Amazing Things To Do In Hue Vietnam

Huế in central Vietnam with a population of over 455,000 people. The city is home to the Imperial City of Huế which was designated as a UNESCO site in 1993. This served as the emperor’s home back in the late 17th century. What are the things to do in Hue Vietnam?

Hue largely depends on tourism from an economic point of view. You can visit the Imperial City, explore the Hai Van Pass, take a boat tour, and be surrounded by beautiful scenery. Also, Hue suffered badly during the Vietnam War, with the Battle of Hue considered among the deadliest and longest battles. Aside from human casualties, a lot of historic sites were also destroyed or damaged during the battle.

In this post, we will go through things to do in Hue Vietnam. Let’s get started!

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• Vietnam Travel Itinerary
• Is Hue Worth Visiting?

Is Hue Vietnam Worth Visiting?

Hue is worth visiting for a few days especially if you are interested in Vietnam’s history as there is a lot to see from the Vietnam War. And there is the Imperial City or go for a hike in Bach Ma National Park.

Things To Do In Hue Vietnam

Hue is a popular city in Central Vietnam. The city has a historical significance as well as breathtaking monuments, and beautiful landscapes, and there is a good range of restaurants that serve up local dishes.

Here are some of the best things to do in Hue Vietnam.

Visit The Provincial Museum

It is quite sad to see how the Hue Provincial Museum needs maintenance, with its walkways having holes and with the grass needing a good cut. The indoor museum itself has artifacts and photos although there were only a few English explanations.

The battle of Hue was a significant battle during Vietnam War, this museum failed to give justice to the battle. However, it doesn’t mean that it is not worthy of a visit.

If you are interested in wars and history. If you happen to be in Imperial City, it is beside it you just have to cross the road. The front grounds are dotted with several planes, tanks, and even a helicopter that are all remnants of the Vietnam War.

The placards written in English and Vietnamese explain where each vehicle was acquired and from whom and this in itself is already fascinating.

Admire The Hue Imperial City

The Imperial City was once a palace and is a walled fortress that used to be the home of the emperors of Vietnam. Also known as The Citadel, the grounds of the palace are surrounded by an impressive water lily-filled moat.

Most parts of the structure were damaged during the battles during the war but there is ongoing restoration. The moment you step inside, you will be able to see the buildings that were damaged, in their original and restored stages.

See to it that you ask the driver to drop you off at the right gate to start your visit.

Visit Hon Chen Temple

This is an extraordinary temple that overlooks the Perfume River. It sits on top of a small rocky cliff and there are a few steps to climb to get there but not too many. You can visit the temple by long-tail boat from Hue.

Inside the temple, there are two beautiful altars, one lower and one tucked away upstairs at the top of the building. The temple contains artifacts such as ancient vases, figurines of various kinds, and offerings tables.

It’s definitely worth a visit. Even if not interested in temples, the views, and architecture are a must-see. On the third and seventh lunar months, you will find local music and dance performances at the temple.

Drive Through Hai Van Pass

You have two choices if you drive to Hue from Da Nang. First, you can take the Hai Van Tunnel. This tunnel is considered to be the longest in Southeast Asia at 6.28 km long. Another option is for you to take Hai Van Pass.

This pass is a mountain road that will take you up and down, then around the coastline. Here, you will get to see some spectacular views, making it popular with people who travel by motorbike.

It is not only renowned for its beauty, yet the pass is also notable for its difficulty and danger. That is the main reason why the Hai Van Tunnel was created. There are times when sharp curves make it impossible to see traffic.

Oftentimes, the road is also covered with thick fog, yet there are some cement railings to prevent falling off from the mountain.

Explore Khai Dinh Tomb

It is considered the last imperial tomb in the country of Vietnam. For those who don’t know, this tomb took eleven years to build and was completed in the year 1931. In spite of being quite a recent addition, the Khai Dinh Tomb is considered one of the most famous tombs in the area.

Emperor Khai Dinh spent most of his life in France. That’s why the tomb is a combination of both Western and Eastern designs. Climbing up the 127 steps up the mountain’s side will bring you to the temple fortified by the statue guards.

When they are inside visitors are in awe of the adorned walls with stunning photos made from porcelain and inlaid glass.

Take A Boat Tour

The Perfume River flows through Hue’s center. A lot of tourists take a boat tour along the river. Passengers can enjoy river views and visit some of the major tourist spots in the Hue area.

Strolling along the walkways is another way of taking in the river along the edge of the river. During the morning, you will see joggers doing their morning runs. During the evening, this place transforms with some restaurants and shops around.

Visit Bach Ma National Park

Bach Ma National Park is absolutely beautiful in nature with fresh cool air and clear running water through the forest and there are waterfalls. There are two options for a hiking route from which to choose.

The routes include some jumping on slightly slippery stones to cross rivers and occasionally going up or down steep paths.

Nothing too difficult if you’re in basic physical condition but do wear non-slippery footwear, basic sneakers are good enough. It’s definitely worth a visit to spend a day there. Arranging a tour is an easy option but you can, of course, arrange to go by yourself.

See The Thein Mu Pagoda

Overlooking the Perfume River on Ha Khe Hill, the 7 stories Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the tallest religious building in Vietnam. This was established in 1601, yet the tower was only constructed by 1844.

The grounds of the temple are not only attractive but also it is a site of political significance. In 1963, there was a Buddhist Crisis and the Catholic government cracked down on the country’s Buddhism.

When the 9 unarmed Buddhists were killed in Hue, the Thein Mu Pagoda became an organizing point for people who were involved in this movement.

When the government refused appeals for religious equity, Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, drove to Ho Chi Minh City and sacrificed himself by burning himself on fire.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Hue is a beautiful city in Vietnam, and would recommend that you take the time to visit Hue. The city is focused on tourism. You can enjoy visiting the Imperial City, going to the museums, exploring Khai Dinh tombs, or going hiking in Bach Ma National Park. All you have to do is choose the stuff you prefer and start enjoying what Hue has to offer.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Hue Vietnam has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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