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Hue is a city in Central Vietnam, and during the Nguyen Dynasty, it was the country’s capital. Today Hue is a mix of rich culture & history, incredible food, and awesome nightlife. This guide to 3 days in Hue not only includes a suggested itinerary but also information on transport, accommodation and the city’s best attractions.
Hue somewhat took me by surprise! I had heard good things but shortly after arriving, I had completely fallen in love with this exciting city. The locals were all very kind and welcoming, the nightlife is really fun and I even found Hue to be much cheaper than anywhere else I’d visited in Vietnam.
Keep reading as this guide includes everything you need to know for planning your time in Hue.
How To Get To Hue
Another reason Hue is the perfect addition to your Vietnam itinerary is its close proximity to other popular cities in Central Vietnam. Many tourist buses have routes to Hue from cities in Northern Vietnam like Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
There’s also an international airport within close proximity to Hue (only 14km from the city). The airport is Phu Bai International Airport and when searching for flights the three-letter airport code is HUI.
Ninh Binh To Hue
I arrived in Hue on a sleeper bus from Ninh Binh. This trip was so long, the bus ride took 11.5 hours, with a couple of stops along the way. I had opted for this transport option because I was on a backpacker’s budget and this was the cheapest way to get between the two cities (480,000 VND per person). Plus as it was overnight I saved on a night’s accommodation.
If you’re also on a limited budget don’t shy away from a sleeper bus. It may take ages but hopefully, you’ll be able to sleep the majority of it and I believe getting a sleeper bus in Vietnam is a right of passage for any backpacker.
Hue to Hoi An
The journey between Hue and Hoi An is a much easier one and only takes 2.5 hours. Hoi An is an exciting city and another that should be included on everyone’s Vietnam itinerary.
A sleeper bus is a very cheap and easy option. This can generally be organized by your hotel and the price will also include a minibus transfer from your hotel in Hue to the bus station.
Then once arriving in Hoi An the City Center is only a short drive away. We booked a Grab to our hotel for 30,000 VND or there will be local taxis waiting at the bus stop.
If you were traveling from Hue directly to Da Nang (we went to Hoi An first then back to Da Nang as we flew out of there) the other transport option between the two cities is the train.
The train travels from Hue, direct to Da Nang and takes roughly 3 hours. The biggest drawcard to getting the train is the second half of the journey you will travel alongside the Hai Van Pass which is absolutely stunning. Clear ocean views on one side & lush mountains on the other.
While I was staying in Da Nang my husband and I hired a scooter and spent the day cruising along Hai Van Pass, probably the best way to experience it. But if that’s not an option for you the views from the train would also be spectacular. Find train schedules and tickets on 12Go.
Getting Around Hue
Hue is a relatively easy city to explore on foot, many of the attractions like The Imperial City, Perfume River and Cho Dong Ba Market are centrally located.
Although visiting places like Thien Mu Pagoda, Thuy Tien Lake Abandoned Water Park or Thuan An Beach is too far to walk so below are other cheap and easy transport options for getting around Hue.
Hire a Scooter: 1-day scooter hire in Hue will cost 120,000 VND and they can usually be hired through your hotel.
Plus, after one day, and a lot of riding around we put 80,000 VND of fuel in the bike.
Grab: Having the Grab app on your phone is a great way to get quick and cheap transport. Grab is basically the same as Uber but you can also opt to pay for your fare in cash.
Attractions For 3 Days in Hue
3 days in Hue can easily be filled with the wide variety of attractions the city has to offer. Not only is Hue a naturally beautiful area but is also home to some ancient wonders including Hue’s Imperial City, which was constructed over two centuries ago!
Best Things To Do during 3 days in Hue;
The Imperial City of Hue
The Imperial City is a walled compound and the former Imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty. And is the centre of Hue’s historical importance.
The compound is a collection of palaces, shrines, gardens and villas. And, it’s conveniently located right in Hue’s city centre.
The imperial city is the most popular site for tourists visiting Hue and will not disappoint. It’s absolutely beautiful and there’s so much to explore inside those walls.
There are arrows and signs throughout the grounds indicating the best path to follow. All of the buildings are beautiful with so much colourful & fine detail.
We spent nearly three hours in the Imperial city and that was with plenty of rest stops in the shade to escape the heat.
The entry fee is 200,000 VND per person and an audio guide can be borrowed for 100,000 VND. There are also tour guides out the front if you would prefer someone to take you around.
Hue Royal Tombs
For history buffs visiting one of the 7 royal tombs that are spread over the city is a must. Each of the tombs is individually designed and can easily be reached by taxi, grab or boat along the Perfume River.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam’s Nguyen dynasty and this dynasty lasted 143 years! Each of these tombs is designed by the royals who now lay at rest inside.
If you wanted to explore multiple tombs the best way to do so would be to hire a driver to take you between each tomb and also pick you up from your hotel.
Suggested Tour: Get Your Guide has a 4-hour tour available that takes you to three of the royal tombs.
Perfume River
Before the Perfume River reaches the centre of Hue it flows through forests & fields of flowers. In autumn the flowers and other fragrant plants fall into the river supposedly giving it a beautiful scent and where the name “perfume river” came from.
Along the river, there are walking trails and plenty of rest areas to stop in the evening to enjoy the sunset. Also in the afternoon, you’ll probably find a lot of local kids by the river who are keen to stop you for a chat, in the hopes to practice their English.
Along the river in the city centre, there are heaps of Dragon Boats and locals hoping for your business. These boats themselves are beautiful and the tours take you along the Perfume River, giving you a unique view of the beautiful landscape surrounding Hue.
These tours can be pre-booked with Get Your Guide or you can talk to the locals on the river banks and discuss times and prices.
Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the biggest market in Hue and is located on the banks of the Perfume River.
The market opened over 120 years ago and sells everything you can imagine; home wears, clothing (including tailor-made clothing), souvenirs, shoes, food, kitchen goods etc.
This multi-story market is hectic, with in-your-face store owners and other shoppers who will actually push you out of the way!
Dong Ba Market is open daily from 5 am – 10 pm. In the summer months, I wouldn’t recommend visiting the market during the hottest hours of the day (11 am – 4 pm). Apart from the fact the market gets very hot, many of the stores close for lunch.
Hue Night Walking Street
One of my favourite things about travelling in Vietnam is each city has its own “walking street” and Hue is no exception.
Hue Night Walking Street is where you’ll find the best nightlife in the city, great food and cheap beers (less than $1 for a big bottle). Often the streets will have pop-up live music and bars that will show major sporting events. Plus there are some really nice shops along the streets.
The Hue walking street includes three main roads and is open (and closed off to traffic) every night from 6-11 pm and during the weekend these hours are extended.
My favourite beer to drink in Hue was Huda and along Hues Walking Street the restaurant I found that had the best food was Den Dau.
Thien Mu Pagoda
The 7-story Pagoda is the centrepiece of a beautiful complex, built on the edge of the Perfume River. This religious site is for tourists and locals arriving to worship or admire the architecture.
The grounds of the pagoda are beautiful and there are also ancient statues, shrines & stupas.
Thien Mu Pagoda is 5 km from the city centre so the best way to get there is by Taxi or Grab. I booked a Grab Bike which only cost 36K.
The drive to the Pagoda quickly felt like we were leaving the city far behind. The scenery was beautiful and this area felt much more local & laid back.
Entry to the Pagoda is free and it’s open daily from 8 am – 6 pm.
This was one of my favourite afternoons while in Hue. After exploring the Pagoda we sat on the nearby pier watching the sunset behind the mountains, the dragon boats coming & going, and locals attempting to Stand Up Paddle Board.
Also, next to the pagoda is a small strip of shops, markets and local restaurants.
Heading back to the city it wasn’t possible to get a Grab so we booked a local taxi and this cost 80K. There was also the option to get a Dragon Boat back to the city centre but this was going to be double the price.
Thuy Tien Lake Abandoned Water Park
Probably the most mysterious place in Hue that will leave you with more questions than answers.
The water park closed in 2006 after only being open to the public for two years.
No one really knows what happened to the park but rumour has it that the owner ran out of money and the park didn’t bring in as many tourists as they first anticipated.
The main gate to the park is ‘closed’ but it’s very easy to ride around the barriers.
I would recommend arriving nice & early (before 7 am), this is to avoid any crowds, the heat and any security guards manning the gate.
While we were exploring the park a guard (or maybe just a random local guy) approached us on a bike and said we needed to pay him money or leave. After bartering we paid and he left us alone. Although I always had the feeling we were being watched.
The park is amazing and almost didn’t feel real. The crumbling dragon and trashed aquarium underneath, plus the water slides that were slowly being covered by vines and trees. If you love unique locations and photography this is definitely somewhere you need to visit during your 3 days in Hue.
Beaches in Hue
Only 12 km from Hue City Centre is Thuan An Beach. This is a stunning stretch of coastline and a particularly good area if you love seafood.
Thuan An Beach felt like a real local area, it was reasonably quiet and the stores weren’t there to attached tourists.
I think we were the only ones stupid enough to go to the beach at midday. It was a really hot day and we needed to cool off, so felt like the beach would be the place to be. But it was like a ghost town, with quiet streets and empty beaches.
Towards late afternoon it became more lively, the line of seafood restaurants that backed onto the sand filled up and it was clear this is where the locals spent the evenings during their hot Vietnamese summer.
Although there was a little bit of rubbish on the sand, the beach was beautiful, with clear warm water and it felt very safe for swimming.
Itinerary for 3 Days in Hue, Vietnam
I wanted to make a quick itinerary for 3 days in Hue. Listing the best attractions to see each day and which would be ideal to visit on the same day.
Day 1
Morning
The Imperial City of Hue is the perfect place to start your 3 days in Hue as it’ll teach you the city’s long and interesting history.
You’d need at least 3 hours to explore everything the imperial city has to offer.
Afternoon
After having a decent lunch break head to Dong Ba Market for some shopping. As I said above wait until at least 4 pm to visit the markets. And, the market is only a 15-minute walk from the imperial city.
Evening
Get your first taste of Hue nightlife at Hue Night Walking Street. This is the most lively place in the city to enjoy dinner & drinks.
Day 2
Morning
Hopefully, you’re not too seedy from the night before! Try and wake up early to explore Hue Abandoned Water Park. Remember to take sunscreen and small notes to pay off the ‘security guards’.
Mid-Morning
Many of the Royal Tombs in Hue are located close to the Abandoned Water Park (the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh is only a 10 minutes drive). So if exploring these on your own it would be ideal to go straight from the water park. But if joining a tour you may need to go back to the city centre.
Afternoon
After a busy morning, enjoy a good feed and rest then later in the afternoon head to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Remember it closes at 6 pm, and stick around afterwards to watch the sunset and order a local dinner on the river’s edge.
Day 3
Morning
Take it easy this morning with a final walk around the city, visit any restaurants you still haven’t had the chance to eat at and follow one of the walking paths along the Perfume River.
Afternoon
What better way to end 3 days in Hue than by the ocean? This afternoon drive out to Thuan An Beach for an afternoon swim and dinner.
Best Area to Stay in Hue, Vietnam
The best area to stay in Hue is the City Center, I personally wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else.
The city centre has a wide variety of accommodation options to meet all budgets. From these, you’d be within walking distance of the Imperial City, Perfume River, Cho Dong Ba Market & Hues Walking street.
Plus there would be plenty of restaurant options close by.
The mid-range hotel I booked was Sunny B Hotel, costing less than $20 per night.
The room was lovely, and clean and even had a balcony. Plus the staff were very helpful in providing local information and organizing our scooter rental.
From Sunny B Hotel the Perfume River was only a 5-minute walk and The Imperial City was a 20-minute walk.
Best Time to Visit Hue, Vietnam
Being in Central Vietnam Hue can get very hot & humid, even reaching 40 degrees in the hottest months, May to August.
Unlike North Vietnam, Central Vietnam only has two distinct seasons; monsoon & dry season. Generally, the dry season is from December to May and then the rainy season is from June through to November.
I visited in June and although it was very hot, we didn’t experience too much rain.
Is It Worth Visiting Hue in Vietnam?
Yes! After traveling Vietnam for 1 month Hue ended up being one of my favourite places (second to Ninh Binh). This city is an incredible blend of ancient sites, beautiful scenery and lively nightlife.
By reading to the bottom of this post I’m assuming you’re keen to add Hue to your Vietnam itinerary, I’m excited for you and can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed.
3 Days in Hue – Conclusion
3 days in Hue will give you enough time to see the city’s most fascinating site, enjoy the nightlife and eat plenty of delicious Central Vietnam dishes.
In this guide, I have included the best things to do in Hue, put together a 3-day itinerary and heaps more helpful information you’ll need for planning your trip to Hue.
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
I visited Hue a few years ago and it’s still the most memorable part of my trip to Vietnam. It’s such a beautiful city. I missed the waterpark but it looks fascinating!
Hue is such a special place! I went over 5 years ago and this post makes me want to go back!
Wow, this city looks like an incredible destination. Food, culture and beaches – count me in! 🙂
I love Vietnam, it’s truly one of my favorite places to travel in the world. But I had never heard of this city! I’ve been to Hoi An a hand full of times and had I known it was such short road trip from Hoi An I definitely would’ve gone! Next time I’m back I’ll be visiting this place and checking out the Dong Ba Market.
It looks like such a beautiful and interesting place. Thanks for sharing this great information.
I have always wanted to visit Vietnam and Hue sounds like a fabulous destination. Honestly, that waterpark sounds eerie (I’ll skip that). Thank you for the helpful travel itinerary and suggestions.
I spent 10 days in Vietnam and loved every minute of our experience. There are so many cities to visit in Vietnam and we didn’t get to visit all of those on my list. I hope to make another trip and visit Hue.
I agree Michelle, there is so much to see. I was there for a month and still didn’t get to every city on my list. I’d be very keen to go back again
I spent three weeks in Vietnam in October and absolutely loved it. I didn’t get a chance to visit Hue but would like to in the future. That water park seems spooky.
I would love to spend 3 Days In Hue! Fingers crossed!