Hue
Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital for 150 years and retains a grandeur that Hoi An's merchant-town scale cannot match. The Imperial Citadel — a city within a city on the north bank of the Perfume River — is vast, and though much of it was damaged in the 1968 Tet Offensive, enough remains to convey the scale and ambition of Nguyễn dynasty power. The royal tomb complexes in the forested hills south of the city are architecturally diverse and set in gardens that are often remarkably peaceful. Hue also has Vietnam's most refined regional cuisine, developed in the royal court.
Why visit
Vietnam's last imperial capital with an Imperial Citadel, royal tomb complexes in the surrounding hills, the Perfume River, and a royal cuisine tradition that is arguably Vietnam's most refined.
Crowd level
Receives visitors but noticeably less crowded than Hoi An. The Imperial Citadel is large enough to absorb visitors without congestion.
Best time
February-April (after dry season begins)
Getting there
3hrs north of Hoi An by road or train. The Hải Vân Pass train route from Da Nang to Hue is one of Southeast Asia's great rail journeys.
Tradeoffs
The city is less immediately picturesque than Hoi An. It can be very hot and the Imperial Citadel is large — comfortable shoes required.
Direct comparisons
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Region
- Thừa Thiên Huế
- Fresh Air Score
- 81/100
- Cost level
- $
- Distance from Hoi An
- 125 km