Have you ever heard of Hue, an angelic ancient city in the heart of Vietnam? If you are a history and culture admirer, you’re going to love Vietnam. And once you fall for Vietnam, you will love Hue.
Hue is not a destination for a quick glance. It takes some time to settle in and fully appreciate the timeless value of this oddly angelic city. Find out how the ageless beauty of Hue will open your mind to ancient Vietnam.
Hue in a glance
Traveling to Hue is like hopping on a time machine and going back to Vietnam hundreds of years ago.
Hue is the former capital of Vietnam that sits peacefully on a plain in Thua Thien Hue province about 126 km (78 miles) north of Hoi An. Home to the romantic Huong river (Perfume river) crossing through the city’s heart, it is one of the three must-visit wonders of Central Vietnam – Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue.
Words can barely describe the hidden value of Hue. Showcasing various historic national gems and mystical cultural traits, the charming city is a gentle epicenter of Vietnamese culture and history.
The history of Hue
Located in an important position with charming landscapes that include rivers and mountains, Hue was chosen by previous kings to become a political, economic, and cultural center. It was the capital city of “Dang Trong” (southern) administration from 1636-1775, and then the dynasties of Tay Son and the Nguyen (1788-1945). All created Hue, a historic and holy land full of pre-eminent figures, where there exists the largest number of Vietnamese tangible and intangible cultural heritages, such as architecture, festivals, sculptures, music, paintings, crafts and culinary.
Time and history has created Hue, with a landscape that has its own distinctive, special and charming trait of different types of original and high-grade tourism such as the imperial tombs, royal palaces, pagodas and temples, rivers, sea and islands, lagoons, forests and mountains, garden houses, and rural villages as well as different forms of distinctive traditional arts and cultures.
Hue’s heritage sites
Hue boasts 7 heritage sites listed by UNESCO as world heritages and regional heritages. Of which, Hue has 5 of its own, including:
– Complex of Hue Monuments (1993)
– Vietnamese Court Music (2003)
– Woodblocks of Nguyen Dynasty (2009)
– Chau Ban of Nguyen Dynasty (2014)
– Poetry on Hue Royal Architecture (2016)
– And shares two with other localities, including Practices related to the worship of Mother Goddesses of Three Realms (2016), the Art of Bai Choi in Central Vietnam (2017).
In addition, the whole province currently has nearly 1,000 relics, including 3 special national-level relics, 88 national-level relics and 90 provincial-level relics.
The beauty of Hue locals
Hue can’t be such an attractive and charming place without its lovely people. The Hue people have a gentle, sweet personality mixed with a little shyness, discreteness, and a captivating voice.
Traveling to Hue, you will be welcomed by the genuine friendliness of the people here. They always have a smile on their lips whenever they meet strangers, no matter where they come from. Whether you only come here once or many times, you will always feel the heartfelt warmth of Hue locals.
Not to mention the irresistible bevy of utterly scrumptious dishes exclusively created by Hue locals. From the legendary Hue beef noodle soup, flavorful clam rice, interesting savory cakes, to wacky sweet soup – they are the superstars of Hue cuisine that leans toward elegance.
The best time to visit Hue
Hue Vietnam features a tropical monsoon climate with 4 seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You can plan your trip considering each season’s characteristics.
January – April: The average temperature during spring is around 22°C-25°C. It is dry and less humid from February to April, making this period the most pleasant time of the year to enjoy outdoor activities. Annually, Hue welcomes ever-increasing holidaymakers during the Lunar New Year (January or February) and the Hue Festival (April) – a significant cultural event celebrated every two years to honor the traditional and historical values of the city.
May – August: In the summertime in Hue city, the temperatures average 30°C-38°C. During the dry season with high humidity, indoor activities are favorable, such as visiting temples, museums, and traditional markets.
August – September: The temperatures drop to around 18°C-20°C, and rains start falling in autumn. This rainy season is preferable for travelers who want to avoid the crowd in peak seasons.
October – December: Flood and rainfall tend to occur frequently at the end of the year. This flood season is not the best time to visit Hue.