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1. Enjoy salted coffee.
"When you come to Hue, you can't miss trying salted coffee."
To this day, many people are still unclear about the true origin of this unique coffee brewing method. Coffee with salt may sound strange at first, but it has a surprising effect. The salt, combined with the sweetness of cocoa and milk, softens the bitterness of the coffee. International tourists consider this a must-try drink in Hue if you are a coffee connoisseur.
Suggested address: 142 Dang Thai Than Street, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City
Price: 15,000 VND/cup
2. Visit the Hue Imperial Citadel.
"If you are interested in and passionate about Vietnamese history, visiting the Imperial Citadel is one of the most important things you should do in Hue." The Imperial Citadel is one of the testaments to the glorious history of the Nguyen dynasty that is still present here.
The Imperial Citadel of Hue, also known as the Hue Royal Palace, was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and is part of the Hue Imperial Citadel Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Hue Imperial Citadel is a vast complex encompassing numerous temples, pagodas, royal residences, tombs, and the Forbidden City – a private space reserved exclusively for the royal family and select servants. You'll need at least two hours if you plan to explore everything.
International tourists visiting this area often suggest hiring a tour guide to ensure the most complete and enjoyable sightseeing experience.
3. Eat Hue-style beef noodle soup.
Bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup) has the ability to captivate many tourists with its unique flavor, found only in the imperial city. Many international visitors even say it's a dish they could eat every day.
Two places serving Hue-style beef noodle soup that foreigners recommend to each other are: Hanh's Hue-style beef noodle soup and My Tam's Hue-style beef noodle soup.
4. Explore the royal tombs.
Visiting the tombs of the emperors is one of the most popular things to do in Hue. There are seven known royal tombs, although only three of them are visited by many tourists: the tomb of Khai Dinh, the tomb of Minh Mang, and the tomb of Tu Duc.
Tomb of Emperor Minh Mạng
The tomb of Emperor Minh Mạng is one of the seven largest known tombs in Huế. It also features an architectural model comprising 40 large and small structures, situated along a 700-meter-long sacred path from the Đại Hồng Môn (Great Red Gate) at the outermost edge to the base of the wall behind the tomb.
Emperor Minh Mạng was the second emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty, reigning from 1820 until his death in 1841. He is known for his opposition to French intervention in Vietnam, as well as his rigidity – influenced by Confucianism.
Khai Dinh Mausoleum
The Khai Dinh Mausoleum is considerably smaller in area than the Minh Mang Mausoleum but leaves a lasting impression with its grandeur. Built on a hillside, you'll need to climb a series of steps with carved dragon railings, then cross a courtyard with stone statues of honor guards to reach the inner sanctuary of the mausoleum atop the memorial.
Inside the tomb is a bronze statue of Emperor Khai Dinh. He was the 12th emperor of the Nguyen dynasty and the last to build a mausoleum in Hue. His successor was Emperor Bao Dai, the last reigning emperor of the Nguyen dynasty.
In addition, King Khai Dinh is known for imposing heavy taxes on the people to finance the construction of this mausoleum.
Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
The Tomb of Tu Duc is described as the largest and most luxurious of all royal tombs. Tu Duc was the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty and had the longest reign. He ruled for 36 years, from 1847 until his death in 1883. Tu Duc is remembered for his loyalty to Confucianism, his opposition to foreigners, and his reformist spirit.
5. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is located on the banks of the Perfume River, 5 km west of the center of Hue City. With its picturesque scenery, Thien Mu Pagoda is an unmissable stop for tourists whenever they visit Hue.
6. Explore Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the oldest market in Hue, covering an area of approximately 16,000 square meters.2And there are hundreds of stalls selling fresh meat, clothes, handicrafts, and household goods... You can spend a few minutes or a few hours at Dong Ba Market exploring the alleys and stalls.
7. Eating Hue-style cakes
"Hue cakes" is the general term used by foreigners to refer to the famous and delicious cakes that originated in Hue during the feudal era. Some of the cakes that always come to mind include: banh beo, banh ram, banh ep, banh nam, banh uot...
The ancient capital impresses with its vast culinary heritage, including countless varieties of Hue cakes in all kinds of savory and sweet styles, from simple and rustic to luxurious and elaborate. Most of the dishes here are not only meticulously and delicately prepared and delicious, but also fully embody the distinctive flavors of this dreamy and beloved land.
8. Eat clam rice and corn sweet soup at Con Hen.
Clam rice – a simple and rustic dish from Con Hen islet, a familiar address for both locals and tourists for a long time. This place not only offers delicious clam rice, but also clam noodles, clam vermicelli, and desserts that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Con Hen is a small island located in the middle of the Perfume River. Besides its famous clam rice dish, Con Hen also boasts a delicious corn sweet soup that can't be found anywhere else outside of Hue. The locals grow corn almost year-round (except for the three months of flooding). The corn from this region is fragrant, rich, and creamy because it benefits from the thick layer of alluvial soil on the fields after each flood.
9. Visit an abandoned water park.
Thuy Tien Lake Park is not only known as an abandoned park in Hue, but also a favorite tourist destination for those who enjoy exploring, experiencing, and admiring its eerie and mysterious beauty.
The Thuy Tien Lake Water Park was constructed starting in 2000 and officially completed in June 2004, covering an area of 49.9 hectares. It features many unique attractions such as an aquarium, an ecosystem, and a musical fountain area, with a capacity of up to 2,500 seats. However, the park was abandoned for a long time and has since been transferred to a new investor and management.
Since being featured in foreign newspapers, this tourist area has become a popular check-in spot in Hue and is sought after by many people.
10. Experience the culinary delights of Hue's royal court.
Hue's royal cuisine is one of the most attractive aspects for tourists visiting the ancient capital. The dishes are not only delicious but also presented in the most elaborate and sophisticated ways. Previously, these dishes were only served to the king and royal family, but today, thanks to skilled artisans, anyone has the opportunity to enjoy them.
Hue royal cuisine consists of a meal of about 8 or 9 dishes, recreating the meals served to members of the Nguyen dynasty's royal family. These royal dishes largely use locally sourced ingredients, but through meticulous and elaborate preparation, they achieve perfection in presentation, pure flavor, and health benefits.
One place recommended by both domestic and foreign tourists is Kim Long restaurant, located within the Hue Ancient Houses complex.
