Hué is probably the most beautiful city in Vietnam. It was the country's capital and cultural, religious and educational center from 1802 to 1945. In 1804, Emperor Gia Long built the city's huge Citadel. The citadel is surrounded by a moat and its remains include several interesting sights, such as the Nine Holy Cannons, the Imperial Enclosure, the Palace of Supreme Harmony and the Halls of the Mandarins. Hué's Purple Forbidden City was almost entirely destroyed during the Vietnam War. The Royal Tombs are 15 km (9 miles) south of town. Other places of interest in the city include various museums and religious temples.
There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Hué. At pagodas, vegetarian food is prepared for the monks and this food is available from food stalls every 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. Some restaurants serve it all year round.
Hué is 645 km north of Ho Chi Minh City and 540 km south of Hanoi. Hué has air, rail and road connections with both cities.
13 km (8 miles) northeast of Hué is the Thuan An Beach, as well as a beautiful lagoon. Accommodation is available there and sampan trips up the Perfume River can be arranged. You can get there from the Dong Ba bus station in Hué.
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