Hue Travel Experience | News | Tips

Vietnam is a wonderful country with many must-visit places. One of them is the city of Hue. Hue was one of our favorite cities we've visited in Vietnam, and in this travel blog, we would like to share with you tips on the best things to see and do in Hue altogether with practical information on when to visit, where to stay, and how to get there.

8 Best things to do in Hue

Hue is a famous tourist destination and one of the most charming cities in Vietnam. Located by the beautiful Perfume River, Hue used to be the royal capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a great destination for history lovers with ancient buildings, old landmarks, beautiful pagodas, and museums. People flock over here to check out the ancient tombs of the emperors located throughout the city providing a deeper knowledge of Hue in the good old days. And it’s also a place of wonderful food with huge options around the town.There are so many exciting things to do around this renowned and charming city that attracts millions of tourists every year. However, not many people know well about what are the Best things to do in Hue, especially first-time visitors. Incredible Asia Journeys has rounded up the list of 8 Best things to do in Hue to help you bring the best memory home.Best things to do in Hue1. Visit the Imperial CityThe best things to do in Hue is visiting the Imperial City even if you are only here for 1 day. The Imperial City was built in the 18th century under the reign of King Gia Long – the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. It served as the Imperial Seat of Vietnam for a long time but then lost its role when the new government of President Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam. After that, the Imperial City suffered from heavy damage during the Indochina War in the 20th century.Nowadays, the Imperial City is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hue. This is a perfect place for a walk and learns about the rich history. If you are planning to visit on your own, you can have a tour guide to explain the information at the ticket booth. They will take you around for 1 hour, but be aware that their English skill is not excellent. The ticket to enter the Imperial City is 150.000 VND (USD 6) for adults and the price to hire a tour guide is also 150.000 VND for one group.Imperial City2. Visit the Tombs of the Former EmperorsVisiting the Tombs of Former Emperors is probably one of the best things that you should do in Hue. There are 7 tombs of ancient emperors in total but the tomb of King Khai Dinh, King Tu Duc, and King Minh Mang is the nicest that you should visit thanks to its unique appeal.The tombs are mostly built in the 19th and 20th centuries with beautiful architecture and typical Vietnamese design. If you are wondering between various options, you can take a look at our tour full day to visit Hue city here. Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh3. Cruise along the Perfume RiverThe Perfume River runs through the city of Hue and is one of the most beautiful waterways in this city. It is the best place to take in all the beauty of this romantic city. Therefore, cruising along the Perfume River is one of the best things to do in Hue. If you take the cruise in the daytime, you will see people going out for an early run and buffalos swimming, enjoying the cold water. If you take the cruise in the daytime, you will see people going out for an early run and buffalos swimming, enjoying the cold water. If you opt for a night cruise, you will have a chance to see the local vendors with their food stalls by the river bank. All the dragon boat that hosts Hue Folk Music will light on with lanterns creating a romantic scenery on the river. After finishing the boat tour, you can go to those food stalls and get something to eat.Besides, tourists can also tour around Hue City by this dragon boat in the morning. The boat will take you to visit the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang Tomb. It is a fascinating day tour around Hue providing the amazing landscape with an interesting history of the city.Perfume River and dragon boats4. Visit the Thien Mu PagodaBesides the royal tombs, Hue is also famous for ancient and beautiful pagodas. The Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the most interesting places to visit in Hue and people often go there to find peace. It is also considered as the symbol of Hue and visitors can take a beautiful view over the Perfume River from here.It is known for the gold and silver images of Buddha inside and also a huge bell as well as a stone turtle. The best time to visit Thien Mu Pagoda is in the early morning when the temperature is not too high and you can slowly stroll around, observing the life here.Thien Mu Pagoda5. Go shopping at Dong Ba MarketWhen traveling to a new destination, the best thing to do is to go shopping, buy gifts from that place, and in Hue, Dong Ba Market is the best shopping spot. Coming here, you will see a flea market and you can buy everything here from classic souvenirs to traditional Vietnamese food. The market is open from 3:00 AM to 8:30 PM so feel free to visit at any time of the day. However, be aware of the price because some people will sell higher prices for tourists so you will need to negotiate.Dong Ba Market became more famous when chef Anthony Bourdain came and filmed an episode of his show. He tried the noodle vermicelli with beef and found it delicious.Dong Ba Market6. Go trekking at Bach Ma National ParkGo trekking at Bach Ma National Park is recommended as one of the best things to do in Hue if you stay there for more than 1 day. Bach Ma National Park is located at 1,450 meters above the sea level therefore it is the spot for a panorama view of Hue. In the past, it acted as a French Hill Station and now it turned into a popular attraction for tourists and locals.On the way up, you will see an amazing waterfall and hiking trails as well as a few campsites for those who want to stay overnight. The fresh air, flora, and fauna here will be a memorable experience during your trip to Hue. Besides, you can also pay a visit to Cau Hai Village after go trekking.Bach Ma National Park7. Admire the Hue Museum Of Royal AntiquitiesAdmire the Hue Museum Of Royal Antiquities is probably one of the best things to do in Hue if you are a lover of history. It is where the variety of pieces from the Nguyen Dynasty are displayed from 1802 to 1945. In the Museum Of Royal Antiquities, you will find different galleries showing traditional furniture, textiles, jewelry, and other things that used to belong to the royal family. The museum is situated right outside of the Citadel so you can visit it after walking around the Imperial City. The entrance fee to this museum is already covered with the same ticket of the Citadel so it’s very convenient to combine the visit of these places.The museum will show you the Imperial life and the antique collection of the Nguyen Dynasty. Besides, it’s free so you shouldn’t miss this!Hue Museum Of Royal Antiquities8. Do cycling to Thanh Toan VillageThanh Toan Village is located about 8 km away from Hue center and it is one of the less touristy destinations nearby. Besides the beautiful countryside roads, peaceful rural scenery, Thanh Toan village is also famous for its tile-roofed bridge. The bridge which crosses the Nhu Y river is made up of wood and topped with a tiled roof. It is only 17 meters long and it has a shrine inside dedicated to the patron of the construction. This is a perfect place to get some rest, see the authentic feature of Hue and its residential neighborhood.After cycling, you can relax in a small village market nearby for food and drinks. Thanh Toan Village is definitely in the list of best things to do in Hue.Thanh Toan BridgeWhen is the best time to visit Hue The best time to visit Hue is from January to April when the temperature is not too high and there are fewer chances of rainfall during the day. Visiting Hue during this period, you will feel comfortable wandering about or exploring the historical sites. There are also many festivals celebrated at this time, such as Lunar New Year and Hue Festival. You will have a chance to enjoy cultural shows, visit local markets, enjoy traditional music performances, or taste amazing special dishes.Hue Festival 2022On the other hand, the rainy season of Hue begins in September and ends in December. The temperature of this period tends to drop quickly and it rains more often. If you are planning for a trip to Hue in this period, it’s recommendable to avoid visiting in October and November because these are the peak months of the wet season.Hue Rainy SeasonBesides, Hue can be extremely hot at mid-day so to make your trip more enjoyable, you should start the tour early to avoid the intense heat.Otherwise, take a look at some of our day tours from Hue city. It is more convenient when you have transportations and someone to explain the information for you:Phong Nha Day Tour from Hue    Hue – Paradise Cave Full-Day TourHue Full Day City Touretc... We hope that this list of a few things to do in Hue gave you a great start for your plan of a short trip to Hue. In our opinion, it would take more than one day to visit all the charming attractions of this city. However, if you only have one day, that’s enough for the main attractions or a Full day Hue city tour. Tell us if you have any more difficulties, Incredible Asia Journeys is always happy to help!Articles you may also like:7 Things to buy in Hue - A Heaven of HandicraftsWhat to Eat in HueWhere to Stay in Hue and its Surrounds

How to get to Phong Nha

One of Vietnam’s most impressive national parks has both benefitted and suffered from the isolation of its location. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park sits inland, pressed up against the border with Laos, a world away from the coastline which many tourists cling to when travelling the country. Improved roads have made it much easier to reach the secluded destination, but the best way to get to Phong Nha from the north or centre of the country still eludes many tourists, and a quick glance at the distance and required time allowances, unfortunately, mean that a lot of tourists miss out on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.With this guide on how to get to Phong Nha, we hope to bring the beauty of its magnificent karst rocks, world-beating caves and serene rivers that little bit closer to you.How to get to Phong Nha from HueThe most popular way to get to Phong Nha is from the ancient capital of Hue. Despite the four-hour drive time, there are many Hue to Phong Nha day trips that leave early and arrive back late, giving you about four hours to explore the caves and take a serene boat ride down the river.Hue to Phong Nha by TourAlthough it takes over four hours to travel between Hue and Phong Nha, the way is littered with relics from Vietnam’s troubled pass, making tours a very interesting option for history buffs or anyone wanting to expand their understanding of the American War. On the way, Phong Nha day trips usually visit historic sites strewn across the country’s DMZ and around, including the Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River – the exact point at where the country was cleaved in two. Slightly longer tours might pass the Vinh Moc Tunnels, where an entire village hid underground near the DMZ, and the veterans’ cemetery, where the unfortunate soldiers are still remembered.Once arrived at the cave, tours will have lunch and head out on rowing boats down the Con River. Passing underneath the gorgeous slanted entrance, visitors will enter and explore the three accessible chambers of Phong Nha Cave, before having free time to explore the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites on the dry banks of the river inside. With the benefit of one of these Phong Nha tours, you will hear of the cave’s importance during the war, where the North Vietnamese Army would stockpile their weapons, treat their wounded and rest up for the continuation of a 3 or 4-month trek to the South along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.Check our best tour to Phong Nha from Hue: Hue - Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave Tour from Hue.Hue to Phong Nha by BusThere are no local public buses between Hue and Phong Nha, but tourists find many of the company buses to be efficient, cheap and easy to navigate. The most reliable service is offered by the Tan Nhat Bus, which leaves at 07:00 from 1A Hung Vuong Street and arrives to Phong Nha at 11:00. The bus costs 250,000 VND ($10.75) and can be booked either online or with the travel company in Hue.Hue to Phong Nha by TrainThough there is no direct train from Hue to Phong Nha, it is possible to get the train from Hue to Dong Hoi, followed by a bus or taxi onwards to Phong Nha. The Reunification Express runs between Hue and Dong Hoi and costs the same regardless of which of the five services you take. Amongst these five options, you have a choice between a ‘hard seat’ and ‘soft seat’, the former being about $20  and the latter being about $25. From Dong Hoi, jump on the B4 bus from any of the bus stops around the city, pay about $3 for the ticket and sit back for the 90-minute journey to Phong Nha.Hue to Phong Nha – MotorbikeThe 220km distance to Phong Nha from Hue is traversable by motorbike, which takes the same time on both of the two roads that connect the city and the national park. The Ho Chi Minh Highway features much better views and less traffic, so we strongly advise following that road up. On the way, you will pass lakes and mountains, as well as the perfectly spaced-out towns of Dong Ha and Dong Hoi, which can be used for rest stops.How to get to Phong Nha from Ninh BinhDespite the distance of about 400 kilometres between Phong Nha and Ninh Binh, there is not much in the way of developed tourist facilities south of Ninh Binh and north of Phong Nha. A 7-8 hour journey is unfortunately, unavoidable, but it does enhance the overall feeling of reward when the feat is accomplished. Given the other large distance between Phong Nha and Hue, the caves actually act as a great rest stop on any northern Vietnam tour between Hanoi and Hoi An.Ninh Binh to Phong Nha by BusThe eye-watering travel time between Ninh Binh and Phong Nha puts many potential visitors off attempting the journey, but the option of a sleeper bus makes this a much more realistic idea. Buses usually leave in the evening, around 9 pm or 10 pm, and arrive very early in the morning, around 4 am or 5 am. While this is not ideal, most companies will drop you off on the main road and you will be free to walk to your accommodation– you may even be able to check in straight away if the room is free.Queen Café is one such bus service from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, leaving at 20:30 from no.46, 27 Thang 7 Street in Ninh Binh city and arriving outside Thien Phu Hostel at 04:00 the next day, costing about $ 20.Ninh Binh to Phong Nha by TrainLike from Hue, trains to Phong Nha only go as far as Dong Hoi, where you can disembark and head out on bus or in a taxi to the caves. There are three services of the Reunification Express, all offering a smooth passage from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha:1. SE5 (Departs at 11:20 and arrives at 19:20)2. SE7 (Departs at 08:20 and arrives at 16:20)3. SE19 (Departs at 22:25 and arrives at 06:25)All of the trains cost 415,000 VND ($18) and provide safe passage on a calm route towards Phong Nha. The SE19 sleeper train is particularly appealing because of its arrival time around sunrise in Phong Nha, meaning those awake early enough can enjoy the sight of a bright red sun rising above the undulating karst landscape of the area.Ninh Binh to Phong Nha by MotorbikeIf you are thinking of taking the drive from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, then you will need a decent motorbike capable of withstanding a few steep inclines. Again, there are two options and again, the Ho Chi Minh Highway is the much more preferable one for scenery, if not for time. It takes roughly 9 hours to traverse the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which may seem like a long time but actually pales in comparison to the arduous trekking journey of the NVA during the war.The beauty of driving the Ho Chi Minh Highway is in the surroundings and the off-the-beaten-track atmosphere of the road. By skirting the edge of Cuc Phuong National Park and making stops at Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, Ben En National Park and the gorgeous Thanh An Tea Hills, drivers can enjoy a very scenic route with very few fellow tourists.How to get to Phong Nha from HanoiAs the capital of the country, Hanoi has some of the best connections for travelling to Phong Nha, in spite of the two destinations being about 500km apart via the Ho Chi Minh Highway. Hanoi to Phong Nha by BusHanoi lies just two hours north of Ninh Binh and therefore uses the same routes and bus companies as its southern neighbour. The Hung Thanh Bus runs overnight from Hanoi to Phong Nha, taking about 10 hours and costing around $ 17 (bookable from 162B Tran Quang Khai Street). Other companies like Camel Travel, Hung Long and Queen Café all operate similar routes between $10 and $20.Hanoi to Phong Nha by TrainThe train from Hanoi to Phong Nha takes roughly the same amount of time as the bus, but arrives in Dong Hoi rather than Phong Nha, meaning another bus or taxi must be taken, which may add on another hour. If you are in no rush, then this might be a viable option, as the train is much safer than the bus and it is usually easier to sleep, depending on what seat you book. Seats can be hard ( About $17) or soft (About $25), or you can opt to travel horizontally in a 6-berth cabin (About  $30) or a 4-berth cabin (About$35). You can book tickets online, at your accommodation, at a travel agency or directly at the central train station in Hanoi.Hanoi to Phong Nha by MotorbikeThis route is exactly the same as the one from Ninh Binh, except for the 2 hours it takes to drive down to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. To shave an hour off the journey time, it is possible to take the QL1A, passing Thanh Hoa and Vinh on the way, but sacrificing much in the way of scenery.Hanoi to Phong Nha by FlightWith the services of Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, it would actually be quicker, if not cheaper, to take a flight to Da Nang, followed by a bus to Phong Nha. Overall, this may still come to about 8 hours, but it has the added bonus of going over the Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.