While Hoi An has its crowded, lantern-lit streets and Hanoi has its chaotic energy, the Vietnamese city Hue feels quieter, more reflective and, in many ways, more atmospheric.

Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years, and the legacy of the Nguyễn dynasty is still woven into the city today. Here you’ll find grand citadel walls, ornate temples, royal tombs tucked among the hills, and well-manicured gardens that the emperors once strolled through. 

But Hue isn’t just about history. The city is also famous throughout Vietnam for its distinctive regional cuisine, from delicate steamed rice cakes to rich noodle soups and all kinds of delicious little dishes you won’t find quite the same way elsewhere. 

If you’re visiting Hue for the first time, I’d recommend spending at least two full days here. That gives you enough time to explore the Imperial City without rushing, visit two or three royal tombs, take a boat ride on the Perfume river, and try some of Hue’s famous dishes. Plus, time to sit in a cosy coffee shop, sipping on world-class coffee and watching the world go by. 

My husband and I actually spent two weeks in Hue, giving us plenty of time to explore beyond the main sights and get a feel for the city at a slower pace. Based on our travel experiences, I’ve put together this two-day Hue itinerary for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without hurrying from one attraction to the next.

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Hue at a Glance

• How long do you need? 2 days is ideal for a first visit; however 3 days means you can explore at a more leisurely pace.
• Best known for: Imperial City, royal tombs, Vietnamese imperial history and food
• Best area to stay: Around the city centre, particularly south of the Perfume River
• Getting around: Grab (Vietnam’s equivalent of Uber), taxis, private transfers, tours and boats
• Best time to visit: Spring and early summer generally offer pleasant conditions, but Hue has a long rainy season and weather can change quickly

A Brief History of Hue

Hue’s monuments are collectively recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes the Imperial City and a wider collection of temples, residences, tombs and other royal buildings around the city. 

If you’re not familiar with Vietnamese history, the royal sites can initially feel like a collection of beautiful buildings with a lot of unfamiliar names. It’s worth taking some time to learn about their background to make them much more interesting.

The Nguyễn dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in Vietnam, ruling from 1802 until 1945. It was established by Nguyễn Ánh, who became Emperor Gia Long after defeating the Tây Sơn dynasty and bringing the country under one rule. In 1802, he made Hue the capital.

Over the course of the Nguyễn dynasty, Vietnam was ruled by 13 emperors – though a few had extremely short reigns. In the 19th century, the role and authority of the emperors changed dramatically as French influence grew stronger and colonial control expanded. The dynasty came to a close in 1945 when Emperor Bảo Đại abdicated, marking the end of imperial rule. 

This means that when you’re visiting Hue today, you’re not looking at ancient history from thousands of years ago. Much of what you see is surprisingly recent, from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many monuments and structures have also been rebuilt and restored following the Vietnam War, with the 1968 Battle of Hue causing extensive damage across the city. 

Day 1: Imperial City, Royal Treasures & Hue’s Food

Morning: Explore the Imperial City

Your first morning in Hue should begin at the Imperial City, and I recommend arriving as early as possible. You may not want to get there at 7am when the site opens (you’re on holiday, after all!), but the earlier you arrive, the better. This is Hue’s main attraction, and it can get surprisingly busy as the morning goes on. 

Located north of the Perfume River, the Imperial City is a vast walled complex surrounded by a defensive moat. It was the heart of the Nguyễn dynasty’s imperial capital and home to Vietnam’s emperors, their families, courtiers and servants for more than a century. 

The complex was built in the early 19th century after Hue was established as the capital. Inside the enormous outer walls is the Imperial Enclosure (Hoàng Thành), which was reserved for the royal family and important ceremonies. Beyond its imposing gates, you’ll find palaces, temples, courtyards, gardens and ornate gateways, all laid out according to traditional Vietnamese and Chinese architectural principles.

The complex is much bigger than it looks, so give yourself at least two to three hours to explore. Highlights include the Meridian Gate (Ngọ Môn), the impressive main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, and Thái Hòa Palace, where the emperor held important ceremonies and received officials. The ornate Nine Dynastic Urns are another impressive sight, while the various temples and courtyards give you a glimpse into the religious and ceremonial life of the Nguyễn court.

Much of the Imperial City was damaged during wars and years of neglect, so you’ll find a mixture of beautifully restored buildings, crumbling ruins and open spaces where structures once stood. I actually think this adds to its atmosphere – as you wander between the grand buildings and ruins, you’re constantly reminded that this was once a living, working royal city. 

Rather than simply following the path between the most photographed landmarks, take your time and explore some of the quieter walkways. You don’t need to see every corner; in Hue’s heat and humidity, trying to do so can quickly turn sightseeing into an endurance test. 

Taking a Guided Tour

I found that the Imperial City became much more interesting once I understood what I was actually looking at. In the past, I’ve been guilty of wandering around historical sites, taking photographs of beautiful buildings and ornate temples without really understanding their significance. 

That’s why my husband Ian and I decided to take a private walking tour with Vietnam Legacy Tours. Our guide, Sue, brought the Imperial City to life, explaining the symbolism behind the Meridian Gate and Thái Hòa Palace, as well as the role they played in imperial ceremonies and audiences. We learned about the ancestral temples, royal residences and the Forbidden Purple City (Tử Cấm Thành), the exclusive area once reserved for the emperor and his household.

Rather than simply leading us from one photogenic building to another, the tour helped us understand the different worlds that once existed within the citadel. Sue also shared stories about the Nguyễn emperors and the decisions and personalities that shaped the city, while pointing out small details we would probably have missed on our own. 

The Vietnam Legacy Tours Imperial City walking tour takes around three hours and includes the Imperial City entrance fee. I collaborated with Vietnam Legacy Tours during my time in Hue, and if you’d like to book this tour (or any of their other experiences), you can use my affiliate code SPARROW for 5% off your booking. Just use this code when you contact them to get the discount.

Whether you explore independently or join a guided tour, wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water and don’t underestimate the sun. There’s surprisingly little shade in some areas, and you’ll likely walk much further than expected. An early start means cooler temperatures, softer light for photography and fewer crowds – win-win!

Lunch near the Citadel

After several hours of walking around the Imperial City, you’ll probably be ready for lunch. One of my personal recommendations is Seaweed Food, which is conveniently close to the Imperial City.

It’s a small, casual place specialising in seafood-based Vietnamese dishes, and it was one of our best meals in Hue. Ian and I tried two local dishes here – fresh oysters served in a sizzling pan with egg and onion, and a refreshing noodle salad with shrimp, peanuts, papaya, and crunchy pieces of jellyfish (apparently, they have a better purpose than just stinging people at the beach!)

Afterwards, head to one of the many cafes in this area for an authentic salted coffee – Cà phê muối. Hue is one of the best places in Vietnam to try this unusual combination of strong Vietnamese coffee, condensed milk and salty cream. It sounds strange until you try it – but I bet you’ll become addicted to them, just like me!

Afternoon: Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

After lunch, spend some time wandering the area’s pretty, tree-lined streets before heading to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities.

The museum is housed in Long An Palace, a beautiful royal building dating from the Nguyễn period. The collection contains thousands of objects associated with the imperial court, including ceramics, clothing, furniture and other royal possessions. 

This is particularly useful after visiting the Imperial City because you can now see some of the objects that once stood in the royal quarters. It’s a relatively small space, so you’ll probably only spend about 30 minutes there, but it’s worth stopping by.

• Entrance fee: 50,000 VND
• Opening hours: around 7:00am-5:30pm

Evening: Eat Your Way Around Hue

Hue’s food deserves an entire section of its own. The city developed a distinctive culinary tradition during the imperial period, but you don’t need to eat like royalty to experience it. Some of Hue’s most famous dishes are inexpensive, humble street food, and you’ll find them everywhere from tiny family-run restaurants to bustling local markets.

Of course, you can easily explore Hue’s food scene independently – and I’d definitely encourage you to do so. But if you’re particularly interested in Vietnamese cuisine, I think a food tour is a great way to get your bearings, especially at the beginning of your stay.

Ian and I joined Vietnam Legacy Tours’ Hue food tour, and we really enjoyed it. Our guide, Thanh, is a certified tour guide and clearly knows her stuff. She shared stories about the history and cultural significance of each dish, explained how they’re traditionally eaten and pointed out the ways Hue’s cuisine differs from other parts of Vietnam. She also knew exactly what to order, which was particularly helpful when faced with a menu full of unfamiliar Vietnamese dishes!

We tried several local specialities in one evening, visited places that felt genuinely local rather than touristy, and got a much better understanding of Hue’s food culture along the way. The tour runs for about three hours, and if you’d like to experience it yourself, you can book through Vietnam Legacy Tours’ website and use my code SPARROW for 5% off.

They also offer a small-group version, which is a good option if you’re travelling solo or trying to keep costs down. Just bear in mind that the group tour follows a fixed route and menu, and the 5% discount doesn’t apply. The private option, on the other hand, is more flexible – especially helpful if you have dietary requirements or allergies.

Food to Look Out For

Whether you join a food tour or explore independently, these are some of the dishes I’d keep an eye out for:

• Bún bò Huế – Hue’s famous spicy beef noodle soup
• Bánh bèo – tiny steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp and savoury ingredients
• Bánh lọc – chewy tapioca dumplings, often filled with shrimp
• Bánh nậm – thin steamed rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves
• Cơm hến – rice topped with tiny clams, herbs, peanuts and other crunchy ingredients
• Nem lụi – grilled pork skewers served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce
• Chè Huế – Hue-style sweet soups and desserts

Hue Walking Street

Finish your first day around Phố Tây, Hue’s pedestrian and nightlife area, packed with restaurants, bars, cafés, and people wandering around enjoying the atmosphere. Known as Hue’s Walking Street, it’s much livelier than the quiet imperial sites you’ve spent the day exploring, so it’s a fun contrast.

While I didn’t eat directly on the Walking Street, there are lots of options if you want to dine here and experience Hue at its most social. There are also some genuinely nice souvenir stores around here where you can pick up a nice gift or two.

Day 2: Hue’s Royal Tombs & Creative Side

Morning: Explore Hue’s Royal Tombs

The royal tombs are one of the highlights of visiting Hue – you really don’t want to miss them. The Nguyễn emperors didn’t simply build tombs – they created extravagant, enormous landscapes where they could spend time during their lives, surrounded by gardens, lakes, temples and pavilions.

Even though 13 emperors ruled during the Nguyen Dynasty, only seven imperial mausoleums were constructed. I wouldn’t suggest visiting them all, unless you’re a major Vietnamese history buff, but I definitely recommend the two we visited. We went to the Khải Định Tomb and Tự Đức tombs, and these make an excellent combination because they feel completely different.

Khải Định Tomb

We started our visit at Khải Định Tomb, getting there at 8.30am. We were lucky enough to have the site mostly to ourselves. 

As mentioned earlier Khải Định (the 12th emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty) was in power from 1916 to 1925. His tomb stands out from earlier imperial mausoleums, thanks to its striking blend of traditional Vietnamese design and bold European influences.

Construction stretched over 11 years, from 1920 to 1931. Unlike some of the sprawling royal tombs, this complex is relatively compact – but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in exquisite detail. 

You’ll need to climb 127 steps, passing stone statues and historic buildings along the way, to reach Thiên Định Palace – but trust me, the climb is well worth it. I was completely blown away by the interior – almost every surface is covered in dazzling mosaics made from porcelain, glass and other materials. The swirling ceiling, decorated with dragons, was particularly mesmerising. I took so many photos that I practically gave myself a neck ache looking up!

Take your time to look beyond the palace as a whole and appreciate the tiny details too. Dragons, clouds, flowers and elaborate decorative motifs cover the walls and ceilings, with an incredible amount of craftsmanship packed into every surface. The palace is so over-the-top extravagant, and I loved it! 

• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND
• Children 7-12: 30,000 VND
• Opening hours: approximately 7:00am–5:30pm

Tự Đức Tomb

If Khải Định is dramatic and extravagant, Tự Đức’s tomb is tranquil and serene. Tự Đức ruled from 1848 to 1883, making him the longest-reigning emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty. His tomb complex was constructed between 1864 and 1867, and he used it as a retreat during his lifetime. 

There are pavilions overlooking a lake, wooded paths and landscaped gardens. The emperor apparently went hunting and took boat trips here, making it feel more like a royal country estate than a conventional tomb.

There’s an interesting story behind the enormous stone stele at the tomb, too. Tự Đức actually wrote his own epitaph, reflecting his complicated feelings about his reign and his own legacy. The tomb itself was also controversial at the time. Its construction was a huge undertaking, requiring enormous amounts of labour and taxes, which added to growing unrest during his reign.

• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND
• Children 7-12: 30,000 VND
• Opening hours: approximately 7:00am–5:30pm

Optional Third Tomb

If you only have two days in Hue, I don’t think you need to tick off every royal tomb. However, if you want to add a third, Minh Mạng Tomb has very positive reviews. 

Minh Mạng was the second Nguyễn emperor and ruled from 1820 to 1841. His reign saw a highly centralised imperial government and major architectural projects. From what I’ve read, his tomb is especially appealing if you’re a fan of architecture and landscaped gardens – the buildings are laid out symmetrically along a central axis, framed by lakes, trees, and rolling hills.

• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND
• Opening hours: approximately 7:00am–5:30pm

Getting to the Royal Tombs

My husband and I used a private driver to visit two tombs (he was a Grab driver of ours, who shared his contact details). He drove us to the two tombs and waited for us while we explored. 

However, if you want historical context as well as transport, I suggest joining an organised tour. There are no information display boards at the tombs, so a guide can explain why the tombs were built and what the buildings were used for.

Le Ba Dang Art Museum

The Le Ba Dang Art Museum celebrates the work of Vietnamese-French artist Lê Bá Đảng, whose work incorporates influences from both Vietnam and Europe. 

Be sure to watch the introductory video – it provides valuable context for the museum’s paintings, with references to the Vietnamese-American war, the artist’s childhood, and his years in France. The museum costs 30,000 VND per adult ticket and is a good option if you want something different after a morning of imperial architecture. 

• Entrance fee: Adult tickets are 200,000 VND, with discounts for locals (120,000 VND), and free entry for children under 6.
• Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00. Closed Mondays.

Không Gian Nghề Truyền Thống

You can also visit Không Gian Nghề Truyền Thống, a traditional craft and cultural space where you can browse locally made products and souvenirs. Beautiful examples of áo dài, the iconic Vietnamese dress, are displayed in a gorgeous array of colours. Visitors can also pick up Hue specialties such as incense, colonial‑style hats, and items made using local ingredients like essential oils, and rice wine. You can also join workshops here where you can make traditional Vietnamese handicrafts like kites or cone hats.

Afterwards, stop by a nice cafe for a coffee fix. There are several good ones near the gallery, including Tan. and Cà Phê Hèo, but for something a bit more indulgent head to LAPH. Here you can order a ridiculously creamy coffee served with a warm, crispy croissant on top!

Evening: Boat Trip on the Perfume River

One of the classic Hue experiences is taking a boat along the Perfume River – a particularly popular activity at sunset. You can arrange a boat from the riverfront, and you don’t necessarily need to book far ahead.

A return boat ride along the Perfume River in Hue usually costs between 200,000 and 400,000 VND for a simple dragon boat trip, with the exact price depending on your bargaining skills, group size, and whether you include any stops. 

If you prefer a more organized option, private tours usually start at around 1,000,000 VND per boat (return trip). Luxury dinner cruises are more expensive, generally ranging between 1,000,000 and 1,200,000 VND per person, offering fine dining and cultural performances. 

Once back ashore, join in with the locals along the riverfront walkways. Quiet and peaceful during the day, these areas become full of life in the evenings, when the iconic Truong Tien Bridge becomes illuminated and families and friends come down to relax at the park.

Visit the DMZ

If you’re interested in the history of the Vietnam War, consider taking a day trip from Hue to the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Established roughly along the 17th Parallel following the Geneva Accords, the DMZ became one of the most heavily contested areas of the war.

Highlights along the way include the Vinh Moc Tunnels, the former DMZ, Hien Luong Bridge, the Ben Hai River, and several former military sites and battlefields. This day trip would be a very different experience from visiting the royal monuments, and a good choice for those interested in 20th-century history.

Vietnam Legacy Tours also offers a Vinh Moc Tunnels & DMZ tour from Hue, and having a knowledgeable local guide would add valuable context to what you see there.