Hue – quick travel guide

Small city with historic places, but is also a nice vibrant modern city.

Come for the history, stay for the modern vibe. Many nice restaurants, vibrant nightlife, plenty of people and places, restaurants and bars, things to do, but not overly busy and crowded like other places. I think Hue is actually underrated. Many visitors see it only as a place to see the historic city and pagoda and then move on.

You can see the historic sites within a day. But next time, I’d definitely stay 3 or 4 days for sure.

Where to stay:

• Phu Hoi – this is the busy area with restaurants and nightlife. It’s also close to the water so you can have many nice areas to walk and enjoy the vibe. All

Hostels:

• Hue Happy Homestay – highest rated and with most ratings. Seems like nice place, perfect location, and vibe. Many hostels are all around here and seem nice. We stayed here and the man running it was nice.
• Nano Eco Hostel – more hippie hostel with hippie vibes, great ratings, but further out of center.
• Hue Melody Hostel – nice place with good reviews but low social vibe.
• Hue Vietnam Backpacker Hostels – not as nice, but can be a party hostel when it’s full.

Neighborhoods & Walking areas:

• Phu Hoi – busy central area. Walk around.
• Hue Night Walking Street – classic Vietnamese market street, very lively at day and night.
• Water & Imperial City – walk across the bridge and the busy streets around the Imperial City.

Activities to do:

• Visit the busy areas – basically the downtown area around Phu Hoi and Hue Night Walking Street. Lots of people and things around. Walk around there day and night.
• Imperial City – visit the Imperial City, going inside and also around the area. It’s across the water so you’ll get to check that out as well.
• Temples & tombs – you’re probably temple-ed out by now. But still, there are many nice ones (like the Khai Dinh Tomb). Checkout photos online to see if it might interest you.
• Beaches, bridges & water-points – Hue isn’t and doesn’t feel like a beach town. But there are beaches within 25-30 minute drive. Go if this is what you’re missing.

Restaurants & Cafes:

• Madam Thu – probably the #1 recommended spot for all visitors. Good food and lots of regional dishes.
• Maison Trang – nice local food, many foreigners.

Walk around, there are many restaurants on the main streets.

Bars & Clubs:

• DMZ – has the most foreigners of any bar that I saw
• Urban 23 – nice local place
• Factory 912 – nice local place

Miscellaneous tips:

Nearby towns:

• Da Nang – chill clean beach city. Nice to live, but not many things for tourists.
• Hoi An** – cute charmy picturesque town by the river with lanterns, night markets, and bars/restaurants/shops along the water. Fun spot to be.

Unfiltered notes: