Hue has a small airport served by only three airlines operating daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, however be aware that these flights are often disrupted during the rainy season (May – Oct). If you are coming from outside Vietnam you can either fly into Hue via either HCMC or Hanoi, or into Da Nang International airport which is a two hour drive away via the Hai Van tunnel. If you’re travelling from the North of Vietnam a great option is the daily sleeper train from Hanoi to Hue, there are also sleeper trains that carry on down to HCMC although this takes nearly 24 hours!

There are numerous cheap backpacker hostels and very reasonable mid-price hotels perfect for those on a budget, with majority centred around Pham Ngu Lao. A great mid-range option is Jade Hotel which offers all the modern amenities you’ll need at under $30 a room, and for a splurge the only hotel to consider is La Residence, located beside the river this hotel has been preserved as a UNESCO site.

The best and cheapest food in Hue is the street food, pull up a plastic chair and join the locals for some unbelievably delicious dishes – the Banh Khoai (pancake with beansprouts, prawns and chicken) is amazing! Outside of the street food you can try a range of Imperial cuisine at Tinh Gia Vien, the former residence of a princess.

There is not the most liveliest nightlife in Hue. Locals prefer to head out for a social coffee, and the local style iced with condensed milk is worth a try. In the evening head to Hangout bar for all you can drink draught beer or Garden River bar for cocktails beside the river.

The beautiful temples and pagodas dotted around Hue and the surrounding area are one of the main reasons people visit this Imperial city. Hire a driver to explore the tombs of the emperors around the outskirts of Hue. The tomb of Khai Dinh is particularly impressive, whilst Minh Mang is set within beautiful woodlands with a picturesque lake. Back in Hue visit the citadel and take a brightly coloured dragon boat to the Thien Mu pagoda at sunset.