Tomb of Tu Duc

Emperor Tu Duc designed his exquisite tomb which was constructed between 1864 and 1867 for use both before and after his death.

The longest reigning of the Nguyen Monarchs he lived a life of luxury and is said to have had 104 wives and a whole village of concubines, although he fathered no children - possibly due to a bout of smallpox as a boy.

Tu Duc's tomb is approx 5km south of Hue

Entrance is 55,000 VND

Tomb of Thieu Tri

The son of Minh Mang he shared his fathers distrust of foreign influences, it's said he destroyed anything western he found in the Imperial palaces he cracked down on missionaries which resulted in an attach by the French Navy in 1847, destroying Vietnam's coastal forts and sinking 3 junks. Thieu Tri in response decreed that all Christians be executed, he died shortly afterwards and the orders were never followed. The tomb of Thieu Tri is similar in layout to his fathers (Minh Mang) but smaller taking less than one year to build.

Thieu Tri's tomb is approx 6km south of Hue

Entrance is 22,000 VND

Tomb of Khai Dinh

The hillside tomb of Khai Dinh who was the last of the Nguyen rulers from 1916 to 1925 is radically different from his predecessors being built in a more grandiose style, mixing European and Asian influences.

He was said to spend time in France and was influenced by their style, he put so much effort into his tomb that it took 11yrs to build although he only ruled for 9. The inside of his principal temple at the top of the hillside is extravagantly ornate every surface is decorated in glass and porcelain mosaic.

Khai Dinh's tomb is approx 10km south of Hue

Entrance is 55,000 VND

Temple of Nam Giao

This temple is now unrestored and crumbling, but it was once the most important religious sight in Vietnam.

Nam Giao means the "alter of heaven" and elaborate sacrifices were preformed here by the emperor every three years from 1807 up until 1945. The ceremonies took place on a series of hilltop terraces two square and one round representing heaven, earth and man.

Nam Giao temple is approx 3kms south of Hue

Entrance is free.

Tu Hieu Temple

Tu Hieu is one of the most attractive temples in Hue, it was founded in 1843 and still has an active community of 40 monks who make any visitors welcome.

Buried in pine forests with a peaceful crescent moon lake near its entrance, Tu Hieu temple is where royal eunuchs retired to and were worshiped after their death.

Tu Hieu Temple is approx 4kms south of Hue.

Entrance is free.

Thanh Toan Bridge

Thanh Toan Bridge is a classical covered Japanese footbridge, used mostly by locals it is similar to the footbridge in Hoi An but less attracts less tourists due to its distance from town.

A highlight of visiting it is the journey there through villages rice paddies and past several pagodas, once you cross the footbridge there is an interesting 'Rice Museum' where you can learn about ancient harvesting methods.

Thanh Toan Bridge is approx 7kms south east of Hue.

Entrance is free (donations at the rice museum are welcome and appreciated)

Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River and was originally founded in 1601. Its buildings have been destroyed and re-built several times with the existing 21 metre high, 7 tier octagonal tower constructed in 1844.

It has in modern times become the unofficial symbol of the city of Hue. Each tier represents one of Buddha's incarnations on earth. There are two pavilions one on each side of the tower, the one on the left houses a huge bell weighing over 2000Kgs that was cast in 1710 and is said to be audible up to 10kms away. The pavilion on the right houses a Stele erected in 1715 on the back of a massive marble turtle, the stele records the history of Buddhism in Hue.

Thien Mu Pagoda is approx 6kms south west of Hue.

Entrance is free.

Duong No Village

The main attraction of the peaceful Duong No village is the well preserved house which was the former home of Ho Chi Minh. He lived here from 1898 - 1900 with his father.

Duong No is approx 6kms north east of Hue.

Entrance is free.