Hue, Vietnam: The Underrated Gem You Need to Visit

The Imperial City is huge and an UNESCO Site! It’s a walled fortress and palace complex that once served as the seat of the Nguyen emperors. Inside the complex, you’ll find ornate gates, temples, royal residences, and gardens that reflect Vietnam’s imperial past. To understand the history, I recommend getting a guided tour.

Visit some of the most important historical relics from the Vietnam War on a DMZ tour from Hue. Journey through former battlefields and military bases as you uncover the war’s untold stories. Explore the Vinh Moc Tunnels, where entire families once lived underground, and visit key sites such as Khe Sanh Combat Base, the Ben Hai River, and Dakrong Bridge, which marked the division between North and South Vietnam. It’s a powerful and educational experience that offers deep insight into the country’s wartime past.

You will be greeted by an incline of stairs prior to entering the royal tomb. The tomb features dark concrete exteriors, intricate mosaics made of glass and porcelain, and an ornate interior crowned by a golden statue of Emperor Khai Dinh himself. It’s smaller than other royal tombs but far more elaborate

Sail along the riverbank and take in the views of the town of Hue from a traditional boat.

Make sure you bring cash for the entrance fees. Cards are not accepted.

The Royal Tomb of Minh Mang surrounded by lakes, gardens, and hills. The complex includes beautifully aligned courtyards, temples, and gates. This royal tomb was the least busy attraction in Hue. It was nice to slow down and wander around.

Admission is FREE. Make sure you are dressed appropriately as this is a religious site.

You can also see the blue car famously associated with the Buddhist monk who self-immolated in Saigon in 1963 to protest the persecution of Buddhists. The car that carried him to the site of his protest and is now preserved at Thien Mu Pagoda.

The An Dinh Palace is a small museum. It was a beautiful blend of European and Vietnamese architecture, built in the early 20th century as the private residence of Emperor Khai Dinh and later used by his son. There aren’t many artifacts within the museum, so you can easily visit the place within 30 mins. It gives off a little bit of an abandon vibe.

Hue is filled with a lot of cute cafes. During my time in Vietnam, I sampled so many coffee shops. I recommend checking out Piano Lab, where true to its name, there’s always someone playing the piano. There’s also a place a little off the beaten path called Thanh Cafe and a lot of students frequent this cafe, so you’ll be mixing with locals more than tourists.