Just 2.5-ish hours from Đà Nẵng, Huế is technically close enough for a day trip. But let’s be honest — five hours in a car round trip? Hard pass. We decided to overnight it instead, break up the sightseeing, and actually enjoy ourselves.
For this trip, we hired a private transfer through VietnamTransfers.vn (which we’d highly recommend) to take us from Đà Nẵng to Huế — and then back to Đà Nẵng the next day. It was the perfect setup. The car was clean and comfortable, the drivers were punctual and professional, and we didn’t have to worry about navigating mountain passes or coordinating buses. For a short overnight like this, it made everything easy — and as an added bonus, we could take as many pee breaks as we liked!
We left around 9:30 a.m., taking the scenic coastal route north. The drive alone is worth the trip — sweeping ocean views, misty mountains, and that feeling that you’re heading somewhere historic.
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What Is Huế?
Huế was the imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyễn Dynasty. It’s a city layered in history — royal tombs, ancient pagodas, a massive walled citadel, and the slow-moving Perfume River tying it all together. Compared to the beachy buzz of Đà Nẵng, Huế feels older, quieter, and more introspective.
Lunch at Nina’s Café: Bun Bo Hue & First Impressions
We arrived around noon — perfect timing for lunch at Nina’s Café, known for authentic Vietnamese cooking.
We ordered:
- Bún Bò Huế
- Lemongrass pork
- Claypot honey chicken
- Chicken fried rice
What Is Bún Bò Huế?
Bún Bò Huế is Huế’s signature noodle soup — and it’s very different from pho. It’s made with a rich, spicy beef broth flavored with lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste, thick round rice noodles, slices of beef, and often pork knuckle. It has depth, heat, and complexity.
It was good — solid, flavorful — but if we’re being fully honest? Not mind-blowing. Still, you have to try the local specialty when you’re in its hometown.
Dragon Boat to Thiên Mụ Pagoda
Next up: a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to Thiên Mụ Pagoda.
It actually worked out perfectly that the day was overcast. In full sun, that boat ride would have been scorching. Instead, it was breezy and peaceful.
About Thiên Mụ Pagoda
Built in 1601, Thiên Mụ is one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas. The seven-story Phước Duyên tower stands tall overlooking the river and has become a symbol of Huế itself.
The grounds were incredibly serene — manicured gardens, bonsai trees, monks moving quietly through the complex. After the busyness of travel days, it felt grounding.
Choosing Just One Tomb: Tomb of Khải Định
There are seven major imperial tombs scattered around Huế. Most tours hit the “top three,” but we opted to really explore just one.
After reading that Khải Định’s tomb was the most visually impressive, we chose that — and it absolutely did not disappoint.
Unlike the more traditional Vietnamese architecture of other tombs, Khải Định’s blends Eastern and Western influences. You climb a dramatic staircase flanked by stone mandarins and soldiers, leading to a dark, ornate interior exploding with glass and ceramic mosaics. The ceiling is painted like a swirling sky. It feels almost European-meets-Asian gothic — dramatic and intricate.
It was easily one of the most striking sites we’ve seen in Vietnam.
Dinner Like a Local (And 170,000 VND?!)
Our driver recommended a local favorite (the kind of place you’d never find on your own). They offered a fixed menu of seven popular dishes for 170,000 VND — which works out to roughly $9–10 CAD.
Seven dishes.
For ten dollars.
We sampled:
We sampled a mix of local specialties, including:
- Bánh bèo – soft steamed rice cakes topped with savory minced shrimp, crispy pork cracklings, and fragrant fried shallots, served with a signature fish sauce and fresh chili.
- Nem lụi – fresh grilled lemongrass pork skewers served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce so you can wrap everything together yourself.
- Bánh khoái Huế – a crispy golden pancake made from rice flour, filled with egg, pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and served with a rich peanut dipping sauce.
- Grilled meats, which paired perfectly with the fresh herbs and sauces.
Many of the dishes are served with rice paper, herbs, and dipping sauces, letting you build your own bite. It’s part of what makes central Vietnamese cuisine so fun to eat — every mouthful is a little different depending on how you wrap it.
This meal? Did not disappoint. It was one of our favorite food experiences in Huế.
Salt Coffee: My New Obsession
The next morning started with something I now crave daily — salt coffee, which originated in Huế.
Salt coffee (cà phê muối) combines strong Vietnamese coffee with a creamy, slightly salted foam layer on top. It sounds strange, but the salt enhances the sweetness and deepens the coffee flavor. It’s rich, smooth, and somehow both indulgent and refreshing.
If you’re in Huế, this is non-negotiable.
Exploring the Imperial City of Huế (In 31°C Heat)
Then it was time for the big one: the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial City is a massive walled fortress and palace complex where emperors ruled during the Nguyễn Dynasty. Inside, you’ll find:
- Ngọ Môn Gate (the grand main entrance)
- Thái Hòa Palace, where official ceremonies were held
- The remnants of the Forbidden Purple City
It was incredibly impressive — vast courtyards, restored wooden halls, intricate rooflines.
But it was also 31 degrees with zero wind.
We moved slowly, stuck to the shade when possible, and powered through with sheer determination (and water).
The Best Bánh Mì So Far
By lunch, we were craving something simple: bánh mì.
We searched for the highest-rated shop in Huế and — no exaggeration — it was the best bánh mì we’ve had in Vietnam so far. Banh Mi Ba Bu. Crisp baguette, perfectly balanced fillings, fresh herbs, just the right amount of sauce.
Our driver, however, insists it’s nothing compared to a famous shop in Hội An.
We’ve bookmarked it in Google Maps.
Stay tuned.
| The Syps Family Huế Tip Box 🛕 Book your Dragon Boat, Pagoda and Tomb tour here 🛕 Bring water and sunscreen to beat the heat 🛕 Eat local! We had the best Banh Mi here 🛕 Try the salt coffee – you won’t regret it 🛕 Pre-purchase your tickets for the Imperial Palace to skip the lines |
The Syps Survival Summary
Did we survive the heat in Huế? Yes. Barely.
Luckily:
- The dragon boat day was overcast
- We walked slowly
- We stayed in the shade as much as possible
- We drank an absurd amount of water
Huế is rich in history, architecture, and food culture — and it deserves more than a rushed day trip.
Would we recommend the overnight? Absolutely.