The places that make up a visit to Hue

The citadel and its Imperial City sit on the north bank of the Perfume River, in the middle of the city. Most hotels and the main restaurant streets are across the river on the south bank, a walk or a short ride away over Truong Tien bridge. The tombs are spread along the river and in the hills upstream: Tu Duc nearest, then Khai Dinh and Minh Mang, with Gia Long furthest out and on the far bank. Thien Mu Pagoda is upstream on the same bank as the citadel.

That geography sets the usual order. A first day goes to the Imperial City, ideally starting at opening time before the heat and the tour groups arrive. A second day goes to the tombs, by car, motorbike or bicycle, with the pagoda added on the way back or reached by boat. The lagoon and the coast take a separate half day in the other direction, towards the sea.

The river is the link between several of these. Boats from Toa Kham pier reach Thien Mu in a short trip, and some continue upriver towards the tombs, though by boat that takes most of a day and you still need road transport from the landing to the tomb gates. The river page sets out the options.

They do not list hotels, guides or tour companies, and they do not tell you where to stay. They answer the questions that come before that: how far, how long, how much at the gate, and when not to bother. For the order of a two- or three-night visit, read how many days in Hue.