Hue

Hue is one of Vietnam’s major cities located in the central region which is rich in the country’s monarchial history and was the capital until 1945. It’s a photogenic destination with amazing local cuisine with people who are devoid of big-city trappings. The weather isn’t always pleasant with either its perpetual rains or its unbearable heat but if you make the journey (most scenic by train from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City), you’ll be rewarded as most tourists tend to overlook the former capital.

Its ancient history is one for the movies where Hue was gifted to the Vietnamese King in 1306 as a wedding gift to marry the princess. The city is intimately connected to the imperial Nguyen Dynasty but the last king abdicated in favor of Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary government. Ho Chi Minh and his generals spent time in this city and their rivals, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his family hail from Hue adding to its historical depth.

Hue is very easy to navigate, which you can do on two feet or two wheels and the main landmark is the Perfume River with the north side is the old city and the Imperial Citadel while to the south is the newer city housing mist of the hotels and restaurants. So do check out the Imperial Citadel, the Tombs of the Emperors, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Thanh Toan Bridge. Dong Ba Market is its local market which one should visit and food lovers must try their specialty, Bun Bo Hue (Anthony Bourdain tried it here as well) and experience their amazing coffee culture which runs through their veins and is an integral part of locals’ lives.