Hue nightlife — Top 8 things to do in Hue, Vietnam at night

Hue is well known as a historic citadel, but now Hue city has become a mix of the new and the old, that make it a tranquil but also a great city of nightlife at the same time. Here are top 8 what to do in Hue at night that you should not be missed when spending a night in Hue, Vietnam.

1. Listening to Hue folk songs on the Perfume River

Listening to Hue folk songs on the Perfume River is a unique form of art activity of the locals, which has been preserved and developed over hundreds of years.

Therefore, once coming to Hue, everyone is so excited to be in a dragon boat cruise and listen to the Hue folk songs on the charming Huong River. You can feel the soul of Hue hidden deep in this delicate art play.

Top tips

Tickets for Hue folk songs on the Perfume River: 100,000 VND per Vietnamese and 150,000 VND per foreigner.

Not only in the evening, the services of dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River is also easily found at daytime, you can visit the famous attractions along the river.

The prices vary depending on the travel company you choose and the number of guests.

What to eat?

Some restaurants on the Huong River: Huong River Restaurant (3/2 Le Loi Park), Old Town Restaurant (Nguyen Dinh Chieu), Hoa Vien Restaurant (4A Vo Thi Sau), Dao Nguyen (11 Le Loi).

2. Visiting Hue Citadel at night – experience shimmering and mysterious beauty of Hue

Have you ever think of visiting Hue Citadel at night? a really unique thing to do. Let try it, I bet you will get an incredible feeling that can’t be found else where.

The points that are opened at night from the Ngo Mon Gate to Thai Hoa Palace include The Mieu Temple – Dien Tho Palace – Truong Sanh Palace – Tu Phuong Vo Su – Hoa Binh Door. Along with the opening at night, beholding the Citadel at night is so mysterious that is completely different from the day.

In addition, many new services are introduced to visitors, such as: “Hue Citadel Night” with royal cultural activities on Doan Thi Diem Street; An Dinh Palace; Hien Lam Cac (The Citadel) has an interpretation center for royal worship …

Top tips

The opening of the Hue Citadel at night officially began in the second quarter of 2017, the opening time is from 18h30 to 22h daily, the fare is the same with the entrance fare at daytime.

What to eat?

Huong Sen (Nguyen Trai Street), Les Jardins de la Carambole CIUDADELA (Dang Tran Con Street), Hong Mai Cake (65 Nguyen Bieu Street), Phi Yen (40 Le Thanh Ton Street), Di Nhien Ta That (Nguyen Thien Thuat Street).

3. Walking on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street – an attractive spot to have fun, shopping and street food at night

Located right in the heart of Hue city, on the poetic Perfume River alongside the shimmering Trang Tien Bridge at night, Nguyen Dinh Chieu walking street is an ideal place for sightseeing, walking, shopping or enjoying countless Hue specialties.

The walking street consists of 11 house blocks for business units and traders selling souvenirs and specialties of Hue. In addition, there are many young people who hold art plays, acoustic shows, flashmob dances, street paintings … attract many young people as well as tourists, making the street a great spot to gather and have fun at night.

What to eat?

At the end of the pedestrian street, you will find many stalls with all kind of Hue specialties: duck cakes, powdered rice, mussel rice, many kinds of Hue sweet soup,…

4. XQ Co Do Gallery – A soul of Vietnam embroidery

XQ Co Do is located at 49 Le Loi Street. Once coming here, you will be enchanted by the impressive space. XQ embroidery is a combination of the characteristics of graphic arts with traditional embroidery techniques of Vietnam, bringing traditional themes to replace the Chinese embroidery that often seen in centuries ago.

This is the idea of a couple of artists, (Vo Van Quan and Hoang Le Xuan), with the aim at finding new directions for traditional embroidery and save it at the risk of gradually lost. This is also a very meaningful gift for visitors when landing in Hue.

Must see

After visiting the gallery, you can visit and order a dress at the clothing store nearby. It only takes one day, then you will have an “ao dai” full of Hue soul.

What to eat?

Huong Hue (11 Pho Duc Chinh), Little Italy Restaurant (10 Nguyen Thai Hoc), Golden Rice Restaurant (40 Pham Ngu Lao), Che Hem (17 Hung Vuong).

5. Getting around Hue by cyclo – experience a part of Hue’s culture

A mean of transport that many tourists love to try in Hue, and that is cyclo. Watching streets, citadels, the river, s and the quiet gardens at night on a cyclo is definitely a must-do. Especially, the light illuminates the leaves and create white spots shimmering on the streets, making the streets fairytale- like places.

Top tips

You can stop by the place you like to take a photo or drink a cup of tea. And cyclo drivers in Hue are just like true tour guides. They speak English, some even know French, and they know so much about the history of the temples. They even know how to recite poetry. So do not miss the opportunity to chat with cyclo drivers to hear the extremely interesting
story.

What to eat?

Ba Do Restaurant (8 Nguyen Binh Khiem), Hang Me (12 and 16 Vo Thi Sau), Nam Pho Restaurant (54 Nguyen Cong Tru Street), Ba Phung (5 Nguyen Du), Hue Imperial sweet soup (31 Nguyen Hue).

6. Sipping a cup of coffee while beholding the Perfume River

Hue is home to many stunning cafes with charming scenery, flavored coffee. Spend time in a quiet cafe to see Hue when the lights are up is a can’t miss activity that helps you feel the peace of Hue.

Top tips

Many cafés in the city center have a “view” overlooking the beautiful Perfume River, including: Coffee Shop on the 16th floor of the Imperial Hotel (8 Hung Vuong), Sky Café at the Midtown Hotel, Co Huong Coffee (2 Tran Hung Dao), Black And White Café (17 Le Loi), Song Trang Coffee (8/27 Nguyen Sinh Cung), Vi Da Xua Coffee (131 Nguyen Sinh Cung)

What to eat?

At the cafeteria, there is a variety of beverages including coffee, fruit juice, soft drinks, ice cream … for you to choose.

7. Pham Ngu Lao Street – The vibrant space between the peaceful city

Pham Ngu Lao west street is located on the south bank of Huong River, no one in Hue remembers clearly when the street is formed. The street is not large and consists of ancient houses interspersed with new tube houses.

Top tips

Along the street is souvenir shops that sell traditional items, restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and tourist offices. The town is most crowded when night falls. Today, the city has expanded to nearby roads such as Chu Van An, Le Loi, Vo Thi Sau.

Must see

Located in the middle of the West Street, there is a place of group of Hue folk songs, at the house of writer Buu Y (9 Pham Ngu Lao) on Saturday. This place regularly welcomes many visitors who come to watch and learn the Hue folk songs.

What to eat?

Missy Roo Restaurant (11 Pham Ngu Lao), Golden Riec Restaurant (40 Pham Ngu Lao), La Carambole (19 Pham Ngu Lao), Gecko Pub (9 Pham Ngu Lao), T’House Coffee Kangaroo Hue Restaurant & Cooking Class (31 Vo Thi Sau) …

8. Go to bars – Immerse yourself in the vibrant music

If you want to find the vibrant spot in the middle of Hue, perhaps the bars are the ideal destination. You will have wonderful hours with friends, and a really interesting night that you can’t imagine.

Top tips

Some favorite bars are Cherish Hotel (59 Ben Nghe), DMZ bar (60 Le Loi), Brown Eyes bar (56 Chu Van An) Whyy Bar & Restaurant (26 Pham Ngu Lao), Cococlub (53 Ham Nghi), Le’s Garden Bar (14 Pham Ngu Lao), Hangout Coffee and Bar (48 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street) ) …

What to eat?

Beverages at the bars are various with wines, beers, cocktails, mocktail … and your task is to choose your favorite one.

See more Hue travel guide at here.