Top 10 Weekend Destinations in Hue

Truoi Lake, located in Loc Hoa commune, Phu Loc district (Thua Thien - Hue province), nestles at the foot of the majestic Bach Ma mountain range. The narrow road leading to Truoi Lake is surrounded by lush green pine trees. At the end of the road is a bustling boat dock that takes visitors on a leisurely tour around Truoi Lake. The lake's crystal-clear water, set amidst the picturesque natural scenery, and the fresh air will leave you in awe. This is an ideal picnic and camping spot for every weekend getaway. Here, you can freely jump, slide down waterfalls, make campfires, enjoy delicious food, and have fun together, embracing the peaceful moments of life and dispelling all fatigue and stress. Standing on one side of Truoi Lake, tourists can admire the entire panorama of Truc Lam Bach Ma Monastery, resembling a beautiful watercolor painting.

Truoi Lake's surface acts like a giant mirror reflecting the serene clouds. Located just under 30km from the center of Hue city, visiting Truoi allows you to savor local specialties such as Thanh Tra pomelo, delicious jackfruit, etc., through the Truoi Lake ferry ride, leaving behind the dust of daily life before climbing 172 three-tiered steps to reach the entrance of the meditation monastery. Drifting along the clear waters of Truoi Lake, tourists will explore fascinating ecological tourist spots like Vung Thung, Ba Trai, Hop Hai, and discover many interesting things about nature and plants. The carefree feeling of sitting by the stream, fishing under the clear water where each school of fish chasing prey is clearly visible, makes continuous fishing enjoyable. Then, savor the fruits of your labor over a fire made from dry forest wood, enjoying a cup of Chuon village wine with close friends, is truly a fulfilling experience, nothing compares.

Banana Beach is a natural sandy beach nestled between two mountainous cliffs, just below the Hai Van Pass to the north, located in Lang Co. This place possesses a rare pristine beauty, perfect for weekend outdoor activities. Being a natural sandy beach nestled between two mountainous cliffs, Banana Beach has a unique, undeveloped beauty, untouched by the tourism hustle and bustle. Visitors will encounter natural beaches with crystal-clear water, long stretches of white, fine sand, along with forests, rocky mountains, and stacked stone beaches creating a breathtaking natural landscape. The moment you set foot on this land, you will immediately be overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of nature, of mountains, of the sea, with its always clear and cool seawater.

This is an ideal destination for you to stop, rest, camp, and overnight. Banana Beach has an incredibly spacious, airy, and pristine beach. Behind it are lush, undulating hills. Not far from Banana Beach is a small stream flowing down from Hai Van Pass. Here, people can experience catching crabs, snails clinging to the rock crevices, cooking food together, setting up tents, exchanging, meeting at the lively campfire amidst the pristine natural mountains. For young travelers, Banana Beach promises to be an ideal backpacking destination to camp, have fun, fish, swim, or simply sit around the fire, play musical instruments, sing, and chat through the night.

Van Village is a small village nestled at the foot of Hai Van Pass (formerly known as the leper village or phoenix village as it was once home to a group of people who suffered from leprosy and had to live separately from the city's residents since the 1980s. To reach Van Village, you can choose various ways such as taking a boat, descending from the mountain, or going through tunnels. The village has three main beaches: Coconut Beach, Main Beach, and Xoan Beach, with a flat terrain and breathtaking natural scenery. You can find a perfect area to camp overnight, admire the sunrise and sunset in this picturesque city.

On August 25, 2012, Van Village was relocated to the city. Therefore, this place is almost completely isolated from the modern society outside. No glittering electric lights, no dusty smoke, no crowded bustling people. Here, there are only the sound of crashing waves and a captivating natural landscape. When you come to Van Village, you will feel the primitive beauty of an ancient fishing village. The deserted houses of fishermen lie silently under the green coconut forest, wild, tranquil, and extraordinary. If you have the opportunity to camp overnight in Van Village to enjoy the silence of the night and welcome the sunrise at dawn, it will be a fascinating experience.

True to its name, Thuy Tien Lake is a masterpiece blending poetic beauty with the serene atmosphere of the lake, the pristine nature with the green of the mountains and the sky. You can travel along Dien Bien Phu Street, then turn left onto Minh Mang Street, gradually entering the beautiful space like a painting of the tourist area Thien An Hill - Thuy Tien Lake. On weekends, capture beautiful moments with pine forests stretching endlessly, the calm blue water reflecting the lake's surface. An ideal space for camping with friends to sing and have fun. Thiên An Hill in Hue is becoming an attractive tourist destination for people across the country, especially the youth. In addition to the stunning scenery, this hill area, dubbed 'Little Dalat,' is also an ideal dating place for couples. In the deep, cool atmosphere, what could be more wonderful than being with your loved one.

Moreover, Thien An Hill Hue is a place to comfort lonely souls... Even if you are alone, just thinking about a beautiful weekend, you grab your backpack and go, 'light travel' by watching the machine on the still somewhat wild roads, you will quickly escape from the daily worries and immerse yourself in the dreamy nature. Thien An Mountain combines a bit of wild, mysteriousness with a spacious, cool, and pleasant feeling that makes people feel comfortable and optimistic. Hurry to this beautiful hill area and 'say goodbye' to the usual city troubles. If you have the opportunity to visit the dreamy Hue and have already explored the ancient imperial city, meditative and solemn, visited the Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River, admired many tombs of the Nguyen dynasty kings and want to find somewhere new to immerse yourself in the pristine nature, don't forget Thien An Hill Hue.

Dam Chuon is a part of Tam Giang lagoon, located about 15 km from the center of Hue, possessing an incredibly fascinating beauty and being a familiar destination for photographers. This area has fresh air, a peaceful and simple space with water buffalo herds wading through, groups of children playing traditional games echoing laughter in the pure air amidst the lush green clouds. Visiting Dam Chuon on the weekend, besides enjoying the scenery, you also have the opportunity to savor delicious seafood dishes such as stingray, mudskipper, brown fish, and razor clam caught and processed right here.

Not only famous for various fish, but this place is also renowned for local specialty cakes such as fish pancake, Chuon village Tet cake, crab noodle soup, and steamed rice dumplings. In addition, Dam Chuon Hue is also abundant in shrimp, crab, oysters, and more, which visitors should not miss. Travelers can buy them as souvenirs, and they will receive special discounted prices or can request locals to process them. To keep some memories when coming here, visitors can buy souvenirs such as sour shrimp, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and Hue-style nem (fermented pork roll). For many backpackers, Dam Chuon is considered a 3-in-1 destination: a place to play, eat, and stay overnight. Here, travelers can experience 'free' accommodation in stilt houses - a unique feature of Dam Chuon water region. For those who love the feeling of lying on a boat, gently swaying on the water to admire the sparkling night sky and fully enjoy the distinctive aroma of the lagoon, sleeping on a boat or sampan is an ideal choice.

Elephant Stream (also known as Mekong Elephant Stream) is located in the province of Thua Thien - Hue, situated at km 879 on the road from Da Nang to Hue. Amidst the sweltering and sultry days of Hue's summer, it would be wonderful to visit the Elephant Stream tourist area to immerse yourself in the cool and pure water. After immersing in the stream, you can climb up the huts to rest, eat, and sing with friends and family on the weekends, making it truly enjoyable. Elephant Stream is unique in one aspect; it is not like other streams. The water is clear without sediment, and even with many people bathing, you can see colorful stones of all sizes under your feet. Unfortunately, if you drop something, like jewelry, for example, just stay calm and observe; you'll find it again in no time.

The stream stretches along the mountain range, allowing you to freely choose a suitable resting spot. In particular, the stream is divided by rock formations into individual sections like connected swimming pools. This is also an advantage of Elephant Stream; you can gradually go upstream without worrying about danger. The water from the upper source cascades down, creating a magnificent sight with foamy white water, extremely pleasing to the eye. Those who are not confident in swimming can still enjoy the spectacular scenery that nature has bestowed. Come here to cool off on hot summer days, relax after hectic workdays; it's the best choice. Surely, Elephant Stream will offer you a new and memorable experience on this trip to Hue.

Whispering Forest (located in Thuan Hoa village, Huong Phong commune, Huong Tra town, Thua Thien Hue) is a unique remaining mangrove forest on the Tam Giang lagoon. Whispering Forest is about 15 km from the center of Hue City along National Highway 49, and turning left at Thao Long Dam leads you there. The road into this forest is quite rough due to the local residents raising it. Along both sides of the path are intertwined mangrove trees with a cool, lush green color. The entire breathtaking scene unfolds before your eyes, created by the rows of mangrove trees standing tall and slender. Surrounding the Whispering Forest is the Tam Giang lagoon with its vast expanse of water. The best time to visit Whispering Forest is during the falling leaves season.

Due to its name, this forest appears in the minds of many people with a primitive, mysterious, and eerie feel. 'Rú' in the local Hue dialect means mountainous forest, and 'chá' is the word for naming a naturally growing tree, with a lifespan of decades, having large but inedible fruit here. This type of tree covers 90% of the mangrove forest area. Whispering Forest was named to reflect the rural and familiar nature of a forest that has become familiar to the people of Hue. Before becoming a famous tourist destination in Hue, Whispering Forest was initially the habitat for many aquatic species in the brackish water areas. This unique-named forest area has a diverse ecosystem, including fish, shrimp, crabs, etc. Therefore, Whispering Forest also contributes to providing resources and creating conditions for aquaculture, ensuring livelihoods for the local people.

Thuận An Beach, located about 15 km east of the city center of Hue, has been renowned for refreshing beach tourism. During weekends, you can use a car, motorbike, or take a bus to come here, immerse yourself in the sea, smell the saltiness of the water, and the aroma of the sea breeze, creating a sense of closeness, simplicity, and picturesque beauty. Besides beach activities, you can savor fresh seafood at the restaurants and small stalls along the beach. A day at Thuận An Beach in Hue gives you the opportunity to witness the myriad changes in the vast sea. As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the east, the entire sea turns into a brilliant golden color. At this moment, you will be immersed in the lively and familiar atmosphere of seafood trading activities. After a fishing trip, the boats return laden with fish and shrimp, bringing joy and excitement.

Thuận An Beach maintains its pristine beauty with crystal-clear seawater and long stretches of white, clean sand. Two peculiar things that visitors may find here are: the clean sandy beach without seashells and the saltier taste of the seawater than usual. Visitors are not only drawn to Thuận An for its beach but also captivated by the spiritual passion. Here, you can find the Thái Dương Temple, where the legend of the Sun Goddess is wholeheartedly worshipped by the locals; visit the temple dedicated to the whale, a sacred creature for coastal residents. Near the sea entrance, there is the ancient Tran Hai fortress, a circular structure with a circumference of 285 meters, surrounded by a moat. On the fortress are 99 cannons, with the Quan Hai tower and palace, and the Thái Dương Temple with grand scale, adorned with glazed ceramic walls and columns...

Cảnh Dương Beach is located in Canh Duong village, Loc Vinh commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province. It's a perfect destination for weekend camping with friends and family. The breathtaking scenery of mountain ranges, smooth sandy beaches, and the deep blue sky reflected in the seawater will captivate your eyes. Additionally, engaging in water sports, entertaining activities, and team-building games are ideal here. Known for its pristine beauty and closeness to nature, the budget-friendly Canh Duong Beach is suitable for young people exploring on weekends. Here, you'll immerse yourself in a refreshing atmosphere, relieving the stresses of daily life and soothing your soul.

Canh Duong Beach, with its spacious beach, is suitable for small parties or overnight camping by the sea with friends, creating wonderful memories for this exploration trip. Visitors can connect with nature and participate in sports and entertainment activities such as soccer, volleyball, swinging, swimming, bonfires, BBQ, renting bicycles to explore Canh Duong village, and buying fresh seafood in the early morning. The quality of services at Canh Duong Beach in Hue is quite good, along with affordable tent rental services. For sea lovers, Canh Duong Beach is the perfect choice when visiting Hue. Here, you'll have the opportunity to experience new and exciting things, immersing yourself in a pristine and beautiful beach. Despite being quite far from the city center, this place still attracts many travelers.

Nhi Ho Waterfall is a captivating destination for many tourists visiting Hue, especially the young ones. Situated approximately 45km south of Hue city center, in Hoa Mau village, Loc Tri commune, Phu Loc district, the waterfall cascades down the mountainside, resembling a masterpiece of nature, with two large, clear, and refreshing water pools nestled close to each other. Nhi Ho Waterfall is considered a natural marvel generously bestowed upon this impoverished region by nature. The road leading here is not too challenging, yet finding the way might be a bit tricky for travelers due to a somewhat worn-out sign. However, the local people serve as the most accurate and interesting guides. Each concise introduction seems to conceal a hidden pride within the warmth and enthusiasm of the locals.

The path to Nhi Ho Waterfall is a plus for skillful drivers to showcase their abilities: sometimes a gradually emerging trail, with sections covered in small, uneven stones, and other parts with interconnected muddy puddles. Yet, the surrounding space adorned with wildflowers along the road displaying various hues of purple, red, yellow, green, etc., creates an atmosphere that feels shorter, more poetic, and romantic. After traveling the 3-kilometer dirt road, you can hear the distant echoing sound of the waterfall, occasionally accompanied by the chirping of birds in the wind, resembling an inviting song, praising each other. Arriving here, the eager anticipation to run fast and witness the exuberance of Nhi Ho Waterfall intensifies in the hearts of every traveler, eager to immerse themselves in the fantastic air of nature and fill their lungs with the extraordinary atmosphere.