Ancient charm and eco-friendly attractions lure visitors to Hue

Ancient charm and eco-friendly attractions lure visitors to Hue

In the first half of 2025, the central city of Hue experienced a significant increase in tourism, with accommodation establishments serving an estimated 1.22 million visitors—a 26% rise compared to the same period in 2024 [1][2][4]. Overnight stays also increased by 30.3%, reaching over 1.04 million, while same-day visitors grew by 8.5% [1][2].

France, the US, and Germany remain Hue's most stable and significant international tourism markets [1][2]. The top 10 international markets for Hue in the first half of 2025 were:

| Rank | Country | Visitors (Approx.) | Notes | |-------|------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------| | 1 | France | Nearly 50,000 arrivals | Largest source, 14.5% of international visitors | | 2 | United States | Over 37,000 | Long-standing and stable market | | 3 | Germany | Over 28,000 | Long-standing and stable market | | 4 | United Kingdom | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 5 | Australia | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 6 | Taiwan (China) | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 7 | Italy | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 8 | Malaysia | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 9 | Thailand | Not specified | Included in top 10 | | 10 | Spain | Not specified | Included in top 10 |

Key tourism initiatives driving this growth include cultural and heritage events, thematic programs, green and community-based tourism, and smart, sustainable development.

Cultural and heritage events, such as the Visit Vietnam Year – Hue 2025, the Hue Festival, and the final round of Miss Vietnam 2025, have attracted a significant tourist influx [1][2]. Thematic programs, like the “Hue – Culinary Capital” programme, showcasing local gastronomy, traditional fashion (ao dai), and street art, add unique cultural value to tourism offerings [1].

Hue is developing heritage and green tourism, including eco-tourism, agri-tourism, and community-based eco-tours in potential local areas, aligning with sustainability goals [1][2]. The city is also hosting international forums such as the 14th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress, focusing on green, sustainable tourism and smart urban development, with participants from China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam [3]. Discussions emphasize reducing tourism’s environmental impact and adopting smart solutions in urban management.

The image of Hue as a "bicycle city" is becoming a distinctive hallmark. Efforts are being made to promote electric vehicles, bicycles, and cyclos for sightseeing, and Hue is actively working towards becoming a "bicycle city" [1][2]. Tourist attractions in Hue now include Phuoc Tich ancient village, traditional garden houses in Kim Long and Thuy Bieu villages, the Thanh Toan tiled bridge, and fishing villages around the Tam Giang - Ca Hai lagoon [1][2].

Visitors in Hue can participate in hands-on experiences like gardening, cooking traditional dishes, and joining the "Net Zero Day in Hue" tour. Hue is also offering eco-boat tours on the Huong River and leveraging various events such as the Visit Vietnam Year activities, the Hue Festival, the "Hue – Culinary Capital" programme, and the Mega Booming music event [1][2].

Hue is reinforcing its identity as a tranquil and experiential destination rich in cultural heritage, effectively contributing to the boost in tourism arrivals and overnight stays from 2024 to 2025 [1][2][3].

[1] Hue City Tourism Department. (2025). Hue Tourism Statistics for the First Half of 2025. [2] Hue City People's Committee. (2025). Hue City Tourism Development Report for the First Half of 2025. [3] East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress. (2025). Proceedings of the 14th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress.

1. The rise in tourism in Hue during the first half of 2025 was influenced by the city's focus on cultural and heritage events, such as the Visit Vietnam Year – Hue 2025, the Hue Festival, and the final round of Miss Vietnam 2025, which attracted a significant tourist influx.
2. In alignment with sustainability goals, Hue is developing heritage and green tourism, including eco-tourism, agri-tourism, and community-based eco-tours, showcasing local gastronomy, traditional fashion, and street art (like the “Hue – Culinary Capital” program).
3. The "bicycle city" image is becoming a hallmark of Hue, with efforts being made to promote electric vehicles, bicycles, and cyclos for sightseeing, as well as offering eco-boat tours on the Huong River and hands-on experiences like gardening, cooking traditional dishes, and participating in the "Net Zero Day in Hue" tour.
4. With its emphasis on reduction of environmental impact and smart solutions in urban management, the 14th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress, hosted in Hue, focused on green, sustainable tourism and smart urban development.

Read also: