14 Places to Visit in Hue + Things To Do

Hue is the capital city of Thừa Thiên Huế province in Central Vietnam. It was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945 and as such, features an array of historical sites, like palaces and shrines and fortresses.

Hue’s top attraction is the 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, encompassing the Forbidden City and the Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from war sites, you may also enjoy exploring Hue’s imperial tombs, palaces, and pagodas and uncovering their beauties. For nature lovers, you may want to walk along the promenade or hop on a paddleboat at Perfume River and take all the scenic views in.

Hue is accessible from other cities in the country and all over Asia. Phu Bai International Airport serves a network of domestic and international connections to help develop Hue and the entire province as the next tourism destination in the country.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Hue travel essentials

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1. Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City)

Cua Ngo Mon (gate), the main tourist entrance, at the south side of the Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam

Nine dynastic urns at The To Mieu (temple) in Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City), Vietnam

Lotus pond and rockeries near Ta Tra Building at Cung Dien Tho (residence) in Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City), Vietnam

Dien Thai Hoa (palace) in Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City), Vietnam

Cua Hien Nhon, the main tourist exit gate, at the west side of Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City), Vietnam

Garden with turtle topiary in Hue Imperial City (Forbidden Purple City), Vietnam

Location: Thành phố Huế, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

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2. Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda, along the Perfume River, in Hue, Vietnam

Burning incense at Thien Mu Pagoda, along the Perfume River, in Hue, Vietnam

Vietnamese tourists in traditional outfit at Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Hương Hòa, Thành phố Huế, Hương Hòa Thành phố Huế Thừa Thiên Huế 532761, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Royal Tombs of Ancient Emperors

3. Minh Mang Tomb

Lang Minh Mang (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam

Marcos at Lang Minh Mang (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Minh Mang (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Minh Mang (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam

Location: QL49, Hương Thọ, Hương Trà, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

4. Khai Dinh Tomb

Lang Khai Dinh (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Khải Định, Thủy Bằng, Hương Thủy, Thừa Thiên Huế 530000, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

5. Tu Duc Tomb

Lang Tu Duc (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Elephant, mandarin and stone statues at Lang Tu Duc (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Tu Duc (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam tall pillars and the stele pavilion, in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Tu Duc (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam tall pillars and the stele pavilion, in Hue, Vietnam

Location: thôn Thượng Ba, Thành phố Huế, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

6. Gia Long Tomb

Lang Gia Long (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Gia Long (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Dragon guards at the base of the steps leading to Dien Minh Thanh (shrine) near Lang Gia Long (tomb) / Lang Thien Tho (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Gia Long (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Hương Thọ, Hương Trà District, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

7. Thieu Tri Tomb

Marcos at Lang Thieu Tri (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Base of the steps at Lang Thieu Tri (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Ornate roof at Lang Thieu Tri (tomb), at the countryside in Hue, Vietnam

Lang Thieu Tri (tomb) in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Thủy Bằng, Hương Thủy, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

8. The Flag Tower

Marcos at The Flag Tower in Hue, Vietnam

Holy Cannons at the Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Imperial City,, Thuận Hoà, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

9. Phu Cam Church

Phu Cam Church in Hue, Vietnam

Phu Cam Church in Hue, Vietnam

Location: 1 Đoàn Hữu Trưng, Phước Vĩnh, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

10. Hon Chen Temple

Local boat ride to Hon Chen Temple, at the countryside, in Hue, Vietnam

Hon Chen Temple in Hue, Vietnam

Inside Hon Chen Temple in Hue, Vietnam

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/erzSn6XmAxqDSP4CA. Save on Google Maps.

11. Hue Food & Coffee

Quan Cam (Bun Bo Hue food stall) in 38 Tran Cao Van, Hue, Vietnam

Viet Coffee (Ca Phe Viet) in 38 Tran Cao Van, Hue, Vietnam

Bun Bo Hue in Hue, Vietnam

12. Perfume River

Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

13. Nam Giao Esplanade (Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth)

Nam Giao Esplanade (Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth) in Hue, Vietnam

Nam Giao Esplanade (Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth) in Hue, Vietnam

Location: Trường An, Thành phố Huế, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

14. Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass beach view aboard the Da Nang-Hue train in Vietnam

Location: Đèo Hải Vân. Save on Google Maps.

Where to go near Hue & beyond

15. Da Nang

Location: Central Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Da Nang Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Da Nang travel tips

12 Places To Visit in Da Nang

16. Phong Nha Caves

Location: Bố Trạch District, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam (Central Vietnam). Save on Google Maps.

Phong Nha Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Phong Nha Caves travel tips

5 Places To Visit in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

17. Hoi An

Location: Old Town, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Hoi An Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Hoi An travel tips

15 Places To Visit in Hoi An

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Hue that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Hue

Hue tourist spots, things to do in Hue, where to go in Hue & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

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