48 places to discover
A Luoi District is a mountainous district about 65-70 km west of Hue City, home to Ta Oi, Pa Co and Bru-Van Kieu ethnic communities. The Ta Oi villages, including A Roang, Hong Van and A Nor, are known for traditional stilt houses, Zèng brocade weaving, and community-based tourism. The area combines cultural heritage with forested valleys and streams along the former Ho Chi Minh Trail corridor.
An Dinh Palace (Cung An Dinh) is a historic royal palace located on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, Vietnam, on the bank of the An Cuu River. Built between 1917 and 1919 by Emperor Khai Dinh as a residence for Crown Prince Nguyen Phuc Vinh Thuy, later Emperor Bao Dai, it is notable for its fusion of Vietnamese, French and European architectural styles and is part of the Complex of Hue Monuments.
Bach Ma National Park is a protected mountainous national park in Phu Loc District, Hue City, central Vietnam, about 40 km southeast of Hue. Established in 1991, it covers 37,487 hectares of the Annamite Range with dense evergreen forest, waterfalls and high biodiversity. Notable for its former French hill station, Hai Vong Dai summit viewpoint, Do Quyen Waterfall and extensive trekking trails, it is a major ecotourism destination between Hue and Da Nang.
Bao Quoc Pagoda is a historic Buddhist pagoda located on Ham Long Hill in Phuong Duc Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Founded in 1674 during the Nguyen Lords period, it is one of Hue's three national pagodas and a major center for Buddhist training. The pagoda is noted for its traditional Vietnamese architecture, tranquil hillside setting, ancient stupa garden and long association with prominent Vietnamese Buddhist masters.
Bao Vinh Ancient Town is a historic riverside settlement in Huong Vinh Ward, Hue City, about 5 km northeast of the Hue Imperial City along the Huong River. Once a bustling trading port from the 17th to 19th centuries under the Nguyen Lords and Nguyen Dynasty, it retains well-preserved tube houses, merchant residences and communal structures reflecting Vietnamese and Chinese architectural influences. Today it offers a quiet glimpse into Hue's mercantile past.
Canh Duong Beach is an 8 km long sandy beach in Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Hue City, central Vietnam. Located about 60 km southeast of Hue city center near Chan May and Lang Co, it is known for its wide sandy shoreline, clear blue water, gentle slope and relatively undeveloped, tranquil setting. The beach fronts a traditional fishing village and remains less crowded than nearby Lang Co Beach.
Cau Hai Lagoon is the southernmost part of the Tam Giang–Cau Hai lagoon system in Phu Loc District, Hue City, central Vietnam. It is the largest brackish-water lagoon system in Southeast Asia, covering about 112 sq km of the total 216 sq km system. Notable for its extensive aquaculture, fishing villages, stilt houses and scenic backdrop of Bach Ma mountains, it is a key ecological and livelihood area near Lang Co.
Chuon Lagoon (Dam Chuon) is a brackish lagoon in Phu An Commune, Phu Vang District, about 10-12 km east of Hue city center. It is part of the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system, the largest brackish lagoon system in Southeast Asia. Notable for its calm waters, traditional stilt fishing huts (nha cho), aquaculture, and scenic sunrise and sunset views over the water.
Con Hen (Hen Islet) is a small alluvial islet in the Perfume River in Vy Da Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Formed by river sediment, it is known as the origin of Hue's famous clam-based dishes such as com hen and bun hen. The islet hosts a traditional fishing village where residents harvest freshwater clams, offering visitors a quiet riverside setting, local food experiences, and views of the Perfume River near central Hue.
Da Vien Islet is a small river island in the Perfume River in central Hue City, Hue Municipality. Located just west of Truong Tien Bridge, it is known for its landscaped park, tree-lined paths and tranquil riverside setting. Historically used as a royal garden and later developed during the French colonial period, the islet today serves as a public green space offering views of the river, city bridges and surrounding urban landscape.
Dieu De Pagoda is a historic Buddhist pagoda located on Bach Dang Street along the Dong Ba Canal in central Hue City, Hue Municipality. Built in 1844 by Emperor Thieu Tri on the site of his former princely residence, it is recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic. The pagoda is notable for its Nguyen Dynasty architecture, large main hall, and significance as one of Hue's three major pagodas alongside Thien Mu and Tu Dam.
Dong Ba Market is the largest and oldest traditional market in Hue, located on the north bank of the Perfume River at 2 Tran Hung Dao Street. Established in 1887, it is a major commercial and cultural landmark of the city. The two-story market houses hundreds of stalls selling Hue specialties, handicrafts, clothing, and fresh produce, and is notable for its role in daily local life and Hue cuisine.
Hai Duong Beach is a relatively undeveloped coastal beach in Hai Duong Commune, Huong Tra Town, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Located about 14-15 km northeast of Hue city center near the Tam Giang lagoon estuary, it is known for its long sandy shoreline, clear water, natural rock formations and traditional fishing village setting. The beach remains less crowded than Thuan An and offers a quiet, local atmosphere with simple seafood services.
The Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hue is a history museum located on Le Loi Street along the Perfume River in Hue City, Hue Municipality. Established in 1980, it commemorates the period Ho Chi Minh lived and studied in Hue as a child and youth. The museum displays photographs, documents, artifacts and reconstructions related to his early life, family and education in Hue, and serves as an educational and cultural site for visitors interested in Vietnamese modern history.
Hon Chen Temple (Dien Hon Chen) is a historic temple complex on Ngoc Tran Mountain on the bank of the Perfume River in Huong Ho Ward, Huong Tra Town, Hue. Originally a Cham shrine dedicated to Goddess Po Nagar, it was later adopted into Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship as Thien Y A Na. Expanded under the Nguyen Dynasty, it is notable for its riverside setting, traditional architecture, and major annual festivals.
Hue Imperial City (Dai Noi) is a vast walled palace complex in central Hue, on the north bank of the Perfume River. Built between 1804 and 1833 for the Nguyen dynasty, it served as Vietnam's political and cultural centre until 1945. Enclosed by thick brick walls and a moat, it contains the Imperial Enclosure, Forbidden Purple City, palaces, temples, gates and courtyards, and is the core of the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments.
The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities is a history museum housed in Long An Palace within the Hue Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam. Established in 1923 as the Musée Khai Dinh, it is the earliest museum in Hue. It preserves and displays over 10,000 artifacts of the Nguyen Dynasty, including royal costumes, ceramics, furniture, and court objects, notable for its imperial architecture and cultural heritage value.
Hue Railway Station (Ga Hue) is the main railway station serving Hue City in central Vietnam, located at 2 Bui Thi Xuan Street near the city centre. Built in 1906 during the French colonial period as part of the North-South railway, it is notable for its French colonial architecture and its role as a key stop on the Reunification Express line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda is a Zen Buddhist monastery located on Hon Vuon Mountain in Huong Ho Ward, Huong Tra Town, Hue City. Founded in 1989 by Venerable Gioi Duc, it belongs to the Huyen Khong lineage. Set within a pine forest, the pagoda is notable for its tranquil natural setting, traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, garden landscapes, and role as a meditation and cultural retreat near Hue.
Lang Co Beach is a 10-kilometre sandy beach on Lang Co Bay in Lang Co Town, Phu Loc District, Hue City, central Vietnam. Situated between the Hai Van Pass and Lap An Lagoon, it is recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world by the Worldbays Club. The beach features fine white sand, clear shallow water and a backdrop of mountains, known for its calm scenery, fishing village character and resort development.
Lap An Lagoon is an 800-hectare brackish water lagoon in Lang Co Town, Phu Loc District, Hue City, central Vietnam, nestled at the foot of Bach Ma mountain range and near Hai Van Pass. Known for its calm turquoise waters, oyster farms and mountain reflections, it forms part of the scenic Lang Co Bay area. The lagoon supports local fishing and aquaculture and is noted for photography, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Mo Waterfall (Thac Mo) is a natural forest waterfall located in Huong Phu Commune, Nam Dong District, about 45 km south of Hue City center. Situated in a forested valley near Khe Tre town, it features cascading water over rocky tiers into clear natural pools. The site is notable for its relatively untouched natural setting, surrounding primary forest, and popularity as a local eco-tourism and bathing spot for visitors from Hue.
Ngu Binh Mountain is a 105-meter flat-topped hill located about 4 km south of central Hue in Hue Municipality, Vietnam. Known as the feng shui screen of the Hue Imperial City, it was selected by the Nguyen Dynasty as a natural landmark protecting the capital. The mountain offers panoramic views of Hue, the Perfume River and surrounding countryside, and is noted for its pine-covered slopes and historical association with the former imperial capital.
Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is a riverside pedestrian promenade on the south bank of the Perfume River in Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality. Stretching along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street between Truong Tien Bridge and Phu Xuan Bridge, it was developed as a public leisure and tourism space. Notable for its river views, public art installations, book and art stalls, and evening food and craft vendors, it serves as a popular evening gathering place for locals and visitors.
The Perfume River (Sông Hương) is an 80-kilometre river flowing through Hue City in central Vietnam. It runs past the Hue Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and Truong Tien Bridge, forming the scenic and cultural heart of the former Nguyen Dynasty capital. Noted for its calm, reflective waters and poetic associations, it is a central landmark for sightseeing, dragon-boat cruises and evening views in Hue.
Phu Cam Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hue, located on Phuoc Qua Hill in Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Built between 1963 and 2000 to a modernist design by architect Ngo Viet Thu, it replaced earlier chapels dating to 1682. Notable for its soaring concrete structure, cross-shaped plan and hilltop position south of the Perfume River, it is an active place of worship and a major architectural landmark in Hue.
Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is a 550-year-old heritage village on the O Lau River in Phong Hoa Commune, Phong Dien District, about 40 km north of Hue City. Founded in 1470, it is Vietnam's second ancient village recognized as a National Relic (2009). It preserves 30+ traditional ruong houses, clan temples, pagodas, and a historic pottery tradition, notable for its intact vernacular architecture and riverside landscape.
Quang Loi Lagoon is a brackish water lagoon in Quang Loi Commune, Quang Dien District, Hue City, forming the northern section of the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon system, the largest brackish lagoon system in Southeast Asia. Notable for its calm waters, traditional stilt fishing huts, and aquaculture nets, it is a center of local fishing livelihoods and a popular sunrise photography destination offering tranquil rural wetland scenery.
Quoc Hoc High School is a historic secondary school located at 12 Le Loi Street on the south bank of the Perfume River in Hue, central Vietnam. Founded in 1896 under Emperor Thanh Thai during the French colonial period, it is renowned for its distinctive French colonial architecture with red walls and is one of Vietnam's oldest and most prestigious schools, notable for its well-preserved heritage buildings and riverside setting near central Hue.
Sinh Village, also known as Lai An folk painting village, is a traditional craft village in Duong No Ward, about 10 km east of central Hue in Hue Municipality. Established about 400 years ago, it is famous for woodblock-printed folk paintings used for worship and decoration. The village preserves traditional papermaking, carving and printing techniques and offers visitors insight into Hue's folk art heritage and spiritual culture.
Tam Giang Lagoon is the largest brackish water lagoon system in Southeast Asia, forming the northern part of the 68km-long Tam Giang–Cau Hai lagoon in Hue City, Vietnam. Located about 15 km northeast of central Hue in Quang Dien District, it covers approximately 5,200 hectares. Notable for its vast open waters, traditional fishing villages, stilt houses, and aquaculture, the lagoon is known for scenic sunrise and sunset views and preserved local fishing culture.
Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village is a traditional craft village located in Duong No area of Hue City, about 10 km northeast of central Hue on the lower Huong River. Established more than 300 years ago, it is renowned for handmade paper flowers used for worship and Tet decoration. The village preserves artisanal techniques passed through generations and is recognized as a distinctive cultural heritage destination showcasing Hue's folk craft traditions.
Thanh Toan Tile-Roofed Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge in Thanh Thuy Chanh Village, Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy Town, about 8 km southeast of central Hue. Built in 1776, it is one of the few remaining tile-roofed bridges in Vietnam and designated a National Relic. The 18-meter bridge spans a canal with a tiled roof, wooden structure and small shrine, reflecting traditional Vietnamese village architecture and community heritage.
Thien Mu Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda on Ha Khe Hill on the north bank of the Perfume River in Huong Long Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, Vietnam. Founded in 1601 by Lord Nguyen Hoang, it is among the oldest and most iconic religious sites in Hue. The complex features the seven-storey Phuoc Duyen Tower, historic Dai Hong Chung bell, landscaped gardens and river views, and remains an active place of worship and symbol of the former imperial capital.
Thuan An Beach is a sandy coastal beach located at the mouth of the Huong River in Thuan An Ward, Phu Vang District, about 12-15 km east of central Hue City. It is one of Hue's main beaches, known for its long stretch of sand, views where the river meets the East Sea, and its role as a local seaside resort for residents and visitors from Hue.
Thuy Bieu Village is a historic riverside village in Thuy Bieu Ward, about 5 km southwest of central Hue along the Perfume River. Known for its centuries-old garden houses (nha vuon), thanh tra pomelo orchards, and preserved Hue traditions, it is notable as an ancient agricultural village near the former imperial capital. The village combines traditional architecture, farming heritage, and community-based tourism in a tranquil green setting.
Tiger Arena (Ho Quyen) is an open-air circular arena located on Long Tho Hill in Thuy Bieu Ward, Hue City. Built in 1830 under Emperor Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty, it was used for staged combats between elephants and tigers to train war elephants and for royal entertainment. The brick arena is the only surviving animal-fighting arena of its kind in Vietnam and is part of the Complex of Hue Monuments.
The Tomb of Dong Khanh, also known as Ung Lang, is the mausoleum of Emperor Dong Khanh, the ninth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, located in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City. Built between 1888 and 1923, it is part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is notable for its blend of traditional Vietnamese architecture and French colonial influences.
The Tomb of Gia Long is the mausoleum of Emperor Gia Long, founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, on Thien Tho Mountain in Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra Town, about 20 km west of Hue. Built between 1814 and 1820, it is the first and most remote Nguyen royal tomb. Set in pine forest near the Ta Trach River, it belongs to the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments and is noted for its natural landscape and feng shui setting.
The Tomb of Khai Dinh is the burial complex of Emperor Khai Dinh, the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, located on Chau Chu Mountain in Thuy Bang, about 10 km south of central Hue. Built between 1920 and 1931, it is the smallest but most elaborate of the Nguyen royal tombs, notable for its fusion of Vietnamese and European architectural styles, lavish glass and ceramic mosaic decoration, and its inclusion in the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments.
The Tomb of Minh Mang (Hieu Lang) is the royal tomb complex of Emperor Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, located on Cam Ke Mountain in Huong Tho Commune, about 12 km southwest of central Hue. Built between 1840 and 1843, it is renowned for its harmonious Confucian design, symmetrical layout, and feng shui setting between mountains and the Perfume River. It is part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Tomb of Thieu Tri is the imperial tomb of Emperor Thieu Tri (1807-1847), the third emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, located about 8 km southeast of central Hue in Thuy Bang Commune. Built in 1847-1848 by his successor Emperor Tu Duc, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Complex of Hue Monuments. Notable for its lack of enclosing walls and its feng shui landscape facing northwest, it blends natural scenery with imperial architecture.
The Tomb of Tu Duc is a Nguyen dynasty royal tomb complex located in Thuy Xuan Ward, about 6 km southwest of central Hue. Built between 1864 and 1867 for Emperor Tu Duc, it served as both his retreat and burial site. Set around Luu Khiem Lake amid pine forests, the site features pavilions, temples, courtyards and a stele pavilion. It is part of the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments.
Trang Tien Bridge is a historic steel arch bridge spanning the Perfume River in central Hue City, connecting Phu Hoi on the south bank with Phu Hoa on the north. Built in 1897-1899 during the French colonial period, it is 402 meters long with six steel spans in Gothic style. An enduring symbol of Hue, it is noted for its elegant silhouette, color-changing LED illumination at night, and views of the river and Imperial City area.
Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is a Zen Buddhist monastery situated on Linh Son Mountain on an island in Truoi Lake in Loc Hoa Commune, Phu Loc District, Hue City. Surrounded by Bach Ma National Park, the monastery is accessible only by boat. Established in 2006 within the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen tradition, it is noted for its tranquil lake and mountain setting, traditional Vietnamese Zen architecture, and role as a meditation and pilgrimage site.
Tu Dam Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple located on Su Lieu Quan Street in Truong An Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Originally founded in the late 17th century as An Ton Pagoda and renamed Tu Dam in 1841 under Emperor Thieu Tri, it is one of Hue's most revered pagodas. Notable for its simple elegant architecture, spacious courtyard with a Bodhi tree, and long-standing role as a center for Buddhist study and practice.
Tu Hieu Pagoda is a historic Buddhist pagoda located in a pine forest in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City, Hue Municipality, central Vietnam. Founded in 1843 as Thao Am An by Zen Master Nhat Dinh and renamed Tu Hieu by Emperor Tu Duc in 1848, it is renowned as the root temple where Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh began his monastic life. The complex features traditional Hue architecture, eunuch tombs, and tranquil gardens.
Vong Canh Hill is a low pine-covered hill in Thuy Bieu Ward, about 7 km southwest of central Hue City in Hue Municipality, Vietnam. Situated near the Perfume River, it is known as a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the river, surrounding pine forests, and royal tombs. Formerly landscaped under the Nguyen dynasty, the hill is a popular spot for sightseeing, photography and sunset viewing within the Hue historic landscape.