Overview
The seat of the emperors from the early nineteenth century until 1945, Hue is a quieter central city built around a vast citadel modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, much of it damaged in war and now being restored. Along the Perfume River beyond the city lie the elaborate tombs of the emperors, set in gardens and lakes, and hillside pagodas keep the religious heritage. Cooler and more reserved than the beach towns, it is a place for history, gardens and a distinctive royal cuisine.
Highlights
The Imperial City, a citadel of gates, palaces and courtyards within the walls, is the great sight, slowly restored after the war. Boats on the Perfume River reach the Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal tombs of emperors like Minh Mang and Tu Duc, each a landscaped complex. The refined court cuisine of Hue and the war history of the surrounding country round out a visit.