How to Spend Two Days in Hue
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Do you only have 2 days in Hue? The imperial city might not be Vietnam’s busiest destination, but it sure is one of the most history-filled and interesting. From the grand citadel to peaceful pagodas and ornate royal tombs, here’s how to see Hue’s highlights in just two days.
Hue. The imperial city of Vietnam. Once the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, the country’s last royal family, this was the capital from the early 1800s through the French colonial era to the end of the second world war. The emperors and their families were worshipped as semi-divine figures, both by themselves but also by the people.
Are you planning a longer trip? Check out my itinerary for 3 weeks in Vietnam here!
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A World Heritage City
Today, Hue is a mid-sized city in Central Vietnam. It may not be as popular as bustling Hanoi or the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, but for those who want to truly understand the soul of Vietnam, spending two days here is a must.
Most travellers find their way to Hue in search of the remnants of a lost empire. From 1802 until 1945, this was the heart of the Nguyen Dynasty, the nation’s last royal family. Walking through the vast Imperial Citadel, which houses both the Imperial and the Forbidden Purple City, you get a sense of the immense wealth and power that once resided here.
Why is it UNESCO-listed?
The Complex of Hue Monuments has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1993.
- UNESCO recognises Hue as an “exceptional example of a late feudal capital in Southeast Asia.” It’s one of the few places where you can see a complete, fortified capital city planned and built in such a short, intense period of the 19th century.
- The citadel, the royal tombs, and the pagodas aren’t just pretty buildings; they are a masterclass in traditional Eastern symbolism. The layout was carefully designed to harmonise with the natural landscape, using the Perfume River and the surrounding mountains as protective spiritual barriers.
- From the intricate ceramic mosaics of the Khai Dinh Tomb to the “yin and yang” roof tiles of the palaces, the craftsmanship here illustrates a unique Vietnamese adaptation of traditional design.
Eighty years after the fall of the dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty’s heritage is the main reason people travel to Hue. Following this two-day itinerary, you’ll do more than just tick off a list of monuments. You’ll get a genuine glimpse into the spiritual and political heart of old Vietnam.
Visit UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An
Are 2 days in Hue enough?
You don’t need endless time here. With two nights (or at least one night before or after the overnight train), you’ll have about 1.5–2 full days. That’s plenty to see the highlights without feeling rushed. As long as you plan well, of course.
Here is my suggestion for a two-day Hué itinerary:
Day 1: Start exploring
- The Imperial City
- The abandoned waterpark (if you have time)
- Guided food tour
Day 2: Guided tour of tombs and pagodas
- Try salt coffee at a café
- Thanh Toan Bridge
- Visit a local market
- Thien Mu Pagoda
- Tu Duc Mausoleum
- Khai Dinh Mausoleum
- Sunset by the Perfume River
Day 1 in Hue: The Imperial City
Start with Hué’s Imperial Citadel, the heart of the Nguyen Dynasty. This massive fortress is actually a “city within a city,” protected by thick stone walls and a wide moat. As you pass through the iconic Ngo Mon Gate, you enter the Imperial City, where the emperors once conducted official business and hosted ceremonies. At its very centre lies the Forbidden Purple City. Historically it was reserved exclusively for the royal family and their eunuch servants.
Today, you can expect a mix of beautifully restored palaces, like the Thai Hoa Palace with its red lacquer and gold, and ruins that witness the bombs of the Vietnam/American War.
The complex is huge and if you try to cover every single corner, you could easily spend an entire day. Personally, I don’t recommend it. After a few hours, the ornate architecture, gates and symbolism start to blur together.
Practical info for visting the Imperial Citadel:
- Plan for 2–3 hours inside the citadel. That gives you enough time to wander the main halls and gardens without temple fatigue setting in.
- Buy the combination ticket, which also includes entry to the emperors’ tombs. It will save you money the following day.
- Book a guided tour. I didn’t and regretted it quickly. I tried the audio guide but found myself lost pretty fast. Partly because of the heat, partly because it was hard to navigate on my own. A local guide (bookable via GetYourGuide or your hotel) will bring the history to life.
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The Abandoned Waterpark
I didn’t, but if you have time after visiting the Imperial Citadel, head to Thuy Tien Lake. Originally opened in 2004, the water park closed its gates just a few years later, leaving behind a surreal, post-apocalyptic landscape that has become popular for photographers and urban explorers.
Explore Hue’s Food Scene
Saigon and Hanoi are world-famous for their food scene, but did you know that Hue also has a distinctive cuisine? This is, after all, where Anthony Bourdain found what he called the best soup in the world.
Hue is known for spicy, flavourful food and the most iconic dish, and what Bourdain was referring to is Bun Bo Hue. A beef noodle soup but different from the more common pho due to thicker noodles and fragrances of lemongrass and chilli.
The best way to taste your way around Hue is on a guided Street Food Tour. However, the city has plenty of great restaurants you can pop by on your own. And if you rather want some western comfort food, Nook is famous for its sandwiches and wraps.
Day 2 in Hue: Tombs, Pagodas and Local Life
While the citadel is within walking distance (or a short Grab ride) from the city centre, day two takes you further away. To get around you’ll need transport, either by car, motorbike, or a guided tour.
I booked a motorbike trip directly with I Love Hue Tours, a local woman-led tour company I’d read about. Unfortunately, they felt less organised than what I expected. Luckily my guide Tran was excellent, so in the end it was a great experience.
You can book tours or transport on Get Your Guide or by asking your accommodation instead.
Suggested itinerary for day 2:
Coffee time
Start the day with a Hue speciality: Salt coffee! This sweet and salty brew was invented here in 2010, and you now get it all over Vietnam. It’s made of typical strong, black Vietnamese coffee, fluffy and sweet condensed milk and a pinch of salt.
Like in the rest of the country, Hue’s coffee culture is strong and there’s no shortage of cosy cafés to experience it. Guided tours usually have a set place they go to, but if you book a private driver – ask them to take you to their favourite coffee place!
Thanh Toan Bridge & local market
Fuelled with caffeine, it’s time to start exploring. First attraction up is a bit of a hidden gem and an excellent place to get a feeling of local village life. Located about 7 kilometres east of the city centre, you find the Thanh Toan Bridge. Also known as the “Tile-Roofed Bridge”, this stunning wooden structure is one of the rarest and most beautiful of its kind in Vietnam.
While many know the famous Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Thanh Toan offers a much more authentic, rustic experience. The 18th century bridge was funded by a local woman named Tran Thi Dao, who wished to help her community cross the canal more easily. Her generosity was so great that even the Emperor took notice and gave the village special honours in her name.
Today, the bridge remains important to the local community. It’s a popular gathering place for elders and they take pride in keeping it in perfect condition.
Combine the visit to the bridge with a stroll through the nearby local market. This was one of the places on my 3-week Vietnam journey where I didn’t meet any other tourists and the sellers were open for a chat (with my guide Tran as an interpreter).
Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River
Now it’s time to head back to the city and see some more of the major historical highlights of Hue.
Sitting on the banks of the Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest and most recognisable landmarks in Hue. It dates back to the 1600s and is closely linked to the early Nguyen rulers, making it both a religious and historical site.
It’s a living monastery and there’s a calm, almost meditative atmosphere here, especially compared to some of the busier sights in Hue. Do as the locals: slow down for a bit, wander around, and take in the views of the river.
One detail that really stayed with me is the old car displayed on the grounds. It was used by the monk Thich Quang Duc, when he drove to Ho Chi Minh City to set himself on fire in a protest in 1963. A powerful and sobering piece of history that you can learn more of on a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Royal Tombs in Hue
After spending some time at the pagoda, opt for lunch in the city before you continue to the last part of your 2-days in Hue programme.
Next up are the mausoleums of Hue’s late emperors. The royal tombs are some of Hue’s most famous historical sites and offer a glimpse into the lives of the Nguyen emperors who once ruled Vietnam. Spread across the countryside outside the city, these large mausoleum complexes were planned and designed by the emperors themselves, often long before their deaths. Some even used them as peaceful retreats while they were still very much alive.
There are seven imperial tombs in total, although only a handful are regularly visited by travellers. Many of them were designed not only as burial sites for the emperors, but also for parts of the royal family, servants and concubines.
If you plan to visit both the Imperial Citadel and some of the royal tombs, it’s worth knowing that you can buy a combined ticket. This gives you access to the citadel and selected tombs over 2-3 days.
I visited the tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, and despite both being royal mausoleums, they couldn’t have felt more different.
Tomb of Tu Duc
The Tomb of Tu Duc feels less like a traditional tomb and more like a peaceful park. Built in the 1800s, it was designed as a retreat for the emperor while he was still alive, which explains the lakes, pavilions, and overall sense of balance throughout the complex.
The whole complex took only 3 years to build, and the intense project unfortunately cost many lives – something that followed Tu Duc for the rest of his life.
While Tu Duc’s over 100 wives and concubines are buried here, the emperor isn’t and no one knows where he was actually laid to rest.
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Tomb of Khai Dinh
Khai Dinh’s tomb is completely different from the Tu Duc’s. It’s smaller in size, but far more dramatic, both in structure and decoration. Built in the early 1900s, it combines traditional Vietnamese elements with strong European influences, which makes it stand out right away.
The real highlight is inside. The main hall is covered in intricate mosaics made from porcelain and glass, and the level of detail is truly quite impressive. With the golden statue of Kai Dinh, made in France, the main feature. The whole place is a bit darker and more intense than the other tombs.
It also took over 10 years to complete, which says a lot about how much effort went into all those tiny details.
Sunset on the Perfume River
When your sightseeing is done, slow down and enjoy Hue at its most atmospheric: sunset on the Perfume River. While the smell of perfume, created by flowers falling into the stream further up, isn’t noticeable anymore, the river is still a beautiful sight.
Book a dragon boat cruise or do as I did, simply sit on a riverside bench and watch daily life unfold. Old men fishing, couples strolling, kids playing football, and colourful boats drifting by while the sun sets and the sky turn pink and orange.
Where to Stay in Hue
There’s no shortage in accommodation in and around Hue in all categories, from 5-star hotels to hostels. And out of all the destinations I visited during my almost 4 weeks in Vietnam, Hue offered the lowest accommodation rates.
With only two days here, I recommend staying in the city centre with walking distance to restaurants, cafés, the river and even the Imperial City.
I stayed at Hue Sweethouse Homestay 2 and although it was a family run homestay, it felt more like a 3-star hotel. The rooms are light, clean and modern, the hosts super service minded and can sort out and book everything you may need and the location is great. There’s no lift though, so be prepared to walk some steps.
Final Thoughts on Spending Two Days in Hue
If you’ve read this far, you’ve seen how much Hue has to offer. And that with two days you can get the perfect mix of history, culture, food and slow river moments without feeling rushed.
It wasn’t my favourite destination in Vietnam, but an important one that I’m glad I took the time to explore. Hue is a city where you can see a bit of the “real Vietnam” not especially catered for tourists.
And it’s also worth noting that my experience may have been coloured by the weather at the time of my visit. Vietnam in July is hot. And Hue was the hottest of the places I stopped.
Originally, I’d planned to book a motorbike tour across the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An, but because of the heat I chose to go by car booked through my homestay instead. And the first thing I did in Hoi An? Cycle straight to An Bang Beach for the afternoon!
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