Hue was the capital of the last imperial dynasty. Until 1945, the Nguyen emperors made Hue a cultural center, loaded with cultural heritage and nowadays a symbol of feudal Vietnam. When tourism really started in Vietnam, during the late 1990s, Hue became naturally a major place to visit for its architectural features and historical past. But the development of other destinations throughout the country slackened tourism in Hue. Old stones of Hue are challenged by huge caves in Phong Nha, beautiful town and beach in Hoi An, cultural immersion and lush nature in the North, etc. The average time travelers spend in Vietnam getting shorter, they have to make choices, or let’s say sacrifices, and Hue is often squeezed on the altar of Chronos.

 

A limited tourism offer? Really?

 

As travel consultants, we saw the phenomenon rising. Hue was getting old-fashioned. The culture of the old lady could no longer compete with the charms of her young challengers. Historical tourism in general lost in speed. People travel to get sensations rather than to hear a comprehensive lesson about the life of the emperor and his Mandarins. There is nothing wrong with that. Cultural heritage tourism is slowing down so Hue is losing its popularity. And everybody is accepting it, without trying to dig a little deeper. Well, the problem is here. Hue’s cultural heritage is so important and so rich, that it remained the single and only tourism asset perceived by tour operators, magazines, guide books and so indirectly by travelers. The tourism of Hue is far from being limited, it is our vision of tourism there that is limited. Let’s open new perspectives.

 

Pioneer a new travel era in Hue.

Giving up on Hue is not an option. Keeping old tours focusing on the monuments of the cultural heritage will remain useless as nobody is excited about this travel style anymore. There is only one possibility, explore Hue further, expand our travel perspectives there, and try to offer something new. And for anyone doing the effort, what is to be found in and around Hue is way beyond any traveler’s expectations.

The region has such a wide potential. It is now time to unleash this potential and to use it in order to promote the region again and offer at the same time a new lease of life to Hue heritage. To sum up and tell you why you must go to Hue [or even go again] on your next trip to Vietnam: Hue has very lively countryside about 2-km from the city center; Hue has plenty of handicraft villages around; Hue is 13-km away from the long and beautiful sandy beach; 30-km from the biggest coastal lagoon of the country; 70-km from huge forested mountains inhabited by ethnic minorities; 30-km from the ziplines and hot springs of Thanh Tan; 50-km from Bach Ma national park; Hue has one of the best cuisines in the country… Hue is close to such a diversity of sites and attractions. Any traveler would find some interest in staying a few nights there.

 

We are at the very beginning of this new era, and all of these are still considered off-the-beaten-paths. Seize the opportunity to be one of the first to experience Hue beyond its clichés. Hurry up, we would not be surprised if, in 5 years, Hue has become a major tourism destination in Vietnam again.

 

Check out some of our innovative tours in Hue.

Take a rickshaw ride to explore the different facets of Hue’s cuisine with our brand new food tour in Hue.

Visit and meet different people who make today’s cultural diversity of Hue.

Cycle to the rural side of the town and venture on the biggest coastal lagoon of Vietnam.

Get higher to enjoy splendid panoramas and a nice trekking route at Bach Ma national park.

 

And for any further information or to customize a tour, drop us an email at info@handspan.com