The best tips to travel to Hue

The best tips to travel to Hue can help you to explore this famous destination in Vietnam which owns charming landscapes, long-lasting historical and cultural values. 

=> Check out our article about more tips to travel to Hue we have recently created for our customers.

 

 

HUE TRAVEL OVERVIEW

Situated on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is the palaces of the 19th century Imperial City, and royal mausoleums, as the remains of Nguyen dynasty emperors. Hue was chosen as Vietnam’s capital, where the most formidable battles took place. Till 1993, the Complex of Hue Monuments was recognized as the most important UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thus, apart from breathtaking landscapes, tourists will be amazed at the ancient meditative beauty of emperors' tombs, iconic pagodas and French-colonial buildings, the unique architecture of historical relics, ancient villages and long-establishing cultural values.

 

CLIMATE

Hue weather is characterized by the tropical climate and impacted by the transitional climate between the North and the South. Hence, the weather has two distinct seasons: the dry season (February – August) and the rainy season (September – January). In the dry season, the temperature is range from 22 to 33°C, while it fluctuates between 17 and 28°C in the rainy season.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HUE?

The best time to visit Hue is in the spring, from January to April; when the average temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius, making visitors comfortable to explore dreamy Hue city and participate in Hue’s annual festivities, such as Tet Holiday (between January and February) and the Hue Festival (April). At this time, tourists can attend cultural shows, vibrant markets, traditional music performances, re-enactments of royal ceremonies, and seasonal regional dishes.

 

HOW TO GET TO HUE?

Tourists can travel to Hue by plane, train, passenger car, etc. However, the best tips to travel to Hue is to go by plane will be the most convenient and comfortable because traveling by passenger car will take a lot of time, and transporting by train will be noisy because Vietnam's railway system is not as good as other countries in the world.

WHAT TO VISIT IN HUE

1. Tam Giang Lagoon

Endowed with charming scenery, majestic landscapes and fresh water, Tam Giang Lagoon is Southeast Asia's largest lagoon. The lagoon is also recognized as the richest aquatic resource of flora and fauna in South East Asia for its biodiversity. Arriving here, tourists will certainly burst into joy at the tranquil view of sunrise and sunset, take a boat trip to contemplate the charming natural beauty, participate in festivals, join in fishing, and taste delicious local food.

=> Explore our Tam Giang Lagoon Tour in Hue.

 

2.  Ancient Villages

There are some famous long-standing villages in Hue, including Phu Mong and Phuoc Tich Ancient Villages. Situated in Kim Long precinct, Phu Mong is a historical site where many ancient garden houses were constructed in Nguyen Dynasty, with kinds of plants such as tea, marigold flowers, and bonsai. Up to now, Phuoc Tich still retains its rustic beauty of the Vietnamese traditional village with the typical architecture of girder house (Nha Ruong), religious culture and long-lasting pottery crafts.

 

3. The Imperial City of Hue

The Imperial City of Hue is a not-be-ignored tourist destination since it is the most important political center and historical monument. Recognized as one of Vietnam's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the complex is Vietnam’s imperial capital during the Nguyen dynasty.  Arriving here, tourists will be marveled at the outstandingly traditional Eastern architecture including impressive gates, majestic palaces, courts, gardens, tombs and museums.

                                                                                       

 

4. Royal tombs and pagodas tour in Hue

As Vietnam’s imperial capital under the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is the world-known as the remaining historical monuments, especially the system of royal tombs. There are seven royal tombs. Moreover, Hue is famous for ancient pagodas with spiritual values such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Bao Quoc Pagoda, and Tay Thien Pagoda. A tour to Hue royal tombs and pagodas makes tourists amazed at the sophisticated architecture of the artworks.

 

5. The Perfume River

Song Huong is so-called the Perfume River since the local orchards shed their flowers into the river during spring, making the water to smell like perfume. The river changes its color through the day, from greenish, to purple, and yellowish at night. By taking a boat trip along the Perfume River, travelers can admire the poetic nature, listen to Hue folk songs at night, and stop for visiting ancient relics such as Hen Islet, Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen temple, Minh Mang mausoleum.

 

6. Lang Co and Thuan An Beach

Owning a 120-kilometer coastline, Hue is well-known as a hub of appealing beaches. At the foot of Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach is endowed with palm-shaded white sand and a stunning lagoon with turquoise water. Refer to Thuan An Beach, it is a pristine and romantic beach for tourists to contemplate the intact natural beauty, immerse into the lyrical settings, discover the fishing villages and enjoy fresh seafood.

 

7. Thanh Toan tile-covered bridge

Constructed in the 18th century, Thanh Toan Tiled-Roof Bridge is an ancient architectural monument with historical and cultural values. It is an arch bridge, having two rows of wooden platforms with handrails, pillars and ironwork to support the bridge, and benches. Tourists coming here can admire the artistic architecture of the bridge and visit the traditional market of Thanh Toan Village.

 

8. Thuy Bieu eco-village

As an ancient village, Thuy Bieu eco-village situates on the bank of the Perfume River, nearly 4 kilometers far from the city center. Reaching here, tourists have chances to admire vast rice paddy fields, visit communal houses, ancient temples and the over-100-year Ruong house, bringing the unique architectural features of Nguyen Dynasty.

 

HUE TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS

1. Hon Chen Temple Festival

Held twice a year, in the third and the seventh Lunar month, on Ngoc Tran Mountain and Hai Cat Village Temple, the festival is to honor the Holy Mother Thien Y A Na. In Champa religion, the Holy Mother created the earth, trees and taught the villagers to plant and cultivate.

 

2. Thai Duong Ha Festival of Praying For Fish

Organized every three years, on the 12th of the first month in the lunar calendar, the festival is to commemorate the Tutelary Genie of the village, who taught the villagers to fish and trade. At the festival, there are many performances representing sea-fishing activities such as "fish catching" and "net-casting" games.

 

3. Gia Lac Spring Fair

Gia Lac is a form of spring fair on the occasion of Tet holidays, held on the first day to the 3rd day of the lunar New Year. The market sold all kinds of local products in the cheerful atmosphere of the New Year. During these days, the market becomes an entertainment place with many games.

 

4. Sinh Village’s Wrestling Festival

The wrestling festival is organized on the 10th of the first lunar month to honor the sporting spirit of the Hue people during the centuries. The festival draws many wrestlers to compete for championships and also thousands of young flocking here to encourage the competitors.

 

5. Boat Race Festival

The festival is organized on the Perfume River in Pavilion of edicts on cultural events. In the race, the participants must follow strict regulations. Boat race always attracts a great number of people to compete, observe and encourage the competitors.

 

6. Hue Festival 

Hue Festival is to preserve customs and traditions dating back to the Nguyen Dynasty and to honor the priceless heritages of Hue. Held every two years, the festival has been an international festival open to both domestic and international visitors; and attracts numerous organizations in other countries.

WHAT TO EAT TO HUE

These are our some tips for the food when travelling to Hue. As once home to the Nguyen royal family, Hue food specialties are so delicate and high-end, which is often called “royal cuisine”, which is in the harmonious balance of flavors, textures, and colors.

 

1. Nam Pho soup

Nam Pho soup is a street food that allures visitors by the thick, aromatic broth, combined with the soft, transparent, and chewy noodles, adding pieces of shrimp, which is enough to make tourists fall in love.

 

2. Clams Rice or noodles

As an iconic Hue food, the dish contains clams, rice or noodles, aromatic vegetables, and a special pungent Hue shrimp sauce. With the perfect combination of Hue royal and traditional cuisine, the dish becomes an essential part of Hue’s rich culinary heritage.

 

3. Hue Grilled Pork and Rice Noodles

The dish contains noodles, pork, peanut, and vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, bean sprouts, and coriander. The grilled pork is thinly sliced and seasoned with fish sauce, black pepper, lemon grass and garlic, bringing the characteristic flavor.

 

4. Flat Rice Dumplings

The dish is an iconic specialty food in Hue. It is a flat rice dumpling filled with pork and shrimp, then wrapped in banana leaves. The main ingredients are rice and tapioca flour with minced pork and prawns.

 

5. Hue Tapioca Dumplings

It is a small, clear-looking, chewy tapioca dumpling, which is filled with shrimp and pork belly. The dishes are typically wrapped in banana leaves and steamed before eating and often accompanied by a variety of greens and served with a tasty chili-lemon fish sauce.

 

6. Hue Beef Noodle Soup

Beef noodle soup contains pork, beef, and congealed pig’s blood. Its broth is cooked with beef bones, beef shanks, and lemongrass, which creates sweetness and freshness for the soup. The dish will make tourists fall in love because nowhere has the unique taste as the original Hue beef noodle soup.

 

7. Lemongrass Pork Skewers

It is grilled pork on lemongrass skewers which is marinated in shallots, fish sauce, pepper, and other herbs, then dipped into a special Hue sauce and grilled. The dish is typically served with fresh vegetables with a spicy fish sauce.

 

8. Hue sweet soup

Hue sweet soup is a must-try dish among all. There are many kinds of sweet soups that are all delicious, nutritious and bring their own specific flavor, including lotus seed sweet soup, corn sweet soup, roasted pork sweet soup.

Apart from mentioned dishes, there are various delicious foods in Hue that should not be missed such as Tre Hue, purgatory Rice, Hue vegetarian rice, or mussels with rice paper.

=> To have more ideas about traveling to this beautiful destination, pls check out our excursions to Hue. 

 

WHERE TO STAY IN HUE?

There are many hotels and resorts for visitors to enjoy comfort and convenience when visiting Hue. The best tips to travel to Hue for guests is to choose luxurious hotels such as Banyan Tree Lang Co Hue, Huong Giang Hotel Resource & Spa, Azerai Le Residence Hue Hotel Resort & Spa, Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa, Sankofa Village Hill Resort & Spa and so on to get the most complete experience here. 

In conclusion, the best tips to travel to Hue above are grateful travel guides for holidaymakers to know in order to explore this wonderful city.