Things to do with kids in Hue

Things to do with kids in Hue

1. Eat

   Cafe on Thu Wheels

   Traveler restaurant, with many simple, delicious dishes. There is even white and red wine. Very pleasant family business. The landlady runs the restaurant by heart.

2. Eat

   Family Home Restaurant

   It is small and looks like grandma's living room. It's cute. The Hue dishes are just tasty, spicy and great. It is not Westernized food. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

3. Eat

   Hanh Pancake

   Quán Bánh Khoái Hạnh

   This is a family restaurant where locals come to eat Hue specialities. About half of the guests are Western tourists these days, and a set sampler menu is available.

   Ban khoai, 20,000-25,000 dong; nem lui, 80,000 dong, bánh bèo 60,000 dong (Jan 2018)

4. See

   Imperial City of Hue

   Đại Nội

   The former imperial seat of government and Hue's prime attraction, this is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history. Thanks to its size, it is also delightfully peaceful, a rare commodity in Vietnam. The citadel was badly knocked about during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls and an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go. Allow several hours to see it properly. Inside you can pay US$1.50 (30,000 dong) to dress up in the king or queen's clothing and sit on the throne for a fun photo opportunity.

   Daily, 06:30-17:00·Adults 200,000 dong, children 40,000 dong

5. See

   Tomb of Dong Khanh

   Built in 1917. Beautiful interior murals. The tomb area is a colorful construction of marble and ceramics. The 100 or so stairs may be an issue for people with mobility difficulties.

   Adult 50,000 dong, children free

6. See

   Tomb of Gia Long

   The most remote of the tombs, quiet and fallen into disrepair as Gia Long, the first Nguyen emperor, was notoriously despotic.

   Adult 50,000 dong, children free

7. See

   Tomb of Khai Dinh

   Dating from 1925, this is the best preserved of the lot and, while comparatively compact, quite grand at first sight. While it follows the classic formula of forecourts leading up to the tomb of the emperor, complete with statues in attendance, architecture buffs will spot some European influences. The tomb itself is completely over the top with incredibly detailed and opulent mosaics of cavorting dragons. Try to get to this one early, as it is a favourite stop for Asian tour-bus groups. Also, you may want to leave the tourist path and head up the hill on the right side of the tomb, where a small temple stands. You will have a great view of the tomb and the valley it faces.

   Adult 150,000 dong, children 30,000 dong

8. See

   Tomb of Minh Mang

   In this opulent complex, the main buildings are arranged on an east-west axis, including a courtyard surrounded by warrior statues and several temples and pavilions. Several bridges cross two lakes before the axis ends before the vast burial mound (which is circled by a fence). The mausoleum features large gardens and lakes: a pleasant place to sit and relax. If you're dropped off by boat note that there is a stretch of souvenir sellers to navigate during the short walk to the mausoleum entrance.

   Adult 150,000 dong, children 30,000 dong

9. See

   Tomb of Thieu Tri

   Built in 1848. This emperor and his wife were the most revered and loved throughout the country. Although he only ruled for 7 years, he was the most sorely missed. In a time of strife and economic problems, he was careful with the country's treasury and improved his people's living standard. His last wish was to be placed in a tomb that was not extravagant, parting ways with the tradition of creating lavish final resting places for emperors.

   Adult 50,000 dong, children free

10. See

    Tomb of Tu Duc

    Built between 1864–1867, the complex served as a second Imperial City where the emperor went for "working vacations". Tu Duc's contemplative nature and poetic spirit is reflected in the landscape and arrangement of the 50 buildings that at one time stood here. A vast, sprawling complex set around a lake, with wooden pavilions and tombs and temples dedicated to wives and favoured courtesans (Tu Duc had 104 to choose from). The courtesans' quarters are in ruins, with only outlines and crumbling walls left amid waves of overgrown grass and silence, but other areas are stunningly well-preserved. The emperor's tomb itself, tucked away in the back, is surprisingly modest. The final courtyard is nearly empty with just a stone coffin in the middle. (The tombs of Empress Le Thien Anh and Emperor Kien Phuc, who briefly ruled in 1884, are also here.) Try to dodge the crowds for this one. The emperor himself was not buried here, and was instead buried in a secret location somewhere else in Hue that has yet to be re-discovered, as the 200 workers who buried him were all beheaded after their work was done.

    Adult 150,000 dong, children 30,000 dong

11. Buy Not mapped

    Healing the Wounded Heart Shop

    A humanitarian project of the Spiral Foundation. This shop sells eco-friendly handicrafts made by disabled artisans in Hue. Many of the products are made from recycled items, including recycled drinks cans and recycled telephone wire baskets. All profits fund heart surgeries for poor children in the Hue area.

    Closed · opens 8 am

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hue (CC BY-SA 4.0).