 60-70km flowing from the southwest to the northeast.
- The Ta Trach River with length of 60km flowing northward from the Bach Ma National Park.

The two rivers meet at Tuan (near the Tuan Bridge and near Minh Mang’s Tomb) which is 13km southwest of Hue City centre. The Perfume River in Hue City flows from the southwest to the northeast and discharges its water into the East Vietnam Sea at the Thuan An River-mouth which is 15km northeast of Hue City.

The Perfume River in Hue
The Perfume River in Hue

8/ Nam Giao Esplanade

Nam Giao Esplanade where Heaven Offering Ceremonies by the King took place in the past
Nam Giao Esplanade where Heaven Offering Ceremonies by the King took place in the past

Adventure Travel & Ecotourism, Things To Do in Hue

1/ Boat Trip on the Perfume River

If you have an opportunity to travel to Hue, take a boat trip on the Perfume River which snakes its way through the heart of the city adoring the idyllic scenery along the riversides. By boat we can visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and some Royal Tombs. There are nightly music show on a boat trip on the Perfume River.

Boat trip on the Perfume River in Hue Vietnam
Boat trip on the Perfume River in Hue Vietnam

2/ City Tour of Hue by rickshaw

Take a rickshaw (cyclo) tour to the old Imperial Citadel and its Flag Tower, you'll travel back in time recalling images of the once great complex with splendid buildings.

3/ Bike Tours

Do not miss the Royal Tombs of Hue when you are here; they are are located in the green countryside to the west of the city where the Kings of the Nguyen Family enjoy permanent peace. If having time, take a bicycle tour to visit the houses in the city which are surrounded by gardens with ancient atmosphere that time fails to change.

Incense Village in Hue
Incense Village in Hue

4/ Royal Music of Hue

Nha Nhac or Royal Music of Hue is performed at Duyet Thi Duong – The Royal Theater right in the Imperial Citadel.

Duyet Thi Duong, the Royal Theatre in Hue Vietnam where Royal Music is performed
Duyet Thi Duong, the Royal Theatre in Hue Vietnam where Royal Music is performed

5/ Cooking Class, Gastronomy Tours in Hue

Hue cuisine is amazing, be it Royal Cuisine or that of the common people. Hue street food is wonderful too. You may want to join AdventureGreen for a cooking class or on a gastronomy tour in Hue then.

6/ Adventure Tours in and around Hue by AdventureGreen

 AdventureGreen offers a wide range of tours for our travellers to fully take in the beauty of Hue from the must-see tourist attractions, the famed royal cuisine, the artistic Royal Tombs...and the scenic countryside. You can choose to visit Hue by car, by rickshaw, by motorbike or by bicycle.

Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue Vietnam
Tomb of King Khai Dinh in Hue Vietnam

For those of you who love learning about the war and history, AdventureGreen offers a one-day trip back in time to visit the former battlefields around the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and another one-day tour to the Ashau Valley (A Luoi District) to learn about the Battle of Hamburger Hill.

How to get to Hue

1/By air

Hue is one hour flight from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The Phu Bai Airport is 20km southeast of the city center (via Road 1 to Da Nang). The road is in great conditions.

2/By train

The train journey is a great experience even for the Vietnamese! It is old, primitive and you are surrounded by the Vietnamese all the time. It is a good opportunity to get some Vietnamese lessons. From the train windows you may have great photographs of the sea as the train climbs the Hai Van Pass.

3/By car

The road journey from Da Nang by private car takes 3 hours with scenic landscape. Most will want to go uphill the Hai Van Pass instead of going via the tunnel through the mountain. The pass offers superb views of the whole surrounding: green forest at Bach Ma National Park, the green sea and the amazing Lang Co Beach.

The Lang Co Beach in Thua Thien-Hue Province
The Lang Co Beach in Thua Thien-Hue Province

Descending the Hai Van Pass, it is a must to stop at the Lang Co Beach where you may like to relax on the pristine beach or go exploring the fishing village nearby.

4/By bicycle and by scooter

There are parts of the road you do not want to travel by bicycle especially in the summer when it is 40oC! But to be honest that the coastal road from the Lang Co Beach past Hue City to Quang Tri, the landscape is worth every hardship you may encounter on the adventure. You’ll engage in daily life of many fishing communities and the idyllic scenery at the lagoons on the way is sensational! That is not to mention that you’ll be passing the “City of the Dead” which is a cemetery with splendid designs.

How to get around Hue

Depending on your personal interest, you can get around Hue highlights by car, by bicycle, by motorbike, on foot, by push rickshaw. Or you may like to have a boat trip on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Tombs. The trip by boat takes a good day.


Hue Average Monthly Rainfalls and Temperatures


Vietnam Adventure Travel