Hue is a beautiful city in central Vietnam based between the popular locations of Hanoi and Hoi An. If you’re traveling around the country, it’s a must-visit and makes a great stop-off for two or three nights. The city has a lot of history, with lots of temples and attractions to visit, including the Imperial City. It’s very different from the other main cities in Vietnam. In this comprehensive guide, the best things to do when spending 2 days in Hue are revealed.
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Are 2 days in Hue enough?
You don’t need long to see the main sites in Hue. A lot of people squeeze everything into one day, but two days in Hue is best for a more relaxed Vietnam itinerary. To make the most out of your 2 days in Hue, I recommend arriving early on Day 1 and leaving in the evening on Day 2. This will give you a good amount of time to see everything without feeling rushed.
Travel Tips for Hue
- Hue is quite safe but is wary of pickpockets
- Don’t drink the water from the taps
- Bring cash to pay for attractions, food, and snacks
- Download the Grab app (it’s like Uber) to get around easily
- The best time to visit is between February – April, in the dry season
How to get to Hue
It’s easy to get to Hue from Hanoi, Hoi An, or Ninh Binh. If you’re coming from Hanoi, you can take an overnight journey by bus which will arrive in the early morning, taking about 14 hours. Taking the night train from Nigh Binh will take you around 11 hours. For a quicker journey, you might want to consider getting a plane, which only takes an hour.
If you’re coming from Hoi An, it’s only a 3-hour journey by bus and tickets are cheap. You can also get the train from Hoi An, which has the benefit of some amazing coastline views.
How to get around Hue
The main attractions in Hue are dotted around with a few in the countryside. The easiest ways to get around are using metered taxis or the Grab app, booking a day tour or driver, or hiring your scooter if you’re comfortable driving.
How to spend 2 days in Hue: Itinerary
Day 1 in Hue
The Imperial City
Also known as the Citadel, this is the must-visit attraction in Hue. It will probably be one of the most impressive and beautiful places you see in Vietnam and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. The site is on the banks of the Perfume River and you cross a stone bridge to get to it.
The Imperial City was the main hub of the last imperial dynasty of Vietnam, ending in 1945. It was originally built in 1362. Of course, there have been two wars since then, so large parts of the Citadel have been destroyed and rebuilt. It will take a few hours to see everything here – it’s filled with temples and courtyards to explore. The architecture is Chinese-inspired, making it quite different from most buildings you’ll see across Vietnam. You’ll be walking for a while, so wear comfy shoes!
Entrance fee: 150,000 VND
Thien Mu Pagoda
Next up is Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as the ‘Pagoda of the Celestial Lady’. It’s one of the most iconic sites in Hue and an unofficial symbol of the city. To get here from the Imperial City, you can take a short Grab taxi ride.
The legend says the celestial lady Thien Mu appeared in a dream and said a Buddhist pagoda should be built here – and so it was! The site is very high up, offering some amazing views of the river. There’s a striking 7-story octagonal tower, built in the 1800s, as well as a marble turtle to symbolize longevity. Also based here is the car that drove the famous Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon in 1963, so he could set himself on fire to protest the Ngo Dinh Diem regime.
Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba is the most famous market in Hue, based around a 20-minute walk from the Citadel. It has a huge number of stalls and vendors, selling everything from street food, produce, clothes, and souvenirs. This is the place to go if you’re looking to try famous Hue dishes like bun bo Hue or Hue pancakes. If you’re a fan of Anthony Bourdain, he visited the market in Parts Unknown. Remember that if you’re buying souvenirs or items, you should haggle with the seller – they’ll try to overcharge you at first and this is just part of the culture!
The market is open from 5 am – 10 pm every day.
Day 2 in Hue
Royal Temple of Tu Duc
This peaceful temple sits over a gorgeous pond filled with lilypads and koi fish. The emperor Tu Duc built this ahead of his death to be his resting place in 1883. But actually, he was never buried here as there was so much worry about grave robbers! His final resting place is a secret, and the 200 people who buried him were all beheaded so they wouldn’t tell anyone.
Entrance fee: 100,000 VND
Tu Hieu Pagoda
This lovely pagoda is only 7 minutes away from Tu Duc. It’s a much smaller and quieter temple but has free entry. Around 70 monks live there, and if you visit at the right time, you’ll be able to hear them chanting (4:30 am, 10 am. 12 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm.)
Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
This temple is very deceiving – from the outside, it’s completely grey, but on the inside it’s filled with colorful yellows and blues. It’s one of the most recently built tombs in Hue, crafted around 100 years ago, and has a unique mix of Vietnamese and European features. The grounds are beautiful and filled with stone statues of soldiers, horses, and elephants. There’s an amazing view of the surrounding countryside from the top as well.
Entrance fee: 100,000 VND
Mausoleum of Emporer Minh Mang
This is another beautiful temple site, with 40 acres of walled grounds. Minh Mang was one of the most important rulers of Vietnam and created a lot of division and anger in the country. The tomb is set along the Perfume River and is one of the prettiest to visit in Hue. It has around 40 buildings and will take about 2 hours to explore the whole thing.
More things to do in 2 days in Hue
If you want to stray from this 5-day Vietnam itinerary, here are some other things to do that I recommend:
Take a dragon boat down the river
One of the easiest ways to get to the temples is by dragon boat trip, which runs regularly. It’s a great way to relax for a little bit and enjoy the surrounding scenery. You’ll also find tours that go by boat that include stops at the temples.
Enjoy a cooking class
It’s always fun to do a cooking class in a different country, and there are a few based in Hue you can choose from. You’ll learn to make local dishes like mango salad and lemongrass pork, and there are also options for vegetarians. Most include a visit to a local market to get ingredients.
Take a street food tour
Vietnam is famous for street food, and Hue is no exception. Taking a food tour is the best way to try all the local dishes.
Visit the Abandoned waterpark
For adventure seekers, there’s an abandoned water park in Hue that you can explore. You have to bribe a security guard to get in or find another entrance.
What to eat in Hue
Whilst you’re in Hue, there are a few local dishes that you must put on your Vietnam Bucket List if you’re into food!
Bun Bo Hue: This is a noodle soup that rivals Pho. It was invented in Hue and uses flat noodles and a lemongrass broth.
Com Hen: Rice with cooked mussels, peanuts, pork rinds, and star fruit. It might not sound great, but it’s delicious!
Banh Kohai: These are crispy fried pancakes that are filled with prawns, pork, shallots, and bean sprouts. It’s normally served with a dipping sauce.
Banh Beo: Another type of Hue pancake is chewy and topped with shrimp, shallots, and fish sauce.
Is it better to stay in Hue or Hoi An?
It depends on your preference, with Hue offering historical and ancient attractions like the Citadel, while Hoi An provides a more relaxed atmosphere with lantern-lit streets and a beach scene. Ideally, you would stay in both as they are very different from each other!
Is going to Hue worth it?
Yes, it’s definitely worth going to Hue.
The Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-visit, showcasing the ancient citadel with its majestic gates, palaces, and temples. The city’s royal tombs, like those of Emperor Khai Dinh and Emperor Tu Duc, provide fascinating insights into Vietnam’s imperial past. If you’re a foodie, there are a lot of local dishes that are unique to Hue to try as well.
Don’t forget to save this itinerary for your 2 days in Hue!
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