5 Reasons You’ll Love Hue

The city of Hue in Central Vietnam attracts thousands of tourists everywhere. Partly thanks to its ties to Vietnam’s rich history which is still evident everywhere you go in the city. The city is also a great place to relax especially after a whirlwind Vietnam tour with its laid-back vibes, friendly locals, and charming avenues.

Top 5 reasons why you will love Hue

Rich History

If you are a history buff, then Hue should be right up your alley. The city served as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty for over a century and you can still find remnants from this long-gone era in the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Imperial Citadel of Hue. Before the rise of the Nguyen’s, the city’s history can actually be traced back to the Cham Kingdom in the 12th century. Its recent history is marked by devastation. The city was largely destroyed during the Vietnam War and the historic sights have only recently started to be rebuilt.

Royal palaces and tombs

The entire city of Hue is a goldmine of royal palaces and tombs, seeing as it was the home of the Nguyen royal family for over a century. You’ll find most of the palaces within the Imperial Citadel such as the Thai Hoa Palace which served as the seat of power for the Nguyen dynasty. While most of the royal tombs can be found along the banks of the famous Perfume River. Some famous tombs you can check out are the Tomb of Thieu Tri, Tomb of Tu Duc, Tomb of Khai Dinh, and Tomb of Minh Mang.

Vietnamese traditional music

There are very few places left in Vietnam where you can still hear the sweet melodies of traditional Vietnamese instruments and songs that were sung in the royal courts. Hue is one such place. Here, you can listen to the melodic Hue Royal Court Music which has been recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO. A visit to the Imperial Citadel of Hue is a must if you want to indulge in the traditional performances of Hue Royal Court Music at the oldest traditional Vietnamese stage, the 200-year-old Royal Theatre Duyet Thi Duong.

Vietnamese woman with a traditional instrument

Street Food

One thing you cannot miss out on in Vietnam is the street food. Hue is no exception to this rule. The city has an array of dishes unique to the city as well as common Vietnamese dishes you can find anywhere in the country but with its own unique Hue twist. A few dishes you need to try out while in Hue are Bun Bo Hue, a beef noodle soup dish, Banh Khoai, a crispy pancake, and Banh Nam, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in banana leaves.

Waterfront life

The famous Perfume River flows through Hue and plays a huge role in the city’s growth. Most of Hue’s main attractions are located along the banks of the river as well. The river has given the city a distinctive laid-back and atmospheric vibe which is difficult to find anywhere else in most cities in Vietnam. The banks of the river come to life in the evening and is a popular place to catch the sunset. There are riverboats that ply along the river which offer cruises and authentic Vietnamese dinners.