10 Best Things to Do in Hue

The Hue Imperial City features hundreds of monuments dating back to the early 19th century. Set along the northern bank of the Perfume River, the complex comprises the Forbidden Purple City, royal tombs, pagodas, temples, royal quarters, a library, and a museum. 

Also called the Complex of Hue Monuments, this UNESCO World Heritage site hosts daily cultural performances at 9 am, 10 am, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. There is an entrance fee, which combines visits to the Hue Imperial City and the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities. The Hue Imperial City is a must-visit for any visitor to Central Vietnam.

Thien Mu Pagoda is set atop a hill just outside Hue City Centre, offering breathtaking views of the Perfume River and Hue Imperial City. One of its standout features is a 21-metre-tall octagonal tower called Thap Phuoc Duyen, which was built in 1844 under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri. 

The main sanctuary houses wooden sculptures of temple guardians, gold-plated Buddha statues, and a 2-tonne bell cast in 1710. Thien Mu Pagoda was also the home monastery of Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc, who shocked the whole world when he self-immolated in 1963 in protest against the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government.

Thanh Toan Bridge is a tile-roofed footbridge similar to Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge. It featues ancient Chinese and Japanese motifs, as well as ornate carvings of sacred animals. Built during the reign of Emperor Le Hien Tong (1740-1786), this wooden bridge is built over the Nhu Y River, spanning 17 metres in length. 

There’s an altar commemorating its founder, Tran Thi Dao, who was the wife of a high-ranking Mandarin in the emperor’s court. Thanh Toan Bridge, set within Thanh Thuy village, is a pleasant 20-minute drive from Hue City Centre. Along the way, you’ll pass by several traditional villages, rice paddies and pagodas.

The To Mieu Temple is part of the UNESCO-protected Complex of Hue Monuments. It was constructed by Emperor Minh Mang in 1821 in commemoration of former emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty.

This ancestral temple is one of the best-preserved structures in the complex. It houses an ornate 3-tiered pavilion, various personal items and portraits of its 10 emperors, as well as 9 dynastic urns cast between 1835 and 1836. While travellers are free to explore The To Mieu Temple, guided tours are available for those looking to know more about the history of Hue.

Minh Mang Tomb is hailed as the most ambitious royal tomb built during the Nguyen Dynasty. You can find it along the west bank of the Perfume River, about a 30-minute drive from Hue City Centre.

Construction of the expansive tomb started in 1840 under the order of Emperor Minh Mang. It was completed 2 years later during Emperor Thieu Tri’s reign. Surrounded by landscaped lakes and canals, Minh Mang Tomb houses 40 buildings in total, including palaces, temples, terraces, and pavilions. There is a small fee to enter the complex.

Tu Duc Tomb is one of the many royal tombs on the outskirts of the Hue Imperial City. Built between 1864 and 1867, the complex served as a summer palace for Emperor Tu Duc. Its natural hillside and riverfront landscape include a massive lake and over 50 palaces, pavilions, temples and shrines. 

Tu Duc Tomb offers a relaxing ambience for visitors looking to experience the remnants of the ancient Nguyen Dynasty. The royal tomb is in Thuong Ba Village, around a 15-minute drive from the Hue Imperial City.

The Perfume River is approximately 80 km long, flowing from Truong Son Mountain through Hue City Centre and Bang Lang Fork. Locally known as Huong River, its name came from wilted flowers from upriver orchards that are carried through its flow during autumnal months, resulting in a strong floral scent. 

Most of Hue’s iconic attractions, temples, and local villages are set along the Perfume River. Numerous tour operators offer paddle boat rentals, boat rides, and dinner cruises at various price points. On the southern bank, there is a wooden walkway by the water that's popular for its riverside views.

The Bach Ma National Park is in the Annamite Range, standing at 1,450 metres above sea level. This verdant landscape has majestic waterfalls, hiking trails, and dilapidated French villas. It's a popular retreat for locals and travellers from Hue and Da Nang, as local buses from both cities often stop at the nearby Cau Hai Village. 

You can enjoy a full day (or more) of hiking, camping, rappelling, swimming, and even abseiling over Do Quyen Waterfall (Rhododendron Fall).

Hon Chen Temple was built to worship Po Nagar, the goddess of the ancient Cham population in Ngoc Ho Village. Set atop a small rocky cliff, this unique shrine underwent numerous restorations under the reigns of Emperor Minh Mang and Dong Khanh between 1832 and 1886. 

Today, it houses several relics such as ancient vases, Chinese scriptures, religious figures, and animal carvings. The Hon Chen Temple Festival takes place in the middle of the 3rd and 7th lunar months each year. You can enjoy traditional rituals, folk dances and music performances by local devotees in colourful costumes.