Hue
Hue is a former imperial capital in central Vietnam, where the tombs of Nguyễn emperors line the Perfume River and the food grew out of royal court cooking.
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Hue is a city on the coast of central Vietnam, and it was the Nguyễn dynasty capital from 1802 to 1945. The Imperial City stands on the north bank of the Perfume River, behind a moat and thick stone walls. Inside, the Forbidden Purple City was once reserved for the emperor and his household, but only a little of it survives after heavy damage in the Vietnam War. The wider Hue Monuments complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, also includes palaces, shrines, temples and royal tombs.
Hue cooking grew out of royal court food, with small servings and often strong spice, and bún bò Huế is a spicy beef noodle soup from the city. Many restaurants serve only vegetarian food, since local Buddhists traditionally eat vegetarian meals twice a month. Rain is heaviest from September to December, and floods are common in October and November, so check weather warnings before traveling. Hue is about 94 km north of Đà Nẵng.
Hue in five
- Give the Imperial City a full morningWalking the royal courtrooms, administrative buildings and religious structures of the UNESCO-listed Citadel takes around two hours, and a guide arranged through your hotel adds a lot of context.Hue in 2 days
- Pick two or three tombs, not all sevenTu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh are the most visited, while Gia Long, Thieu Tri, Duc Duc and Dong Khanh are quieter. Each tomb reflects a different emperor, so choosing by mood beats ticking them off.Which Hue tombs to visit
- Plan around the rain and flood monthsThe tourism board puts the rains from August through January, with flooding often from October to late in the year. February to April shows Hue at its best, and June and July bring scorching heat.Best time to visit Vietnam
- Choose a base before you bookThe south bank near Le Loi street is the usual hotel strip, the Citadel side puts you near the Imperial City gate, and the Kim Long garden district is the quiet option.Where to stay in Hue
- Fly into Phu Bai or come by rail or roadPhu Bai airport is about a 30 minute drive from the city. Da Nang's airport is two hours away by train, open bus or private car, and the Reunification Express line stops in Hue.
Things to do in Hue
See all attractions in Hue
Need to know
- Airport
- Phu Bai (HUI), about 30 min by car from the city
- Getting there
- Flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; Reunification Express; 2 hours from Da Nang
- Getting around
- Walking, cyclo and bicycle in town; taxi or boat for the tombs
- Best base
- South bank near Le Loi, or the Citadel side
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 with a beach or garden-house day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Cool, drizzleJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Mild, springFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Mild, dryMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Warm, dryAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MayRain20 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°HotMayRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 223 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low26°ScorchingJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Scorching
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°ScorchingJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Scorching
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Rains beginAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 222 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains begin
- SeptemberRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rain, stormsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 385 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain, storms
- OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Flood riskOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 750 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood risk
- NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Flood riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 543 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flood risk
- DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Rain, coolDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 407 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cool
Average daily high and low in Hue, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Hue
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
Hue
04:58 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°24°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed31°24°83%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Thu31°24°64%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Fri30°23°73%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sat30°24°59%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sun29°24°70%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Mon26°23°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:43 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Hue, the full guide- Imperial tombsshort taxi, boat or bike rideMinh Mang's tomb is about 12 km from the city; Tu Duc and Khai Dinh sit in the hills and along the river.Read the guide
- Da Nang and the Hai Van Passabout 2 hours by train, bus or carThe coast road south climbs over the pass toward Da Nang, the airport hub for Hoi An.Read the guide
- Demilitarised Zonea long day tour or a stop on the road northHighway 1 crosses the Ben Hai River at the Hien Luong Bridge on the way to Dong Hoi.Read the guide
Before you go to Hue
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Rules for Hue, checked
- Cover your shoulders and knees at pagodas and other religious sites, and follow the dress-code signs at entrances; the UK advice gives this as the usual code.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Seasonal flooding in central Vietnam occurs in October and November and can block roads and bridges; check local forecasts and follow local authorities.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Hue
War-history sites north of Hue along Highway 1
Read the guideDa NangBeach city and the Hai Van Pass south of Hue
Read the guideBach Ma National ParkCool trails and waterfalls above the coast
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamRain, floods and the central coast calendar
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideHue FAQ
Is Hue worth visiting?
Yes, if you want Vietnam's imperial history, the royal tombs and a distinctive cuisine at a slower pace than Hanoi or Hoi An. Skip it if you only want beaches, or if you have less than a full day to spare.
How many days do you need in Hue?
Two days covers the Imperial City, two or three tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda. A third day adds garden houses, Hen Island, Thuan An beach or the road to the Demilitarised Zone.
Which Hue tomb is the best?
Tu Duc is the greenest and most romantic, Minh Mang is the grandest and most ordered, and Khai Dinh mixes Eastern and Western styles. Pick one for atmosphere, one for scale, and add a quiet one if you have time.
What is the best time to visit Hue?
February to the end of April is the tourism board's pick. June and July are scorching, and rain arrives in August and can last into January, with flooding often from October to late in the year.
How do you get from Da Nang to Hue?
By Reunification Express train, open bus or private car, about two hours according to the tourism board. The coast road over the Hai Van Pass is the scenic option if you have a driver.