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All 60 Hue Attractions »

Hue Imperial City (The Citadel)

Hue, Vietnam
Ranked #4 of 24 attractions in Hue
4.0 of 5 stars 387 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: This former site of the old capitol has a moat and ten ornate gates guarding a palace, temples, gardens and tombs. Its most prominent feature is a...... more » Owner description: This former site of the old capitol has a moat and ten ornate gates guarding a palace, temples, gardens and tombs. Its most prominent feature is a tall flag tower. « less
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387 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    156
    48
    13
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Date Rating
Nha Trang
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 26, 2012 NEW

Loved the citadel although the tour guide was not very good. I suggest you go here on your own rather than with a tour. There is a video explaining the history and some written information which was much more informative than our tour guide More

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Adelaide, Australia
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 25, 2012 NEW

Great to see the museum and the lovely gardens with the Elephants wandering around. More

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See 3 more reviews by janineor for Hue
Bombala
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2012 NEW

We probably would have gotten more out of it if we had a guide, we attempted to tour this place on our own with the map, would suggest a guide though. Shame they don't have audio guides for hire and you could do it successfully yourself. It takes a long time, would suggest an umbrella and a hat as with... More

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See 2 more reviews by Lisa59Bombala for Hue
Vientiane, Laos
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

go on your own if you want to really appreciate this place. I spent 2 hours in there just wandering around, taking photos and savouring the atmosphere. You can hire a tour guide at the entrance if you wish and then spend time on your own afterwards looking around in depth More

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Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

This city goes on and on! So many things to see within the walls. Area near the entrance also serves as community gathering place for families. Kite and toy vendors, with families flying kites in the garden area. More

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See 4 more reviews by MeganLD for Hue
Perth, Australia
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

A visit to the Citadel is well worth the entrance fee but beware when paying. Entrance fee is 80,000 dong per person. My wife handed over 500,000 for the 2 of us. The money went straight under the table and then she was asked for a further 10,000. When receiving the change there was a 10,000dong note stuck between a... More

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See 2 more reviews by cooge53 for Hue
Sydney
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

Very impressive, reminscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Still being renovated after the war damage, but they are progressing well and still plenty to see, Allocate a couple of hours at least. More

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See 2 more reviews by John-in-Oz for Hue
Federal Way, Washington
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

Huge complex, very well preserved and being reconstructed after the long battle between US troops and Viet Cong in '68. So much to see it seems to go on and on. We did enjoy an elephant ride on the grounds. More

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See 4 more reviews by bezore for Hue
Hervey Bay, Australia
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 16, 2012

there has been so much damage to this site from the war that you need to use your imagination when looking around. there are still plenty of interesting buildings and it is worth the visit. i can imagine that it would have been very grand in its day. More

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See 8 more reviews by andrewjenny for Hue
Wiltshire
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 16, 2012

The Citadel is a must if you are going to Hue, but there isn't much else in the city to commend a visit. Best visit the Citadel on a drive through or stay one night only. The Pagoda on the river is excellent, but unless you really must, the royal tombs further up the river can be missed. A note... More

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