Hue continued to serve as the nation's capital until 1945, when the Emperor Bao Dai announced his resignation as the kingdom was split in half. Hue is situated almost halfway between Saigon, which is in the south, and Hanoi, which is in the northwest (540 kilometers) (644km). Hue is the location of the King Mausoleum Complex since it served as the Old Capital of the final dynasty in Vietnam. The reputation of Hue as a political, ecclesiastical, and cultural hub is a result of its history.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site has been established for Hue and its surroundings. As a result, tourism has grown and given visitors several opportunities to learn valuable lessons from these historic buildings and the Royal Family.

How to Get There:

1 hour long flights from both Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city.

Short scenic drives connects Da Nang and Hoi An to the south and Dong Ha and Dong Hoi to the north.

Tip: Take the drive and stop at Ba Na Hills for the cable car taking you to Golden Hands Bridge.

Trains also connect the north and south, therefore, many trains pass through and stop in Hue Railway Station.

When to go: Visit Hue all year round: For autumn between August - mid October for cooler weather. Summer is from April - September it's ideal for combining your visit to the anceint capital with a relax beach break in Lang Co.

Restaurant Recommendations:
Authentic Local Style:

Bun Bo Hanh - If you were to have just one dish in Hue, then it should probably be bun bo. It’s a popular noodle soup made with rice vermicelli, thin slices of beef, and hefty chunks of beef shank. The broth is prepared by simmering pork and beef bones with lemongrass seasoned with fermented shrimp paste, annatto, sugar, and chili oil. It’s then typically garnished with chopped green onion, slivers of raw onion, and cilantro.

Hang Me Me - This family of steamed rice cakes collectively known as “banh hue”. Offering sampler platters with banh beo, banh nam, and banh loc - all steamed and served with condiments fused with fish sauce, lime, palm sugar and chilli.

Tai Phu - Nem lui is another dish associated with Hue consisting of marinated beef or pork kebabs wrapped around lemongrass stalks or bamboo skewers and then grilled over charcoal. Served with thin rice paper, rice vermicelli, lettuce, cucumber slices, and fresh herbs along with a bowl of peanut sauce made with fermented beans, sesame seeds, shrimp paste, garlic, chili, and shallots.

Lac Thien - If you’ve had banh xeo in Hoi An or Saigon and enjoyed it, then chances are you’re going to like banh khoai too. It’s basically a much crunchier version of banh xeo. Like the aforementioned, banh khoai is a rice flour and turmeric crepe typically filled with pork, shrimp, scallions, and beansprouts. Like many fried Vietnamese dishes, it’s served with a side of leafy fresh greens, herbs, and perhaps a few slices of star fruit or young banana, along with hoi sin dipping sauce.

Things to do

Being the former Imperial City - Hue is truly a great discovery for age-old temples, a romantic riverside setting with a tranquil landscape discoverable by bicycle and or private car. 

Also a home to many of Vietnam's most creative and spiritual, visit Hue for a truly unforgettable experience. 

Phong Nha

A few hours drive away from Hue is also Phong Nha is an adventurer’s paradise.

Optional flight Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh to Phong Nha, doiscover the home to some of the largest cave sites in the world.

Millions of years of flooding have chiseled out the world’s largest caves, meandering rivers entwine ancient karsts, and jungle-clad mountains lend an otherworldly atmosphere.

Colossal caves may be the main draw, but linger a little longer and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park will reveal hiking trails, countryside lanes, and rivers perfect for kayaking. Although this is Vietnam’s top adventure destination, Phong Nha is still in the early stages of development. Now is the time to come. The caves are pristine, the locals are friendly, and you’ll feel like you have the wilderness all to yourself.