Huế in 3 days

Vietnam's imperial capital: citadel walls, royal tombs and Perfume River pagodas in the country's most poetic city. Best time to visit: February-April. Average daily budget: $25 to $60 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: The Citadel (Imperial City), The walled 1804 complex of palaces, gates and the Forbidden Purple City.

Morning: The Imperial City. Walk the citadel's gates, throne hall and war-scarred palaces, half a day minimum.

Afternoon: Explore The Citadel (Imperial City), The walled 1804 complex of palaces, gates and the Forbidden Purple City.

Evening: Tomb of Khai Dinh. A mad, magnificent fusion of Vietnamese and European design, covered in porcelain mosaic.

Eat: Bun bo Hue: the spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup the city gave the world

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Le Loi Street & the tourist quarter, South-bank strip of hotels, cafés and restaurants near the Perfume River.

Morning: Thien Mu Pagoda by dragon boat. The seven-storey 1844 pagoda, reached the traditional way along the Perfume River.

Afternoon: Explore Le Loi Street & the tourist quarter, South-bank strip of hotels, cafés and restaurants near the Perfume River.

Evening: The imperial food trail. Bun bo Hue, banh beo, banh khoai and com hen, dishes born to feed emperors.

Eat: Banh beo, banh nam and banh loc: tiny steamed rice cakes from imperial cuisine

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Dong Ba Market area, The city's great market beside the river, best at dawn.

Morning: The abandoned Ho Thuy Tien water park: a graffiti-covered dragon aquarium reclaimed by jungle.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Dong Ba Market area, The city's great market beside the river, best at dawn.

Evening: Tu Duc tomb at opening time, when mist still sits on the lake.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Com hen: rice with baby clams, a Hue morning ritual

Hidden gems

The abandoned Ho Thuy Tien water park: a graffiti-covered dragon aquarium reclaimed by jungle.
Tu Duc tomb at opening time, when mist still sits on the lake.
Thanh Toan covered bridge and its tiny agricultural museum in the rice fields.
Sunset from Vong Canh hill over the Perfume River, with the bunkers of the old military post.

Getting around

Fly into Phu Bai Airport (30 minutes from town) or take the train along the famous Hai Van Pass route from Da Nang (2.5 to 3 hours), one of Asia's great rail journeys. In the city, Grab bikes and cars are cheap and plentiful; bicycles and scooters are the classic way to reach the tombs. Cyclos still ply the citadel area, agree the price first.

Safety

Huế is very safe and one of Vietnam's most relaxed cities. The main practical issues are traffic when cycling and the weather: Huế is famously wet from September to December, with serious flooding possible. In the hot season (May-August) start sightseeing early. At the tombs, paths can be slippery after rain; wear proper shoes.

Huế in 5 days | Huế in 7 days | Full Huế guide