Hue
For every Vietnamese city that races headlong into the future, there’s one that’s just as firmly rooted in past. Hue is a historical destination and a fantastic stop for travelers who want to plunge into Vietnamese culture. This city isn’t completely frozen in time — Apple stores, large hotels, and sleek pubs have begun pop up just beyond historic district — but Hue is still largely a city where life drifts along with the leisurely current of the Perfume River.
Hue’s historic treasures are drawn largely from the Nguyen Dynasty, the feudal lords and kings who ruled Vietnam from this seat of power from 1802 until 1945. The Nguyen Emperors used Confucian and Feng Shui principles to select all their building locations; most notably the site of their Imperial Citadel. On the pine-covered slopes surrounding Hue, each emperor designed his own personalized tomb. The UNESCO-listed tombs and citadel of Hue are perhaps the most compelling historical attractions in all of Vietnam.
The Perfume River stitches together the fabric of life in Hue. Denizens of Hue have long relied on the Huong or Perfume River for cooking, bathing, and washing. The water flows between wide grassy banks, changing colour from golden brown to deep blue, depending on the rain. The rain in Hue is something of an attraction in itself, and the locals have all sorts of sayings about their legendary rain storms.
Within Vietnam, Hue has made a name for itself with refined culinary traditions. All over the city, vendors serve up toasty banh mi, slippery banh beo, and an irresistible noodle soup called bun bo Hue. For this soup, the cook has a huge vat of meaty broth bubble over the flame for hours. The cook will fill each bowl with a handful of soft rice noodles, arrange slices of boiled pork knuckle on top, and ladle the steaming broth over the entire bowl. A handful of herbs, a squeeze of lemon, and dab of chili paste round out the experience.
For Vietnamese Buddhists and many others, Hue is a sacred because of its connection to Zen Buddhism. Tu Hieu Pagoda, the root pagoda of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, is one of countless thriving pagodas in the Hue countryside – each one has its own unique story. This is just one part of Hue’s culture, and you’ll sense Hue’s enduring serenity before you ever set foot in a temple.
Hue itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Hue itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Deep into Vietnam & Cambodia
Our favourite country so far, 2nd time going. The food is amazing, the history and culture are vibrant and fabulous to participate in, and the people are so warm, friendly, kind and welcoming. It’s inexpensive but top quality and everywhere you go, you are welcomed. They work hard to help you and are open to learning English and happy to work with you via translate apps etc to accommodate anything from ordering food, to paying for items, to directions to places. Every menu had photos and moat things have English descriptions too. English is widely spoken too. There’s so much to see and do in the country that there’s something for everyone no matter what you’re interested in.
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand Immersion
Tali explored the cultural tapestry of Vietnam and Cambodia on a 17‑day adventure. Travelers trekked from Hanoi’s bustling streets to Ninh Binh’s karst cliffs, glided through Halong Bay, explored Hoi An’s lantern river, and toured Angkor’s temples. Friendly local hosts and knowledgeable guides brought history to life, leaving Tali with a deep appreciation for the region’s vibrant traditions and timeless landscapes.
This Vacation Will Be Legendary!
This is the ‘see it all’ trip that you and your friends have been craving. Travel across Vietnam as you explore sights, cuisine, and awesome adventures. This vacation, go big!
My Journey, My Way in Vietnam
This luxurious solo getaway features stunning accommodations in cities and the countryside. A variety of curated private activities let you experience Vietnam in greater detail.
3 Cities in Vietnam, and My Love
Explore the cuisines and cultures of Vietnam’s most influential cities on this whirlwind tour of North, Central, and South Vietnam. Enjoy exciting activities and stunning scenery.
Experiences in Hue
Explore hand-picked Hue tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.
Hue Citadel & Royal Tombs Tour
Hue Food Tour by Cyclo
Z - Thanh Toan Local Experience
Z - Tam Giang Xe Om Adventure
Z - Hue Full-Day Tour with Cooking Class
Hue - Phong Nha Cave - Hue
Hue Drive to Hoi An and Old Town Walking
Hue - Da Nang
Z - COCKTAIL on PINE TREE HILL in HUE
Z - Good Morning Hue with Bike Ride
Z - Local Chef Challenge
Z - DELETE - Hue / Biking / Cooking Class Day Tour
Z - Delete- Yellow Tam Giang Lagoon
Hue Artisans Cycle Tour
Hue Bach Ma National Park
Where to stay in Hue
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Hue accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
La Residence Hotel
La Residence is a grand, luxury hotel with a French pedigree. When it opened in 1930, is served a residence for a high-ranking French official. The hotel has preserved the building's Art Deco architecture.
Banyan Tree Resort
Banyan Tree is on a beach along the East Sea. Guests come to this resort for the beach, the pools, and the 18-hole golf course. On the course, golfers will have delightful views of rice paddies and the mountains in the distance.
Vedana Resort
Vedana Resort sits on the banks of one of the largest lagoons in Southeast Asia. Visitors can book luxury rooms, villas, and bungalows that offer excellent views of the tranquil landscape.
Gold Hotel Hue
Explore Vietnam’s Hue City from the comfort and convenience of Gold Hotel Hue. Be in the heart of it all when you’re 5-minutes away from the Perfume River, 10-minutes from Dong Ba Market, and 15-minutes from the Citadel — all by walking; no transportation required! Stay in modern, elegant accommodations that offer every comfort.
Rosaleen Hotel Hue
You will be welcomed by our warm-heartedness and hospitality… you will always meet smiling faces, enthusiastic support, consideration, and reliability in every service during your stay at our hotel.
Angsana Lang Co Resort
Angsana Spa sits on the shore of Lang Co Bay, next to the Truong Son Mountain Range. Lang Co Beach is a white sand beach with inviting, bright blue water. Come here for a relaxing beach vacation that’s just a quick trip from some of central Vietnam’s most interesting destinations.
Morin Hotel
Morin Hotel is set near the banks of the Perfume River. It’s an enormous hotel that faces the busy Le Loi Avenue. From here you can explore the many temples and palaces that mark Hue’s long history.
Emm hotel
Located in the heart of the historic imperial capital – a World Cultural Heritage, ÊMM Hotel Hue feels like your “home away from home” with modern design, friendly service and international-standard facilities.
Insider-led Vietnam Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Vietnam Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
