In short
Huế was the capital of the Nguyễn emperors from 1802 to 1945. Its citadel and Purple Forbidden City, modelled on Beijing, are a World Heritage site along with the imperial tombs scattered along the Perfume River.
Huế cuisine is the most elaborate in the country: inherited from the imperial table, it comes as dozens of small dishes rather than portions.
What it really costs
Huế is markedly cheaper than Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Hội An, for a heritage denser than all three.
The imperial tombs each have their own ticket and are spread over fifteen kilometres. A combined ticket exists and pays for itself from the second site.
What nobody tells you
This is one of the rainiest cities in Vietnam, and the wet season from September to December is intense — flooding is regular.
The citadel was badly damaged in the 1968 battle and restoration is still under way. Part of the enclosure is open waste ground, which comes as a surprise.
The Hải Vân pass, between Huế and Đà Nẵng, is one of the finest road journeys in Asia. The train runs along the coast below it and costs a few euros.
