Top 10 Must-visit Attractions in Hue

The most massive structure in Hue, the first and foremost destination for travelers must be Hue Imperial City. Built in 1803 by Emperor Gia Long and finished under Emperor Minh Mang in 1832, the imperial city of Hue was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty for 143 years. This 520-hectare structure includes grandiose palaces, elaborate tombs, pavilions, museums, and meticulously decorated gardens which were affected by war after 2 centuries but are constantly preserved and restored nowadays. Hue Imperial City not only feasts visitors' eyes with striking architecture but also expresses the conclusive power and majesty of the last dynasty of Vietnam. The site became one of the Cultural Heritage Sites in Vietnam by UNESCO in 1993.

• Location: Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue
• Open time: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm (summer) and 7:00 am - 5:00 pm (winter)
• Entrance fee: VND 200,000 - 580,000/person

Following the imperial city, royal tombs of emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty always attract a flux of tourists. You may hear about Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Gia Long Tomb, Thieu Tri Tomb, Dong Khanh Tomb, or Duc Duc Tomb. Located at different places, each of those also features a distinct architectural design chosen by each emperor, partially showing their knowledge and characteristics.

Royal tombs were usually enormous constructions requiring a huge amount of money and labor. Coming here, visitors can see many palaces, temples, pavilions, tranquil lakes, ornate gardens, sculptures, statues, etc. Besides, the guiding service is available if you are interested in the explanation of the architecture as well as the life of each emperor.

Located by the bank of the Perfume River, around 4 km from the city center, Thien Mu (or Linh Mu) underwent 423 years and became the oldest pagoda in Hue. The pagoda was founded by the first lord Nguyen Hoang in 1601. The remarkable work inside the ancient pagoda must be Phuoc Duyen Tower - the 7-storey tower constructed by King Thieu Tri in the 19th century on his grandmother's 80th birthday. Not only a go-to place for Buddhists, Thien Mu Pagoda is the ideal attraction for those who want to learn about spiritual legends and historical stories, admire extraordinary sculptures and architecture, or the giant bell from the 18th century, and more.

• Location: Kim Long Ward, Hue
• Open time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Entrance fee: Free

Perched at 1450 meters above sea level, Bach Ma National Park is one of the favorite attractions in Hue thanks to its breathtaking natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and various exploring activities for adventure-seekers. Established in 1991, the national park still contains some ancient buildings built by the French in the 20th century. Capturing the panoramic view of Lang Co Bay from the top of Bach Ma Mount, immersing yourself in the cool water of Do Quyen Waterfall, visiting Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, or trekking through the evergreen forest with diverse flora and fauna are top things you should not miss when at Bach Ma National Park. The park is around 40 km from Hue City.

• Location: Loc Tri, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue
• Open time: All day
• Entrance fee: VND 65,000/person

Boasting unique European architecture, An Dinh Palace is a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, a top attraction for every traveler to Hue. The place was constructed from 1917 until after the emperor Khai Dinh passed away. The European-style architecture was created by his son Bao Dai, also known as the last emperor of Vietnam. Although damaged by war, An Dinh is one of the very few palaces remaining almost intact with valuable paintings, elaborate interiors, and outstanding neoclassical design.

• Location: 179B Phan Dinh Phung Street, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue
• Open time: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm (summer) and 7:00 am - 5:00 pm (winter)
• Entrance fee: VND 50,000/person

Perfume River (or Huong River) is an iconic spot, regarded as the "soul" of the poetic Hue city. The 80-km river flows from the Truong Son range through the heart of the city until Tam Giang Lagoon, exuding gentleness, gracefulness, and pleasantness like the people and the pace of life here. Perfume River is the ideal stopover for joining a dragon boat tour, sightseeing, listening to the Hue royal court music ("nha nhac cung dinh Hue" in Vietnamese), watching the beautiful Trang Tien Bridge under sunset or the night light, or taking a walk on the pedestrian street along the river and exploring the city.

• Location: Tran Hung Dao Street, Hue
• Open: All day
• Entrance: Free

Another symbol of Hue is Truong Tien (or Trang Tien) Bridge. Crossing over the Perfume River, the bridge was constructed in the 19th century, experienced wars, and became a historical witness to many city changes. Truong Tien Bridge was built of steel with Western imported materials and was the first bridge in Indochina with Western premium techniques. While at the 400-meter bridge, you can have an overview of the poetic Perfume River and the city.

• Location: Truong Tien Bridge - Hue city center
• Open time: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

About 6 km east of Hue, Thanh Toan Bridge is among the top tourist attractions in the old capital. Built 250 years ago, the wooden bridge shows both aesthetic and artistic value in traditional architecture and historical value. Thanh Toan Bridge measures 18.75 meters in length and 5.82 meters in width. The tiled roof adorned with pearl-encrusted dragons and the concept of a house on a bridge makes Thanh Toan a remarkable spot for a visit. Thanh Toan Bridge was recorded as a National Cultural Monument in 1990.

• Location: Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy Town, Hue
• Open time: All day
• Entrance fee: Free

Visiting a local market is an unmissable part of every trip in Vietnam. Covering an area of 16,000 sqm, Dong Ba Market is the biggest market in Hue where you can watch the dynamic trading activity of locals. Plenty of goods are sold here such as groceries, households, handicrafts, souvenirs, prepared food, food ingredients, etc. Products are displaced by area and if you are looking for garments and clothes, the whole floor upstairs is for them. Located just around 1 km from Hue Imperial City, Dong Ba is also the oldest market playing an important role in the city's daily life. Don't forget to taste some local dishes such as Bun bo Hue (beef vermicelli), clam rice, sweet soup, etc.

• Location: Phu Hoa Ward, Hue
• Open time: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Entrance fee: Free

Not very close to the city center but if you are traveling between Hue and Danang, Lang Co Beach should not be missed. The beach stretches around 8 km on Lang Co Bay - one of the most alluring bays in the world. Enchanted tourists by white and soft sand, crystal clear water, many palm trees on the side, and unspoiled scenery, Lang Co Beach allows visitors to truly indulge in nature and leave all the stress and anxiety behind. The beach is blessed with plenty of seafood so don’t forget to taste the freshest seafood and featured local food here.

• Address: 463 Lac Long Quan, Lang Co Town, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue
• Open time: All day
• Entrance fee: Free