Is Hue Worth Visiting?

Hue is a city in central Vietnam, it is a lesser-known city when compared to other locations around Vietnam such as Hoi An or Phu Quoc Island. The city is home to the Forbidden City along with temples and palaces also during the Vietnam War there was a major battle for the city. So, is Hue worth visiting?

Hue is worth visiting especially if you enjoy exploring temples and palaces along with learning about the battle of Hue during the Vietnam War which was considered one of the most fierce battles during the war. The city’s economy is largely built around tourism and is home to several UNESCO sites.

In this post, we will go through is Hue worth visiting. Let’s get started!

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Is Hue Worth Visiting?

Hue is definitely worth visiting for a variety of reasons. The main reason is Hue’s history where you can explore the old Imperial City which has palaces, temples, and shrines. Along with the history of the Vietnam War. Hue is a tourist-focused city and is welcoming to visitors alongside a good range of accommodations around the city.

There are three reasons that Hue is worth a visit, these are as follows.

• History.
• Friendly Locals.
• Food.

History

The history of Hue is the biggest draw for tourists to visit the city. It once was the imperial capital of Vietnam. The city once served as the administrative capital for the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. It is home to a number of UNESCO sites.

The Imperial City is a draw that is a walled enclosure within the fortress of the Hue. It was thick stone walls and instead it with palaces, shrines, and more. Also, during the Vietnam War, the battle of Hue was where one of the most fierce battles of the war. That occurred from 31 January 1968 to 2 March 1968. You can visit museums around the city to learn more about the battle.

Friendly Locals

Generally speaking, the Vietnamese people are friendly. This goes for most of Vietnam. Hue’s economy is largely tourist-focused and it continues to develop. With that most local people, from Hue are welcoming and friendly to visitors.

Food

If you are a foodie or a fan of Vietnamese food, then Hue will not disappoint especially if you love seafood. As well as offering local food Vietnamese food Hue offers food from all over the world.

Why Is Hue Popular?

Hue is popular because of its history especially if you enjoy exploring temples, the old imperial city, royal monuments, and if you are a war buff.

How Many Days In Hue Is Enough?

3 to 4 days is more than enough time to see Hue. Any more than that you could struggle to keep yourself busy.

Things To Do In Hue Vietnam

Hue is a small city with a lot of historical sites around the city worth exploring. The city has a chilled vibe, and the nightlife is relatively quiet there are many things to do in Hue.

You can read about the things to do in Hue here but these are the main things to do in Hue. Let’s go through the list.

Visit The Provincial Museum

The battle of Hue was a significant battle during the Vietnam War, this museum tries to explain the battle and is worth a visit. If you are interested in the Vietnam War and its history.

If you happen to be visiting the Imperial City, this museum is beside it you just have to cross the road. The front grounds are dotted with several planes, tanks, and even a helicopter that are all remnants of the Vietnam War.

The placards written in English and Vietnamese explain where each vehicle was acquired and from whom and this in itself is already fascinating.

Admire The Hue Imperial City

The Imperial City was once a palace and is a walled fortress that used to be the home of the emperors of Vietnam. Also known as The Citadel, the grounds of the palace are surrounded by an impressive water lily-filled moat.

Most parts of the structure were damaged during the battles during the war but there is ongoing restoration. The moment you step inside, you will be able to see the buildings that were damaged, in their original and restored stages.

See to it that you ask the driver to drop you off at the right gate to start your visit.

Visit Hon Chen Temple

This is an extraordinary temple that overlooks the Perfume River. It sits on top of a small rocky cliff and there are a few steps to climb to get there but not too many. You can visit the temple by long-tail boat from Hue.

Inside the temple, there are two beautiful altars, one lower and one tucked away upstairs at the top of the building. The temple contains artifacts such as ancient vases, figurines of various kinds, and offerings tables.

It’s worth a visit. Even if not interested in temples, the views, and architecture are a must-see. On the third and seventh lunar months, you will find local music and dance performances at the temple.

Visit Bach Ma National Park

You can visit the Bach Ma National Park which is located about halfway between Hue and Danang. There are hiking trails and a few campsites at the park plus there is an entrance fee of around 40,000 VND to enter National Park.

Visit The Abandoned Water Park

As the name suggests this is an abandoned waterpark. It was only closed in the early 2000s. The park is becoming a bit of a ruin but if you are a fan of abandoned places, graffiti, and eerie buildings then it is worth a visit.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Hue is worth visiting especially if you are a war buff and enjoy exploring temples and palaces. 3 days is more than enough time to see all of Hue’s sites. Hue has a relatively quiet nightlife but don’t expect crazy nightlife but is a good place to enjoy the local food with a beer.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide is Hue worth visiting has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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