Last updated on April 15th, 2024
Hue Lantern Festival
Visit Hue – the Citadel
Most people who visit Hue start at the Citadel. The Citadel includes Kinh Thanh Hue (Capital citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). In the 19th century Emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang had these structures built. Take a ride on a cyclo and travel feet first as your driver pedals you to the sights.
Capital Citadel
Visit Hue – Pagodas and Tombs
- Thien Mu Pagoda with the Phuoc Dien Tower – accessible by boat, 5 km west of Hue on the Perfume River.
- Tombs south of town include Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Minh Mang and Gia Long. Minh Mang was Emperor from 1820 – 1841. Tu Duc reigned in Vietnam as Emperor from 1847–1883. Khai Dinh was the Emperor of Vietnam from 1916-1925.
Forbidden Citadel, © Can Stock / Bernard
Visit Hue – More Sights
- American and French Bunkers – beside Tu Duc Tomb, the Americans built bunkers on the same site previously used by the French.
- Hue City Sightseeing Tour with Perfume River Cruise
- Attend the Hoi An Lantern Festival.
Visit Hue – Hotels
- AZERAI – La Residence Hue
- Indochine Palace
- Sankofa Village Hill Resort & Spa
Perfume River Cruise, © Can Stock / Bernard
Things to See and Do near Hue
- Bach Ma National Park – 50 km north of Hue
- Japanese Bridge – 11 km from Hue, this was built recently by a Japanese family and is easily confused with the more historical Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An
- Thuan An Beach – 30 km from Hue on the South China Sea.
Tu Duc Tomb
Get to Hue
Visitors get to Hue through Phu Bai International Airport (HUI), which is about 30 minutes from the Hue Citadel Taxi is the best option from the airport. Vietnam Railway’s Reunification “Express” Train stops in Hue. The train is the most common method of transport for groups touring Vietnam, but this inexpensive mode of travel can be challenging for some tourists. The train has beds that don’t convert to seats, so it provides an awkward situation in the day. At night, cockroaches can provide an even more awkward situation.
Khai Dinh Tomb, © Can Stock / Mische
Hue Weather
Hue weather is rainy and hot during the summer months from June – August. Expect average highs of 94 F (34 C) and average lows of 77 F (25 C). The coldest months are December – February, with average highs of 73 F (23 C) and average lows of 64 F (18 C). The monsoon season extends from September – December. October and November can reach monthly precipitation levels of 26 inches (650 mm). The dry season from March – April is likely the best time to visit Hue, as temperatures are comfortable at that time of year.
Visit Hue – Background
About half a million people live in the Vietnamese city of Hue. The Perfume River flows through Hue just before the river enters the South China Sea. Hue was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty through the 1800s to the mid 1933s.
The city of Hue was part of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, but was very close to the border. Hue suffered damage to heritage buildings and civilians from both its enemies and its allies during the Vietnam War.
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