Referring to the ancient and dreamy land, visitors will surely think of the beloved ancient capital Hue. Join Metta Voyage to discover interesting experiences on Hue walking tour in the section below!

1. Overview About The Ancient Capital Of Hue

Thua Thien Hue is a coastal province located in the Southernmost part of the North Central region, the Central region. Thua Thien Hue borders Quang Tri province to the North, the East Sea to the East, Da Nang city to the Southeast, and Quang Nam province to the South. Hue is famous for its poetic, calm and gentle beauty. That charm makes anyone want to travel to Hue once in their life.

Hue Imperial

Coming to the ancient capital, visitors can admire the golden palaces, the majestic mausoleums, the scenic spots tinged with history, all of which make up the unique beauty of the land of Hue. Travelers can arrange a trip to Hue ancient capital to see and feel the tangible and intangible cultural heritages bearing many intellectual and spiritual values ​​of the Vietnamese people.

2. The Ideal Time For Hue Walking Tour

One of the important factors determining a quality walking tour is the weather. Hue is a province in the North Central region, so the weather in Hue has its own characteristics and not every season should travel to Hue.

Dai Noi Hue

Here are some ideal times to make visitor’s Hue walking tour more enjoyable and complete

  • Traveling to Hue from January to March: Hue is in the midst of its spring season, which marks the change from the dry to the cold seasons. Although Hue experiences low temperatures during this season, Hue also grows delicate and full. In addition, the trees are blooming and the whole road is filled with flowers.
  • Hue tourism in April: This is the time of the festival season in Hue. This festival is held every year and is also known as one of the biggest festivals of Vietnam.
  • Traveling to Hue from May to July: This time is for those who like to travel to the sea because the climate is already very warm. In Hue, Lang Co beach and Thuan An beach are very beautiful, the sea is still wild and not crowded like other places.
  • Hue tourism in August: This is autumn in Hue and also the most beautiful time to travel to Hue, the weather is cool, dry, no rain. It is a suitable time to have a walking tour in this weather. However, autumn in Hue comes and goes very quickly, only around the beginning of August, so remember to watch the time to plan to come to Hue in time!

3. How To Move To Hue?

3.1. Plane

Visitors can go to Hue by some airlines, which are Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airway… arriving at Phu Bai Airport (Hue). Flight time usually takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Hanoi with ticket price from 400,000 VND/way and about 1 hour 25 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City with ticket price from 700,000 VND/way. 

Phu Bai Airport (Hue) is 15 kilometers from the center of Hue city. So, after landing, visitors have 2 options to Hue center: 

  • Travel by taxi or book a 4-seater car for 250,000 VND to hotels in the center of Hue.
  • Travel by shuttle bus from the airport to Hue city for 50,000 VND.

3.2. Train

For travelers who want to experience traveling by train while admiring the beauty on both sides of the road during the trip, the train is an ideal choice. Although the travel time is a bit long, this is an experience worth trying.

Trains running from Hanoi to Hue usually cost about 300,000 VND to 955,000 VND for one way and one person, running time is about 11 hours to 14 hours.

Trains running from Saigon to Hue have a higher price, ranging from 400,000 VND to 1,050,000 VND for one way and one person, running time is from 18 hours to 22 hours.

Transportation

3.3. Coach

Coaches are an affordable means of transportation. Currently, on the market, there are many brands of passenger cars with high quality sleeper beds. However, if visitors move from Ho Chi Minh City, this price will be doubled and the travel time is similar to the train.

  • From Hanoi, there are Hoang Long, Camel Travel…, the price ranges from 250,000 to 350,000 VND/way, and runs about 12 to 16 hours.
  • From Saigon, there are Tam Minh Phuong, Hoang Long and Minh Duc firms, the price ranges from 400,000 to 650,000 VND/way. The journey lasts 1 day from 20 to 24 hours.
  • From Da Nang, there are various choices, of which the most popular are HAV Limousine, Huetourist… A comfortable car seat costs only 80,000 – 180,000 VND /way, and it takes about 2 to 3 hours to arrive.

4. Transportation in Hue

After arriving in Hue, one of the things that visitors need to pay attention to is transportation. With a dreamy and beautiful city, there will be no shortage of ways for visitors to explore this city slowly. Here are a few facilities that visitors can refer to:

4.1. By Taxi

If visitors don’t want to drive themselves, a taxi is the ideal choice for them. Some familiar Hue taxi companies are 

  • Dong Ba (Tel: 0234.3.84.84.84) 
  • Mai Linh (Tel: 0234.3.89.89.89) 
  • Phu Xuan (Tel: 0234.3.87.87.87) 
  • Thanh Cong (Tel: 0234.3.57.57.57)

4.2. By Car

If travelers have a driver’s license, renting a car for the whole family or group of friends to travel is also very interesting. Car rental in Hue will be about 500,000 to 900,000 VND/day.

4.3. By Bicycle

Bicycles are a great option, allowing visitors to feel the slow and dreamy pace of Hue city. The rental price is extremely affordable, only 20,000 to 30,000 VND/piece/day.

4.4. By Motorbike

Motorcycles are the preferred choice for backpackers. As a tourist city, car rental services in Hue are very diverse, affordable from 100,000 to 120,000 VND/day. The easiest way is to contact the hotels in Hue, most of which have this service available for visitors.

4.5. By Cyclo

Even though they are now infrequently seen, cyclos are nevertheless very active in well-known tourist destinations. A discovery excursion costs between 15,000 and 20,000 VND per person per hour by cyclo, and visitors can hear interesting tales from the locals. One thing to keep in mind is that cycling in Hue has individual riders rather than a single unit, so tourists must agree on the fare before boarding the bus.

Transportation In Hue

4.6. By walking

Walking is an interesting option for travelers who like the lightness and slowness. Walking to tourist sites will help visitors have more time to explore. Walking while traveling also allows us to have time to settle down, return to ourselves, feel and communicate with nature, the surrounding scenery, things that we often miss.

5. Some Ideal Destinations In Hue Walking Tour

5.1. Hue Citadel

The Hue Citadel is a must-see location for any traveler to Hue. Hue Citadel served as the Nguyen Dynasty‘s capital for 143 years and has been designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The 520-hectare Hue Citadel is divided into the Imperial Citadel, which houses the monarch and his family, and the Common Citadel, which houses commoners and mandarins.

  • Opening hours: 

                     Summer from 06:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.
                    Winter from 07:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m

  • Ticket price: 150,000 VND/a person/a turn

Dai Noi Hue

Some outstanding monuments inside the inner city of Hue for walking tour:

5.1.1. Ngo Mon

The Imperial Citadel‘s main entrance, Ngo Mon, is solely utilized by the king for personal travel or to welcome envoys. Ngo Mon has hosted a number of significant ceremonies and events since it was constructed during the reign of King Minh Mang, notably the occasion when King Bao Dai read the Proclamation of Abdication in 1945.

Ngo Mon Hue

5.1.2. Quoc Tu Giam – Hue History Museum

Quoc Tu Giam (Thua Thien Hue History Museum), which was initially founded in Thang Long under the Ly Dynasty, serves as a feudal university. Quoc Tu Giam, a structure outside of Hanoi that was established during the Nguyen Dynasty, was known as the Temple of Literature and served as a location for saint worship. Since then, Quoc Tu Giam Hue has served as the nation’s sole university, attracting and developing hundreds of gifted Nguyen Dynasty members.

  • Address: 01 August 23 Street, Thuan Thanh Ward, City. Hue.
  • Opening hours: From Tuesday to Sunday

                      Morning: 07:30 a.m – 11:00 a.m
                      Afternoon: 01:30 p.m – 05:00 p.m

  • Ticket price: 30,000 VND/person.

imperial academy_of_hue.

5.1.3. Long An Palace – Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities

Long An Palace was built by King Thieu Tri as a place to rest and read books, Long An Palace is now built into Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities. This is the preservation of royal objects, providing a closer look at the golden life in the past.

  • Opening hours: 07:00 a.m – 05:00 p.m every day (closed on Mondays).General ticket price to visit the Citadel and the museum: 150,000 VND/ticket.

Long An Palace

5.2. Hue City

In addition to the outstanding historical sites in the imperial city of Hue, outside the citadel are also equally attractive tourist destinations.

5.2.1. Dong Ba Market

Dong Ba Market is the largest and oldest market in Hue, located on the banks of the romantic Huong River. Walking to explore the market is an ideal choice. This is one of the places that tourists visit and shop when traveling to Hue. This place sells a variety of goods from affordable to high-end.

  • Address: Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Hoa Ward, Hue City (100 meters from Truong Tien Bridge).

Cho Dong Ba

5.2.2. Trang Tien Bridge

Trang Tien Bridge is also a symbolic image of the city, Trang Tien Bridge crossing the Huong River is also something that Hue people are always proud of. The bridge was built more than 200 years ago, at first it was just a popular rattan material, but then the French built it into a six-span iron bridge like today.

Truong Tien Brigde

5.2.3. Huong river

Hue is encircled by the Huong River, which resembles a soft silk ribbon. A trip to the historic center would be incomplete without taking in the splendor of the Huong River.

Visitors can now take a boat to tour and see the Huong River when going to Hue. The natural splendor of this distinctive feudal capital is further enhanced by the Huong River, which flows through the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City. The length of the Huong River can reach 80 kilometers, with the longest portion being the 30 kilometers stretch from Bang Lang to the Thuan An estuary.

5.3. Hue Suburban Area

In addition to the important historical sites inside Hue city, the places to visit outside Hue city are also very attractive to domestic and foreign tourists. Some tourist destinations are listed below:

5.3.1. Thien An Hill – Thuy Tien Lake

Thuy Tien lake was famous not long ago, becoming a new check-in place in Hue, especially attracting young people who love to explore. Located near Thien An hill – a hill covered with pine forests like Da Lat, Thuy Tien Lake has an abandoned amusement park. The entire 50-hectare campus with many entertainment items is now submerged in ruins, covered with moss, and degraded, which is the point of “challenge” for intrepid guests.

  • Address: Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy town (10 kilometers south of Hue city center, on the way to visit Khai Dinh mausoleum).

5.3.2. Hon Chen Palace

Over ten diverse architectural structures of varying sizes make up the Hue relics collection, which is tucked away among the trees halfway up the Ngoc Tran mountain’s slopes, facing the Huong River. As the sole temple in Hue that combines royal rites and folk beliefs, Hon Chen Palace plays a significant role in the spiritual lives of the Hue people. Also, it was here where fine art deco peaked in the late 19th century.

Dien Hon Chen

5.3.3. Tombs Areas

Each of the kings’ mausoleums in Hue has unique characteristics and fascinating historical tales to tell. Yet, the mausoleums are not in the city center and are frequently positioned a great distance apart from one another. To see mausoleums like Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, and Khai Dinh Tomb, tourists need to take the time to hire a taxi or rent a self-drive automobile.

  • Opening hours: 7:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m every day.
  • Entrance ticket price:

                 Tomb of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh: 100.000 VND/ticket
                 Gia Long Tomb, Thieu Tri, Dong Khanh: 40.000 VND/ticket

Tu Duc Tomb

6. Conclusion

Above are the experiences as well as interesting destinations in the Hue walking tour for tourists. A few days to explore the beautiful ancient capital of Hue is impossible. However, depending on time and financial conditions, visitors will choose the most suitable and convenient schedule for themselves. They can also book a tour such as Hue Fullday City Tour or Hue Hoi An Culinary Tour Package and more Hue’s tour on Metta Voyage  to save time and effort.  If travelers need more information about Hue tourism in particular and other tourist attractions in general, please contact Metta Voyage immediately!

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