It’s hard to believe this sleepy town was once the imperial headquarters of Vietnam.
Visit Hue for a step back in time, to the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty. An imperial city scattered with ornate architecture, Hue has a regal air to it thanks to the city’s former life as Vietnam’s capital, ending in 1945 when Bao Dai – the last of the Nguyen Dynasty’s emperors – abdicated. Today, you can get a glimpse of the Nguyen legacy by exploring the various pagodas, palaces, temples and tombs that emerge between a modern, urban cityscape.
Some of the most prominent imperial sites to discover include the walled Imperial Citadel, with its many shrines and palaces; the Forbidden Purple City; Thien Mu Pagoda; and mausoleums of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, both eminent emperors of the area’s past. Some of these are extraordinarily elaborate edifices, such as Tu Duc’s mausoleum – a resplendent complex with pavilions, gardens and lakes, built in honour of the ‘Poet Emperor’ who enjoyed a luxurious, extravagant lifestyle. On the other hand, Khai Dinh’s mausoleum integrates influences from around the world – including European, Roman and Gothic – with Vietnamese iconography and architecture throughout.
As well as its imperial legacy, Hue is also beloved for its gastronomy – in fact, it’s widely considered to be one of the foodie meccas of Vietnam. There are plenty of hole-in-the-wall, family-run eateries to discover here, serving local delicacies like Bun Bo Hue, a spicy, lemongrass-infused beef broth; and Banh Beo, savoury pancakes served with shrimp and crispy pork; delicious!
La Residence Hotel & Spa is really the only place to stay if you visit Hue! This charming boutique hotel, the former residence of the French Colonial governor, has been restored and refashioned and oozes 1930's Art Deco elegance. Its riverside location, a stroll from central Hue simply adds to its appeal. The 122 rooms and suites are split between the original Colonial building and the New Wi...
- Visit the impressive Pak Ou Caves carved out of a limestone cliff with Buddha images
- Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter on a guided walking tour
- Discover the charming ancient town of Hoi An with your guide
- Witness the sunset from the historic and scenic Angkor Wat
- Enjoy a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Visit the spectacular Imperial Citadel
- Admire the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge
- Explore the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels
- Visit an ancient longhouse
- Take a leisurely 5km bike ride through paddy fields to Dong Tam Village
- Admire the dramatic limestone peaks of Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site
- Enjoy a morning boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market
- Take a cooking class and learn about "Royal" restaurant cuisine
- Visit a neighbourhood "wet" market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients
- Learn about rice cultivation and enjoy lunch with a local family
- Discover local street food and have a drink or two at a live music cafe
- Marvel at the beautiful scenery of World Heritage Site Halong Bay
- Enjoy views over beautiful terraced paddy fields in Muong Hoa valley
- Relax on a boat cruise on the romantic Perfume River in Hue
- Discover the charms of Hoi An on a walking tour and see the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge
- Discover the sights of Phnom Penh in a traditional cyclo
- Explore the temples including Bayon Temple with its 216 faces carved out of the rock
- Take a boat to the Cai Be floating market and cruise on to Dong Hoa Hiep Island
- Spend the night on board a Junk amongst the stunning karst formations of Halong Bay
Still need a little more help?
Our World, Your Way
Trust &
Heritage
One of the most trusted names in luxury travel
Over 40 years’ experience in worldwide holidays
Fully bonded and protected
True
Travel Experts
We use our first-hand expertise to create a bespoke holiday
We’ve spent years establishing industry-leading contacts
Insider knowledge: our team travel to all our destinations
For Us,
It's Personal
We get to know you personally, so your trip is perfect for you
You’ll be looked after by your own personal Travel Specialist
From meet & greets to private transfers – we’ll make it happen
On hand when
you need us
24/7 assistance throughout your holiday
Our travel experts take care of you every step of the way
Our dedicated concierge team will take care of all the details
