Is Huế Worth Visiting?
- Shane Wolfe
- Mar 30
- 4 min read
For most travellers I met in Vietnam, Huế was not on the jam-packed itinerary. I think the general consensus is that there is nothing overly exciting or spectacular about it so it falls by the wayside when compared to the likes of Hoi An, Hanoi, Sapa or Ha Giang.
I did however visit the country's former capital and found it to be a really interesting place with some incredible things to see and delicious things to eat. So, I wanted to highlight some of the reasons why I think skipping Huế may be a mistake and talk about the best things to see, do and eat if you do decide to go.
Things to do in Huế
The Imperial Citadel - Made up of The Forbidden Purple City and the Imperial City, this vast complex of palaces, temples, immaculate gardens and fortified walls is a must-see.
This was the home of the Nguyễn Dynasty who ruled from 1802 to 1945 so as well as just being cool to see, it is also an important symbol of the country's history. The main palace itself in The Forbidden Purple City is an ornate spectacle which I think can be best described as Vietnam's answer to Downton Abbey!
The entrance fee for the Citadel was 200,000VND (approximately €7) and it was well worth it in my opinion. We spent around 2-3 hours exploring this complex so make sure you bring your sunblock.
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Định - For those of you who don't know what a Mausoleum is (which was me before I visited this place), it is essentially a tomb. That might not sound like the most interesting day out but I can assure you, this particular tomb is worth the trip.
It's situated on a hilltop overlooking some great Vietnamese scenery and each set of stairs up this small hill brings you to a new set of structures and stone objects. The main building itself is another lavish house with a stunning interior. The walls are lined in intricately detailed and ornate mosaics.
The entrance fee here was 150,000VND (Approximately €5) and we thought it was a great experience. Visiting here also doesn't take too much time out of your day. We spent about 30-45 minutes to look around.
Dong Ba Market - Located on the banks of the Perfume River in the centre of the city, Dong Ba Market is the oldest market in the city. It's definitely worth venturing into this labyrinth, even if you're not buying anything. In here, you'll find everything from clothes, large textiles, trinkets and a lot of food.
One thing I remember when walking through the food sections is that there are some... interesting... smells, so if you have a delicate stomach or you're feeling a little nauseous, maybe wait until you're better before visiting. It baffles me that so many people like durians but I suppose that's part of the cultural experience!
Other things to do - There are some other things to do and see in Huế, such as another Mausoleum, a small temple or two, and an abandoned water park but I felt the three above were the ones worth writing about.
Whatever activities you decide to do, there's no better way to end the day than enjoying some of the epic Central Vietnamese cuisine that this city has to offer.
The Food Scene in Huế
Something I loved about Vietnam as a whole is how the cuisine changes as you move around the country. Huế's selection of Central Vietnamese cuisine was fantastic and there is one restaurant that showcased this best in my opinion. Firstly, let's look at some of the dishes that are unique to this city;
Bún Bò Huế – Huế's answer to the country's staple dish, Pho. Basil is the primary herb over the usual coriander and the broth has a lot more depth and flavour than the lighter Pho.
Bánh Bèo – Small steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp and crispy pork. These are an excellent option for a midday snack.
Nem Lụi – Grilled lemongrass skewers served with fresh herbs and peanut sauce. These aren't really my thing but they were very popular here and I'm sure lots of you would like them.
Now, onto the restaurant - If you're looking for these local dishes and other Central Vietnamese delicacies, then look no further than Maison Trang. I ate here at least once a day in my time in Huế because it was incredible food, as authentic as it gets, and very reasonably priced. This small restaurant is tucked away in an alleyway off the main streets so I recommend you have your Google Maps ready to go if you want to dine here.
The General Atmosphere in Huế
I loved basically everywhere I went in Vietnam, however I'll be the first to admit that some of the larger urban areas are absolutely hectic and can be quite draining. This is not the case for Huế. It is actually a very relaxed and relatively quiet town, and this is not to say that it's dead by any means. In fact there's plenty of restaurants, bars and even a couple of clubs that are quite lively in the evenings.
So, if you've just been in the moped-mania that is Hanoi, or you need a break from the crowds of tourists in Hoi An, Huế can serve as a great destination to recharge and soak in some cool history.
The Verdict - Is Huế Worth Visiting?
It should be pretty clear by now that my answer is yes, Huế is definitely worth visiting. However, the length of your trip is a factor to consider for sure. If you're on a tight schedule but still want to see Huế, I think you could fit pretty much everything in in 2-3 days.
If you're only in only in Vietnam for a short time and you can't spare 2 days, will you miss out on a key aspect of the Vietnam experience? - Probably not. Not seeing The Imperial Citadel would be a big loss in my opinion but let's be honest, Vietnam has no shortage of spectacular historical sites.
I hope you enjoyed this blog. If you've been to Huế be sure to let us know in the comments!
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