Hue – The Royal City

Hue is one of Vietnam’s major cities, covering an area of nearly 5,000 square kilometres and home to around 1.4 million people. It was the capital of Vietnam for 143 years under the Nguyen Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty in Vietnamese history. Today, Hue combines the character of a modern city with a remarkable collection of historic buildings, old houses and imperial monuments.

Archaeological discoveries suggest that people have lived in the Hue area for thousands of years. The region was once part of the Champa Kingdom, and in the early 14th century, it came under Vietnamese control following a political marriage between King Che Man of Champa and Princess Huyen Tran of the Tran Dynasty. The marriage brought the land around present-day Hue into the Vietnamese sphere of control.

From the 17th century, the Nguyen Lords began developing Hue as their political centre in southern Vietnam. Over time, the city grew into an important political and economic centre. In 1802, after years of civil war, Emperor Gia Long unified Vietnam and made Hue the capital of the newly established Nguyen Dynasty.

Throughout its long history, Hue has witnessed civil wars between Vietnamese powers, the Indochina Wars and the Vietnam War. Yet the city has survived, remaining a peaceful and gentle place along the Huong River, the symbol of Hue.

Hue is a fascinating mix of old and new. Modern buildings, shopping centres and busy streets stand alongside centuries-old houses, royal tombs and the impressive architecture of the Nguyen emperors. The Imperial City, with its walls, gates, palaces and temples, is the heart of Hue’s historic heritage.

In Hue, you can spend an evening enjoying the lively nightlife around the city centre, then the next morning walk through the imposing Imperial City or visit the royal tombs, reminders of the power and history of Vietnam’s last emperors.

For motorcycle travellers, Hue is also an excellent stop on a Ho Chi Minh trail motorcycle tour through Central and South Vietnam, especially when combined with the legendary Hai Van Pass and the coastal and mountain roads around the former imperial capital.
Check out our Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorcycle Tours to Hue

7-Day Central Vietnam Motorcycle Tour | Ho Chi Minh Trail, Khe Sanh, Hue, Hoi An.

13-day Ho Chi Minh Trail Grand Vietnam Motorcycle Tour | Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat…

12-day Along the Beach Vietnam Motorcycle Tour | Phong Nha, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon…