9 Must Stop Spots In Hue If You Have 1 Day

Hue may just be Vietnam’s most beautiful city. Don’t get me wrong, Hoi An is just as lovable, but the stunning little city of Hue is charming, quaint, captivating, darling and delightful all wrapped up into one of Vietnam’s ancient wonders! Hue has so many amazing things to do, how is it possible to fit it all into 1 day?

Set along the Perfume River with a long and illustrious history, Hue, at one time, was the main royal capital of Vietnam. From the incredible rambling architecture to lush tombs of emperors past, Hue’s centuries worth of cultural and historical significance are sure to ignite a wanderlust in you that is unforgettable!

Though Hue is a must see destination in my books, you definitely don’t need a long time to visit. Some of the best things to do in Hue typically revolve around the city’s imperial past, which means endless tombs, pagodas and ruins to explore! I’ve put together a complete guide on how to spend 1 full day in Hue – I’m talking yummy local Hue specialties, the must see Emperor’s tomb, the infamous abandoned waterpark and where you can find the best salt coffee in the city!

After spending 1 day in Hue, like this, you’ll feel like you’ve got a good grip on what this city has to offer and will be fully prepared to move on to your next great destination in Vietnam! Keep reading to see what to do in Hue to make the most of your time there!

Stop 1: Hue’s Salt Coffee

Good morning! Is there a better way to start a huge day of exploring than with some Vietnamese caffeine running through your veins? We all know Hanoi to be famous for its egg coffee, but you simply cannot leave Hue without trying its own decadent: Salt Coffee!

The idea of salt coffee may sound unappetizing, but it works surprisingly well. The combination of rich Vietnamese coffee combined with tasty salty cream is a match made in heaven! It’s so good my friend Sam (@thereshegoesagn) had to have a second cup!

Salt coffee is pretty easy to come by at most Hue cafes, but one of the best places to get It is at Ca Phe Muoi. There are rumors that this cafe is the original salt coffee, but either way it’s A+! 

Just outside of the Hue Imperial City this is a great place to start the day! And the best part is, one coffee costs about 15,000k – less than $1.00!

📍 Ca Phe Muoi Salt Coffee, 142 Đặng Thái Thân, Huế, Vietnam

Stop 2: Let’s Grab A Local Breakfast

With your salt coffee finished it’s time to scout for a bit of food! I think most of the fun when traveling Vietnam comes when you’re on the hunt for a bit of tasty street food. Sometimes vendors are closed and sometimes they pop up in unconventional places and before you know it you’re eating your weight in their specialty dish that you just can’t get enough of.

You will want to stick around the area of The Citadel to find something tasty and quick! We stumbled upon Quan Com Hen O Dinnh, sat down and unknowingly slurped up our tasty breakfast! Incredible! Later we realized the dish was actually Bún Hến, a Vietnamese rice noodle dish made with baby mussels, basket clams, bean sprouts and peanuts. A perfect meal for a rainy morning.

📍 Quan Com Hen O Dinn, 109 Nguyễn Trãi, Huế, Vietnam

If Bún Hến doesn’t sound like your type of breakfast you can try wandering for another tasty dish or check out one of these local specialties!

Mì Ốp La Đinh Công Tráng

For a hot alternative to stuffed baguettes, try out this mouth watering dish served on a skillet with eggs, pate, sausage and ham alongside bread, butter and sometimes jam. This tasty dish is bound to be loved by everyone.
📍 Mì Ốp La Đinh Công Tráng, 51 Đinh Công Tráng, Huế, Vietnam

Bún Riêu Hương

For Bún Riêu a Vietnamese soup of clear stock and rice vermicelli and served with tomato broth and topped with minced freshwater crab!
📍 Bún Riêu Hương, 81 Lê Huân, Thuận Hoà, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam

Stop 3: Explore The Citadel Imperial City

There’s no other way to start a visit to Hue than with its most important landmark, the Đại Nội Citadel. As you walk toward The Citadel’s entrance, Meridian Gate on Phú Hậu, the thick stone walls towering above a moat fed by the Perfume River are sure to spark your curiosity. What could possibly be inside this giant fortress?

A Quick Bit of History: from 1802 to 1945, nearly a century and a half, these walls protected the royal capital of Vietnam’s Nguyen dynasty. Inside these walls was once a lavish and opulent city with ornate gardens and intricate pagodas. An inner sanctum reserved exclusively for the royal family to provide multiple layers of defense protecting them from potential invaders from beyond the walls.

However the Vietnam War was not kind to the Imperial City and large parts are now nothing more than rubble. About 160 buildings once stood inside the Citadel’s walls and now less than a dozen were able to survive the Battle of Hue.

Be prepared to walk! The Citadel is a huge collection of intricacies and beautiful arched alleyways. You could easily spend 2 hours wandering the sights, photographing the labyrinthine of details and appreciating the history that lives within these walls!

Remember you must enter through Meridian Gate on Phú Hậu and exit through Cửa Hiển Nhơn on Đoàn Thị Điểm.

Stop 4: Let’s Grab Some Lunch

After winding your way through The Citadel, your appetite will surely be built back up! Relax and unwind at lunch before heading back out to explore some more! Here are some great lunch options in Hue you may want to sink your teeth into! 

Phở Vườn Beef Pho

For a tasty bowl of phở, a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat this place was a great stop close to The Citadel
📍 Phở Vườn Beef Pho, 28 Lê Thánh Tôn, Huế, Vietnam

Nook Cafe

For a cute and airy hidden cafe. It’s a good spot for cafe classics, breakfast, burgers, juices and sandwiches. 
📍 Nook Cafe, 3 Lương Thế Vinh, Huế, Vietnam

Lac Thien Restaurant 

For a wonderful little family run restaurant near The Citadel. They serve authentic Hue dishes and if you’re not too picky, the owner is more than happy to help you choose some must eats.
📍 Lac Thien Restaurant, 6 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Huế, Vietnam

Y Thao Garden

For Hue’s traditional cuisine, set menus and a stunning garden setting!
📍 Y Thao Garden, 03 Đường Thạch Hãn, Huế, Vietnam

Stop 5: The Magnificent Tomb of Tự Đức

If you only have 1 day in Hue, like we did, chances are you won’t be able to visit every tomb that the city has to offer. The last of the three big tombs is the final resting place of Emperor Tự Đức and in my opinion the most impressive and beautiful of the royal mausoleums!

The tomb is about 5km south of Hue on Van Nien Hill in Duong Xuan Thuong village, so you will have to grab a taxi from your lunch spot. If you can swing it, ask your taxi driver if they will stay with you for the remainder of the afternoon. Offering up somewhere around 500k for 4 stops including a return to the city center! 

A Quick Bit of History: Tự Đức lived a life of imperial luxury and lustful excess, with over 100 wives and countless concubines he enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch of the Nguyen dynasty, ruling from 1848-1883. Tu Duc began planning this tomb, his, long before his death. But because construction of it demanded so much labor and extra taxation there was an abortive coup against him.

Amenities for the living were unmatched by any other tomb in Vietnam. Here, the Emperor could boat on the lake, hunt small game, recline at Xung Khiem Pavilion and recite or compose poetry in the company of his concubines. You can see why he spent most of his living life here as opposed to inside The Imperial City.

Be sure to feed the koi fish from the docks and explore the ins and outs of the masterpiece that is the Tomb of Tu Duc!

Stop 6: Thuy Xuan’s Incredible Incense Village 

Nearby the Tomb of Tu Duc is the 700 year old Thuy Xuan incense village. The beautiful colours and smell that radiates from this handi-craft village are unmatched! Today the village’s traditional vocation has become an undeniable attraction, especially during Tet and Lunar New Year.

Start at Làng hương Thủy Xuân near Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb and stroll through the little artisan shops. Admire the beauty of the colourful arrays, take photos of incense sticks displayed and watch how they are made.

Stop 7: The Infamous Hue Abandoned Waterpark

Why are abandoned places just so cool? I mean, a massive abandoned dragon in the middle of a lake is just wild! Since closing its doors in 2006, only two years after its unveiling, the park had fallen into a state of disrepair. Why it was suddenly closed still remains a mystery and all the more reason for us to try and sneak into! 

When we pulled up to the park entrance on Thủy Tiên near Kay’s Garden we were expecting a fence climb, an army crawl, something seemingly daunting, but we walked in freely along a paved road. It looked as if there was a guard in the old ticketing booth earlier in the day (tea cups and a small cot), but no one was around when we arrived. I’ve heard you can simply pay the security to enter (which was our plan if there had been someone there) but if they won’t have it there are a couple other paths to enter by check them out HERE!

The front entrance is probably the easiest way to enter the park and although it’s a bit of a walk to get to the infamous dragon statue it was worth it! 

Stop 8: Grab Some Dinner

You must be starving after all that exploring! It’s time to head back into the city center and dig into a Hue feast of local specialties! Dishes you absolutely cannot miss on your short stint in Hue are: Banh Khoai, Banh Beo, Banh Loc Goi, Bun Bo Hue, Nem Lui and Banh Canh Ca Loc!

Hanh Pancake Restaurant

For all the Hue specialties you need to try before departing! Order the five-dish set menu for a speedy lesson in banh khoai, banh beo and divine nem lui! The wonderful staff will show you how to go about the proper way to devour everything!
📍 Hanh Pancake Restaurant, 11 Phó Đức Chính tổ 8, Huế, Vietnam

Bánh Canh Cá Lóc

For a more street food dinner try out this thick rice noodle soup with snakehead fish, ham, quail eggs, fish balls and mildly flavoured, slightly thick broth! She makes everything fresh, including the noodles right before your eyes!
📍 Bánh Canh Cá Lóc, 38 Trần Quang Khải, Huế, Vietnam

Nhà Hàng Madam Thu

For tasty Hue specialties including the mushroom-and-carrot fried spring rolls and peanut topped tofu with vermicelli noodles. For every meal served the restaurant also donates to underprivileged children in and around Hue.
📍 Nhà Hàng Madam Thu, 45 Võ Thị Sáu, Huế, Vietnam

Stop 9: Stroll The Perfume River & End The Day With A Drink

Enjoy the cool breezes and pretty vistas along Hue’s riverside! Grab a local beer or peach iced tea as you stroll along the Perfume River. Ending the day next to the water is the perfect way to round up a fantastic day in Hue! 

Looking To Stay In Hue?

One of my favourite little places to stay in Hue is Hue Serene Palace Hotel. Located in the center of Hue, this cute little hotel is walking distance to many of Hue’s must see sights! The accommodation provides wifi, air conditioning, clean rooms and a garden. Bicycle rental service is available and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service. On top of that the owners are super lovely and willing to help you plan your travels around Hue!

Checkout Hue Serene Palace Hotel Prices Here!

Checkout Hue Serene Palace Hotel Prices Here!

Looking for a place to stay in Hue?

More Time In Hue? Here Are Some Other Places To Checkout

You may only need 1 day in Hue to see the main sights, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to experience. Exploring what lies hidden in the alleys and around lesser-known corners is what Hue is all about! If you find yourself with more time in this beautiful ancient city, make sure to cross some of these spots off your list!

Thien Mu Pagoda

The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady is an iconic seven-story pagoda which sits on the Hà Khê hill, in the ward of Hương Long in Huế. The name of the pagoda is derived from an old woman who appeared on the hill where the pagoda stands today, telling local people that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country’s prosperity. Lord Nguyen Hoang therefore ordered the construction of the pagoda the “Heaven Fairy Lady.” 

Bunkers from the Vietnam War

Bunker Hill is a secluded hilltop with several concrete bunkers dating from the Vietnam War. The Battle of Hue was one the bloodiest battles and what’s left of these hillside bunkers are a bleak reminder of Vietnam’s war-torn history. 

Tomb of Khai Dinh

The Nguyen Emperor Khai Dinh’s Royal Tomb is a unique spot to visit among the royal tombs. Where other tombs were built with expansive lush scenery which invite respectful reflection, Khai Dinh built his final resting place to be monumental and grandiose in execution. Built on the side of a mountain, its inner sanctum is 127 steps up from street level

Enjoy An Ancient Hue Royal Cuisine Dinner And Gallery

One of the best known restaurants in Hue, Kim Long Fine Dining Restaurant,  is found in the Ancient Hue Garden Houses, an exquisite ancient housing complex. Mixing local specialties with Asian and European flavors to create memorable, modern-day versions of royal feasts, this will be a culinary experience to remember!

Tomb of Minh Mang 

The Minh Mang Royal Tomb is the final resting place of one of the Nguyen Dynasty’s toughest rulers. Set along the Perfume River, this Emperor’s tomb consists of over 40 structures, including a building for the Emperor’s clothes, pavilions for mourners, and the tomb itself. Bright colors, elaborate ornamentation and stunning finishes make this a place of elegance and beauty!

Looking for a place to stay in Hue?

If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!

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After living in Vietnam for over 4 years, a piece of my heart will always be left in Ho Chi Minh City! Vietnam should be a top destination for all travelers! White sand beaches, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and incredible street food make Vietnam a bucket-list destination! From foodies to beach hoppers, arts & culture buffs to adventure seekers, Vietnam has something for everyone! Checkout more of my Vietnam blogposts below!

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