Is Hue Worth Visiting? 7 Great Reasons To Love the City

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This post was crafted with care and occasional typos by Colleen (and not AI)

Is Hue worth visiting?  I think ultimately the right answer comes down to how much time you have in your itinerary and how much you prefer history and culture over beaches. 

Hue doesn’t have the old-world charm and arty tourist shops that you’ll find in Hoi An and it doesn’t have the long sandy beaches of Da Nang but if does have history; lots of history.

We felt it was worth a visit and had no regrets with our choice, but read on and I’ll explain the pros and cons of visiting Hue and you can decide for yourself whether the same will be true for you.

Great Things To See And Do In Hue

Hue has a unique history and the city felt very different from other areas we visited.  We spent a few months in Vietnam and travelled from Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta to Hanoi and the northern provinces of Sapa and Ha Giang. We felt that there was a great deal to love about Hue.

Imperial City And Citadel

Hue’s Imperial City and Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the historical heart of Vietnam.  The Citadel, the giant walls that surround the Imperial City, was once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, who ruled from 1802 to 1945.   

We took a walking Tour of the Imperial City. The site is huge.  You don’t have to take a tour and you can explore alone; although a tour helped us navigate the site.

Royal Tombs

The royal tombs were built by various emperors of the Ngyun Dynasty and are dotted around Hue’s outskirts along the Perfume River.  Each tomb has a unique character, reflecting the emperor’s personality and beliefs.

There are several tombs, notable ones include :

The best way to explore the tombs is with a guide in a car. Try to leave a full day in your schedule if you wish to explore without being rushed; some tours will also include the Imperial City which might work if enough time is allowed. But bear in mind the tomb sites are large. And don’t leave it too late to book; we did and we missed our chance to visit the tombs.

Demilitarised Zone

The DMZ, or Demilitarised Zone, refers to a region that once served as a buffer between North and South Vietnam. It isn’t in Hue itself, but to the north in Quang Tri province. The DMZ was one of the most heavily fought-over areas during the war and visiting it is a popular day trip from Hue. Tours will typically include :

You will need a guide to make the most of this day, but the good news is that there are some great tours available. Do opt for a guide with considerable local knowledgeable who can help bring the history alive; we found this was an essential part of our Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Ho Chi Minh. 

This is a long day but worth the journey to explore this extraordinary slice of history. And check what’s included in your day as some folks mention feeling rushed on some of the tours.

Pagoda On The Perfume River

One tour guide suggested that we hire bikes to explore the Pagoda; it’s around 4 kilometres from the Citadel.  It’s an easy cycle along the river and you could ask your accommodation about bikes (ours let us use them for free).

Known also as the Temple of the Celestial Lady, the Thien Mu Pagoda is perched on the banks of the Perfume River and is one of Hue’s most iconic landmarks. The Tower’s body is an octagonal tower, 21 metres high over 7 floors.

It was originally built in 1601 but over subsequent centuries it has been destroyed, and extended and rebuilt many times.  It was severely damaged by a cyclone in 1904 but was rebuilt and work continues to restore and protect the pagoda.

It’s a popular destination and quieter in the morning before tour coaches arrive.  The sunsets are also pretty wonderful; we were there at sunset during our Perfume River Cruise. There’s also a local legend about a curse on the Pagoda and many local couples prefer not to visit for fear of splitting up.

Hai Van Pass

This was our number 1 reason for visiting Hue.  Our family are big Top Gear fans and we all remembered their epic motorbike ride across Vietnam and the Hai Van Pass.

The Hai Van Pass is a scenic mountain road that connects Hue to Da Nang and offers breath-taking views of the Vietnamese coastline.  Top Gear said that it is one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world.  I guess we haven’t visited enough to compare but there is no denying that this is a glorious trip.

Many people take an easy-rider tour over the pass; sitting behind an experienced motorcycle driver.  This wasn’t for us and we choose to book a car and driver for the day.  The journey offers numerous opportunities to stop and take in the stunning scenery.  We stopped first at Tam Giang Lagoon, then drove along the Hai Van Pass, stopping to walk to the top of the headland at the high point of the route. 

We opted to take the train back to Hue from Da Nang. We’d thoroughly recommend this option as the views from the train are equally fabulous.

Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang Lagoon is one of the largest coastal lagoons in Southeast Asia and a bit of a hidden gem near Hue. This vast expanse of water is a haven for bird watchers and nature lovers.  We visited as part of our Hai Van Pass tour and I’m so glad our driver thought to include it; it’s absolutely stunning.

The lagoon is home to a diverse array of wildlife and provides glorious views across the water.   Visitors can take boat tours and visit traditional fishing villages (subject to tides) but we simply wandered along the shore line watching the local fishermen.

We stopped for a coffee in one of the bars that line the main road. I had read that if you love shellfish and seafood this is the place to come for lunch.

Bach Ma National Park

If you’re looking for adventure activities during your stay in Hue, the perfect solution could be Bach Ma National Park.  Considered geographically to be the border between northern and southern Vietnam, it is home to a diverse variety of habitats and is rich in biodiversity. 

It’s a very protected area that offers great hiking and mountain scenery and is only an hour from Hue.  A day trip is possible and several tours offer hiking, exploring ethnic villages and even swimming in waterfalls.  The perfect choice for the more active and adventurous visitor.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Hue

We felt Hue was a great destination and wished we had allowed an extra day. If you like history and culture and have time to explore a different side of Vietnam, we felt it was a worth it.  However, if you crave a bustling nightlife or you are travelling with a young family then other areas of Vietnam might be a better fit.

Pros

Cons

Great Places To Eat In Hue

Hue boasts a distinctive cuisine with its own unique flavours. We were told in one restaurant that more than a third of Vietnamese dishes originate in Hue.  Some of the most iconic include :

We loved and returned to a few restaurants in Hue, these were our favourites :

If you love great food then we can definitely recommend this fabulous food tour

Best Place To Stay In Hue

We made a mistake with our accommodation in Hue; we stayed bang in the middle of the Walking Street which was the most touristy area.  To be fair our accommodation was very nice and very inexpensive but we wouldn’t book again. 

We did have a look at a few other options as we explored the city and our top choices would be :

Our Budget Pick : Tâm Homestay

Tam homestay is exceptional and almost seems to good too be true. But it is true! With almost perfect reviews from nearly 1000 customers this might be a little high on some folks budget scale but for 16€ with breakfast you get a private room with air conditioning, a fridge, a minibar, a kettle and you even get a bathrobe.

Our Comfort Pick : The Melia Vinpearl Hue

The Melia Vinpearl would be on the limit of our comfort price range except that it offers so much and has such excellent reviews that we would 100% book here.

It’s in a great location, we walked by most days. Apart from all the fabulous hotel services like 24-hour front desk and concierge services, it also boasts a fitness centre, a great restaurant, an amazing rooftop bar (worth a visit even if you’re not staying) and an amazing pool. It offers incredible value for such an excellent hotel.

Our Luxury Pick : The Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel

We walked by The Silk Path several times during our time in Hue and every time we felt it had the look of somewhere very special and a touch of the Raffles about it.

It’s a little out of the main centre not far from the railway station and close to the Perfume River. It’s grand. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and beautiful gardens. It’s a 5* hotel and comes with all that you would expect. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury then this is a great option.

A Few More FAQs

What is the weather like throughout the year?

Hue has a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. 

The ideal time to visit Hue is between January and April when the weather is more temperate and there’s less rain.  This is also the most popular time to visit but we were there in February and it never felt too busy or overcrowded.

How does Hue compare to Hoi An or Da Nang?  

We visited all three cities and whilst I’m sure everyone’s perception will vary our overall feeling is that Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An were all very different.  Hue is known for its rich history and imperial heritage whilst Hoi An has a charming, small-town feel but still offers bustling markets, beaches and lots of shops, cafes and restaurants.  Da Nang is all about the beach.

 Hoi An

Is definitely more tourist-driven but you can escape the busiest areas and find a homestay just outside the old town. Ours was a 15-minute walk and felt like another world. Hoi An is famous for its well-preserved old town, traditional architecture and vibrant festivals. It feels smaller and has a more of a village atmosphere that both Da Nang and Hue, which are larger cities.

Hoi An has a fabulous beach as well as the old town.  And whilst Hoi An historically has been preserved and is charming, it doesn’t have the WOW attractions like the Imperial City in Hue.

Da Nang

We opted to stay in Da Nang during Tet as we knew services would be restricted.  Da Nang is a bustling city with a huge beach and all the services that you’d expect from a beach city.

It felt like a modern town and lacked the beauty and character of Hue and Hoi An.  If you’re looking for history and culture it’s probably not ideal but if you’re looking for a beach holiday this might be a better choice. 

All three destinations are different.  Overall we felt we spent far too little time in Hoi An and would love to return.  We spent too long in Da Nang (although it was Tet and intentional) and we wished we’d had an extra day in Hue.

How easy is it to get to Hue?

We found it easy to travel to Hue and we did it twice.  The first time was to transfer between hotels and the second as part of our day exploring the Hai Van Pass. 

By Air

Phu Bai International Airport is about 30 km from Hue city centre with regular flights from major Vietnamese cities as well as international fights. 

There was a bus to the city centre but recent posts suggest the bus has stopped operating.  Some hotels offer a shuttle service but we also use Grab (Asian UBER) or pre-arrange airport transport using Viator.

By Train

Hue is very well connected by the Reunification train line, which runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. We took the train from Da Nang to Hue and booked our tickets on-line using 12GO.  The train journey offers glorious views and we’d strongly recommend this beautiful journey. 

Top Tip : GRAB is Asia’s UBER and we used it a great deal.  Do use GRAB or prearrange transfers in advance as the taxi’s outside the stations can be pricey.

By Bus

We loved Vietnamese buses and we took a bus from Da Nang to Hue and from Hue to Phong Nha.  We used 12Go to book all our buses.  If booking a bus always go for the more expensive lie-flat sleeper buses.  The price difference is just a few euros but the difference in comfort is huge!

By Private Car

If you’re looking for more comfort or convenience or you’re in a group then a private car might be a better option.  I would pre-book in advance and I always ask for recommendations from our homestay or hotel first. Alternatively, booking sites such as Viator or Get Your Guide where you can check the reviews.

Top Tip : If you want to go via the Hai Van Pass make sure you specify this because there is a modern faster road that by-passes the famous route.

Is Hue a family friendly destination?

I’m on the fence with this.  I think there are better destinations in Vietnam for younger children.  Our kids might have enjoyed the Imperial City and perhaps the boat ride but the options for them would have been limited and a bit grown up.

There are options for bike rides along the river which might be family fun, but I think over-all activities for children are limited. 

Is Hue a budget friendly destination?

Yes, we felt Hue did offer good value and was less expensive than other resorts such as Hoi An.  We felt there was a good range of budget accommodation and also felt that food and restaurant prices were lower than in other cities.  Likewise, tours and entrance fees also felt a little lower; the cost of a ticket for the Imperial City was a very reasonable 200,000 VND. 

Add to this the range of low-cost transport options and it makes Hue a very affordable stop-over between the north and south.

How easy is it to get around?

We found the easiest way to get around was to walk.  As Hue is built around the river, there are very few hills and the French influence has left wide boulevards for easy walking. Cycling is also popular and again the flat terrain makes this enjoyable; especially along the river.  Ask your accommodation about bike hire (ours had bikes for free).

Grab is widely used and we do recommend that you download the app.  Use this as a go-to choice whenever you wish to travel beyond ‘a walk’.  Use the app, like UBER.

Public city buses are less easy and not a good way to explore.  If you are short of time a private car is the best option.  The tours are inexpensive; you can book a private driver from around 60€ a day.

Is Hue Worth Visiting?

We felt Hue was a great addition to our Vietnam itinerary.  It’s historically an important city and if you’re travelling from South to North (or vice versa) it’s a useful half way point.  It doesn’t offer the beauty of Hoi An and it’s not as exciting as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi but it is a wonderful place with it’s own charm.

We were impressed by the Citadel and the Imperial City (who wouldn’t be!) but I also loved walking along the Perfume River.  The footpath at sunset is busy and you’ll rub shoulders with families and tourists and street vendors all enjoying this very special part of the city.

I loved Hue because it’s real.  It’s not yet succumbed to being a resort for tourists.  It’s a working city that offers some great attractions.  When we’re travelling for extended periods it’s easy to keep wanting WOWs.  Vietnam of course has plenty on offer but Hue is more of a charming city than a place for WOWs.

It is laid back, relaxing, more authentic.  I believe it is worth adding Hue to your itinerary, even if you only have 1 day (although 3 are better).  Go visit Hue.