Vietnam: Huế

Coming: Fly in from Saigon or Hanoi, take the bus from Hoi An if you’re coming from the south or down from Da Nang, Phong Nha or Hanoi if you’re coming from the north. If you’re coming from the south there is also the option to take a motorcycle tour from Hoi An. Many people who do not want to commit to buying bikes and biking through the whole country can take a tour from Hoi An. Once here, you should be able to get everywhere you want to go on foot. 

Sleeping: Casablanca Hotel Hue – open rooms with real beds and clean. Great location with everything walkable. If you’re looking to meet people, not the place to do so, but everything else was nice. 

Overall: 7/10       Price: $6 for a 6 bed dorm      Average price for the city  

Eating: Due to the fact that Hue was once the home to the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, the cuisine here is a little more refined than what you’ll traditionally find throughout the rest of Vietnam. It is more about presentation than anything, so they’re smaller portions in more courses. 

Doing: Visit the Imperial Citadel and the tombs of the emperors

Imperial Citadel: Spend a few hours exploring the former imperial seat of government. Much of it was destroyed during the war and it is still undergoing heavy reconstruction, but is the main attraction of the town and an impressive gated complex complete with a moat, temples and pavilions etc. 

Cost: 150,000 VND

Tombs of the Emperors: located a little south of the city, you can go by bike, taxi or by boat along the river. Full tours last the day and usually include lunch. 

Cost: 200,000 VND + transportation

Staying: A day and a half -two days is enough 

Going: Head north via bus to Phong Nha or Hanoi or south to Hoi An via bus or bike!