Hue, Vietnam

Best time to visit

February to April

The drier, milder stretch from roughly February to April is generally considered the most comfortable time for walking the Citadel and the tombs and for taking boat trips on the Perfume River. May to August is hot and humid, so plan sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon. From around September to December, Hue is typically wet, with heavy rain, possible typhoons and river flooding, and this can disrupt outdoor plans.

History and culture

Hue was proclaimed the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 and remained the political, cultural and religious heart of the country under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945. The Nguyen were Vietnam's last ruling royal family, and thirteen emperors reigned from Hue. Their court developed sophisticated traditions in literature, music, architecture and cuisine. The Imperial Citadel was modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City and contains the Thai Hoa Palace (Throne Hall), ceremonial gates, temple pavilions and the inner Forbidden Purple City, once reserved for the emperor and his household. Beyond the walls, the emperors' tombs are set in landscaped grounds along the river and in the surrounding hills. The Complex of Hue Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and conservation work continues. Buddhism is also central to the city's character. Thien Mu Pagoda, with its seven-tiered tower, and Tu Hieu Monastery, where Thich Nhat Hanh spent his early years as a novice monk, are two of its best-known sites. Hue's royal past lives on in its food, which is delicate and elaborately presented, in its court music, and in craft villages such as Thuy Xuan, where incense is made by hand, and Phuoc Tich, known for pottery. Today the city is still a centre of culture, education and science.

Sights

Places to see. 7 places besides the lead pick.

Food and drink

Places to eat and drink. 8 places.

Stays

Places to sleep. 8 places.

Articles it was based on

The pages the research read. Each opens on its own site.