Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue: Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Dai Noi Hue (Hue Citadel), An Hien Garden House, Thien Mu Pagoda, Huong River, Dong Ba Market,…
Hue City or Hue Ancient Citadel is in Thua Thien – Hue Province in Vietnam. Hue tourism not only attracts visitors by its cultural, historical, and ancient beauty but also attracts visitors by the friendliness of the people here. To help visitors have a reasonable plan to explore Hue, we introduce 10 places that many domestic and foreign tourists visit.
Table of Contents
1. Minh Mang Tomb
Minh Mang Tomb owns a prime location and is extremely convenient in Hue. Located on Cam Khe Mountain, this is the meeting place between the two rivers Ta Trach and Huu Trach, which combine to form the dreamy Perfume River.
Minh Mang Tomb – Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue.
Minh Mang Tomb is one of the mausoleums that is considered the most majestic and standard in the architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The entire campus has an area of 1,750m2 arranged in relation to each other to create an extremely beautiful architectural complex. Viewed from above, the shape of the mausoleum resembles the figure of a person resting very naturally and comfortably: the head is towards Kim Phung Mountain, the two sides are on both sides of Trung Minh Lake, and the feet rest on the confluence of the river full of comfort.
From the mausoleum gate to the inside, what catches our eye are architectural works arranged symmetrically, parallelly to three axes. In the middle of that campus is a fragrant lotus pond. The image of simple, rustic but strangely beautiful lotus flowers is an indispensable symbol when people refer to the mausoleums in Vietnam. Traveling to Hue without visiting Minh Mang Tomb would be a huge omission.
When traveling to Hue, don’t forget to visit Minh Mang Tomb.
2. Khai Dinh Tomb
Located just 10 km from the center of Hue City, Khai Dinh Tomb is the last architectural work of the Nguyen Dynasty and also the most outstanding of all other mausoleums thanks to its modern construction materials and influence by many foreign architectural schools.
Khai Dinh Tomb was built for 11 years (1920 – 1931), spanning 2 Nguyen kings, Khai Dinh and his son Bao Dai. Although the mausoleum has the smallest area, it is the mausoleum work that takes the most effort and money among the mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Khai Dinh Tomb is the Tomb work that takes the most effort and money among the mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Traveling to Hue and visiting Khai Dinh Tomb can be overwhelming for visitors, because of the rectangular architecture rising 127 steps, influence by many architectural schools such as Hinduism (tower-shaped gate), Buddhism (stoupa-shaped pillars), Roman Gothic architecture (octagonal columns, high and wide arches)… Another special feature that makes visitors admire Khai Dinh Tomb is all the details decorated with porcelain mosaic art.
Sophisticated porcelain mosaic art at Khai Dinh Tomb.
Come to Hue, don’t forget to visit Khai Dinh Tomb to be immersed in the cultural values and historical quintessence of a time, friends!
3. Tu Duc Tomb
Tu Duc Tomb is located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong Village, former Cu Chanh canton, now Thuong Ba Village, Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City. Tomb of King Tu Duc, the 4th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. He reigned for 36 years, from 1847 to 1883.
When it was first built, the tomb was called Van Nien Co. After the rebellion of the tomb builders, King Tu Duc realized his mistake and changed his name to Khiem Cung. After King Tu Duc died, the tomb was renamed Khiem Lang.
Tu Duc Tomb is seen from above.
From the entrance gate, on the right is a wide, deep, long lake, both sides have very solid stone embankments. On the left side of the lake is a house on the water for the king to relax, read or fish. The right side of the lake is an islet, luxuriant trees, a place to keep wild animals. On the left side of the road, there are 2 connecting areas. The first area is the temple, in the past, this place was the place where the king rested and entertained. The second area is the tomb area, where the tomb of King Tu Duc is located. The tomb is simple but majestic, surrounded by a solid high wall.
Tu Duc Tomb has solid architecture, charming landscape and is one of the most beautiful mausoleums of the Nguyen kings that you must definitely explore when traveling to Hue.
This is one of the most beautiful mausoleums in Hue.
4. Dai Noi Hue (Hue Citadel)
Hue Citadel is one of the relics of the Hue Monuments Complex recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage since 1993. Dai Noi Hue is the administrative center of Vietnam and a place of accommodation and working of the Nguyen court, the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam. Starting with King Gia Long, 13 kings of the Nguyen royal family lived continuously until the dynasty ended after the announcement of the abdication of the Nguyen Dynasty of King Bao Dai in August 1945.
Dai Noi Hue – the historical work of the whole country.
Dai Noi Hue has 4 gates arranged on 4 sides with the main door located in the south is Ngo Mon Gate, in the north is Hoa Binh Gate, in the west is Chuong Duc Gate and in the east is Hien Nhon Gate. In front of the Ngo Mon Gate is the Hue Monument and the square, where cultural and artistic activities take place on the occasion of Tet. The Imperial Citadel and the entire inner palace system adhere to the principle of “left man and right woman”.
Up to now, experiencing many historical fluctuations and time, Dai Noi Hue remains. The relic area is a historic construction proving the existence of the final feudal dynasty in Vietnam. In order to understand this feudal dynasty history, Dai Noi Hue is definitely where you have to come.
Dai Noi Hue in Hue Citadel is one of the relics of the Hue Monuments Complex.
5. An Hien Garden House
Hue garden house has a bold impression, both aristocratic appearance, and traditional folk color. Of the hundreds of garden houses that still exist in Hue, An Hien Garden House is the most typical one. The garden house is located on the north bank of the Perfume River, not far from Thien Mu Pagoda, address 58 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Xuan Hoa Village, Huong Long Commune, Hue City.
An Hien Garden House – Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue.
An Hien Garden House in Hue is according to Hue garden house architecture, designed by feng shui, Architecture and nature blend together. The project complex is nearly 5,000 m2 wide, facing the main direction towards the Perfume River. The subject is a ruong house (The ruong house is an ancient architecture, born around the 17th century, under the Vietnamese feudal dynasty. It is a house with a wooden pillar and truss structure system, which is completely linked by wooden latches) located in the center of the garden, 135 m2 wide.
Currently, An Hien Garden House is a cultural address, a familiar stop for tourists when visiting Hue. It is also a distinctive feature of Hue in the urban architectural culture in Vietnam. Tickets to visit An Hien Garden House in Hue cost 20,000 VND/person.
An Hien Garden House is a familiar stop for tourists.
6. Thien Mu Pagoda
Nestled in a place that is not noisy and bustling, Thien Mu Pagoda still attracts tourists from all over the world when traveling to Hue because of its mysterious and legendary stories and its profound beauty peace by the Perfume River.
Thien Mu Pagoda by the romantic Perfume River. Thien Mu Pagoda is a place that greatly contributes to the beauty of Hue Capital.
Thien Mu Pagoda (also known as Linh Mu Pagoda) is located on Ha Khe Hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River, about 5km west of Hue City center, in the territory of Huong Tra District. Thien Mu Pagoda was officially established in the year of Tan Suu (1601) during the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang – the first Nguyen Lord in Dang Tron (South Vietnam).
Those who come to Hue visit the spiritual site of Thien Mu Pagoda with the mentality of wanting to pray for good luck for relatives and friends around. Thien Mu Pagoda is a work serving the spiritual life of Hue people, also a place that greatly contributes to the beauty of Hue Ancient Capital.
7. Huong River
Every time coming to Hue, everyone is amazed by the poetic and lyrical beauty of the Perfume River. This river has consumed the ink of many poets and those who carry heavy nostalgia for Hue.
The Perfume River is like a gentle silk strip surrounding Hue. Visiting the ancient capital without enjoying the beauty of the Perfume River is like having never got to set foot in Hue.
The poetic Perfume River – Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue.
Locals explain that the river is called Perfume River because it winds around carrying the scent of natural plants.
Today, when traveling to Hue, you can go on a boat to see the Perfume River. The Perfume River flows around the Citadel, adding to the natural beauty of this unique Citadel. Perfume River has a length of up to 80km, especially the section from Bang Lang to Thuan An estuary is 30km long.
Perfume captivates so many visitors.
The Perfume River is as graceful as a Hue girl shyly smiling under the conical hat. The silvery-white color of the river is even more embellished when the Trang Tien bridge crosses the Perfume River. Traveling to Hue, few people can ignore the cruise to visit the Perfume River.
8. Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is a must-visit destination when traveling to Hue, not only to visit and learn about the culture and daily life of the people of the ancient capital but also to enjoy all the delicious Hue dishes that have been around for a long time famous throughout the country such as Hue beef noodle soup, mussel rice, Nam Pho soup cake, Hue sweet soup.
Dong Ba Market – Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue.
Dong Ba Market is located along the north bank of the Perfume River, on Tran Hung Dao Street, which is an important street of Hue City. This place has long been the pride of Hue people, a place to show the breath and rhythm of life of Hue land.
Stepping into Dong Ba market, you have opened the door to the culinary paradise of Central Vietnam with the famous Dong Ba market pork vermicelli, rice with mussels, Hue cake, Sia rice paper, Kim Long grilled meat noodle soup, spring rolls in Phu Hoa, Truoi sweet soup cooked with fresh ginger, My Loi sugarcane juice, sweet and fragrant Tinh Tam lotus seed sweet soup.
Dong Ba market creates inspiration for the bride and groom to create beautiful photos.
9. Night Market in Hue
Around the night market area in Hue, there are extremely diverse rows of ao dai. Especially tourists who order in the afternoon will get the shirt the next day. Ao Dai in Hue is famous throughout the country.
Hue night market is located on Nguyen Dinh Chieu pedestrian street, right near Dong Ba Market. Most are restaurants with many specialties of Hue, such as mussel rice, mussel vermicelli, Hue sweet soup, etc.
10. West Street
If Saigon has Bui Vien West Street, Hanoi has Ta Hien West Street, Hue is not inferior to these two big tourist cities, Hue has Pham Ngu Lao West Street. It is said to be Pham Ngu Lao West Street because it is almost the most crowded here. In fact, West Street also expands at the intersection of Le Loi or Vo Thi Sau.
Located on the south bank of the Perfume River, Hue’s West Street is a bustling destination that has made quiet Hue picture more colorful. Ask people here about the appearance of West Street, but almost no one knows. Perhaps when Hue tourism gradually develops, more foreign tourists come here, then bars, pubs, and also gradually growing up, becoming a frequent destination for many western guests.
Famous West Street – Top 10 tourist attractions in Hue
Although Hue is not as vibrant as other tourist cities, I am sure visiting Hue will leave you with many unforgettable memories.
The Hue tourist attractions above, we have arranged in the correct order to visit first and last. You can rent a motorbike to explore for 1 day or take a 1-day tour of Hue which is also reasonable.
