Things to Do & Must-See Attractions in Hue

Thanh Toan Bridge spans a canal in the countryside village of Thuy Thanh, around seven kilometers east of Hue. It’s a small, covered bridge – the sister to Hoi An’s famous Japanese Covered Bridge (although some argue Hue’s is more distinct in many ways). The structure is both Japanese and Chinese in style and has a square-timber arch decorated with ancient ceramics, along with inscriptions in traditional Chinese script.

There is a story behind the origins of Thanh Toan Bridge: It is said to have been built during Emperor Le Hien Tong’s reign in the mid-18th century, with construction initiated by Tran Thi Dao, the wife of a high-ranking mandarin in the Emperor's court. Tran Thi Dao established the bridge to create smooth transportation and communication around the village, which was divided in two by the canal. Emperor Le Hien Tong recognized Thi Dao’s initiative and charity by exempting the village from imperial taxations.

Stretching 700 km along the Thua Thien-Hue seashore, Tam Giang is the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia with over 300,000 Vietnamese living along its shores. Just 15 km from Hue, it’s a popular place to enjoy Vietnamese rural life and go out on a fishing boat with a local, learning traditional Vietnamese fishing methods along the way. At dusk, you’ll see traps being set to collect fish and shrimps before dawn the next day, and women working hard in the water to collect the oysters and clams which are then sold at the local markets.

Popular fishing villages to visit include Ngu My Thanh, Bao La, and Tan My: learn about daily life on the banks of the lagoon, take a boat trip, sleep overnight on a homestay, or learn how local women making fishing nets and pick up the art of bamboo weaving -- there’s plenty to do on the banks of Tam Giang Lagoon. If you go to Ngu My Thanh village, be sure to visit the traditional floating market which is open in the early mornings.

A photographer’s dream, Tam Giang Lagoon is also famous for its biodiversity -- look out for lake-loving birds and flora while you’re here, and of course, try fresh seafood like squid, clams, crab and shrimp fresh from the lake at one of the cottages lining the lagoon.

Formerly used to host the receptions and ceremonies of Vientamese emperors, Thai Hoa Palace dates back to 1805 and is notable for its lacquered columns. Plus, due to the palace’s innovative design, if you stand at the exact center of the courtyard you can hear whispers from anywhere in the building.

The main focal point of the Imperial City, Hue’s Flag Tower (Kỳ Đài) greets visitors upon arrival at the Citadel, sitting opposite its main entrance and facing out across the river. The tower was built at the beginning of the 19th century during Emperor Gia Long's reign, although the flag staff has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times since.

This is Vietnam's tallest flagpole. The yellow flag of royalty was the first to fly here, before being replaced by many others throughout Vietnam's colorful history. During the Viet Cong occupation in the 1960s, the flag of the National Liberation Front flew from the Flag Tower for more than three weeks. The tower itself is made up of three platforms, with the third featuring eight canons and a sentry box at either end.

The Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh was once the magnificent centerpiece of Hue’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Imperial City. Inspired by Beijing’s famous Forbidden City, the 19th-century palace served as the principal residence of the Nguyen Dynasty and its elaborate ruins stand in tribute to Hue’s rich history and heritage.

The Hien Lam Pavilion can be found inside Hue Citadel across the courtyard from the Mieu Temple. It was built in the 1820s in memory of the mandarins who served the Nguyen dynasty. Just in front of the pavilion stand the Nine Dynastic Urns, which were cast in bronze in the 1830s and each dedicated to a different Nguyen emperor.

The urns each have their own name and are uniquely decorated with Vietnamese motifs and patterns, which include stars, rivers, mountains, and oceans. After their casting by Emperor Minh Mang, the Nine Dynastic Urns were placed in position according to the altars within the Mieu Temple. Cao Urn stands slightly forward in the center, with the others sitting behind, symmetrical on either side.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum honors the late former leader of Vietnam: a man famous for leading his country’s revolutionary struggle against foreign powers. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that detail Ho Chi Minh’s early upbringing; his travels across the globe to fight colonial powers; and a collection of his certificates and medals.

Travelers will find unparalleled beauty, spaces for quiet contemplation and nothing short of inspiration on a visit to the iconic Cat Tuong Quan Zen House in Hue. This one-of-a-kind religious center is a destination for Buddhists and mindfulness experts, thanks to spacious gardens, stunning pagodas and quiet grounds.

Stationed among the Thien An Hill pine forest, travelers can participate in Qigong, mindfulness workshops, meditation and yoga on a visit to this incredible destination. Expert chefs prepare satisfying vegetarian meals and local Buddhists offer insight into the practice, culture and traditions that make Cat Tuong Quan Zen House an almost holy escape.

Sitting just north of the imperial city of Hue, the Quang Dien District is where locals and travelers go to get a simple slice of rural life. Defined by water—the Sia and Bo rivers, the Tam Giang Lagoon, and the South China Sea—Quang Dien is an excellent spot for slow adventures, like bike rides along the riverbanks and through the rice paddies.

Dotted with lush green islets and blooming with lotus flowers, Tinh Tam Lake—located just north of the walled Imperial City—provides welcome respite from the bustle of Hué’s city center. This manmade lake was laid out in the 19th century and was once part of the royal grounds, where the emperors would come to walk, relax, and drink tea.

On Hàm Long hill by the Perfume River in Hue, Bao Quoc Pagoda (Chùa Báo Quốc) is a Buddhist temple that dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty, when it was commissioned in 1670 by Chinese Zen Master Thích Giác Phong.

Though Bao Quoc was renovated in the mid-20th century, the temple still retains its traditional charm. A spring flows from the top of the hill down into the grounds of the temple, where the peaceful courtyard is surrounded by balconied buildings and stupas built in honor of Buddhist patriarchs, the oldest of which was built in 1714 and dedicated to Thich Giác Phong. At the temple, look closer at its four pillars carved with dragon figures.

Bao Quoc Pagoda is also famous for its monk training center, which has been running since 1940 when Vietnam initiated a revival in Buddhist education.