Known widely as the former royal capital in the 19th century, Hue- a UNESCO site since 1994, reflects the olden days’ delicacy and conservation with valuable vestiges from the last feudal dynasty, ancient relics, archeological traces and a romantic, slow-paced atmosphere.
Despite being only 2 hours from the sunny beaches and lively quarters of Danang and Hoian, Tours to Hue are still quite unalike, with a special tranquil ambience that requires more time to intermingle with the elegant locals, to taste their plentiful dishes, to contemplate royal food décor and admire royal heritage ornaments, or just to bike through quiet gardens and villages.
Hue is also known as the homeland of beloved musicians and artists, whose artistic masterpieces are found everywhere in the city.
- Food & Drink
- Travel Guide
- Activities
- Recommended Tours
1. Food & Drink
Hue attracts many visitors not only for its imperial legacy with Vietnamese royal achitectures but also the peaceful ambience with leafy streets and art deco mansions, and the capivating local cuisines rooted in the royal dishes.
Each dish here has its own characteristics, with sophisticated processes and a variety in ingredients which create unique flavors you cannot find anywhere else.
A few must-try typical dishes from Hue are listed below.
Cơm Hến (Rice with mussels)
Being unique and true to the Hue region, cơm meaning rice and hến meaning boiled mussel, this is a must-try dish.
Com Hen consists of rice, boiled mussel, slices of star fruit, fish sauce, cabbage, onion, pepper, peanut, chili, and a variety of herbs with chili sauce.
What makes it special is that all of these elements are cold. Cơm Hến has an extremely spicy flavor as such, so gastronomes will remember it after just one tasting.
This dish is easily found by walking or driving around Hue, especially along the three-block Truong Dinh Street, and at the corner of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and Ba Trieu Street, where a vendor sets up shop outdoor under a series of tarps strung with lights.
Bún Bò Huế (Hue-styled beef vermicelli)
When we talk about Hue food, it would be a crime to exclude to Bún Bò Huế.
This famous Vietnamese dish consists of rice vermicelli and sliced cooked beef and is greatly admired for its unique balance of spices and flavors.
The soup is prepared by boiling the beef bones with shank, lemongrass, fermented shrimp sauce and chili oil. It is served with thin slices of marinated and boiled beef shank, chunks of oxtail, pig knuckles and pork rolls.
Like many of the dishes in this list, Bun Bo Hue is ubiquitous around city, where many homes double as shops and restaurants: business in the front, family in the back.
Bánh bèo (Water fern cake)
Bánh bèo is a kind of small steamed rice pancake. The name refers to the shape of the cake (like a water fern – bèo in Vietnamese).
Bánh bèo is made up of small steamed rice pancakes topped with dried shrimp, pork cracklings, shallots and herbs and served with special fish sauce (nước mắm pha).
Nem Lụi
Instead of using skewers, this kebab-like dish combines lemongrass sticks and marinated pork, giving it a one-of-a-kind flavor.
When eaten with the special sauce made up of finely chopped shallots, garlic and topped with peanuts, this combination infuses the pork with an unforgettable lemongrass flavor.
2. Travel Guide
For Hue tours, people often mention about time-worn palaces and temples of the ancient emperors which they wish to see least once, the vivid evidence of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam.
Though, the peaceful nature beauty and slow pace of life here also attract numerous tourists to Hue every year.
Let check a few advices below before booking tours to Hue!
3. Activities
Spend 2 or 3 day for Hue tours to explore complex of monuments and Kings’ tombs, old palace and Hue Antique Museum. Take a boat trip on Perfume River and enjoy hot spring spa in rural area.
BIKING AND BOAT IN HUE
Slow biking inside city and nearby villages, join a boat trip on the Perfumed river.
HISTORICAL TOURS IN HUE
Hub for heading North to the historical sites and war relics at DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) during the Vietnam War.
NATURAL SITES IN HUE
Hub for heading North to Phong Nha or Son Doong, the incredible longest cave in the world famous in blockbuster Kong Skull Island.
THEME TOURS IN HUE
Stree food tasting, culinary tours, Ao Dai performance and wildlife discovery in Bach Ma national park.
4. Recommended Tours
Come to the Ancient Village 1 Day
Hue Tour - a Deep Look 1 Day