Hue is famous for being not only Vietnam’s historic capital but also the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The citadel city is the perfect place to fulfill your knowledge of Vietnam’s history on your tour to Vietnam as well. 3 days in Hue is the appropriate time to take part in many interesting activities and explore the breathtaking beauty of this city.
Transportation for 3 Days in Hue
Hue is considered the third most important city in Vietnam, so it is very convenient to get here:
By plane
There are daily flights between Hue and major cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hue Airport: Phu Bai International Airport, 15km from downtown
- Hanoi – Hue (700km) – 1h 10 minutes flight from Noi Bai International Airport
- Ho Chi Minh City – Hue (950km) – 1h 25 minutes flight from Tan Son Nhat International Airport
By train
Hue is a stage of the famous “reunification train” that goes from north to south of the country. Therefore, it is ideal to get there by train and you will travel both comfortably and economically.
By bus
The road network in Vietnam has improved considerably since 2000. You can easily connect Hue by bus from the main destinations of the country such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation for 3 Days in Hue
Hue, a city full of history and culture, is full of places to stay. You’ll have it for every budget with incomparable charm to the large luxury hotels located in the city center, near the main sites to visit, or not far from the airport. Here are some good addresses we want to suggest:
- The Residence Hotel & Spa (5-star)
- Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa (5-star)
- Moonlight Hue Hotel (4-star)
- Saigon Morin (4-star)
- Rosaleen Hotel (3-star)
- Thanh Lich Hotel (3-star)
Suggested Itinerary for 3 Days in Hue
Day 1: The Citadel and the Imperial City of Hue – Thien Mu Pagoda
You can spend your first morning at this beautiful place on a walk around the Citadel and the Imperial City of Hue. It will take you only half of a day to do this walking tour.
The Citadel of Hue
It is a part of the ensemble of monuments of Hue registered with the World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Built between the dynasties of the emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang, the citadel of Hue is located north of the Perfume River and occupies an area of more than 500 hectares. It includes the Imperial City and the Forbidden City which are famous for royal architecture and royal gardens. This site has had historic ups and downs and has become the echo of a glorious past of the nation.
Its construction is harmoniously inspired by the principles of traditional architecture and Eastern philosophy with some Western military touches. This is one of the magnificent must-see places not to be missed during your tour to Central Vietnam.
Imperial City
This is the second part of the Citadel of Hue, whose function is to protect the most important palaces, the sanctuaries of the ancestors of the Nguyen dynasty and the Forbidden City. This site is surrounded by 4 large brick walls. It was built from 1804 to 1833, with a system of 147 monuments.
Forbidden City
As the name says, civilians had no allowance to enter this site. In the Forbidden City, there are about 50 large and small architectural works.
After your lunch, you can ride a bike or rent a motorcycle taxi to Thien Mu Pagoda. This is the best time to enjoy the tranquility of the pagoda. Known as the “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, this pagoda is the highest one in Vietnam with the six upper floors of its tower, named “Source of Bliss”. Next to its picturesque location on Ha Khe Hill and on the north bank of the poetic Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda and its surroundings are also rich in history. It witnessed nearly four hundred years of tumultuous construction of the nation and religious beliefs in Vietnam.
Day 2: The Tombs of Hue and the Perfume River
Your visit to Hue will not be complete without the discovery of beautiful tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty (Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, and Khai Dinh). They are scattered in the southern part of Hue, about 7 to 16 km from the center. Take your time during 3 days in Hue to reveal the historical and aesthetic richness of these seven books, the most notable of which are those of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh.
Tomb of Gia Long
This is the tomb of the first emperor of the Nguyen dynasty who reigned in Viet Nam. Built between the years 1814 and 1820, it is the most distant imperial tomb of the city of Hue. It has a location about 20 kilometers to the south, on the banks of the Perfume River.
The entire tomb includes 3 parts:
- In the middle is the mausoleum of the King and Queen Thua Thien.
- On the right is the area of worshipping with the Minh Thanh temple at the center, dedicated to the cult of the manes of the Emperor and the first Queen.
- On the left, it is the Bi Dinh. There remains only one large stele engraved with the text “Thanh Duc Than Cong” composed by Minh Mang as a tribute to the King’s father. Besides, the engraving features are very fine and delicate.
Tomb of Minh Mang
About 12 km southwest of downtown Hue, the tomb of King Minh Mang sits on Cam Khe mountain, in the Huong Tho district, capital of Huong Tra. This is the only tomb to have been built after the death of a sovereign. Covering 18 ha, the tomb of Minh Mang is an architectural complex of 40 works in a space dominated by mountains and rivers. This tomb has been enriched by many works, such as a lotus lake, a common house, a floral garden, and a pine forest. A harmonious and poetic space, in the image of the sovereign.
Tomb of Tu Duc
The tomb of Tu Duc is a complex of architectural works, including Tu Duc Cemetery, located in a narrow valley of the village of Duong Xuan Thuong. This tomb is so imposing that it served as the second Imperial City! The simple and natural landscapes of his tomb reflected the poetic and sweet character of Tu Duc.
Tomb of Khai Dinh
Resembling a European castle from afar, the tomb of Khai Dinh, in the central province of Thua Thien Hue, brings together the features of ancient and contemporary fine art, oriental and western.
By visiting this site, visitors can fall on stone stelae, beyond the statues, as if it were a museum. Due to the unique architecture and its original pieces, the tomb of King Khai Dinh is very welcoming to visitors!
Day 3: Lang Co Beach
Located in the center of Vietnam, between the imperial city of Hue (60 km) and Danang (40 km), Lang Co keeps on 10 km a totally virgin beach offering a magnificent panorama. In addition, tropical forests on mountains as well as the mysterious marsh Lep An are also among the charms of this attractive bay in the eyes of tourists.
While visiting Lang Co, you can go volleyball on the beach, go fishing, scuba dive and taste shellfish dishes. For those who like excursions, streams, torrents, cracks, lakes, boulders with the calm and wild atmosphere are to discover.
Hopefully, our suggested itinerary will help you make your 3 days in Hue as enjoyable as possible. Customize your trip to Vietnam now so that we can help make your discovery more exciting than ever!
