Things to do in Hue

Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty until 1945, so visitors often assume it is still the seat of government; the capital today is Hanoi. What remains is a quiet central city on the Perfume River, with the Imperial City inside its citadel, the royal tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh, and the Thien Mu Pagoda.

The Complex of Hue Monuments has been UNESCO-listed since 1993. Allow one to two full days: the tombs are scattered along the river, and the Imperial City ticket alone costs about 7 EUR (roughly 200,000 VND in 2026). Fly to Phu Bai airport (about 1 h 15 from Hanoi), take the Reunification Express, or cross the Hai Van Pass from Da Nang. Rain and typhoons peak in October and November.

Beaches and old-town lanterns belong to Da Nang and Hoi An.