Hue

The city of Hue’, Vietnam is located in the Central Region of the country. Throughout its history, the city went through some very tough times during the Vietnam War from massive slaughters and bombings by both the Viet Cong and the Americans.

Climate

The weather in this area is infamously known to be not one of the best in Vietnam. It is generally cool, cloudy, and rainy especially in the winter. Thus, it is best to take rain gear as well as a sweater or a jacket. On the flipside, it can also get very warm in the summer, as well as continuous rain that can last for weeks.

Arriving to Hue

Any tourist can enter into the city by plane, train or bus. By plane, flights can be taken from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to the small Phu Bai airport just outside of the city or to the Danang airport, which is two hours away. By train, several of them can be taken from the same cities in which you can arrive by air and can be quite scenic with prices going up to at least $80. By bus, most bus tours will usually schedule a stop to Hue within the country and can also be taken to and from the cities of Savannah and Vientiane, Laos. Make sure to check the prices and times when making your reservations.

 

 

Sites

Getting around the city is relatively easy because it is so condensed. While you can get around by taxi, bike or cyclo, your best bet would be to get around on foot. In fact, it is possible to take a walking tour using a map and brochure so you know where you’re going.

Perfume River --- This River is a landmark in Hue because it is the border between the older and newer party of the city. Along the side of the river, the visitor can find many interesting sculptures and a park.

Imperial Citadel --- This site was once the former seat of Vietnam’s imperial government. It is a huge palace complex of temples, pavilions, moats, shops, museums, galleries, etc. If you are a history buff or looking to gain a better understanding of Vietnamese culture and history, this would be the place for you. It is open from 6:30am – 10:00pm and costs 55,000 dong upon entry.

Tombs of the Emperor --- This is the second biggest attraction in the city of Hue and is located next to the Perfume Winter. They date between the late 19th to early 20th century. The most recommended tombs to visit are the Tomb of Tu Duc, the Tomb of Minh Mang, and the Tomb of Khai Dinh. In all three, you can view exquisite Vietnamese architecture and sculptures. A couple of the tombs are quiet and remote while others are as complex as entering into a historical Vietnamese palace. All the tombs can be walked to and from the riverside and you will need a map in order to do so. They are generally open from 7:30am to 5:30pm. It is best to see this city by riverboat or a special city cruise tour that includes lunch but not into the tombs (which is 55,000 per person).

Other things to do

If you are looking to come to Hue, you might want to go shopping for embroidery because it is the craft the city is famous for.

As for food, you would want to try food known as imperial cuisine which is food that was prepared for the emperor, a famous local dish called bun bo hue (a noodle soup with slices of beef and chili oil), sesame candy, and nem lui which is a sweet minced grilled pork on bamboo sticks, just to name a few.