Hue Imperial City

Hue Imperial City, a World Heritage site not to be missed when visiting Vietnam

If you have the chance to travel to Huế, the former capital of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam, one thing that mr.hotsia highly recommends without hesitation is visitingthe old Hue Imperial CityA place full of history and architectural beauty. Although this palace was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War, ongoing restoration and repairs allow visitors to clearly experience the remaining charm and grandeur.

Here in Vietnam, they often call the palacepagoda(pagoda), which sounds similar to the famous hotel booking website Agoda, but the atmosphere and meaning are completely different.

Experience touring Hue Imperial City with mr.hotsia

I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to visit here in January, when the weather in Huế is moderately cool. Walking around the old palace is truly enchanting and allows you to absorb the atmosphere deeply. The palace walls are about half a kilometer wide on each side, but the area open to tourists is not very large due to visible war damage, especially at the back of the palace where heavy attack marks remain.

Tourists can choose to buy a guided tour or explore independently. I recommend that if you have prepared information from the internet beforehand, self-guided touring offers more flexibility and a better atmosphere, as you can stroll at your own pace and fully explore various corners. The entrance ticket costs about 70 baht and allows entry and exit from the front and back of the palace.

The most popular spot is probably the front of the palace with a large pond filled with hundreds of peaceful and beautiful koi fish. Visitors often enjoy buying small food items to feed the fish for fun. There is also a service to rent royal costumes and ride horses wearing dynasty hats for souvenir photos, but I, mr.hotsia, have not tried this service yet. Just walking around and soaking in the atmosphere is enough.

Connecting your Huế travel experience with food and accommodation

After touring the palace, mr.hotsia recommends trying the local food here, which is different from other parts of Vietnam. Huế is famous for its hot noodle soup calledMiThe taste is unlike Hanoi’s pho or Hoi An’s noodle soups. Prices are affordable, about 20-30 baht per bowl. Eating it hot during the winter month of January is truly delightful. Besides noodles, rice with curry in Huế is delicious and very cheap, around 20 baht per dish, with many restaurants to choose from. I, mr.hotsia, could stay in Huế for weeks without getting bored of the local food.

Regarding accommodation, mr.hotsia suggests staying in an area within walking distance to the palace. The riverside area along the Perfume River is a great choice because you can easily walk to important attractions likethe old palaceDong Ba Market, or even the Perfume River bridge without relying on cyclo or motorbikes and risking overcharging. Accommodation in this area costs about 300 baht per night per room, with both hotels and guesthouses offering cool air conditioning and good internet. I personally like DMZ Hotel a lot. If staying several nights in Huế, try negotiating the price.

Night atmosphere and lifestyle along the Perfume River

After touring the palace and enjoying a full meal, don’t forget to take a nighttime stroll along the Perfume River, which is another charm of Huế. The best time is around 6:00-8:00 PM. The Perfume River bridge lights up beautifully, creating a romantic and impressive atmosphere. Young Vietnamese couples come to sit by the river, and there are small street vendors giving a market-like vibe. The atmosphere is peaceful and cool, which I, mr.hotsia, really enjoy as it helps me relax after a full day of sightseeing.

Traveling to Huế and tips from mr.hotsia

For those interested in traveling to Huế by train like mr.hotsia, I recommend the route from Hanoi or Vinh to Huế. It’s an experience worth trying. Vietnamese trains have both regular and air-conditioned sleeper cars. I took an air-conditioned sleeper booked in advance. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with rice fields and limestone mountains as the backdrop. The best time to ride the dining car is when hot meals are served on time, allowing you to enjoy authentic Vietnamese food on the train (read more atTrain from Hanoi and Vinh to Huế)

Summary of impressions from mr.hotsia

Hue Imperial City is not just an ordinary tourist spot; it is a gateway to the grand history and culture of Vietnam. Despite war damage, restoration efforts allow us to still see its beauty and fully experience the nostalgic atmosphere. Exploring Huế independently lets you see the real life of Vietnamese people here, including delicious cheap food, riverside lifestyle, and enchanting night atmosphere.

For anyone planning to visit Huế, don’t forget to stop by the old Hue Imperial City. You will feel like traveling back in time to truly experience the Nguyễn dynasty era.