Vietnam Travel Guide: Where to Go, When to Visit & How to Plan Your Trip
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Full to the brim of temples and tombs, pagodas and palaces, Hue, in the central-eastern region of Vietnam, is an architectural delight. In 1945 the last of the Nguyen emperors, Bao Dai, abdicated from the throne and the city was left to crumble into nothing. In the 1990s the People’s Committee of Vietnam declared the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site and began an immense project of restoration. Today, you’ll probably be drawn to visit the Imperial Citadel, an impressive fortress modelled on Bejing’s Forbidden City and perched on the banks of the pretty Perfume River. Stay a while longer and you’ll uncover the gems: the seven-storey octagonal tower of the Thien Mu Pagoda, the extravagant mausoleums of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, and countless examples of royal buildings, Vietnamese artefacts and the famous garden houses. And, if there’s any time left, a royal Hue afternoon tea on the banks of the river is a rather lovely addition…
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Entering Hue feels like you're taking a step back in time, especially when you pay a visit to the impressive Imperial Citadel. Once home to Nguyen emperors, you'll marvel at ornate temples, palaces and mausoleums, while getting a fascinating history lesson at the same time. You can explore on foot or bicycle with highlights including the seven-tier tower of the Thien Mu Pagoda, traditional garden houses and the Forbidden City - the inner sanctum of ruling emperors. Hue is cut in half by the sweet-as-it-sounds Perfume River, which you could enjoy with a boat ride or afternoon tea on the banks. Delve into the city's traditional trades including bamboo paper and conical hat making, or learn the art of silk embroidery. Visit Dong Ba Market for a taste of Hue's finest street food or learn to make a few delicacies yourself.
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