You can hug the corners of the Hai Van Pass from Hoi An to Hue and see the landscape of Hue, and floating down the picturesque Perfume River (or Huong River), Hue – the former capital of Vietnam – is a must-visit destination on your plan. A city that is bound up in the country’s heritage, Hue is undergoing a revival as casual tourists and history buffs alike make the journey from nearby Hoi An to Hue, to explore the royal tombs, palaces, and monuments built during the Nguyen dynasty.
So, what are the not-to-be-missed places in this captivating city, and why should you tag on a tomb-hopping trip to Hue? Read on for our guide to the best historical sites of Hue.
Go to Royal tombs around Hue city
Surprisingly the best way to start your tour of Hue is to take in the beautifully constructed tombs dotted around the town’s outskirts.
The tombs were built for the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, a powerful line of Vietnamese emperors that led Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. Since Vietnam was technically under French rule for much of this time, Nguyen’s emperors found themselves with little to do and so spent their days building epic monuments to themselves; the royal tombs of Hue.
There are 7 royal tombs, but most tourists will only visit three: the tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc since the others are a little off the beaten track, and it is the same construct.
Travel tip: You can buy a combo ticket for the three key tombs (Khai Dinh, Minh Mang, Tu Duc) as well as the Citadel for about 530, 000 VND (20 USD / 18 GBP) at any of the locations, which is far cheaper than giving individual entry fees, usually valid for 2 days from purchase. Get more information about Hue’s Entrance Ticket in 2026.
Tomb of Khai Dinh
If you don’t have more time in Hue and have to choose only one tomb to visit, make it Khai Dinh. Not only are you greeted by an enormous stair and imposing life-sized statues, but Khai Dinh’s tomb boasts spectacular sweeping views of the village below.
- Google Map Khai Dinh tomb: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J5YrAvA6Eu7fBQ5K6
- Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm daily
- Entrance fee: 150,000 VND/adult
Tomb of Tu Duc
Tu Duc’s tomb is the best preserved of all the tombs, Tu Duc’s tomb is set on a gigantic property and can take 2 hours if you want to see it all. This one has a bit of a backstory too – Tu Duc was an infertile ruler (he suffered a bad about of smallpox) and became a recluse during his reign, meaning he almost barricaded himself inside this mausoleum until he died in 1883.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pvMsonqeExAHKkCL7
- Add: Lê Ngô Cát, Thủy Xuân, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7.00 am to 4:45 pm daily
- Entrance fee: 150,000 VND/adult
Tomb of Minh Mang
This mausoleum combines the best of both, Minh Mang’s tomb is an epic ode to the 2nd emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, set in a more classical Vietnamese style. If you enjoy this type of architecture, this tomb is a definite must.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dvXZFnbAD91ithi5A
- Add: QL49, Hương Thọ, Hương Trà, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7.00 am to 4:45 pm daily
- Entrance fee: 150,000 VND/adult
Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda
While it might not seem as impressive as the royal tomb architect or even the Imperial city, Thien Mu Pagoda serves as an unofficial symbol of Hue city.
Loosely translated as temple of Lady from Heaven, this pagoda got its name from a folk story where a beautiful lady in red-green appeared there each evening, foretelling that the site was due to be of great man come here in the future – that is Nguyen Hoang Lord – the founder of Hue dynasty. When you visit here, you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by the haunting chants of the resident monks.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hmVAdaDRuY5pN1E77
- Opening hours: Daily from 8.00 am to 4:45 pm
- Admission: free
Walk the forbidden grounds of the Citadel
Once you’ve completed your round of the Royal tombs and pagoda, the other large sight to explore in Hue is the Imperial Citadel. You really can’t miss this attraction – at over 5,2 km2 in size, it’s a behemoth of a structure with so much to see.
Hue Imperial Citadel was once an epicenter for all the executive functions needed in a nation’s capital, with palaces, temples, buildings, and administrative offices sprinkled. You could spend up to five hours walking this maze of magical monuments and structures, and 1,5 hours for Forbidden Purple.
What are the key attractions? Probably the forbidding entrance of the Ngo Mon Gate, Purple Forbidden City where all the important ceremonies would take place, and the To Mieu Temple, which boasts a gallery homage to all Nguyen’s emperors. The Forbidden Purple where the emperor and his wife, advisors lived and worked.
- Add: Thành phố Huế, Thua Thien Hue
- Opening hours: Daily from 8.00 am to 4:45 pm
- Entrance fee: 200,000 VND/Adult
Claw your way to the Tiger Fighting Arena
This massive arena where snarling tigers used to fight to the death to train the elephant of Nguyen’s army. To experience that, you can visit Hue’s Ho Quyen Tiger Fighting Arena. You won’t find tiger or elephant face-offs there any longer, but you can imagine what occured here in the past.
- Add: 373 Bùi Thị Xuân, Thuỷ Biều, Thành Phố Huế
- Opening hours: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
- Admission: free
Indulge in Imperial cuisine
If you’ve gotten your fill of history in the city, it might be worth filling your stomach instead. Hue is not only famous for its history but also for its royal food, known as ‘imperial cuisine.’
Hue’s cuisine has over 1,000 specialty dishes, which are still prepared according to Hue’s traditions. Highlights include Bun Bo Hue, spicy beef and pork noodle soup with a bold lemongrass and chili broth, Banh Beo, delicate rice flour patties stuffed with delicious minced shrimp, Banh Cuon Thit Nuong, which includes delicious grilled pork in rice paper, or Pancake
You can try many of these by choosing the tasting menu at a local restaurant (Tai Phu, Hanh, Thuy…) where you’ll be able to indulge in seven different courses at surprisingly affordable prices.
You can see our suggestion for local food and the restaurant here: Hue Cuisine
You can’t have a guide about historical sights without delving a little deeper into just that, the history of the town. And Hue has quite an illustrious past… You can book a tour/ private car service with Hura Car here: Hue City 1-day tour
Located smack bang in the middle of the country, it was the perfect place for the Emperor to create an Imperial City like no other, much of which you can still visit today.
Shop and Eat at Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is Hue’s oldest and largest market, spread across two floors along the river near Truong Tien Bridge. It’s less polished than tourist-oriented markets elsewhere in Vietnam, and that’s the appeal — it’s still genuinely used by locals for produce, household goods, clothing, and street food.
It’s also one of the easiest places to try Hue specialties on the cheap, from banh beo to banh loc, and to pick up souvenirs if you’re willing to haggle.
- Location: 2 Tran Hung Dao Street
- Opening hours: 5 am–6 pm
- Admission: free
Cruise the Perfume River
No trip to Hue is complete without getting out on the Perfume River (Song Huong) itself. Traditional dragon boats depart from the pier on Le Loi Street and drift past pagodas, fishing villages, and riverside gardens — it’s one of the most relaxing ways to take in the city, especially at sunset.
Boats range from simple sightseeing trips to evening cruises with live Hue folk music performed on board, and prices vary depending on boat size and whether music is included, generally landing somewhere between 100,000–300,000 VND per person for standard tours, with private boat charters costing more.
- Departure point: Toa Kham Tourist Wharf, 49 Le Loi Street
- Operating hours: Roughly 8 am–11 pm in summer, 9 am–10 pm in winter
Discover An Dinh Palace
Often skipped by tourists sticking to the tomb circuit, An Dinh Palace is one of Hue’s most visually distinct sights — a striking mix of early-20th-century French colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese design.
Built as a private residence for Emperor Khai Dinh and later home to his son and successor, Bao Dai, the palace is smaller and easier to walk through in 30–45 minutes than the Citadel or the tombs, making it a good add-on rather than a full stop on its own.
- Location: 179 Phan Dinh Phung Street
- Entrance fee: 50,000 VND per person
- Opening hours: 8 am–5 pm
Experience Hue’s Night Walking Street
By day, Hue can feel sleepy compared to Da Nang or Hoi An, but the riverside walking street (along Le Loi/Nguyen Dinh Chieu, near the Perfume River park) livens up considerably after dark. Expect street food stalls, live music, and a steady flow of locals and tourists out for the evening — a good way to close out a day of temple- and tomb-hopping.
Also read: Things to do in Hue at night
- Operating hours: Roughly 6 pm–10 pm daily
Other Offbeat Spots Worth Knowing About
- Thanh Toan Bridge – An 18th-century covered wooden bridge outside the city center, still used locally and worth a quick stop if you’re already heading toward the tombs.
- Thuy Tien Lake – An abandoned water park about 10 km out, known for a giant dragon-shaped structure and eerie, moss-covered ruins — popular with photographers, though the site is unmaintained, so sturdy shoes and daylight visits are advisable.
- Lebadang Memory Space – A quiet art gallery dedicated to Hue-born artist Le Ba Dang, set in a green, rural site near the royal tombs. A good stop for travelers wanting something calmer between tomb visits.
Day Trips beyond the City: Bach Ma National Park & Lang Co Beach
If you have an extra day and want a break from history, two nature-focused day trips are popular from Hue:
- Bach Ma National Park, about an hour south of the city, has hiking trails through cloud forest, waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints from an old French hill station. Entrance is a nominal fee (around 20,000 VND), and a half-day is enough for the main trails.
- Lang Co Beach, roughly 30 km from Hue on the way toward the Hai Van Pass, has clear water and white sand, plus beachside seafood restaurants. It pairs well with a scenic drive if you’re continuing on to or from Da Nang/Hoi An.
Best time to visit Hue
Hue, located in the heart of Central Vietnam, enjoys distinct wet and dry seasons. The most pleasant time to visit is from February to April, when the skies are clear, the air is fresh, and sightseeing is at its best.
From May to August, Hue gets very hot, with temperatures hovering around 35°C (95°F) or higher. I was in Hue one August, and though the city was beautiful, the heat was intense; I had to stay hydrated all day just to keep up with the sun.
The rainy season, stretching from September to November, often brings heavy downpours and flooding that can affect travel plans. Central Vietnam faced severe floods in October 2025, and Hue also experienced destructive flooding again in October and November 2025.
December and January still see some rain as the wet season fades away. However, these months coincide with major festivals like Tết (Lunar New Year) and other holiday celebrations, so expect higher prices and crowded attractions. Make sure to book your hotels and transport early if traveling around this time.
Learn more about Hue’s weather before planning a trip to this beautiful city.
How to get to Hue city
The most popular way to get to Hue is usually via motorbike or private car transfer on the Hoi An to Hue trail, via the breathtaking Hai Van Pass.
If you are more of a fan of rail travel, it’s worth checking out the train from Da Nang to Hue (no train station in Hoi An) or from any province from the north: Dong Hoi Station (Quang Binh province), Ninh Binh Station, Ha Noi Station. You can also using private car from Hura Cars to move from Hue to Da Nang via one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Vietnam.
Once in the city, most of Hue’s main sights (Citadel, An Dinh Palace, Dong Ba Market) are walkable or a short ride from the central area, but the royal tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda are spread further out.
Renting a scooter is a popular way to cover ground independently, with rental shops concentrated in the central city; taxis and Grab are widely available as an alternative if you’d rather not drive yourself.
Have we convinced you to go to Hue? Whether you’re traveling as part of a longer jaunt in the country or using it as a stopover from neighboring Da Nang or Hoi An, the city of Hue is a surprising addition and one that anyone vaguely interested in history has to add to their Vietnam itinerary.
If you have any plans to visit Central Vietnam include Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue city – DMZ – Phong Nha Ke Bang. Don’t hesitate to ask Hura Cars to make a plan.
