Are you trying to find a different way to see the heritage and rural villages of Hue? And do you only have a limited time of 1 day? This post covers the top attractions of Hue which will have you go by boat and bike and all of that only in 1 day!

Imperial City

Start off with discovering the Imperial City to learn all about the past royal kingdom in the early mornings. For a long time, it has been a must-see attraction for travellers since it is recognized as a hidden charm of Vietnam. This place belonged to the ancient city of Hue and was a walled fortress and palace. The museums, palaces and tombs are typically from traditional Eastern architecture and all stand together to make the finest attraction. There are ten main gates leading to the Imperial City, which can be divided into two main parts: the Citadel and the Forbidden City. The Citadel served to protect the important palaces inside whereas the Forbidden City is separated by an additional set of walls. It was the residence of the emperor and his family and only accessible by the royal family and their servants.

Perfume River

Embark for a lovely boat ride to enjoy the pleasant viewing along the sides of the Perfume River. It is named the ‘Perfume River’ as it flows through much aromatic flora bringing pure scents before reaching Hue. The water flooding into the river comes from the mountains passing by several forests which also makes up for the fresh aroma. On both sides of the river, the view is full of citadel, garden, pagodas, towers and temples. With their reflection in the water, it gives the river a poetic and musical atmosphere. The splendid riverside landscape is guaranteed one of the most beautiful trips and especially at night when the lights are on.

Thien Mu Pagoda

The pagoda has many legends. One of them is that once upon a time, residents saw an old lady in red appear on top of the hill every night. She told them that one day, the Lord would pass by and build something of great importance. They decided to name the hill: Thien Mu Son which means Mountain of Lady from Heaven. Mr. Nguyen went pass the hill, heard of the legend and decided to build a pagoda and named it Thien Mu. This pagoda is considered as a symbol of Hue and an icon of Vietnam. Each of the seven layers is dedicated to the manushi-buddha (a Buddha that appeared in human form).

Tien Non

Go by bike to visit the flower village of Tien Non. Along the way, you have the chance to enjoy the view of the countryside, paddy fields and ancient temples. Afterwards, take part in activities such as growing flowers or green vegetables with local people.

 Thanh Tien

Situated in the suburbs of the city of Hue, where the tradition of paper flowers craftsmanship is still being passed along generations is Thanh Tien village. It is a paper flower making village where you can learn and try to make lotus, roses or tulips by yourself. Moreover, you will notice that the landscape here is typical of the Vietnamese countryside with endless dry grass harrowed by oxen. The regional architecture, customs and traditions make travellers struck by this part of Vietnam.

Today, the city blends new and old buildings as modern hotels tower over the century-old Citadel walls. Since it is located on the Perfume River, Hue owes its charm partly due to that fact. Find your perfect trip to Hue here!