17 Must-Visit Destinations in Hue

Hue, the ancient capital, carries within its embrace a poetic beauty, rich culture, and exceptional cuisine. It also conceals many intriguing destinations for your Hue travel journey.

17 Must-See Places to Check-in When Traveling to Hue

1. Imperial City (Hue Citadel)

The Imperial City, situated within the Hue Citadel, is a must-visit spot when traveling to Hue. After over a century, the grand architectural structures within the Imperial City have diminished to less than half of their original count, yet they still retain the majestic aura of the ancient royal court. The Imperial City is quite expansive, so it's advisable to allocate around 1 day to explore it fully.

2. An Dinh Palace

An Dinh Palace is situated on the banks of the An Cuu River, formerly part of Ward 8, Hue Town, now at 179 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hue City (Thua Thien Hue Province). An Dinh was the private palace of King Khai Dinh from his princehood until his coronation, later inherited by King Bao Dai who lived here after abdication. With its majestic and nostalgic beauty, the 'century-old precious gem' – An Dinh Palace has become one of the most appealing destinations for Hue tourism in recent years.

3. Hue Royal Antiquities Museum

The Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, under the Hue Ancient Capital Preservation Center headquartered at Long An Palace, is the earliest-established museum in Hue. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to admire many rare antiques such as royal seals, king's palanquin, dragon bed, court attires, queen's accessories, wooden altar, tea cabinet, calligraphy paintings, royal decrees, ceramics, silverware, bronze items, and engraved enamelware, some dating back hundreds of years.

Additionally, there are exquisite handicraft products crafted by skilled artisans under royal orders. These are not mass-produced items, but each piece is unique and precious. Furthermore, there are two Nguyen dynasty artifacts, the most prestigious civil mandarin hat and the imperial court attire of Empress Nam Phuong dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, integral to the Nguyen dynasty's court life, of great cultural and historical value.

4. Royal Tombs

During your Hue tour, you mustn't miss visiting the ancient magnificent structures in this former imperial land. The royal tombs of the emperors in Hue each have their own unique features and fascinating historical stories. However, the tombs are often far apart and not located in the city center. You should allocate time to hire a taxi or rent a self-driving car for a tour to visit tombs such as Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, etc.

5. Hon Chen Palace

The cluster of Hue tourist relics consists of about 10 different large and small architectural structures, all nestled along the slopes of Ngoc Tran Mountain, facing the Perfume River, concealed beneath the canopy of trees. Among them, Hon Chen Palace sits atop Ngoc Tran Mountain – a mountain with an extremely unique geographical position. Hon Chen Palace holds a significant position in the spiritual life of the people of Hue, being the only palace in Hue that combines court rituals and folk beliefs. Hon Chen Palace is also a place where artistic decoration reached its peak in the late 19th century.

6. Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the must-visit attractions in Hue that you cannot miss on your travel itinerary. The pagoda was officially established by Lord Nguyen Hoang in 1601 and has been renovated several times. Thien Mu Pagoda attracts many tourists with its grandeur yet serene and poetic beauty. To reach Thien Mu Pagoda, you can take a boat along the Perfume River, admiring the extremely romantic scenery.

Vong Canh Hill is located about 7 km from the center of Hue City. From Vong Canh Hill, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the beautiful and picturesque landscape, with the Perfume River flowing below. Vong Canh Hill is also a rare spot where you can admire the sunset over the ancient land.

8. Thuy Xuan Fragrance Village

Embark on an adventure at Elephant Stream.

Discover the Serene Cat Tuong Quan Settlement.

Established in 2009, the Cat Tuong Quan Settlement sprawls over 3,000 square meters amidst the most picturesque pine hills in Hue, the Thiên An hills. Surrounded by pine trees on all sides and flanked by two villas, the strategic location shields Cat Tuong Quan from the winds of Laos and the ravages of floods.

Uncover the Ancient Am Hon Temple.

Today, the Am Hon Temple stands on Mai Thuc Loan Street in Phu Hau Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province. Every year on the 23rd of the 5th lunar month, elderly locals gather here to conduct rites and commemorate the fallen heroes. Despite the passage of time and the fluctuations of history, the people remain steadfast in their dedication, expressing their devotion to their homeland and its traditions. Visitors to Hue during these ceremonies will experience the noble sacrifices and enduring cultural values of the local community.

Journey to the Enigmatic Son Cha Island.

Son Cha Island (also known as Chao Island) is situated between the waters of Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue, serving as a strategic point for coastal security in the Central region. Renowned for its pristine beauty, Son Cha Island is often referred to as the jewel of Hue. In the past, this area marked the border between Dai Viet and Chiem Thanh. In remembrance of the contributions of Princess Huyen Tran and her historical romance that helped expand the territory to include Thuan Chau, Hoa Chau, and the Hai Van Pass, King Tran named this island Huyen Tran Island.

Explore the Tranquil Truoi Lake.

From Hue City, heading towards Truoi Bridge in Loc Hoa Commune, Phu Loc District, and turning right for an additional 10km, you will encounter the summit of Bach Ma Mountain. Nestled at the foot of Bach Ma Mountain is the vast and serene Truoi Lake, stretching endlessly as far as the eye can see. Here, besides visiting the Truc Lam Bach Ma Monastery, tourists can purchase tickets to join tours exploring the wild nature around Truoi Lake.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook