Hue Travel Guide

Motorbike taxi is the cheap and easy way to get around and if you are looking for a recommendation try the corner of Hung Vuong street and Tran Cao street, look for Mr Dung. I was travel on my own and I had a fabulous time. Mr. Dung will take you everywhere and be prepared for some free History lessons too.

Hué
Former capital of the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, the royal city of Hué is situated on the country's central coast, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is a serene place, a small city of canals boasting splendid historical sights, and is dominated by its massive Citadel, and the former Forbidden Purple City. Most of its beautiful imperial architecture was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, when the North Vietnamese launched an attack on the south, yet despite a tumultuous history it retains much of its cultural identity and has been recognized as a Cultural World Heritage Site.

Hué is also an important center for Buddhism and hundreds of temples and pagodas exist around the city, such as the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous structures in the country. The Perfume River lies between the city and the remains of the mighty Citadel with many attractions along its banks. Sampan boat trips on the river offer an enchanting way to see the main sights in and around Hué, including the splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors a few miles south of the city.

Be prepared to be ripped off by taxi drivers! Stick with the major taxi companies to avoid getting ripped off. The major taxi companies are: Vinasun (white), Mai Linh (various shades of white (standard), green (mini w/ cheaper rate), brown, and silver, Vinataxi (yellow), Petrolimex (white with blue and orange) and Savico (blue). Hoang Long (green and yellow) charges similar fares for short trips, but is 10-20% higher for long trips. Some off-brand taxis, such as "Taxi-Meter," have fast meters, and are best avoided unless you are a regular and know them well. Drivers generally do not speak English or any other foreign language, so if your destination is somewhere other than the airport or a major hotel, it might help to write the name and/or address on paper beforehand. Carry small change and bills for paying fares, since drivers are often short of change.

Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam ... so there are related sights to see... its lovely to sit by the river and watch here as well... and, yes, this is the tailoring capital of Vietnam now... so get something stitched if you want the experience...