Hue Holidays
Old and new collide during your charming Hue holiday; a city steeped in the history of imperial Vietnam while embracing its new modern identity.
With its tree-lined streets, rambling pagodas and riverside setting, you will always will find something to love about this delightful city. If you love history then you must head to Hue’s imposing Imperial Citadel, where you can marvel at temples, pagodas and the grand residences of emperors that have long since departed. The towering walls and deep moat surrounding the citadel add to the grandeur of this impressive fortress, which, in a fascinating juxtaposition, also shows signs of damage sustained in the Vietnam War.
Hue holidays: an enchanting city with a rich, regal history
Hue is also the resting place for revered emperors of ancient dynasties, with many of them laid to rest at the city’s ancient tombs. When you visit these ornately carved tombs you’ll gain an insight into Hue’s rich past. For a more personal encounter, book a local tour guide, who will show you the most famous and revered tombs where the story of Buddhist legends come to life. After a busy day of sightseeing why not take a stroll along the delightfully-named Perfume River? You can also rent a paddleboat to float along the river, or opt for a sumptuous riverboat cruise and dinner on the water.
If rest and relaxation are more your thing, then Hue offers this, too. Situated just a few miles inland from the eastern coast, unspoiled beaches are within easy reach of the city. Thuan An Beach and Lang Co Beach are both picture-postcard perfect, with sparkling blue waters and soft white sands where you can relax once you’ve absorbed the city’s impressive historical sites.
Every region of Vietnam lays claim to its own distinctive culinary delights, and Hue is no exception. Hue’s heritage as one of the most important royal cities can be felt in the many restaurants that serve indulgent meals spread across multiple courses. If you’re looking for a more rustic dining experience, then why not try local dishes cooked by one of the many street vendors, including the city’s famous sesame seed candy?
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Hue holidays offer a popular stopping point for visitors to Vietnam. Spend a couple of days here while making your way to nearby Da Nang, or venturing further to Hanoi. Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for Hue holidays. With so many options for your Hue holiday package, we recommend you talk to one of our Destination Specialists to make the perfect tailor made holiday just for you.
A Journey Through Vietnam Tour
Guide Price £2,399 pp
Travel from north to south as you discover the unique culture and endless beauty of Vietnam Explore French and Chinese heritage, as well as cultural treasures such as Hoi An town and the Imperial Citadel of Hue. Stunning lakes can...
Escorted tours
Classic Vietnam and Laos tour
Guide Price £2,599 pp
Our Classic Vietnam and Laos Tour is eleven days of back-to-back adventure and wonderful experiences. Starting in Laos, you’ll be immersed in the local culture, visiting phenomenal temples and tasting divine Laotian food. Exploring the vibrant market in Luang Prabang,...
Multi centre holidays
Classic Vietnam Tour
Guide Price £1,899 pp
One of our signature journeys, designed for travellers keen to experience the diversity of Vietnam, but with less time to spare. Contrast the bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with an overnight cruise at the beautiful UNESCO World...
Escorted tours
Vietnam in Style
Guide Price £4,299 pp
This unique tour of Vietnam will appeal if your adventurous side demands that you really connect with the country, and ensures you get to touch, feel and taste this land of sublime beauty and culture. Explore the bustling streets of...
Beach holidays
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The Imperial City
Once home to Vietnam’s imperial government, the Imperial City’s moat and thick walls also once protected the Purple Forbidden City, where the Nguyen imperial family spent their days. Today, you can discover palaces, temples, pavilions and museums in the city's grounds as well as artefacts from various periods of Vietnamese history. The city has been declared a UNESCO site and many of the buildings have been painstakingly restored to their original beauty. Visit the Imperial City as part of our half day tour of Hue.
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Perfume River
The Perfume River crosses the city of Hue in central Vietnam, during the autumn flowers from orchards upriver fall into the water and give off a perfume like scent giving the river it's name.
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The Tombs of the Emperors
Spread along the Perfume River and dating back to the late 19th century, these elaborate monuments to the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty each contain dedicated tombs, temples, courtyards and pavilions. The best way to see them is to join a dedicated boat cruise, stopping along the way to explore the tombs, courtyards, temples and pavilions dedicated to each emperor.
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Karen
Destination Executive
“Nature lovers must take a trip to Bach Ma National Park, which is known for its biodiversity and variety of natural habitats. You can camp, trek or just wander through the jungle for a real workout that also lets you see the flora and fauna of Bach Ma up close.”
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Jessica
Destination Manager
“The French influence can be seen throughout Hue, but especially in Le Loi. Visitors with an eye for architecture should spend an afternoon here to see five very different but equally impressive colonial structures: the art deco-inspired La Residence Hotel; Quoc Hoc High School (notable for its crimson hues); the Gustave Eiffel designed-arches of Truon Tien Bridge; and Le Cercle Sportif, with its grand veranda reaching out over the water.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Hue holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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Hon Chen Temple Festival
A stunning spectacle with ancient roots, Hon Chen Temple Festival takes place twice a year (in the third and seventh lunar months), at the colourful Hon Chen Temple just outside Hue. The festival starts with a procession known as the ‘God Welcoming Ceremony’, which ushers Gods from the village temples and shrines into the communal temple house, where a series of rituals are performed. At night, the Perfume River twinkles as boats, bound together to make rafts, float downstream lit by a myriad of lights.
Local cuisine
Get a flavour of the local culture through your palate during your Hue holiday. Here are a few of our favourite dishes.
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Che
Hue is home to more than 30 varieties of sweet soup, known as Ch. This is a rich and creamy combination of coconut milk, pomegranate, taro and sweetcorn. The most popular variety in Hue is lotus seed sweet soup, which is made using seeds from the pretty lotus flowers of Tinh Tam Lake.
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Bun Bo Hue
Bun Bo Hue is a regional speciality in which thick vermicelli rice noodles are mixed with various toppings making a thick and tasty soup. This tasty broth is simultaneously sweet, sour and spicy, having been flavoured with boiled meat bones, annatto seeds, lemongrass, ginger, fermented shrimp paste, chilli and sugar. Venture to Dong Ba Market for a steaming bowl from one of the street vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
A night or two in Hue will give you enough time to explore the city's main attractions, you can then continue your journey further south to the beaches of Danang and the charming riverside town of Hoi An.
