Hue City

Hue City is full of tourist attractions and has lots to offer to the travelers. Here is a list of things that one can do and places that one can visit while in the city.

• Explore the Imperial City: Walk through the Imperial City, home to the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit the Ngo Mon Gate and Forbidden Purple City to get a glimpse of the royal past.
• Take a Dragon Boat Ride on the Perfume River: Take a scenic dragon boat tour on the Perfume River, pausing at Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple.
• Visit Dong Ba Market: It is the largest market in Hue City. You can find traditional handicrafts, and sample local dishes like Bun Bo Hue and Banh Khoai here.
• Discover the Royal Tombs: Visit the royal tombs of Emperors Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc. Each tomb features unique architecture and beautiful gardens.
• Attend a Traditional Vietnamese Music Performance: Experience Nha Nhac at venues like Duyet Thi Duong Theatre. These performances feature traditional instruments, showcasing Hue’s cultural heritage.

Peak Season (January to March): This is the best time to explore Hue's rich historical sites like the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda. The Hue Poetry Festival and Lunar New Year celebrations add cultural vibrancy to the trip. 

Shoulder Season (November to December, April): With fewer tourists and more affordable prices, this period is perfect for visiting the Royal Tombs and Dong Ba Market. The Thuan An Sea Calling Festival and VNExpress Marathon offer unique cultural experiences.

Waning Season (May to October): Though this season sees frequent rains, it also means fewer crowds and lower travel costs. You can visit indoor attractions like the Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts.

Although it is a small town in Vietnam, Hue City is quite popular and easily accessible from a lot of places and in a number of ways.

• By Air: This city has its own international airport called Phu Bai which attends to daily flights from Ho Chi Minh and some other places in the China-Tibet region. The only airlines that fly to this airport on a regular basis include Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Vietjet.
• By Bus: The bus travels on a daily basis from Hue City to Hoi An City which makes a few stops on the way that include the Lang Ko Beach, Marble Mountains and Hai Van Pass. The local operators present here also provide pick ups and drop offs. Busses run from Da Nang to Hue City as well, but this route costs more and takes much longer than the former route.
• By Train: Hue City is well connected with other cities like Hoian, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. One can easily reach their destination in under 4 hours. The cost of the train tickets is affordable. The train from Ho Chi Minh, however, takes about 23 hours to reach.
• By Car: One can even drive up to Hue City from the nearby cities like Hoian, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The distance is merely 145 KM and can be covered under say 4 hours.

In order to make your stay here luxurious and comfortable, Hue City houses some of the best resorts in Vietnam. Following are the names of a few such resorts:

• Azerai La Residence: Located on the banks of the Perfume River, Azerai La Residence offers colonial-style luxury. It’s an excellent base for exploring the Citadel and Dong Ba Market​.
• Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa: Situated about 4 km from Hue’s city centre, this resort is set amidst lush gardens and offers traditional Vietnamese-style villas.
• Indochine Palace: Centrally located in Hue, Indochine Palace offers five-star luxury services. The hotel features elegant rooms with modern amenities.
• La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa: This Art Deco hotel is situated along the Perfume River, offering stunning riverside views. The hotel includes a riverside swimming pool and a spa too.

One can experience the rich flavors of the local cuisine on the streets of Hue City. Some of the items that must be tried are

• Banh Khot- Found in Nguyen Hue, they are Vietnamese style pancakes with a crispy base served with a fish sauce and vegetables.
• Banh Trang Trung- this is a Vietnamese version of a pizza. It is very famous among the local people present there and can be found anywhere on the streets.
• Bun Thit Nuong- this grilled pork noodle is full of flavors and a traditional Vietnamese dish. One can find this at any traditional Hue Restaurant present here.
• Banh Mi- the Vietnamese bread is quite famous for its texture and taste and can be easily found in bakeries like Bao Than Bakery and Thao Bakery.

Being a city with rich culture and tradition, one can find themselves shopping on the streets in the local markets getting some traditional jewelry, clothes, bags and so on. Some of the best places to shop from in Hue City are:

• Chu Van An Street
• Dong Ba Market
• Tinh Ho Art Shop
• Tay Loc Market
• Healing the Wounded Heart Hue
• Le Loi Street

Here is the list of best Vietnam tour packages that you can book with Thrillophilia:

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Here are the best places to visit in Hue City:

• Imperial City (Citadel): The Imperial City (Citadel) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through its palaces, temples, walls, and gates, you can feel transported back in time to Vietnam's royal era.
• Thien Mu Pagoda: Overlooking the Perfume River from Ha Khe Hill, Thien Mu Pagoda is a remarkable seven-story temple constructed in 1601.
• Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts: Located in the historic Long An Palace, this museum houses an impressive collection of Nguyen Dynasty artefacts, from intricate ceramics to royal clothing and furniture.
• Tomb of Khai Dinh: Built in 1931, this grand mausoleum is famous for its intricate mosaics and lavish design, showcasing Emperor Khai Dinh's unique and eclectic tastes.
• Elephant Springs (Suoi Voi). It is a natural spring located approximately 50 kilometers from Hue City. This scenic spot is perfect for swimming and relaxing, with its clear, cool waters.

To reach Hue City from India, take a connecting flight from New Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Air India, and VietJet Air operate these routes, with layovers in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. The total travel time is usually around 12-16 hours, depending on the layover duration.