HUE TOURS AND THINGS TO DO IN HUE

Hue Tours and Things to do in Hue are the Best Tours and things you must visit, enjoy and explore if you have ever traveled to Hue city. Below are the most useful recommendations in Hue for you!

Hue Tours and Things to do in Hue Imperial city

Hue was the imperial capital city of 9 Nguyen lords from 1558 and then of the Nguyen dynasty- The last dynasty in Vietnam from 1802 to 1945.

During more than 4 centuries, Hue was an extensive complex of special royal architectural and cultural relics. In 1993, the Hue imperial complex was honorably recognized by UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage Site. The city has become a must-see destination in Vietnam.

On the northern bank of the Perfume River in the middle of the city. The magnificent imperial citadel emerges, showing the absolute power of the Nguyen dynasty. The citadel’s royal palaces, monuments, and beautiful landscaping retain their imperial solemnity.

1. Hue Imperial Citadel

Hue Imperial Citadel- Culture Pham Travel

As you know, the total area of the Hue imperial citadel comprises 3 sections in 520 hectares.

The first one is the Citadel- the protecting area. The second is the Royal city– the working area of Emperor, civil servants and military servants. And the last one is Forbidden city- The residence of Emperor, royal family, and eunuchs.

Surrounded each section, there is a seven-kilometer long moat for decoration, protection, and to be like air-conditioning.

The architecture of the Imperial Citadel is a mixture between Oriental philosophy and Vietnamese tradition. As you can see, all the main structures are on an axis and very symmetrical. The citadel has four main gates. The Noon Gate (Ngo Mon) was the Gate only for the emperor- Son of Heaven.

Read more:Hue Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty

2. Hue Royal Tombs

If you come to Hue, you should book Hue Tours to visit the majestic tombs of the Nguyen Emperors that are on the West of the Imperial Citadel. Located on hills, facing to the Perfume River with perfect Feng Shui.

These tombs are showing the peak of Vietnamese architecture, the Emperor’s power but each tomb reflects the personality and soul of the Emperor as well. Some fabulous tombs you should not skip.

Minh Mang Tomb– the tomb of the second Emperor. Khai Dinh Tomb– The tomb of 12th Emperor, and Tu Duc Tomb– the tomb of the 4th Emperor. As you know, they all prepared the tombs for themselves before they passed away. Because they thought that, this life they were Emperors, after-life they would be Emperors again.

2.1. Minh Mang Tomb

The beautiful tomb of the second Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty with the perfect Fengshui. Lies on the Tam Tai Son mountain with the total area 28 hectares.

Minh Mang tomb is the perfect place for the forever sleep and also the use in the after-life of the Minh Mang emperor. To have a deep understanding of the tomb, you can have a look at Minh Mang Royal Tomb

Read more: Minh Mang Royal Tomb

Minh Mang Tomb

2.2. Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb is the fabulous tomb of the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. It is the smallest tomb in the tomb system of the dynasty but it is the most expensive and beautiful tomb.

Tomb of Khai Dinh is the Top of the inlaid color-glass, ceramics, and porcelain. Khai Dinh Royal tomb is the must-visit attraction in Hue imperial city.

Read more: Tomb of Khai Dinh

Hue Imperial city - Khai Dinh tomb - Hue tours

Khai Dinh Tomb- Culture Pham Travel

2.3. Tu Duc Tomb
The Tomb of Tu Duc emperor is the special tomb because there are 2 sections in the tomb of the 4th Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. The first section was the second residence and the second one is the burial area. Tu Duc was a very sad emperor.

Under his reign, the French first came to Vietnam so he lost his power. when he was young, he had smallpox so he could not give birth, and the last one is the had a bad reputation for killing his brother.

Tomb of Tu Duc emperor is the tomb of the artist and poet. To explore the Tu Duc emperor Tomb, please book Hue Tours or read our article Tomb of Tu Duc – The Tomb of Modesty.

Read more: Tomb of Tu Duc – The Tomb of Modesty

Hue Imperial city - Tu Duc tomb - Hue tours

3. Perfume River and Truong Tien Bridge

Long times ago, we cared very much about Feng Shui, so an important part of Hue’s attractiveness is the beauty of Perfume River and Ngu Binh mountain. Following Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a local of Hue, said: “The Perfume River is a natural wonder of Hue city”. It has rare romantic beauty.

Its green waters meander across the plains, through forests and villages like the beautiful hair of a virgin girl before entering the Tam Giang Lagoon”.

Perfume River Hue

Following what the Emperor did, taking a dragon boat on the Perfume River to enjoying the romantic sights of the city while listening to royal court music and local folk songs is a wonderful experience. In additional, Truong Tien Bridge over the Perfume River is another symbol of Hue.

Moreover, Truong Tien bridge and the Perfume River have been a great source of inspiration for poets and songwriters.

Mr. Phan Thuan An- a famous Hue cultural researcher said for Hue people. Truong Tien Bridge is the highlight architectural site of the city. It is strongly imprinted inside the hearts of Hue people.

Nowadays, the Hue imperial city is also famous as a festival city because of its biennial festival which attracts top Vietnamese and foreign performing artists. Authentic architecture, unique landscapes, and delicate gastronomy make Hue become a beautiful and romantic city and a must-visit destination!

Book Hue Tours at Culture Pham Travel is the best way to enjoy Hue!

Read more: Perfume River Hue

4. Hue Foods

As you know, Hue was the residence place of 13 emperors and the capital city of the Nguyen dynasty. Long times ago, in the Morning, the emperor had 18 dishes, lunch 36 dishes and dinner 18, in some important ceremonies, he had 54 dishes.

Not only for eating but also for smelling and looking. It was like an art. So foods in Hue is the best in Vietnam. Traveling to Hue city, you must enjoy and taste Hue foods.

Hue street food tour- Culture Pham Travel

As you can see in Hue, there are many kinds of foods and restaurants serve Vietnamese and Western foods. Some excellent restaurants in Hue we highly recommend Hanh Local food restaurant at 11 Pho Duc Chinh street; Elegant restaurant at 29 Vo Thi Sau street; Les Jardins de la Carambole restaurant at 32 Dang Tran Con Street.

If you would like to enjoy Hue specialties at many different local food restaurants you should book Hue Street Food Tour at Culture Pham Travel to taste all the best local foods that just can find in Hue.

5. Hue Tours

Hue is a city which is rich in history and relics, beautiful landscapes, delicious foods so there are many different ways to visit, explore and enjoy Hue such as walking to visit Hue imperial city (The Citadel); Rent a scooter to visit the Royal Tombs; abandoned water park;

Take a dragon boat to go along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda. But if you would like to get a deep history of the Nguyen dynasty and Vietnamese culture, please book the Hue Private city tour, Hue Luxury Group Tour, Hue Street Food Tour, Hue Bike Tour…at Culture Pham Travel.

6. Hue pagodas

In Vietnam, Hue is as known as the cradle of Buddhism. There are around 300 pagodas in Hue and they all are beautiful such as Tu Dam pagoda; Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda; Bao Quoc; Truc Lam…

But the 3 oldest and as know as the national pagodas in Hue are Thien Mu pagoda, Tu Hieu Pagoda, and Dieu De pagoda.

7. Hue Festival

Hue Festival is a huge culture event of Hue City held every two years. There is a week (usually in April, May or June) for each festival season which is the occasion to honor the cultural and historical values of that Vietnam’s ancient capital city. The first Hue Festival was in 2000.

At the start of the Hue Festival, Tourists can enjoy a colorful and grand opening ceremonies with special performances of several domestic art groups and from other countries. Hue Festival has been well known as a space of cultural exchange between peoples in over the world.

During the Hue festival, there are a lot of cultural events coming about such as the Dialogue of drums and percussion instruments, Massive Street Arts Performances, Art Exhibitions, Hue Poetry Festival, the Week of Vietnam’s historical films.

Apart from that, you can come and explore some traditional values of Vietnam at the “Oriental night” Show, Gastronomy Quarters, Traditional Kite Flying Festival or watch “Ao dai” Grand Show, and sporting activities like boat race, human chess, etc. particularly, many ancient sceneries of the Nguyen Dynasty are also reproduced and provide visitors an insight into Vietnam’s feudal era.

Some typical events include Xa Tac Offering Ritual, Nam Giao Offering Ritual, the Royal Refined Music of Hue that was recognized by UNESCO in 2003 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

8. Markets in Hue

As you know, Vietnamese have a good habit that we will go to markets every morning to by fresh ingredients to cook for their family. The market is not only the place where people sell and buy things but also a tight community.

If you travel to any countries, you should visit the markets because, in the markets, you will understand the local life and the soul of the destination. There are many markets in Hue but the biggest is the Dong Ba market.

The open time is from 4 a.m to 6 p.m. You can find out everything you like at Dong Ba even 25 USD Rolex watches.

9. Lang Co, Thuan An beach and Lap An Lagoon

9.1. Lang Co beach

Lang Co beach is one of the most poetic beaches in Vietnam and it was recognized as the most beautiful bay in the world.

Unlike other beaches, Lang co still a wild beach with over 10km long beach with white sand, and pure seawater and tropical forest on the mountains of Thua Thien Hue province.

Lang Co beach- Culture Pham Travel

Not only attractive by its beauty but Lang Co also great with various and fresh, cheap seafood such as shrimp; snails; oysters; cuttle-fish; crabs, and lobsters. Seafood in Lang Co is famous because they are so cheap but super fresh and tasty. Tourists come to Lang Co cannot help tasting the delicious seafood here.

9.2. Thuan An beach

Thuan An is the closest beach, just 15 km from Hue city center. It is a very beautiful, peaceful beach in Thua Thien Hue province. If you would like to escape from the busy and noisy life, Thuan An beach is the perfect option.

Not only gorgeous with white fine sands but also the seafood at Thuan An is very fresh, cheap and tasty. Spending a day at Thuan An beach, you will have a great chance to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and understand the life of local fishermen at Thuan An.

Thuan An beach- Culture Pham Travel

9.3. Lap An Lagoon

Thua Thien Hue province is not only rich in relics, historical places, history but also gets blessed with the masterpiece from nature. Lap An lagoon is the bright pearl and the highlight of Hue.

Nestled at the side of the fabulous Bach Ma national forest and Lang Co beach; Lap An lagoon looks like a gorgeous girl on the fabulous Lang Co sea picture.

Lap An lagoon- Culture Pham Travel

There is a local fishing village nearby Lap An, it is easy you can see many small fishing boats floating on the brackish water and huge fishing nests of local people in the middle of the poetic lagoon!

Travel to Lap an, you will be lost in a peaceful and charming beauty, that helps you forget all the stress and sadness of daily life.

There are many different other things to do and Hue Tours that you must visit but the best way to enjoy and explore Hue city is to book Hue Tours at Culture Pham Travel. You just book Hue Tours and Culture Pham Travel will help you enjoy them.

10. Thuy Tien Abandon Water Park Hue

Thuy Tien Lake (In Vietnamese called Hồ Thủy Tiên) is also named as Abandoned Water Park Hue. It was a famous water amusement park outskirt of Hue city, Vietnam.

This abandoned water park hidden in the jungle has now become popular with tourists who would like to explore somethings horror and who would like to practice photography skills.

To get the detail information about this attraction, please book our Hue Tours or read our article ” Abandoned Water Park Hue“.

11. An Dinh Palace Hue

An Dinh Palace Hue- Culture Pham Travel

An Dinh Palace or Cung An Dinh was the private residence of Khai Dinh emperor. Between 1917-1919 Nguyen Phuc Vinh Thuy (later Bao Dai Emperor) had renovated in modern style and became the residence officially.

After Bao Dai abdicated in 1945, he had moved from the Imperial City to the An Dinh Palace and lived with his mother and his wife and his children.

During the twentieth century, this place became the residence for both Vietnam’s last two queens, Tu Cung and Nam Phuong at different times.

It lies on the bank of An Cuu canal, at 179 Phan Dinh Phung street, Hue, Vietnam. An Dinh palace is well-known by the beauty of the sophisticated decoration. If you could not visit Khai Dinh tomb, you must visit An Dinh Palace Hue.

12. Ancient Hue An Hien Garden House

An Hien garden house

Long times ago, we cared very much about Fengshui. The perfect Fengshui is leaning against mountains and face to the water. We think if your houses have perfect Fengshui, you will get richness and family members are always in good health.

Hue imperial city was the capital city of the Nguyen dynasty. Visit Hue, you should visit ancient garden houses to understand Vietnamese house settings and Fengshui in the ancient houses. Brighten in beautiful garden houses in Hue is the An Hien garden house.

13. Thanh Toan Bridge Hue, Vietnam

Thanh Toan bridge-Culture Pham Travel

The Thanh Toan tile bridge is a wooden arch bridge with a tile roof crossing a canal in Thanh Thuy Chanh village, Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien – Hue province, about 8 km southeast of Hue city. This is a wooden bridge classified as rare and has the highest artistic value among the ancient bridges in Vietnam.

The bridge was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as a National Cultural Monument in 1990. Book Hue Tours to visit Thanh Toan Bridge Hue, you also have a chance to explore the real rural soul of the village in the Vietnam countryside.

Update Entrance fee HUE monuments in 2020:
Hue entrance fee

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Source: Culturephamtravel Company - https://culturephamtravel.com/hue-tours-and-things-to-do/

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