Why Visit Hue: Discover the Ancient Imperial Capital in Vietnam

Hue, the ancient capitals of Vietnam, captivates visitors with its majestic citadels, serene pagodas, unique royal tombs, peaceful natural landscapes and imperial cuisine.

Why visit Hue? This poetic city in central Vietnam offers a captivating blend of historical grandeur, cultural richness, and natural serenity. Travelers visiting Vietnam will be transport to a bygone era of imperial splendor. From wandering through vast citadels and ornate tombs to savoring refined royal dishes and cruising the tranquil Perfume River, Hue promises experiences that inspire reflection and delight.

For history, architecture, and food enthusiasts on Vietnam tours, Hue is an ideal destination. In this article, we will explore the reasons why visiting Hue, from its architectural marvels to its flavorful cuisine.

The Imperial Citadel

Hue is the former capital under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Hue is a must-visit for history enthusiasts seeking to immerse in royal grandeur. The Hue Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, encompasses the Imperial City, Forbidden City, and Great Enclosure. Each layer reveals the dynasty’s opulence and strategic brilliance. Built along the Perfume River, the citadel’s imposing walls and moats reflect Eastern principles, harmonizing with nature while providing defense. Wandering through the Ngo Mon Gate, with its five entrances symbolizing social hierarchies, leads to the Thai Hoa Palace, where emperors conducted ceremonies amid gilded thrones. Intricate lacquerwork depict dragons and phoenixes, showcasing royal power and prosperity.

Hue Imperial Citadel.

This complex not only showcases architectural mastery but also tells stories of Vietnam’s feudal era, from court intrigues to cultural flourishing. The peaceful atmosphere, with lotus ponds and ancient trees, invites reflection on a time when Hue was the nation’s political and spiritual center. For travelers, exploring by bicycle or guided tour uncovers hidden details like underground tunnels and restored halls, offering insights into restoration efforts post-wars. The citadel’s resilience, having survived bombardments, making it a poignant start to any Central Vietnam tour.

Original military construction

The Hue Citadel represents a pinnacle of military architecture, blending Vietnamese ingenuity with Eastern and Western influences. It is a fortress that’s both functional and symbolic. Constructed under Kings Gia Long and Minh Mang in the early 19th century, its design follows Vauban-style fortifications inspired by French models, with star-shaped bastions and thick brick walls reinforced by earth ramparts for defense against invasions. The strategic location on the Perfume River’s northern bank, facing south for auspiciousness, incorporates natural barriers like rivers and hills, enhancing its impregnability while aligning with geomancy principles.

The interior layout features canals that function as moats and supply routes, and watchtowers that provide panoramic views. Visitors can walk along the 10km-long walls to see cannons and strategic flagpoles. The citadel’s survival through conflict underscores its engineering prowess, offering lessons in historical warfare. Guided tours highlight these features, possibly combined with reenactments, to help visitors better understand Vietnam’s military heritage.

Serene temples and pagodas

Hue’s pagodas and temples exude majesty and serenity, reflecting the city’s deep Buddhist roots and architectural elegance. Thien Mu Pagoda, built in 1601 on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is Hue’s most iconic, with its seven-story octagonal tower symbolizing Buddha’s enlightenment stages. The pagoda’s gardens, filled with bonsai trees and lotus ponds, create a tranquil oasis for meditation, while its Austin car used by monk Thich Quang Duc in his self-immolation protest adds historical gravity. Other gems like Tu Dam Pagoda, with its ornate gates and incense-filled halls, host chanting ceremonies that foster inner peace. Huyen Khong Pagoda, nestled in the hills, offers a secluded retreat with poetic landscapes of pines and streams, ideal for those seeking solitude amid nature’s embrace.

Thien Mu Pagoda – Hue.

These sites not only showcase Hue’s artistry in carvings and statues but also embody its spiritual harmony, blending Confucianism and Taoism influences. Visiting during festivals like Vesak amplifies the experience with lantern releases and vegetarian feasts. The riverside locations enhance their serenity, with reflections in the water creating mirror-like symmetry. Hue’s temples, surviving wars, symbolize resilience, offering lessons in mindfulness amid beauty.

Unique imperial tombs

Hue’s royal tombs are architectural masterpieces that blend history, art, and landscape, each reflecting the personality of its emperor. The Tomb of Minh Mang harmonizes with nature through lakes, pavilions, and bridges, embodying the king’s ideals of symmetry and tranquility. Visitors can stroll pine-lined paths to his stele pavilion, feeling the serene fusion of man and environment. Khai Dinh’s tomb contrasts with opulent European-Vietnam fusion, its concrete structure adorned with porcelain mosaics and glass shards depicting dragons, built over 11 years on a hillside for dramatic views. Tu Duc’s tomb, the most poetic, features pleasure pavilions and lotus ponds where the emperor composed poetry, reflecting his scholarly life amid romantic landscapes.

Inside the Khai Dinh tomb.

These sites, scattered along the Perfume River, offer boat tours and reveal stories of dynasty intrigue and cultural evolution. Exploring them provides insights into Vietnam’s feudal era, with each tomb’s unique design, from Minh Mang’s grandeur to Khai Dinh’s extravagance and Tu Duc’s romance, highlighting artistic influences from China, France, and indigenous styles.

Rich royal past

The Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, founded in 1923, preserves artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty. These expositions offer a window into Vietnam’s royal past through its collection of bronzeware, ceramics, and court costumes. Housed in the Long An Palace, a wooden structure with carved beams, the museum displays imperial robes embroidered with dragons, porcelain vases from royal kilns, and bronze cannons symbolizing military might. Exhibits trace the dynasty’s 143-year rule, from Gia Long’s unification to Bao Dai’s abdication, highlighting cultural achievements like poetry and music.

This institution not only safeguards history but educates on Hue’s role as Vietnam’s cultural capital, with temporary shows on festivals adding vibrancy. Visiting complements tomb explorations, providing context to the emperors’ lives. Interactive displays and audio guides enhance engagement, making it accessible for all ages.

Traditional arts and crafts

Hue’s culture thrives through unique arts like Nha Nhac cung dinh (royal court music), a UNESCO intangible heritage featuring elegant instruments and melodies once performed for emperors. Visitors can attend performances at the Duyet Thi Duong Theater, immersing in rhythmic gongs and stringed dan bau that evoke courtly grace. Craft villages like conical hat making in Tay Ho or incense production in Thuy Xuan preserve traditions, while wood carving in Kim Long creates intricate furniture with mother-of-pearl inlays, reflecting Hue’s refined aesthetics. Visitors can watch artisans weave palm leaves into hats or roll sandalwood sticks, and buy unique souvenirs that support livelihoods. These arts highlight the city’s cultural depth, blending royal legacy with folk creativity.

Read More: Hue Festival– The Spectacular Celebration Not to Be Missed in Vietnam

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Poetic nature

In addition to its cultural heritage, Hue enchants with its natural beauty. The Perfume River, gently flowing through the city, brings inner peace to residents and visitors alike. The green hills surrounding the city like Ngu Binh offer hiking trails with vistas over lush rice paddies. The pristine beach of Thuan An, with white sands and turquoise waters is a perfect spots for those seeking a haven of relaxation. Lang Co, ranked among the world’s most beautiful bays, features lagoons for kayaking amid seafood shacks.

These poetic landscapes, with fresh air and scenic spots, rejuvenates visitors, make Hue an ideal destination for recharging in nature after busy days of exploration.

Royal cuisine

Why visit Hue? For food lovers, Hue is a true paradise with many unique and delicious dishes. The cuisine of Hue is renowned not only for its rich and spicy flavors but also for the care taken in the preparation and presentation of dishes. Hue’s imperial cuisine delights with refined dishes like bun bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup with lemongrass and shrimp paste, or com hen, rice with clams and herbs for a fresh, tangy bite. Banh beo, nam, and bot loc—small rice cakes with shrimp toppings—offer delicate textures dipped in fish sauce. Che Hue, sweet soups with beans and fruits, provide dessert variety.

Bun bo Hue (Vietnamese spicy rice noodle soup)

These dishes, once served to kings, emphasize presentation and balance, available at markets or royal-style restaurants. Food tours in Hue highlight street versions, while cooking classes teach imperial techniques, using fresh ingredients from local market like Dong Ba for authentic flavors.

Read More: 5 Must-try Foods When You Visit Hue

Peaceful boat tours

A boat concert on the Perfume River is a signature experience, where traditional Nha Nhac music floats under moonlight, accompanied by candlelit lanterns and the river’s gentle flow. Cruises from Phu Van Lau to Trang Tien last an hour, featuring performers in ao dai playing ancient instruments, evoking imperial elegance. This serene activity, often with poetry recitals, creates magical memories of Hue’s cultural romance. Evening tours in Hue often include dinners with river views, enhancing the romantic ambiance, and the boat concerts blend music, history, and nature for a multisensory delight.

Tips for Visiting Hue

Best time to visit Hue

The ideal time to visit Hue is from January to August, when the weather is dry and pleasant. During this period, visitors can explore the city without worrying about the weather.

If you prefer a cooler atmosphere, autumn, from September to November, during the rainy season in Vietnam, is also an excellent time to enjoy the mildness of Hue. However, this is also when Hue is prone to storms and heavy rain, so visitors should keep this in mind.

How to get there?

From Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can easily reach Hue by plane, train or bus. Regular domestic flights depart from Phu Bai Airport, while those who love scenic views can choose the train, which offers spectacular coastal views. Buses offer affordable road options from nearby cities, such as Hoi An or Da Nang, while Vietnam car rental with driver offers convenience and flexibility to travel around at your own pace.

In Hue, you can rent a bicycle to explore the imperial city, and take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit hidden tombs and tranquil riverside pagodas.

Must-visit destinations

• Hue Citadel: Built in the early 19th century under the Nguyen dynasty, it consists of three main enclosures: the Imperial City, the Forbidden City, and the Great Enclosure. Visitors can discover iconic monuments such as the Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace, and many temples and tombs. The architecture here is a harmonious blend of traditional Eastern culture and Western influences.
• Tomb of Minh Mang: Located about 12 km from the center, this tomb is famous for its harmony between nature and architecture, a peaceful place reflecting the spirit of King Minh Mang.
• Tomb of Khai Dinh: Known for its style blending Vietnamese tradition and Western modernity, this tomb impresses with its luxury, imported materials, and frescoes.
• Thien Mu Pagoda: Perched on a hill, it overlooks the Perfume River. Its imposing seven-story tower is one of Hue’s most recognizable symbols.
• Perfume River and Trang Tien Bridge: A cruise on the Perfume River, accompanied by traditional music, offers an unforgettable experience. The Trang Tien Bridge, illuminated at night, is also a perfect spot for photos.
• Thuan An and Lang Co Beaches: After a cultural visit, these beaches offer a haven of peace with their white sand and crystal-clear waters, perfect for relaxation.

Lang Co Beach.

Read More:

• An Dinh Palace Vietnam: A Timeless Jewel of Hue’s Imperial Legacy
• Kien Trung Palace in Vietnam: Splendid Hue Beauty reopens

Must-try dishes

• Hue Beef Vermicelli (Bun bo Hue): This iconic dish combines noodles, beef, pork shank, and a spicy soup, prepared with local ingredients such as shrimp paste.
• Rice with Corbicula (Com hen): This simple yet tasty dish mixes cold rice and sautéed small clams, accompanied by vegetables, peanuts, and fermented shrimp sauce.
• Banh beo, banh nam, banh bot loc: These small rice dishes are popular specialties served with shrimp and meat toppings, accompanied by spicy sauces.
• Che Hue: A sweet dessert with a wide variety of ingredients, such as beans, candied fruits, and even roasted pork for the more adventurous.

Plan your adventure in Hue with Paradise Travel

Why visit Hue? This ancient capital of Vietnam, with its majestic imperial citadels, royal tombs, serene pagodas and natural landscapes captivates the soul of every traveler. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate architecture blending Eastern philosophy with French colonial influences, the tranquility overlooking the Perfume River, or the complicated flavors of imperial cuisine, Hue promises discoveries that inspire and rejuvenate.

When combined with nearby bustling attractions like Da Nang and Hoi An, Hue is a peaceful destination that invites you to unwind and refresh. At Paradise Travel, we craft bespoke Hue tours that blend the city’s timeless treasures with seamless extensions to Vietnam’s highlights, such as the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the coastal beaches of Da Nang, or the modern lifestyle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

If you are a history buffs uncovering Vietnam’s royal past, nature lovers seeking tranquil escape, or food enthusiasts savoring emperors’ dishes, Hue is definitely the destination for you. Don’t miss the chance to turn your dreams into reality. Travel to Vietnam and discover Hue’s imperial elegance with Paradise Travel.