Hue Citadel is a poetic and gentle land, with a long tradition and history with unique values and identities. Coming to Hue Citadel, visitors not only enjoy this gentle beauty but also enjoy the unique cuisine here!
1. Overview about Hue Citadel
1.1. Overview
Hue Citadel, known as the “poetry land,” has a peaceful beauty, a leisurely pace of life, and historic architectural masterpieces that never fail to entice tourists. Hue, which once served as the Nguyen Dynasty‘s political, cultural, and religious hub, still has many ancient structures, including palaces, mausoleums, and pagodas, that are largely undamaged.
Coming to Hue Citadel, visitors can immerse themselves in the old space, walk on the banks of the Huong River and enjoy special Royal style dishes. In 1993, Hue and Hoi An ancient town, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage, attracted millions of domestic and foreign tourists to visit. If you love nature, the tenderness of Hue women and delicious food, you definitely must not miss a visit to Hue.
1.2. The reason why Hue attracts so many tourists
- Hue owns extremely unique architectural works
Unlike other capitals in Vietnam such as Hoa Lu and Co Loa, the ancient capital of Hue is more special because it has been preserved intact. Most of the public buildings, citadel, temple… still exist there as a feature that makes Hue city become more peaceful and quiet.
- Hue owns a diverse and unique cuisine
Hue has a particularly unique and outspokenly regal culinary tradition because it was the Nguyen Dynasty‘s capital city since the beginning of time. Through the sophistication of each dish, all are amply demonstrated. The food is appealing, incredibly simple, and well-known to the people. When you eat at one of Hue‘s exceptional restaurants, every meal will become even more memorable.
- Local people are friendly and approachable
The people of Hue Citadel are what people enjoy most about it. When visiting Hue Citadel, you will be welcomed with a pleasant grin and given a spiritual gift that is a warm welcome. They will be quite helpful if you have an issue, regardless of where you are from or what you do for a living. Come to the historic city of Hue without fear because the locals are friendly and willing to answer any questions.
2. The best time to travel to Hue Citadel
Hue is located in the transitional zone of the two South – North. Therefore, the weather in Hue is a combination of both regions. The rainy season in Hue usually starts from May to November. This is also the time when there is a lot of rain, affecting the trip of tourists. So. Visitors need to monitor detailed weather before coming here
- April – May: The weather is mild, pleasant, and ideal for many enjoyable activities at this time of year. Not to mention, the Hue Festival is held at the end of April every two years to celebrate cultural legacies and encourage travel. You may be sure that your trip to Hue will be complete and unforgettable if you go at this time.
- Flower season in Hue: Hue has many charming flowers blooming all year round. March and April is the cornflower season. Summer is the time when the red phoenix blooms in a corner of the sky next to Trang Tien bridge. Throughout May-August, the lotus flowers in the Imperial Citadel bloom… All contribute to the dreamy beauty of the ancient capital.
3. How to move to Hue Citadel
3.1. Means of transportation to Hue ancient capital
3.1.1. Airplane
For those who live far from Hue like Saigon or Hanoi, the plane is the most appropriate option. The advantage of this vehicle is that it is extremely fast, only about 1-2 hours to arrive. Moreover, currently, the route Ho Chi Minh – Hue or Hanoi – Hue is exploited quite a lot by 3 airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo. From Hue airport to the center, it only takes 25 minutes to travel by taxi.
- Ticket price from Saigon to Hue is about 700,000 to 2,200,000 VND/person/1 way
- Ticket price from Hanoi to Hue is about 660,000 to 2,000,000 VND/person/1 way
3.1.2. Train
If you have a lot of time, the train is an ideal choice for your trip. Along the way, you will be immersed in the beautiful natural scenery. The cost of traveling by train is also quite cheap and safe
- Fares from Hanoi to Hue range from 600,000 to 1,700,000 VND depending on train carriage and class of seats
- Fares from Saigon to Hue range from 700,000 to 2,000,000 VND depending on train carriage and class of seats
3.1.3. Coach
If you want to save a little money, you can switch to taking a coach. However, it takes quite a while. Specifically, from Saigon and Hanoi, it takes about 18-20 hours to Hue. That takes a lot of time, and this will make you feel tired and have no interest in sightseeing and traveling anymore. Here are some suggestions for coach companies that you can refer to
From Hanoi to Hue:
- Camel Travel (Running time 17:00, 18:00, 18:45; Ticket price 250,000 VND/way; Phone number 024 8585 0555 / 090 222 7070)
- Queen Cafe Open Bus (Running time 18:00; 18:30; Ticket price 280,000 VND/way; Phone number: 0243 9036 036)
- Thanh Hung garage (Running time 18:00, 19:00, 19:30; Ticket price 250,000 VND – 300,000 VND/way; Phone number 0243 9900 333 / 090 225 22 00)
- Nhat Tuan garage (Running time 16:00, 17:00; Ticket price 280,000 VND/way; Phone number 024 8589 8333 0899 233 28)
From Sai Gon to Hue
- Anh Tan bus (Running time 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00; Ticket price 500,000 VND/way; Phone number 094.331.4668)
- Hoang Long garage (Running time 07:00, 08:00, 14:30, 17:30, 18:30 and 21:00; Ticket price 550,000 VND/way; Phone number 0234.385.4854)
- Minh Phuong garage (Running time 07:00; Ticket price 430,000 VND/ way; Phone number 093.583.3393)
- Minh Duc garage (Running time 08:00; Ticket price 430,000 VND/ way; Phone number 093.583.3393 – 094.574.3232.
3.2. Transportation in Hue Citadel
3.2.1. Motorbike
Motorcycles are an active and ideal vehicle for those who are passionate about exploring each road and landscape in Hue Citadel. The price of motorbike rental in Hue ranges from 120,000 to 150,000 VND/day
3.2.2. Taxi
If you want a simple and light trip, a taxi is still the most suitable choice. This plan is very suitable for travelers who travel in groups and have specific destinations. Taxi prices in Hue are also quite cheap, but you should be clear about the fare as well as the route you take to avoid being hacked. Some taxi companies for your reference:
- Mai Linh Taxi: 0234.3.89.89.89 – 0234.3.82.47.47
- Thanh Cong Taxi: 0234.3.57.57.57 – 0234.6.57.57.57
- Yellow Taxi: 0234.3.79.79.79
- Hoang Sa Taxi: 0234.3.75.75.75
4. Popular tourist destinations in Hue
4.1. Tourist destinations in the inner city of Hue
4.1.1. Imperial City Hue
- Address: Kinh Thanh Hue is located in four wards Dong Ba, Tay Loc, Thuan Hoa, Thuan Loc
- Opening hours: 06:30 – 17:30 in Summer; 07:00 – 17:00 in Winter
- Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person/time
The most recognizable and exquisite piece of art in the Complex of Hue Monuments is the Imperial City Hue. For 143 years, the Nguyen Dynasty kings—the last feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history—worked and lived here. This location, which served as a royal palace, has a highly substantial and spectacular architectural design that adds many historical, cultural, and political significance.
For 150,000 VND per person, travelers can purchase tickets to the Citadel here. Famous structures including Ngo Mon Gate, Ky Dai Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, and Quoc Tu Giam can be found inside the Citadel. You don’t need to purchase a ticket if you don’t want to go inside; instead, just have fun and snap pictures outside. Even so, you ought to visit inside if it takes a while to get to Hue.
4.1.2. Thien Mu Pagoda
- Address: Ha Khe Hill, 140 – 142 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, Huong Long Ward, Hue City
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00
- Ticket price: Free
Built in 1601, the Thien Mu Pagoda is a historic temple in Hue and a well-known spiritual site in the former imperial city. The temple has a serene and spectacular appearance and is situated on the lovely Ha Khe hill, facing the tranquil Huong River. Visitors are highly interested in sightseeing, walking, and learning about the intriguing tales that surround it.
4.1.3. Huong river
- Address: Perfume River is located on Tran Hung Dao and Le Loi streets, Hue city
Between mountains and forests, the Huong River meanders through towns including Kim Long, Vi Da, Dong Ba, Gia Hoi, and Nam Pho. You can ride a dragon boat and take in Hue‘s “specialty” to view the city sparkling with lights from the Huong River. Ca Hue is the mingling of royal court music and folk singing with other cultures. The cost of the concert, which includes an hour of listening to Hue songs on the Huong River, runs from 100,000 to 150,000 VND each participant
4.1.4. Dong Ba Market
- Address: Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Hoa Ward, Hue City
- Opening hours: 05:00 – 19:00
- Ticket price: Free
Dong Ba Market is the largest and oldest market in Hue, located on the banks of the romantic Perfume River. This is one of the places that tourists visit and shop when traveling to Hue. The market sells a variety of goods from affordable to high-end. Tourists come here freely to find delicious food, or walk around the shops of clothes, fabrics, hats, fish sauces, and fruit cakes that are only available in Hue to buy and take home
4.2. Tourist destinations outside Hue city
4.2.1. Thien An Hill – Thuy Tien Lake
- Address: Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy town (10km south of Hue city center, on the way to visit Khai Dinh mausoleum).
Thuy Tien Lake is rapidly becoming a new hangout in Hue, drawing in particular curious young people. Thuy Tien Lake contains an abandoned amusement park beside Thien An hill, which is a hill covered in pine forests similar to those in Da Lat. The entire 50-hectare site, which once included a variety of leisure options, is now covered in a bleak, moss-covered, degraded environment, making it a “challenge” for daring visitors.
4.2.2. Hon Chen Palace
- Address: Hai Cat Village, Huong Tra, Thua Thien Hue
As the most sacred shrine in Hue, Hon Chen Temple is also associated with many historical anecdotes. Initially, this is the place to worship the goddess Po Nagar (Thien Y Thanh Mau) according to Cham beliefs and this is also the goddess who was honored by the Nguyen Dynasty as a superior god.
This temple atop Ngoc Tran mountain can be seen as a synthesis of traditional spiritual practices and historic royal culture. Even now, the third and seventh lunar months of each year still mark a significant festival at Hon Chen Palace, with massive processions adorned with flags and flowers and thousands of visitors.
4.2.3. The mausoleums
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00
- 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
After the Imperial City of Hue, the mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty kings are the places that any visitor to Hue cannot ignore. It has a total of 7 tombs out of 13 kings of this dynasty. Each mausoleum has a unique architectural feature, which is boldly Eastern feng shui, combined with the individual personality of each king. They contribute to telling the historical story for posterity.
5. Recommend homestays in Hue Citadel
5.1. Mika Homestay Hue
- Address: alley 66, Dien Bien Phu, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue
- Phone number: 093 111 17 96
5.2. Lacasa Homestay Hue
- Address: Kiet 17 Tran Phu, An Cuu, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue
- Phone number: 090 555 5317
5.3. Sahi Homestay Retreat
- Address: 245A Bui Thi Xuan, Duc ward, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue
- Phone number: 0367 800 737
5.4. Lagom Homestay
- Address: 196 Trinh Cong Son, Phu Cat, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue
- Phone number: 078 946 9574
5.5. Shark Homestay Hue
- Address: 28 Vo Thi Sau, Phu Hoi, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue
- Phone number: 098 235 92 27
6. Must-try dishes when coming to Hue Citadel
6.1. Banh Bot Loc
- Banh Bot Loc Ba Cu (Address: 23/117 Phan Dinh Phung; Opening hours: 08:00 – 20:00)
- Ba Do (Address: 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Phu Cat, Hue City; Opening hours: 08:00 – 21:30)
- Banh Bot Loc – Ba Chi (Address: 65 Nguyen Trai, Thuan Hoa, Hue City; Opening hours: 07:00 – 20:00)
6.2. Mussel rice, mussel vermicelli
- Hoa Dong mussel rice (64 masterpieces 7 Ung Binh, Vy Da, Hue City; Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00)
- Mussel rice, vermicelli with mussels (Address: 38 Ngo Gia Tu, Vinh Ninh, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue; Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:00)
- Han Mac Tu Hue mussel rice (Address: 1 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue; Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00)
6.3. Me Xung
- Me Xung Thien Huong (Address: 20 Chi Lang)
- Me Xung Nam Thuan (Address: 201 Huynh Thuc Khang)
- Me Xung Thanh Hung (Address: 55 Hoang Dieu)
6.4. Nem Lui Hue
- Nem Lui Tai Phu (Address: 2 Dien Bien Phu; Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:00)
- Nem Lui Hong Mai (Address: 110 Dinh Tien Hoang; Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:00)
- Nem Lui On Me Gia (Address: 25 Dao Duy Tu; Opening hours: 17:00 – 21:00)
7. Conclusion
Above is all information as well as experience when traveling in the Hue Citadel that visitors need to know when coming to this romantic city. To explore this beautiful city in one day is not enough. However, for visitors who do not have much time to stay here for a long time, they can refer to the Hue City Full Day Tour by Metta Voyage, although it does not take too much time, visitors can still visit all the typical destinations of Hue ancient capital. For more information, please contact Metta Voyage!
Contact us
Website: mettavoyage.com
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