City, Vietnam
Hue
Former imperial capital with the Citadel, royal tombs and the country's most refined cuisine. Cheap, calm and walkable, but nightlife is quiet and Oct–Dec brings heavy rain.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$578–963Comfortable, one person · ₫15M–25MDetails
- Value for money97/100Better value than 96% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goFeb–MayWarmest: Jun, 33°CDetails
- Air quality13.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · ModerateDetails
- Internet301 MbpsFixed broadband, Vietnam medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$12–35Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGrabWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for local eateries, markets, cyclos, boats and Citadel ticket counters (some take cards).Details
Where to stay in Hue
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Pham Ngu Lao and Chu Van An (south bank) | Backpackers: hostels, cheap eats and bars near the river |
| Citadel area (north bank) | Quiet streets, heritage hotels and local food |
| Le Loi riverfront | Mid-range hotels with Perfume River views |
Apps that work in Hue
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| GrabFood | Covers the city center |
| ShopeeFood | Cheaper, mostly Vietnamese |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Zalo
- VeXeRe: Booking buses and sleeper coaches
- Taxis: Metered taxis from Mai Linh or Vinasun are fine. Agree xe om and cyclo prices before riding.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Vietnam.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels and bigger restaurants; cash for local eateries, markets, cyclos, boats and Citadel ticket counters (some take cards).
- Currency: Dong (VND). US$1 ≈ ₫25,953.96 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Foreign-card fees run roughly 20,000–110,000 VND per withdrawal and limits are low (often 2–5 million VND); compare banks.
- Tipping: Not expected; locals don't tip. Round up for drivers, and tip guides and spa staff for good service.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; VietQR needs a Vietnamese bank account or a linked regional banking app.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities need an e-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25/US$50, applied for online.
- Look-alike agency sites charge several times the official fee; use only the government .gov.vn e-visa portal.
- Airlines may refuse boarding without an onward ticket dated within your visa or visa-free period.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs with big data allowances; passport required. City shops are cheaper. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Vietnam
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.