Thua Thien Hue Vietnam

Want to cycle around Hue Vietnam? Need some advice to know where to go? What are the best bicycle routes in Hue? Looking for bike rentals in Hue? We have done the hard work for you. Keep reading to discover all about cycling in Thua Thien Hue Vietnam.

Thua Thien Hue might be one of best places for cycling in Vietnam. The province offers easy, fun bike ride as cycling is flat, and mostly on the back roads, countryside, less busy traffic roads.

The province share its border with Quang Tri Province to the north, Da Nang city to the south, and Quang Nam province to the south-west. Thua Thien Hue province leans up against the Truong Son mountain range and is washed by the East Sea.

Hue is the provincial capital of Thua Thien Hue province. It is one of places which have many cultural relics. Up to now, there is no place like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City.

On the northern bank of Perfume River has relics consisting of palaces, which were constructed as arc defensive ramparts with 11km length. This valuable construction includes more than 100 architectural works which were extremely reflected the life of Emperors and mandarins under reign of the Nguyen.

Situated in the middle of hills on the southern bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Kings Nguyen. Among these tombs are the four famous ones with the name and the arrangements of the tomb reflected each Emperor’s points of view, personality and tastes. This is majestic Gia Long Tomb, imposing Minh Mang Tomb, poetic Tu Duc Tomb and magnificent Khai Dinh Tomb.

Hue city is also an important center of Buddhism in Vietnam. In Hue and its surrounding still exist tens of pagodas constructed more 300 years ago, and a hundred of temples and pagodas built in the early century. Besides, Hue is a place where the royal music is originated, and a place with traditional famous dishes and sophisticated handicraft.

As a unique city of Vietnam still remains its form of City under Middle Age and the constructions of monarchic, Hue has become a big and invaluable museum. Therefore, vestiges in Hue ancient capital have been classified by the government as a very precious property and on December 1993 Hue has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Cycling in Hue is a great way to see the beautiful countryside of the central region Vietnam, as well as rural Hue village life from up close. Biking on the back roads, through countryside lanes while greeting local farmers and school kids as you pass by, all add to an immersive experience!

Hue map

How to get to Hue Vietnam?

By plane

Hue’s international Phu Bai airport fields daily flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, but flights are quite often disrupted by poor weather during the rainy season (Mid October – Mid December). Three airlines fly to “Phu Bai” airport: Vietnam Airlines, JetStar Pacific and Vietjet. The airport is 15 kilometers away from the city center.

Da Nang’s airport, only two hours away by car now that the Hai Van Tunnel is open, is busier, and has more connections. If you travel in a big group, booking a private car will save.

By train

Several trains a day to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang (4 hours) etc. The journey down south through Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass is particularly scenic.

By bus

Open bus from Hue to Hoian running by a local tour operator in Hue city. Public buses from all the bigger cities (including frequent services to Hanoi and Saigon) connect to the main bus stations. Most open tour buses include Hue in their itinerary, connecting to Hoi An or Da Nang to the south (4-6 hours) and Hanoi to the north (13-16 hours).

By car

The advantage of booking a private transfer is that you can stop on the way in some tourist attractions such as Marble Mountain, Cham Museum, Lang Co Beach, The Cloudy Pass before being dropped in Hue.

What is the best way to get to Hue from Hoian?

For classic tour, booking a private car with driver is the best way to get to Hue from Hoian. The car takes you on serpentine roads zigzagging through mountains, leaving behind a beautiful coastline. You can tackle this on a bike to spice up your Vietnam holidays. We at VietnamCycling.com offers a day tour cycling from Hoian to Hue.

When to go cycling in Hue?

Hue weather enjoys hot and humid seasons throughout the year, but it’s known to be hotter than most cities during the summer months due to its location in Central Vietnam and the hot south-westerly wind from Laos. The dry season lasts between March and August, followed by cooler (and rainy) weather from September to February.

The hottest months are May and August, when it can get as high as 40°C during the day. Hue is also typically crowded with local travelers during this period, resulting in limited and more expensive accommodation.

Thua Thien Hue in March, April, and May

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 95.5°F (35.3°C) and 79.1°F (26.2°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 4 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time taking a multi-day cycling tour in Hue.

Thua Thien Hue in June, July, and August

The middle-year months have hot weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see moderate precipitation with 4 to 7 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the slowest season for tourism in Hue, so lodging and other accommodations may cost less than usual. We recommend Hue cycling day tour during these months.

Thua Thien Hue in September, October, and November

Fall daily highs range from 92.7°F (33.7°C) and 80°F (26.7°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a great amount: 12 to 16 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced. It is a good time for taking a Hue biking tour.

Thua Thien Hue in December, January, and February

Weather is perfect this time of year in Hue to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 82.2°F (27.9°C) and 70.8°F (21.6°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 14 times per month. These times of year are the best months for Hue cycle tour. Therefore try to not plan your upcoming trip to Hue during the Lunar New Year when most of Hue tourist attractions are closed.

What is the best time to cycle in Hue Vietnam?

The best time to cycle in Hue is between January and April, with temperatures averaging between 20°C and 24°C. Rainfall is common but often comes in light drizzle during the day. During this time of year you can still comfortably explore Hue’s historical sites and temples by bicycle.

Annual festivities are also celebrated at this time of the year, such as Tet (typically falls between January and February) and the Hue Festival (April). Visitors can enjoy cultural shows, vibrant markets, traditional music performances, re-enactment of royal ceremonies, and seasonal regional dishes.

What to explore on your Hue bicycle tour?

Hue Imperial Citadel

Hue imperial citadel is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history. Thanks to its size, it is also delightfully peaceful – a rare commodity in Vietnam.

The citadel was badly knocked about during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls, and an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact, though, and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go. Allow several hours to see it properly.

Tombs of the Emperors

Hue other great attractions are the Tombs of the Emperors, which are located along the Perfume River south of the city. The royal tombs are easily reached by bicycle, although there is a shortage of good maps of how to reach them. This is probably the most enjoyable (if you enjoy cycling) way to reach the tombs.

The tombs mostly date from the late 19th or early 20th centuries, when the Emperors had been reduced to figureheads under French colonial rule and had little else to do than build themselves elaborate tombs. The finest of them are the Tomb of Tu Duc, the Tomb of Minh Mang and the Tomb of Khai Dinh, all of which are excellent examples of Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetics and architecture. The older ones have been allowed to crumble into picturesque semi-ruin, although some are now being restored.

Thien Mu pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda is perched on a bluff over the river and housing some very fine gold and silver Buddha images. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is the official symbol of the city of Hue. Thien Mu means “elderly celestial woman”, and refers to an old legend about the founding of the pagoda. Brimming with opportunities for great photos.

Thanh Toan bridge

Thanh Toan Bridge is situated a few kilometers out of the city is this beautiful wooden footbridge. It is a great place to observe rural life, and is often full of locals escaping the sun. While it might not be worth the trip on its own, it’s definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.

Hue cycling routes

Hue City has plenty of cycling routes and beautiful places that you can explore by bicycle. Taking a bike tour in Hue is extremely enjoyable because most of its streets are peaceful with shadow trees at both sides.

You can ride a bike to Thuan an beach, an ideal beach for swimming and sunbathing, to Tam Giang lagoon for making fishing and experience local life, to the Citadel, tombs, pagodas for exploring majesty architecture of King dynasty, to ancient Nguyet Bieu village for looking at paddy fields, old houses, fruit gardens, local crafts.

Hue bike map: one way ride from Hue city to Thuy Bieu village

Bike map: one way cycle from Hue city to Phong Nha national park

Cycling route: Hue city – Tam Giang lagoon

Cycle route: Hue city – Hoian ancient town

Bicycle route map: Hue – Thuan An beach

Read more

• Hue Photos: Citadel, Tomb, Beach, Countryside Village
• Hue Bike Tours
• Hue Bicycle Tour 1 Day
• Vietnam 17 Days Tour – North to South
• Vietnam 11 Days Tour – North to South

Hue cycling tours

There are many bike tours in Hue organized up mountain (Hue mountain biking) or down countryside (Hue countryside cycle) that are suitable for young people who are eager to explore and experience rural file with local people.

Here we’ve compiled all of the popular cycling spots in and around Hue, covered by our great selection of exciting Hue bicycle tours. Terrain and highlights vary: from biking at a leisurely pace through countryside villages in suburban Hue, to riding over undulating topography of hillside neighborhoods, all of which reward you with breathtaking vistas usually inaccessible by car.

Read more: Hue tours

Where to rent a bike in Hue?

Looking for bike rental in Hue for your upcoming self-guided tour? Are there any bike shops in Hue? Keep reading to find the best bike shops around Hue Vietnam.

There are several bike shops and garages in Hue where you can rent a bike. Most of bike shops have single speed bicycles to rent out at affordable rates (3-5 USD per day). You can also arrange the bicycle rental with local travel agencies and hotels. It is best to travel around the urban area with a bicycle, but visiting the tombs from there is a doable exercise. We recommend hybrid bicycles with 24 speed gear at the rental price of about 10-15 USD per day.

Remember to lock your bicycle if you stop for anything. There are many parking lots near the sights and tombs. And along the way, you should visit some local food stores and coffee shops for amazing treats of Hue cuisine.

Additional questions about cycling in Hue?

Do you have any questions about bicycle touring in Hue that you want to ask us? Is there anything you think I should discuss about cycling around Hue that we left out… that we should include in future updates to this article?

Leave a comment with your questions and we’ll write you back with a response just as soon as we possibly can.