TASTE OF HUE,
THE OLD CAPITAL OF VIETNAM
1 DAY ITINERARY IN HUE
AND
3 DAY ITINERARY IN HUE AND AROUND
The Old Capital Hue is called the Purple City, the colour associated with loyalty and faithfulness.
Hue is a mind-opening destination thanks to the Imperial City or Forbidden City as in Beijing, impressive panoramic pagodas, royal tombs and the imperial cuisine.
Hue is a mind-opening destination thanks to the Imperial City or Forbidden City as in Beijing, impressive panoramic pagodas, royal tombs and the imperial cuisine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- How to reach Hue
- How many days should I stay in Hue Vietnam?
- Where to stay in Hue?
- Is Hue worth visiting Vietnam?
- How to visit Hue?
- How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Hue?
- How to visit the Imperial Citadel?
- Tips to save money when visiting Hue's attractions
- Brief one day Itinerary in Hue
- One Day Full Itinerary in Hue
- Where to Eat in Hue
- Cool Places to Visit Around Hue
How to reach Hue:
Just after we landed at the Saigon Airport in Vietnam, we took a cheap flight to Hue. First, because we have already been to Ho Chi Minh City, and second to save money as the hotels and transfers in a big city can cost more than in a small one.
There are many low-cost flights within Vietnam Cities. As I checked www.syscanner.com for the cheapest and most convenient flights, I found companies like VietJet and Jetstar. If you are lucky, Vietnam Airlines sometimes offer cheap solutions.
From Ho Chi Minh City’s SGN Airport to Hue’s HUI Airport, it took 1 hour and 30 minutes.
If you find Hue in the middle of your Vietnam Trip, you can think of a road trip with a motorbike or a scooter from/to Hoi An. The companies arrange the transportation of your luggage separately while you enjoy visiting different places on the road. We took the "Family Riders" to go from Hue to HoiAn. They have the same service from Hoi An to Hue as well.
You can also reach Hue by tourist buses or minibuses which are frequent and cheap. Even though they are called tourist buses, they are frequently used also by locals.
Just after we landed at the Saigon Airport in Vietnam, we took a cheap flight to Hue. First, because we have already been to Ho Chi Minh City, and second to save money as the hotels and transfers in a big city can cost more than in a small one.
There are many low-cost flights within Vietnam Cities. As I checked www.syscanner.com for the cheapest and most convenient flights, I found companies like VietJet and Jetstar. If you are lucky, Vietnam Airlines sometimes offer cheap solutions.
From Ho Chi Minh City’s SGN Airport to Hue’s HUI Airport, it took 1 hour and 30 minutes.
If you find Hue in the middle of your Vietnam Trip, you can think of a road trip with a motorbike or a scooter from/to Hoi An. The companies arrange the transportation of your luggage separately while you enjoy visiting different places on the road. We took the "Family Riders" to go from Hue to HoiAn. They have the same service from Hoi An to Hue as well.
You can also reach Hue by tourist buses or minibuses which are frequent and cheap. Even though they are called tourist buses, they are frequently used also by locals.
How many days should I stay in Hue Vietnam?
We were indecisive about how many days to stay in Hue, but apparently, 1 full day and 1 evening were enough for us. But of course, we had to skim some of the attractions. To be specific, we skipped some mausoleums which are similar to each other. Visiting architecturally similar tombs one after another may become annoying in hot weather and also quite expensive.
You can choose the tombs you want to visit and combine them with the Citadel ticket in order to save some money. Combo of 3 sites cost 420.000 VND including Hue Imperial City and 2 tombs (Khai DMinh Mang Tomb)
Combo ticket of 4 sites including Hue Imperial City and 3 tombs Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Manh Tomb 530.000 VND. Normally Hue Imperial City cost 200.000 VND and each tomb entrance single ticket cost 150.000 VND.
We were indecisive about how many days to stay in Hue, but apparently, 1 full day and 1 evening were enough for us. But of course, we had to skim some of the attractions. To be specific, we skipped some mausoleums which are similar to each other. Visiting architecturally similar tombs one after another may become annoying in hot weather and also quite expensive.
You can choose the tombs you want to visit and combine them with the Citadel ticket in order to save some money. Combo of 3 sites cost 420.000 VND including Hue Imperial City and 2 tombs (Khai DMinh Mang Tomb)
Combo ticket of 4 sites including Hue Imperial City and 3 tombs Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Manh Tomb 530.000 VND. Normally Hue Imperial City cost 200.000 VND and each tomb entrance single ticket cost 150.000 VND.
Where to stay in Hue?
Since we decided to rent a scooter in Hue, we searched on booking.com the places to stay with rates more than 9.0, offering a room with a private bathroom and a rent-a-scooter service without being at the center of the attractions. The cost of the hostel we found was not over 20 euros per night.
Our hostel offered a transfer service at the same price as taxis as we searched on the internet (10 USD/ride) therefore we accepted.
Since we arrived a little late at night (around 11 at night) we were worried about not finding any place to eat. Hopefully, our hostel had a kitchen open till late and served delicious Vietnamese artisanal beers. The Purple Hue Central Hub Hostel.
Is Hue worth visiting Vietnam?
Absolutely yes. The city is easy, safe and peaceful.
There are also many attractions within the city as well as outside.
How to visit Hue?
Hue is not a big city. The main attraction is the Imperial Citadel. Around the Citadel there are cozy walking streets with cafes, restaurants and shops. There are many things to see outside Hue City, such as royal mausoleums and pagodas. Therefore, it is ideal to rent a motorbike or scooter.
If you cannot drive a scooter, you can rent a car with a driver or join a tour. Unfortunately, foreigners cannot rent a car and drive in Vietnam.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Hue?
It costs 100.000 VND per day, to rent a scooter (around 4 EUR/day).
How to visit the Imperial Citadel?
The Citadel Complex is one of the biggest of its kind. Its circumference is around 10 km. There are some buggy car options as well.
It is a good idea to take a guide at the entrance to not lose precious time while looking and searching for the highlights.
Close to the entrance, the visitor's center offers simulators to experience ancient times and provide a better understanding of the Citadel. The simulator can make you a little dizzy. I do not recommend it if you suffer from vertigo or heavy jet lag.
Inside the Citadel you will find a souvenir shop and teahouse where you can taste for free the Royal Tea of Hue. The Royal Tea is made of a mixture of herbs and is believed to be miraculous for health and youthfulness.
Since we decided to rent a scooter in Hue, we searched on booking.com the places to stay with rates more than 9.0, offering a room with a private bathroom and a rent-a-scooter service without being at the center of the attractions. The cost of the hostel we found was not over 20 euros per night.
Our hostel offered a transfer service at the same price as taxis as we searched on the internet (10 USD/ride) therefore we accepted.
Since we arrived a little late at night (around 11 at night) we were worried about not finding any place to eat. Hopefully, our hostel had a kitchen open till late and served delicious Vietnamese artisanal beers. The Purple Hue Central Hub Hostel.
Is Hue worth visiting Vietnam?
Absolutely yes. The city is easy, safe and peaceful.
There are also many attractions within the city as well as outside.
How to visit Hue?
Hue is not a big city. The main attraction is the Imperial Citadel. Around the Citadel there are cozy walking streets with cafes, restaurants and shops. There are many things to see outside Hue City, such as royal mausoleums and pagodas. Therefore, it is ideal to rent a motorbike or scooter.
If you cannot drive a scooter, you can rent a car with a driver or join a tour. Unfortunately, foreigners cannot rent a car and drive in Vietnam.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Hue?
It costs 100.000 VND per day, to rent a scooter (around 4 EUR/day).
How to visit the Imperial Citadel?
The Citadel Complex is one of the biggest of its kind. Its circumference is around 10 km. There are some buggy car options as well.
It is a good idea to take a guide at the entrance to not lose precious time while looking and searching for the highlights.
Close to the entrance, the visitor's center offers simulators to experience ancient times and provide a better understanding of the Citadel. The simulator can make you a little dizzy. I do not recommend it if you suffer from vertigo or heavy jet lag.
Inside the Citadel you will find a souvenir shop and teahouse where you can taste for free the Royal Tea of Hue. The Royal Tea is made of a mixture of herbs and is believed to be miraculous for health and youthfulness.
Free Royal Tea Tasting at the Imperial City of Hue
The entrance of the Imperial City, The Citadel and the Ancient Capital of Vietnam.
While visiting the Imperial City of Hue, you will notice a lot of local and foreign tourists in ancient costumes with professional photographers posing around.
Tourists posing with ancient costumes around the Imperial City.
The Royal Theatre inside the Imperial City.
If you enjoy music and arts, you can reserve your ticket at the Royal Theatre inside the Citadel. The performance time is in the morning at 10 and in the afternoon at 15. The performances last 40 minutes. At least 5 tickets should be sold to start a play and the cost is 200.000 VND.
TIPS TO SAVE MONEY WHEN VISITING HUE's ATTRACTIONS:
You can choose the tombs you want to visit and combine them with the Citadel ticket to save some money.
A combo ticket of 3 sites costs 420.000 VND. The sites included are Hue Imperial City (citadel) and 2 tombs (Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb).
A combo ticket of 4 sites including Hue Imperial City and 3 tombs Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Manh Tomb 530.000 VND.
Normally Hue Imperial City cost 200.000 VND including a guide and each tomb entrance single ticket costs 150.000 VND.
You can choose the tombs you want to visit and combine them with the Citadel ticket to save some money.
A combo ticket of 3 sites costs 420.000 VND. The sites included are Hue Imperial City (citadel) and 2 tombs (Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb).
A combo ticket of 4 sites including Hue Imperial City and 3 tombs Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb and Minh Manh Tomb 530.000 VND.
Normally Hue Imperial City cost 200.000 VND including a guide and each tomb entrance single ticket costs 150.000 VND.
BRIEF ONE-DAY ITINERARY IN HUE:
A quick guide to how to spend a day in Hue
MORNING 1- Imperial City of Hue (The Citadel)
2- if possible, Museum of Royal Antiquities 3- Dong Ba Market Lunch: Banh Khoai Hong Mai Coffee: Old Coffeehouse Quan Chieu |
AFTERNOONTwo Mausoleums to visit:
1- Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang 2- Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh 3- If possible or curious: Abandoned Water Park at the Thuy Tien Lake |
EVENING1- Thien Mu Pagoda at sunset
2- if possible, sunset boat tour from Thien Mu Pier Dinner: Quan Hanh(Hahn Pancake) After Dinner: Purple Hue Central Hub for beer tasting. |
ONE -DAY full ITINERARY IN HUE:
The Morning
Start your day at the delicious La Boulangerie Francaise and appreciate the French Heritage of Vietnam.
Start your day at the delicious La Boulangerie Francaise and appreciate the French Heritage of Vietnam.
Breakfast with delicious croissants in Hue
Go to the Imperial City and immerse yourself in history within the walls of the magnificent Imperial Palace on the banks of the Perfume River. Do not forget to take a guide!
Looking at the Flag Tower from the Citadel
Having a guide while visiting the Imperial City of Hue will save you time and energy
Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, just after the Citadel visit, if you are at the west gate, you can visit this one of the first museums in Vietnam free of charge. It is actually included in your Citadel Ticket.
Museum of Royal Antiquities, one of the first museums in Vietnam
Visit Dong Ba Market, the oldest and the most vivid marketplace in Hue that testimonies the history of the ancient capital and its kings. It is also one of the cheapest you can find in Vietnam.
Dong Ba Market, HUE
DONG BA MARKET FRUIT VENDORS
Lunch&Coffee
Lunch at the Banh Khoai Hong Mai with delicious grilled meat on the lemongrass skewers (Nem Lui 100.000 VND around 4 USD) and Hue rice pancake (Banh Khoai 30.000 VND around 1 USD).
Lunch at the Banh Khoai Hong Mai with delicious grilled meat on the lemongrass skewers (Nem Lui 100.000 VND around 4 USD) and Hue rice pancake (Banh Khoai 30.000 VND around 1 USD).
Lunch at the Banh Khoai Hong Mai with delicious meat on the lemongrass skewers
Famous rice pancakes at the Banh Khoai Hong
Have a coffee at the beautiful Old Coffeehouse Quan Chieu with a view of the Imperial Citadel.
Old Tea and Coffee house "Quan Chieu"
Afternoon
Take a motorbike ride Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, the imponent tomb of King Khai Dinh. You will climb many stairs but will be rewarded with what you see.
Take a motorbike ride Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, the imponent tomb of King Khai Dinh. You will climb many stairs but will be rewarded with what you see.
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
Go to Abandoned Water Park at the Thuy Tien Lake if you are curious about this place which became famous on Instagram. But you should be aware that if you come here by car or bus, they will drop you off around 1,5 km from the park. You are lucky if you have a motorbike because you can arrive closer. Do not be disappointed if the guard on the site will not let you go on the bridge or climb on the dragon attraction, as the site is in ruins and dangerous. You can still get nice pictures around Thuy Tien Lake, where many locals go for a picnic.
Abandoned Water Park
Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang.
Visiting all the tombs in Hue in one day does not make sense. since the temples are enormous and you need to walk or climb stairs, you will get tired. It also becomes quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to choose a couple among the best tombs.
Since the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang are very similar, you can visit just one. We went to the Tomb of Minh Mang, a beautiful complex surrounded by lakes and pools.
Visiting all the tombs in Hue in one day does not make sense. since the temples are enormous and you need to walk or climb stairs, you will get tired. It also becomes quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to choose a couple among the best tombs.
Since the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang are very similar, you can visit just one. We went to the Tomb of Minh Mang, a beautiful complex surrounded by lakes and pools.
Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang
Thien Mu Pagoda. It is always recommended to reach here at sunset to get the most out of the view with colours, although it gets really crowded. Just in front of the Pagoda, there are a lot of spartan cafes along the river to drink something and a tourist boat pier to take a boat ride to better admire the sunset.
Thien Mu Pagoda View at sunset
The tourist boat pier just in front of the Thien Mu Pagoda
The Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue
EVENING
After sunset, you can go to the walking streets behind the Citadel and the night market.
Recommended dinner at the Quan Hanh(Hahn Pancake) Restaurant to taste the specialties of the Imperial Cuisine of Hue.
If you are a beer lover, do not miss the Purple Hue Central Hub for any reason!
After sunset, you can go to the walking streets behind the Citadel and the night market.
Recommended dinner at the Quan Hanh(Hahn Pancake) Restaurant to taste the specialties of the Imperial Cuisine of Hue.
If you are a beer lover, do not miss the Purple Hue Central Hub for any reason!
Quan Hanh (Hahn Pancake) Restaurant
Banh Beo chen, rice cakes with meat and dried fish, steamed and served in ceramic sauce plates.
Where to eat in hue
THE ULTIMATE RESTAURANT LIST
- Banh Khoai Hong Mai
- Nina’s Cafe
- Cozy Restaurant &CaFe
- Hahn Restaurant
- Quan Banh Chi
- Lien Hoa
- San May Hue
- Nha Hang Chay Tih Quan
- Phuong Nam Vegetarian Restaurant
- Huyen Anh Wet Cake
3 COOL PLACES TO GO IN HUE
ON A DAY TRIP
Alba Thanh Tan
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BEACH BAR HUEJust 20 km. away from Hue City center, at the opposite direction of the Royal Tombs, you can reach white sand beaches. Beach Bar Hue is a place where you can just enjoy the day or stay. Around, you can explore other beaches like Bai Bien Thuan An.
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bac ma national parkYou can plan a day trip to Bac Ma National Park which is around 50 km. from Hue City. You may want to join a tour to get the most of it in 1 day.
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