Hue

Almost directly in the centre of the country, Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam, and is best known for its high-walled imperial citadel. The old city functioned as the administrative capital for the Nguyen dynasty, and its dramatic buildings have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The high stone walls of the complex are surrounded by a moat and marked by bullet holes from the Vietnam War.

The city of Hue lies on the atmospheric Perfume River. In the autumn, flowers from orchards upriver would fall into the water, giving the river a fragrant perfume-like smell. Nowadays you are more likely to catch the smell off mouth-watering street food than orchard blossoms. Hue is one of the best cities in Vietnam to try local delicacies.