One of the most picturesque destinations in Vietnam es Hue, ancient city that it was once the capital of the country and that it is, thus, one of the oldest. It has a lot of history, even recent history because it is one of those that suffered the most in the war against the United States, but at the same time it preserves beautiful sites that UNESCO has declared World Heritage.
So if you want to know the glorious past of this Southeast Asian country, Hue is your destination and our destination today.
Central Vietnam
It is in this central area of the country where Hue is. In Central Vietnam many historical sites are preserved in good condition, a lot of coastline and a lot of beautiful landscapes. Besides Hue you can stroll through Dalat, Phong Nha, Hoi An, Da Nang or Nha Trang.
But Hue is undoubtedly one of the top destinations in the center of the country. The kings of the Nguyen dynasty built this city near the fertile fields on the banks of the river and on the wooded hills. Today it is a beautiful place with pagodas, picturesque markets and Art-Deco buildings.
What to see in Hue
We can start by delving into the Hue Buddhist roots and walk through their monasteries and pagodas. I leave three names that are the most recommended sites: the Yhien Mu Pagoda which has a well-known seven-story tower, the Dieu De Pagoda with a beautiful interior and the Tu Hieu Monastery with its tombs of imperial eunuchs, ponds with floating lotuses and monks everywhere.
Instead, to know the Imperial vietnam you have to go to Hue Monument Complex, the old citadel that still takes up a lot of space. The Vietnamese royal family reigned 143 years and here are the buildings and treasures that survived it.
There are palaces, pavilions and theaters and walking around here is the best way to see what was the Imperial Court. If you take a short trip down the river you will also see the royal tombs by Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Djnh, the best brotherhood between architecture and nature.
Now Hue also has a colonial past reminiscent of those long years of French rule. Walking through Le Loi there are specific colonial structures, such as the Hotel La Residence, Art-Deco style, the Quoc High School, the arches of the Truong Tien Bridge that were designed by Gustave Eiffel himself, the one with the Parisian Tower, or the Le Cercle Sportif.
Rent a bike It is the best way to roam around Hue and its surroundings. You can reach all these places in it and reach destinations with incredible views. For example, him Tianh Toán Bridge which is a bridge covered with tiles, beautiful, or getting lost in streets like Bach Dang or Le Loi, one of the most charming and popular to appreciate local life. By bike you can also get to know the imperial tomb of Gia Long. Obvious, you can also rent a rickshaw if you don't like pedaling.
And of course, you can also walk And it is something super recommended when it comes to getting to know the surroundings. With water and light food you can start a excursion to Bach Ma National Park and lose yourself in its network of trails, or climb among the pines of Thien An or watch the sunset from Vong Canh Hill, as they all do. And do not forget that there is the Perfume River and that you can always, always do a little cruise in the afternoon.
The truth is that Hue has a great kitchen also. I always say that holidays should also be gastronomic holidays, so I recommend it here too. Asian food is great and in places like this, with everything fresh, even better.
El Dong Ba Market it's cool, colorful, aromatic, colorful. You can shop here both wholesale and retail and it's a great place to try local snacks like Banh beo or banh khoai or aim for vegetarian dishes. If you want to eat in a restaurant you can do it in Hanh or in the picturesque Café Sua Da.
When should you go on a trip to Hue? Spring is between February and end of AprilJune and July are hot and sweltering months. Then the rains come, in August, and calmly last until the end of January. Therefore, there may be floods, which usually occur from October. Yes, the calendar is a bit tight but it is worth knowing because there is nothing worse than the rainy season in destinations like this.
How do you get to Hue? The fastest way is take a flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh to Phu Bai Airport in Hue. The airport is half an hour from the city center. Another way is to take the train to Hue from the line Reunification Express, take a bus or rent a private car from the international airport in Danang, two hours away.
Can you do a day trip from Hue? Yes, as we said at the beginning there are beautiful places in Central Vietnam and near Hue like Da Nang, Dalat and Hoi An. Just so that you keep them in mind, Dalat is a coastal destination very charming, with a central lake, ideal for couples, outdoor activities and even people who play golf. It's a mountain resort popular in times of French dominationOh, that's why there is a lot of Europe around here.
Da Nang also has beaches, restaurants, cafes and bars. It is a very cheerful destination with its own central beach and many luxury resorts, one of the most important in the country. Finally is Hoi An, a port city on the Thu Bon River. It has a historic center, rice fields overlooking the coast, pagodas and nights with lighted lanterns.