Hue Citadel was the first capital of a unified Vietnam, and is one of the country’s top historical attractions.
Built in the 19th century during Vietnam’s last dynasty, this massive complex was once the residence of the royal family, as well as the administrative and military centre of the country.
It was inspired by the more famous Forbidden City in Beijing, and is essentially a smaller version but with a unique Vietnamese style. Today, Hue Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been heavily restored, and is now open to the public.
Being located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hue Citadel is easy to reach from other popular tourist destinations, like Hoi An and Da Nang.
Hue Citadel is a must for history buffs in Vietnam, and in this guide you’ll find everything you need to know to visit this former imperial city.
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Brief History of Hue Citadel
To get the most out of your visit to Hue Citadel, it helps to know what it is and how it came to be. So here’s a little back story…
Compared to many historical sites across South East Asia, Hue Citadel is relatively young, being built in 1803.
This was at the end of a very rough century for Vietnam, with various wars and civil conflicts that ended with a ‘unified’ Vietnam. No longer was Vietnam just the land to the north, centred around the Red River Delta. It now stretched all the way to the Mekong Delta in the south – virtually the same borders it has today.
Vietnam was now ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty. Little did they know, they would be the last of Vietnam’s royal families.
Hanoi was no longer a suitable capital city for this larger Vietnam – they needed something more central. And so the capital was moved to the original home of the Nguyen Dynasty, a little city right in the centre of the new nation: Hue.
Here they began work on a capital worthy of their new nation. For inspiration, they looked to the Forbidden City in Beijing, and this would serve as the template for Hue Imperial Citadel.
Thousands of people were put to work building the Citadel, and it remains the largest palace ever built in Vietnam. Not only did it house the royal family, but it was also the administrative and military centre for the nation.
However, this moment of glory would only last for around 80 years, because by the 1880s Vietnam formally came under the control of the French Empire. The French had been exerting their influence in the region for some time, but now it was official.
The French allowed the Nguyen Dynasty to continue their rule, but it was mostly for show. No longer was Vietnam ruled from Hue Citadel, but instead from Paris. The Citadel became more of a cermonial capital, mostly just used for events.
During WW2 France lost possession of their South-East Asian colonies to the Japanese Empire, and after the war the Vietnamese declared their independence – marking the official end of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Hue Citadel would fall into disrepair and, over the following few decades of brutal warfare in Vietnam, would become heavily damaged. In fact some of the walls in the Citadel still have bullet holes in them.
Thankfully, Vietnam has recovered from those rough years and now Hue Citadel is undergoing a massive restoration effort. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and while the restoration is still ongoing, most of the citadel is in great condition.
How to get to Hue
The city of Huế is located on the central coast of Vietnam – right in the centre of the country.
Geographically, Vietnam is a long and narrow country. Generally when people travel Vietnam they follow a straight path North to South, or vice-versa.
If you started from the North, you’re likely coming from Hanoi or Ninh Binh. If you started from the South, Hue will almost certainly be your next stop after Hoi An and Da Nang.
Regardless of which direction you’re coming from, Hue is easy to reach, and you have a few different options for getting there.
Bus
Buses are arguably the most popular way of traversing Vietnam, especially for backpackers.
Buses in Vietnam can take you anywhere. They aren’t as comfortable as trains, or as quick as flying – but they are cheap.
As an example, a bus from Hanoi to Hue takes about 12 – 13 hours and will cost you about $30 – $50 USD, depending on the type of ticket you buy (whether it’s a regular bus vs an overnight sleeper, luxury vs basic, etc).
If you want to make the most of your days and not waste them sitting on a bus, you have the option of booking an overnight sleeper ticket, allowing you to sleep through the night and wake up at your destination – ready to go.
Or at least that’s the idea – sleeping in a tiny bed on a moving bus is easier for some than others.
As with most transport in South-East Asia, the best place to book your bus ticket to Hue is with 12Go.Asia.
Train
Another great way to get to Hue is via train.
Aside from some additional networks in the North of the country, Vietnam’s rail network it’s mostly just one line going north to south – but this is all that’s needed for a country shaped like Vietnam. No matter which direction you’re coming from, you can get a train to Hue.
Just like with a bus, an overnight sleeper train is also an option – and I can tell you from experience that it is much more comfortable sleeping on a train than on a bus.
If you have the choice between a train and a bus, catch a train.
Your best resource to book your train ticket to Hue is 12Go.Asia.
Hue’s train station is located in a central location in downtown Hue. It’s not far from the main tourist precinct, but with your luggage you may not want to walk. Thankfully, it’s easy to order a Grab.
Fly
If you’re short on time or have a long distance to cover, you can also fly to Hue.
Catching a flight to Hue is arguably only a suitable option if you’re coming from somewhere far away, like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.
A flight from either of these cities takes about 1 hour, and should cost around $80 to $100 USD.
The airport in Hue is called Phu Bai International Airport, and is located a few kilometres south of the city.
Your best resource for finding flights to Hue is Skyscanner.
Rent a motorbike
Exploring Vietnam from the back of a motorbike is an iconic experience.
If you’re up for a little adventure, you could rent a motorbike from Hoi An or Da Nang and ride the 4-ish hours to Hue.
Renting a motorbike and riding between these cities is a popular experience for tourists in Vietnam, and it’s easier than you’d think.
Most hostels in Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang offer a service in which you can rent the bike from one city and drop it off at another. The motorbikes aren’t too powerful and are easy to learn. If you’ve driven a car before and know how to ride a bike, you’re set.
The traffic can get a little hectic in some places, but mostly you can just relax and enjoy the unrivalled scenery along Vietnam’s central coastline.
Best time to visit Hue
While the whole country is tropical, the various regions of Vietnam experience seasons at different times. By ‘seasons’, I don’t mean the traditional ones. In Vietnam, your choices are ‘hot’, ‘hotter’ and ‘hot and rainy’.
The trick to choosing the best time to visit Hue is finding the right balance between these 3 things.
The hottest months in Hue are generally from May to August. I can tell you from personal experience that visiting during this time is not a great idea. The daytime temperature consistently stays around the high 30s and low 40s (celcius), which can make your daytime adventures an uncomfortable experience.
The rainy season in Hue is generally from September to January. While this does mean a break from the heat, with daytime temperature usually staying around the low 20s, it also means contending with frequent bursts of tropical rainfall, putting a damper on most of your daytime activities.
The best time to visit Hue is between February and April. This walks the line between hot and rainy, landing you right in the middle where the temperature is more agreeable, and rainfall uncommon.
Where to stay in Hue
Hue is a popular tourist destination, so there are plenty of options for accommodation. Whether you’re a budget backpacker, or a luxury traveller, you’ll find something you’re looking for.
The main tourist precinct in Hue is the downtown area just south of the river. This is where most visitors stay, and where you’ll find an abundance of hotels, hostels, restaurants and bars.
I recommend you stay in this area, as it puts you within walking distance of most of the main attractions, including Hue Citadel which is located just across the river.
To find hotels in Hue, your best resource is Booking.com.
If you’re looking for backpacker hostels in Hue, you’re best resource is Hostelworld.
Hue Citadel Opening Hours
The opening hours for the Imperial City of Hue are from 8:00am-5:30pm every day of the week.
On Thursdays, those opening hours are extended to 10pm, allowing visitors to experience the citadel by night.
Hue Citadel Entry Ticket
Tickets for Hue Citadel can be purchased from a booth at the main entrance, which is located inside the majestic Hien Nhon Gate. At the time of writing, you cannot purchase your Hue Citadel entry ticket online in advance.
The entrance fee to Hue Citadel is 200,000 VND (around $8 USD).
While I aim to keep this blog up to date, keep in mind prices are open to change. You can also check the price on the Hue World Heritage government website.
How long does it take to visit Hue Citadel?
Set aside half a day to explore Hue Citadel.
Hue Imperial Citadel is a relatively large historical site, enough to contain an entire village within its walls.
How long it takes you to explore the buildings, gardens and fortifications will of course depend on your pace. While it is possible to explore the site in a couple of hours, those who want to take their time and get the most out of the experience should allow for a full morning or afternoon to wander around the palace grounds.
Things to see at Hue Citadel
Ngo Mon Gate
Also known as the Meridian Gate, or south gate, this is the main entrance into Hue Citadel and one of its most impressive features.
It was built slightly later than the rest of the complex, in 1833, and was not only used to watch and defend against potential invaders, but also for ceremonies.
Like the rest of the Citadel, its design was inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing and is essentially a smaller version of this more famous counterpart.
Thai Hoa Palace
After entering Hue Citadel through the Meridian Gate, you’ll enter an open courtyard which leads up to the next top attraction inside the Citadel: Thai Hoa Palace.
Also called the Palace of Supreme Harmony, this was one of the most important buildings inside the Citadel, and was used as the emperor’s throne room.
All 13 rulers of the Nguyen Dynasty were crowned in this building, and it was here that each ruler would receive and entertain guests from all over the world.
Hien Nhon Gate
Of all the amazing architecture in Hue Citadel, the most impressive might be Hien Nhon Gate.
Also called the East Bastion, this colourful and detailed gate was one of the buildings most damaged during the Vietnam War (during the Tet Offensive). Thankfully, it’s since been heavily restored.
There’s no way to visit Hue Citadel without seeing this majestic gate, as it’s where you’re supposed to exit the site (they won’t let you exit from the Meridian Gate)
Hien Lam Pavilion
Another great piece of Vietnamese architecture for you to see at Hue Citadel is Hien Lam Pavilion.
Despite being called a ‘pavilion’ this building is really more of a mausoleum. Built opposite the temple, this building contains 9 massive bronze urns which supposedly hold the ashes of various Nyguen rulers, or at least represent them.
Tips for visiting Hue Citadel
A few extra pointers to help you get the most out of your visit to Hue Citadel.
Use the map
Hue Citadel is quite a big complex, with lots of sites to see.
While you may not get lost, you don’t want to spend more time walking in the hot sun than you need to.
So when you enter through the Meridian Gate, be sure to grab a pamphlet from the ticket booth. This will not only give you a map, but also a suggested route to see all the sites in a practical order.
Where to find the exit
While you may have entered via the Meridian Gate on the south side of Hue Citadel, this isn’t where you’ll exit.
You’ll be required to end your exploration of Hue Citadel via the East Bastion, also called Hien Nhon Gate.
If you’re using the map mentioned in the previous tip, you’ll have no problem finding it.
What to wear
Many historical attractions in South-east Asia, particularly temples, enforce a dress code, requiring visitors to cover up before entering.
Thankfully, Hue Citadel has no dress requirements. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider what you’re wearing.
As you explore Hue Citadel, you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, mostly outdoors and likely in that intense tropical heat. It’s highly recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and a hat.
