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Hue exudes grace like a twenty-year-old girl, sometimes shining in the early sunlight, yet occasionally melancholic in the enduring rain. In this manner, Hue is exceptionally beautiful and poetic, forever captivating the hearts of admirers. A one-day trip to Hue may not fully unravel its mysteries, but it's enough to understand why Hue is likened to a graceful girl in an ao dai.
Depending on your starting point, you can choose how to get to Hue and when to arrive. Regardless of the time, beginning a day of exploration in Hue in the early morning is always ideal. From the early morning, the people of Hue gather at Ky Dai area, Ngọ Môn Square for activities and exercise. You can come here to admire and learn about the simple life of the people of Hue.
Panoramic view of the imperial city of Hue. (Source: Internet)
Exploring Hue without visiting the Imperial City, Hue Citadel, is a significant omission. This is where indelible moments of history and the last feudal dynasty of the nation are recorded. The ancient, solemn, and majestic architecture of a magnificent palace will surprise you at every turn. The entrance fee for the Imperial City is 150,000 VND/person (including access to the Imperial City and the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum). If you have ample time in Hue, you can combine the visit with some tombs at a very attractive price.
Inside the Hue Citadel. (Source: Internet)
- Imperial City – Minh Mang Tomb – Khai Dinh Tomb: 280,000 VND/person
- Imperial City – Minh Mang Tomb – Tu Duc Tomb – Khai Dinh Tomb: 360,000 VND/person
One of the main attractions in the Imperial City includes the Ngọ Môn Gate, Thái Hòa Palace, Diên Thọ Palace, Càn Thành Palace, Cần Chánh Palace, and more. Although the traces are not abundant, what remains is enough to give you insights into the past life of the royal family in our country.
The lingering hues of time at the historic Hue Citadel. (Source: Internet)
Hue Citadel is quite extensive, and if you explore it all, you might end up spending the entire day there. Therefore, it's advisable to select key points within the Citadel and then visit Thien Mu Pagoda, marvel at the Perfume River's scenery, and the most famous pagoda in the ancient capital. From the Citadel, following the Perfume River westward for about 4km, you'll reach Thien Mu Pagoda - a sacred and renowned pagoda, offering serene views of the Perfume River day and night. Many believe that admiring the Perfume River from Thien Mu Pagoda is the most beautiful experience. On the way, you can also enjoy the gentle beauty of the Perfume River.
The ancient and solemn beauty of Thien Mu Pagoda. (Source: Internet)
Bid farewell to Thien Mu Pagoda, and you surely won't be able to continue your exploration on an empty stomach. At this point, trying a specialty of Hue is a must. Bun Bo Hue, Com Hen, Banh Beo, Banh Bot Loc... are the most delicious dishes in Hue that you must try. And remember, if you're not a 'hardcore' chili enthusiast, make sure to tell the seller not to add extra chili because most people in Hue enjoy spicy food, and, of course, the dishes they sell are quite spicy. Taking a stroll and stopping by a few eateries in Hue, I understand why many people love Hue cuisine so much. These are extremely simple yet flavorful and characteristic dishes at very affordable prices.
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A lively corner of Đông Ba Market. (Source: Internet)
Steamed rice cakes in small bowls. (Source: Internet)
Bun Bo Hue. (Source: Internet)
In my opinion, you should visit Đông Ba Market to indulge in Hue's cuisine. There are plenty of eateries here with reasonable prices, and they also sell souvenirs. Once you're full, the next thing to do is stroll across Trang Tien Bridge and admire the Perfume River. Right next to Trang Tien Bridge, there's Vo Thi Sau pedestrian street (said to be livelier in the evening). After crossing Trang Tien Bridge, you can explore the Khai Dinh Tomb (about 10km from the city center) or An Dinh Palace (about 3.5km from Đại Nội).
The picturesque beauty along the Perfume River. (Source: Internet)
In my view, Khai Dinh Tomb is more worth visiting because it's spacious, has unique structures, and especially, it's cool. For individual visitors, the entrance fee for Khai Dinh Tomb is 100,000 VND/person, and you can explore and take pictures freely. The most impressive thing at Khai Dinh Tomb is the statues depicting the solemn faces of Nguyen dynasty officials. The tranquil and contemplative atmosphere here will surely make you reflect on the nation's past.
Khai Dinh Tomb - One of the most beautiful tombs in Huế. (Source: Internet)
After bidding farewell to Khai Dinh Tomb, I returned to the city center as the evening set in. I lingered by the Perfume River, enjoying a delightful cup of Hue tea, sweet and soothing. I marveled at the enchanting scenery of the river as the twilight marked the end of my dreamy and captivating exploration of Hue.
Irresistible delights of Hue's desserts. (Source: Internet)
* Trip Summary:
- Entrance ticket for Đại Nội: 150,000 VND
- Admission ticket to Thien Mu Pagoda: complimentary
- Admission ticket to Khai Dinh Tomb: 100,000 VND
- Enjoying three hearty meals: 100,000 VND
- Motorcycle rental cost: 150,000 VND/bike
>>> Total expenses: 500,000 VND/person (excluding transportation costs to Hue)
Scenic roads shaded by lush green trees in Hue. (Source: Internet)
Exploring the romantic city of Hue in just a day may not be enough to see all its beauty. However, even a short time can make you fall in love with the most charming city in Central Vietnam. For a more complete trip to Hue, you can book a 1-day tour of Hue with Mytour at attractive prices. Contact the Mytour hotline for free advice on meaningful tours and discoveries in Hue.
>>> Check out more travel tips for Hue if you haven't experienced exploring this dreamy city along the Perfume River!
