
Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam, is a city steeped in royal history, rich culture, and delicious food. Nestled along the banks of the Perfume River in Central Vietnam, Hue is best known for its impressive Imperial City (The Citadel), peaceful pagodas, and unique Central Vietnamese cuisine—think Bún Bò Huế and Bánh Khoái. Unlike the hustle of Hanoi or the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, Hue moves at a slower, more reflective pace, making it perfect for history buffs and travelers looking to connect with Vietnam’s regal past. At the same time, it impressed us with its modernism and beautiful outdoor spaces. Read more about that below!
We spent one month in Vietnam so check out some of our other blogs about Hanoi, Sapa, Da Nang, Hoi An, Phong Nha, Nha Trang, and Saigon (coming soon)!
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Laos, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand or the Philippines!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you.
TLDR 🫣
Hue is a city that blends imperial charm, modern energy, and culinary depth—perfect for travelers who want history and hustle without the chaos.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Checked in at Hotel La Perle, strolled along the Night Walking Street and riverside gardens, and had a delicious dinner at Cozy Restaurant featuring Bún bò Huế and Bánh khọt
- Day 2: Joined a morning GuruWalk tour of the Imperial City (must do!), ate Bánh Khoái and Bún bò Huế at Lac Thien for lunch, browsed Dong Ba Market, then ended the day with an epic evening street food tour with Linh from GuruWalk again (even bigger must do!)
- Day 3: Checked out of the hotel, spotted dogs on a scooter (very Hue), had our final and best bowl of Bún bò Huế at Madam Thu’s, then caught the bus to our next city in Vietnam
Pro Tips:
- 🌞 Hue gets HOT – bring a hat, refillable water bottle, and take mid-day breaks
- 💸 GuruWalk tours are free but tip generously (Linh is a gem!)
- 🍲 Eat Bún bò Huế in Hue—it just hits different here
- 🛵 Book buses through your hotel for convenience and reliability
- 🏨 Stay central—walking distance to food streets makes a huge difference
- 🛍 Dong Ba Market is better for local snacks than souvenirs
Top Awards:
- Best Stay: Hotel La Perle Hue, quiet, central, free breakfast, and great value
- Best Experiences: Walking Food Tour with Linh via GuruWalk – come hungry
- Best Eats: Madam Thu’s – the best bowl of Bún bò Huế we had in Vietnam (two meals cost us ~$5 CAD)
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase)
How to Get to Hue
By now, you’ve probably realized that you can travel throughout Vietnam pretty conveniently by bus or plane. We traveled to Hue from Hoi An via bus, a popular and affordable route. Two one-way tickets cost 500,000 ₫ (~$27 CAD). Heads up: This was not the luxury bus to Sapa. It had three rows and the seats were definitely tighter. I’m not that tall, but had to keep my knees bent for the ride.

The journey took about 4-5 hours, depending on traffic and weather. We booked the 1:00 PM bus directly through our hotel in Hoi An, which made things super easy. The route winds through the scenic Hai Van Pass, so be sure to grab a window seat for those stunning coastal views.
How to Get Around Hue
Hue is relatively spread out, especially compared to compact cities like Hoi An, but getting around is still manageable. Walking is great for central areas like the Night Walking Street and Citadel surroundings. For longer distances or hot days, Grab (the local ride-hailing app) and taxis are both convenient and cheap. You can also rent a bicycle or motorbike if you’re comfortable navigating local traffic, but we mostly stuck to walking and short rides for ease.

Where to Stay in Hue
We stayed at Hotel La Perle Hue, and it was a fantastic choice for both comfort and value. The cost for two nights was $73 CAD. Located in a quiet alley but still central, the hotel offered clean rooms, friendly staff, and a complimentary breakfast (see below) —always a win when you’re traveling on a schedule. It’s perfect for mid-range travelers who want good service without breaking the bank. Plus, being within walking distance of popular restaurants and shops made our stay even more convenient.


ITINERARY:
Since we had two nights in Hue, we enjoyed a mix of guided experiences and free time, with half-days on arrival and departure and one full day in between. Here’s how we made the most of our time:
Day 1: Arrival and Evening Exploration
1:00 PM: Took the bus from Hoi An to Hue (booked through our Hoi An hotel).
Late Afternoon: Checked in at Hotel La Perle and settled in.
Evening: Took a leisurely stroll through the Night Walking Street—a lively stretch with music, street vendors, and souvenirs.


We loved visiting the night markets and the walking streets. It’s pretty much the only thing we do on our Arrival Days if we end up arriving in the afternoon and evening. It’s where both locals and tourists collide. These kids enjoyed building wooden towers while their parents ate close by.


Look at the modern gardens as you walked around the river bend. It almost reminds me of Singapores Gardens by the Bay.
Dinner: Ate at Cozy Restaurant, a great local spot with affordable prices and a warm, welcoming vibe. For only 128,000 ₫ ($7 CAD), we got this entire meal and free flan for dessert! Absolute perfection and highly recommend checking this place out.
So what did we order? On the left, you see Bún bò Huế, a spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup that originates from the city of Huế, in central Vietnam. It’s one of the country’s most beloved regional dishes and is known for its bold, savory, and complex flavors. We also ordered their version of, Banh Khot, mini savory pancakes made from a rice flour and coconut milk batter, typically topped with shrimp, and served with fresh herbs and nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce)


Day 2: History and Street Food
Morning:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Joined a GuruWalk Imperial City Tour. We met our guide right in front of the Imperial City ticket booth. Two tickets cost 400,000 ₫, which is about $22 CAD.


The tour was free (but note: tip-based) and filled with fascinating insights about Vietnam’s royal family and the Citadel’s architecture.


Our guide, Linh, was amazing. His humor was spot on and totally matched ours. A bit dry, very real, and just light-hearted.




Afternoon: After the historical tour, it was. time to grab lunch!
Lunch: Tried the local specialty Bánh Khoái, a savory crispy pancake often compared to bánh xèo but with Hue’s unique twist. Verdict: I like it! (I’m not a fan of ban xeo, but this fried version was a solid 7l.5/10). We also ordered another Bún bò Huế, because… I mean, what else should you eat when in Hue?
This meal at Lac Thein restaurant cost us 82,000 ₫ ($5 CAD).

Dong Ba Market: Walked off lunch by browsing this bustling local market. It’s a great spot for snacks, souvenirs, and seeing everyday local life.

We then grabbed a quick drink because it is HOTT in Hue. A bit thick and too sweet for my taste, but can’t complain for 35,000 ₫ ($2 CAD).

We headed back to our hotel, rested for a little bit, and then came back out to the Walking Street to meet up with Linh again for….
Evening:
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Booked another GuruWalk—this time a walking food tour that started at Brown Eyes Bar (56 Chu Van An, Phu Hoi). We sampled multiple Hue specialties and learned about their origins while navigating the city’s vibrant street food scene.


It was a major highlight of the trip! I wish I recorded all the names and origins of these delicacies as Linh ordered and shared the history with us (but honestly, I was so hungry, I might have missed taking photos of some of them). All that means is that you MUST do this tour with Linh.


We (2 people) spent 260,000 ₫ ($15 CAD) and were STUFFED by the end of the walking foodie tour! Don’t forget to tip Linh generously at the end.




Day 3: Lunch and Departure
1:00 PM: Took the afternoon bus from Hue to Phong Nha, again booked through our hotel for convenience.
Late Morning: Packed up, relaxed, and checked out of the hotel. On the way to lunch, we spotted the epitome of how cool this city is:

You can’t see it well in the photo but there were TWO dogs riding in a scooter.
Lunch: Our final Hue meal was at Madam Thu’s, a well-loved restaurant that serves up authentic Hue dishes in a cozy setting. I think this was where we had the best Bún bò Huế in all of Hue! The cost of these two meals was only 100,000 ₫ (~$5.50 CAD).

TOTAL COST for 2 Nights in Hue (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
Activities: $38
Accommodations (2 nights): $73
Food: $33
Transportation (Driver): $27
TOTAL: $172 (Roughly $43 per person, per night)
Final Thoughts: Why Hue is Worth a Stop
Hue may not be as flashy as other Vietnamese cities, but that’s part of its charm. It offers a deep connection to Vietnam’s royal and colonial past, a vibrant (yet underrated) food scene, and a slower pace that’s refreshing when you’re bouncing between busy cities. With just two nights in Hue, we were able to explore its historic landmarks, taste its signature dishes, and experience its unique local character.
It’s budget-friendly, culturally rich, and offers the perfect balance between relaxation and discovery. So can you skip it? You could, but we wouldn’t. We’d come back for the scooter-riding dogs and to eat unlimited Bún bò Huế from its birthplace.
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