Overview
When people think of Hue, they often imagine imperial palaces, royal tombs, and the gentle flow of the Perfume River. While these iconic landmarks are essential, Hue also hides a collection of lesser-known, unusual experiences that reveal the city’s deeper layers of history, culture, and nature. From forgotten royal arenas and vibrant craft villages to serene lagoons and underground wartime legacies, Hue rewards travelers who venture beyond the usual itinerary.
This travel guide from Hue Top Tours explores unusual things to do in Hue, divided into Cultural & Historical Discoveries and Natural Escapes, offering highlights, locations, and what you can experience at each site.
Cultural & Historical Experiences in Hue
Hue Tiger Arena (Hổ Quyền) – A Forgotten Royal Battlefield
Location: Thuy Bieu Ward, about 5 km southwest of Hue city center
Highlight Description:
The Hue Tiger Arena (Hổ Quyền) is one of the most unusual historical sites in Vietnam. Built in 1830 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty, this arena was once used for ceremonial fights between tigers and elephants, staged for the royal court and nobility.
Unlike Roman-style entertainment, these events symbolized royal power, bravery, and moral order, as elephants, symbols of the monarchy, were always protected from harm.
Nowadays, the stone arena stands in quiet ruin, weathered by time and largely untouched by mass tourism. Its raw, solemn atmosphere offers a stark contrast to the ornate imperial palaces.
What to Do There:
- Walk around the circular stone structure to understand its unique design
- Learn about royal rituals and the symbolism of animals in Nguyen-era culture
- Combine the visit with the nearby Long Chau Temple, dedicated to fallen elephants
- Ideal for history lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path sites
Thuy Xuan Incense Village – Colors, Scents, and Living Tradition
Location: Thuy Xuan Ward, near Tu Duc Tomb, about 7 km from Hue city
Highlight Description:
Thuy Xuan Incense Village is a centuries-old craft village where traditional incense-making continues as a daily livelihood.
Unlike museums, this village is alive and working, filled with vibrant bundles of red, pink, purple, and yellow incense sticks drying under the sun. The gentle scent of herbs and cinnamon fills the air, creating a calm and sensory-rich experience.
What to Do There:
- Observe local families making incense by hand.
- Learn about natural ingredients used in traditional incense.
- Take striking photos of colorful incense displays.
- Support local artisans by purchasing handmade incense.
- You can also experience and learn how to make long-stick incense with the locals.
Khai Dinh Tomb – A Bold Break from Tradition
Location: Chau Chu Mountain, Thuy Bang Commune, about 10 km from Hue.
Highlight Description:
Khai Dinh Tomb is one of the most architecturally unusual royal tombs in Hue. Built in the early 20th century, it blends Vietnamese, French, Gothic, and Eastern influences, making it dramatically different from the natural harmony seen in earlier Nguyen tombs.
Dark stone, steep stairways, and richly decorated interiors reflect both imperial authority and the changing era under French colonial rule.
Recommended Tour: Hue Royal Tombs Tour – Journey Through Imperial Heritage – 70 USD/pax
What to Do There:
- Admire the intricate mosaics made from porcelain and glass
- Learn about Emperor Khai Dinh and the final phase of the Nguyen Dynasty
- Enjoy panoramic views from the upper platform
- Compare its design with older tombs like Tu Duc or Minh Mang
- Admire the unique ceiling painting made by the talented artist “Phan Van Tánh”.
An Bang Cemetery – The “City of Ghosts”
Location: An Bang Village, Phu Vang District, about 35 km from Hue
Highlight Description:
An Bang Cemetery is often called the “City of Ghosts” due to its vast collection of elaborate, palace-like tombs. Built with strong influences from Vietnamese spiritual beliefs, ancestor worship, and overseas remittances, these graves reflect the deep connection between the living and the dead in local culture.
Despite its nickname, the cemetery is not frightening; it is visually striking and culturally meaningful.
Recommended Service: Hue To Hoi An Via City Of Ghosts Private Transfer – 91 USD/sedan
What to Do There:
- Walk through the cemetery to observe diverse tomb designs
- Learn about Vietnamese beliefs surrounding ancestors and the afterlife
- Take respectful photographs, especially during sunset
- Gain insight into rural coastal life and migration history
Nature & Scenic Escapes in Hue
Bach Ma National Park – Untamed Nature and Cool Mountain Air.
Location: About 40 km south of Hue city
Highlight Description:
Bach Ma National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, known for its cool climate, dense forests, waterfalls, and panoramic mountain views.
Once a French hill station, Bach Ma remains largely untouched, making it ideal for travelers seeking nature, adventure, and fresh air away from the city.
What to Do There:
- Hike to Do Quyen Waterfall and scenic viewpoints
- Explore Forest 5 lake trails and spot rare wildlife and birds
- Enjoy cooler temperatures compared to Hue city
- Perfect for nature lovers and eco-travelers
Chuon Lagoon – A Glimpse of Lagoon Life.
Location: Phu An Commune, about 15 km from Hue
Highlight Description:
Chuon Lagoon is part of the Tam Giang lagoon system, the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia. Known for its floating huts and peaceful atmosphere, it offers a rare look into the daily life of lagoon fishermen.
Sunrise and sunset here are particularly stunning, with reflections dancing across calm waters.
Recommended Tour:
- Sunrise On Tam Giang Lagoon Private Tour – 21 USD/pax
- Sunset On Tam Giang Lagoon Private Tour – 21 USD/pax
What to Do There:
- Visit a floating seafood hut and enjoy fresh local dishes
- Watch fishermen at work using traditional methods
- Take fabulous photos and admire the lagoon’s beauty at sunrise or sunset
- Experience authentic rural life by joining local fishermen and learning traditional fish-catching methods using nets and small fishing boats.
Vong Canh Hill – The Best Natural Viewpoint in Hue.
Location: Near the Perfume River, about 7 km from Hue city
Highlight Description:
Vong Canh Hill is a quiet hilltop overlooking the Perfume River, royal tombs, and the surrounding countryside. Once reserved for emperors seeking peace and reflection, it remains one of the most scenic yet under-visited viewpoints in Hue.
What to Do There:
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Perfume River
- Visit at sunset for soft, golden light
- Combine with a motorbike or cycling trip
- Ideal for quiet moments and photography
Thanh Toan Tile-Roofed Bridge – Rural Charm and Community Life
Location: Thuy Thanh Village, about 8 km from Hue
Highlight Description:
Thanh Toan Bridge is a beautifully preserved wooden bridge with a tiled roof, similar in style to the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, but set in a peaceful rural village.
Built over 200 years ago, it reflects traditional Vietnamese architecture and community values.
Recommended Tour: Hue Cycling Tour To Thanh Toan Bridge – 32 USD/pax
What to Do There:
- Walk across the bridge and admire its craftsmanship
- Visit the nearby local market in the morning
- Learn about village life and agricultural traditions
- Enjoy a calm escape from the city center.
Discovering a Deeper Hue with unusual things to do in Hue
Exploring these unusual things to do in Hue allows travelers to move beyond monuments and into the heart of the region’s culture, history, and landscape. From royal arenas and incense villages to lagoons and mountain forests, Hue reveals itself slowly, quietly, profoundly, and is unforgettable for those willing to look deeper.