It’s hard to believe this sleepy town was once the imperial headquarters of Vietnam.
Visit Hue for a step back in time, to the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty. An imperial city scattered with ornate architecture, Hue has a regal air to it thanks to the city’s former life as Vietnam’s capital, ending in 1945 when Bao Dai – the last of the Nguyen Dynasty’s emperors – abdicated. Today, you can get a glimpse of the Nguyen legacy by exploring the various pagodas, palaces, temples and tombs that emerge between a modern, urban cityscape.
Some of the most prominent imperial sites to discover include the walled Imperial Citadel, with its many shrines and palaces; the Forbidden Purple City; Thien Mu Pagoda; and mausoleums of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, both eminent emperors of the area’s past. Some of these are extraordinarily elaborate edifices, such as Tu Duc’s mausoleum – a resplendent complex with pavilions, gardens and lakes, built in honour of the ‘Poet Emperor’ who enjoyed a luxurious, extravagant lifestyle. On the other hand, Khai Dinh’s mausoleum integrates influences from around the world – including European, Roman and Gothic – with Vietnamese iconography and architecture throughout.
As well as its imperial legacy, Hue is also beloved for its gastronomy – in fact, it’s widely considered to be one of the foodie meccas of Vietnam. There are plenty of hole-in-the-wall, family-run eateries to discover here, serving local delicacies like Bun Bo Hue, a spicy, lemongrass-infused beef broth; and Banh Beo, savoury pancakes served with shrimp and crispy pork; delicious!
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Vietnam
Vietnam travel information
When to visit Vietnam
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- Time zone: +7 GMT
- Flight time: 15-15 hours
- Recommended airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- Tipping guideline: Tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the southern part of the country in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, and other rural areas of Vietnam. There is no risk of malaria in large cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the Red River delta, coastal areas north of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Population: 9.94977e+007
- National languages: Vietnamese
- Electricity and plugs: Type A, C, & D, 220 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage with several mobile service providers available.
- UK passport visa requirements: British passport holders can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days
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