Is Hue Worth Visiting? Why It Flies Under the Radar?
While travelers flock to the beaches of Da Nang and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, Huế remains wonderfully overlooked. This city is the perfect hide-out. It’s calm and quiet. And that’s precisely its charm. The city moves at a different pace. You won’t find the party hostels or packed beach clubs that define other Vietnamese destinations. What you will find is authenticity, history, and a café culture that has quietly evolved into something extraordinary. In Hue, the spots to visit are spaced far apart from each other. Unlike the compact old town of Hoi An where you can walk/cycle everywhere, or the concentrated beach strip of Da Nang, Huế sprawls across both sides of the Perfume River.
The Imperial Citadel sits on the north bank. The royal tombs scatter along the river valley, some 5-10 kilometers outside the city center. The best cafés dot various neighborhoods across town. This means you’ll need to plan your days more strategically—rent a motorbike, use Grab, or join tours to connect the dots between experiences.
But this spacing isn’t a flaw; it’s part of Huế’s character. The journey between destinations becomes part of the experience, offering glimpses of local life, riverside scenery, and quiet streets that more compact tourist cities have lost.
Top 7 Coffee Shops & Bakery in Huế:
Where Art Meets Vietnamese Coffee Culture
Coffee shops in Huế are not just places to drink coffee, they are artistic spaces where the charm of a quieter city meets modern design. With tasteful interiors, beautiful lighting, and ambiance designed with intention, these cafés offer more than just caffeine; they provide an experience.
Here are the top 5 coffee shops you absolutely must visit in Huế. (Updated 2025)
1. tan.cafe: The Crown Jewel of Huế’s Coffee Scene
tan.cafe has become a phenomenon among young locals, and for good reason. This coffee brand has captured hearts with its meticulous attention to detail and stunning aesthetics.
The Citadel Location
• tan.cafe 86 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Huế is their most popular spot. Located just a block east of the Imperial Palace inside the Citadel, this spacious café can still be packed during peak hours—you might even have to wait to get in.
The Quieter Alternative
• tan.cafe 25 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai offers a more relaxed atmosphere. This two-story location is just as charming as the first but less crowded, situated about 1.5km from the Hương River. It’s perfect for those seeking a more peaceful coffee experience.
The Đà Nẵng Stunner
• tan.cafe 10 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Đà Nẵng is their newest location, and this time, the tan crew made it to Da Nang City and they’ve truly outdone themselves.
Beyond the coffee, tan.cafe offers a thoughtfully curated merchandise collection including water bottles, t-shirts, tote bags, scented candles, and traditional phin filters… Visit any location to understand the hype among Vietnam’s young coffee enthusiasts.
2. Trons Studio: The Hidden Creative Haven
Located at Nhà số 5 Kiệt 21 Lê Quý Đôn,
This unique venue transforms as the day fades, offering two completely different vibes under one roof:
- Espresso Bar (07:00 – 17:30)
- Cocktail Bar (18:00 – 00:00)
3. Cà Phê Đề Pô: Coffee Shop with a View
Address: Tầng 2 chợ Đông Ba (2nd Floor, Đông Ba Market)
Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Cà Phê Đề Pô offers something special. Perched on the second floor of the historic Đông Ba Market, this café combines traditional Vietnamese coffee culture with a unique vantage point overlooking the bustling market below. The early opening hours make it perfect for catching the morning energy of Huế.
4. Cà Phê Giao
Address: 118 Chi Lăng
Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Cà Phê Giao represents the neighborhood coffee shop done right. Located on Chi Lăng street, this café has earned its place in the hearts of locals with consistent quality and welcoming ambiance. The long operating hours accommodate both early risers and evening coffee lovers.
5. Cà Phê Chiều: Afternoon Serenity
Address: 44 Đặng Thái Thân
Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
True to its name (“Chiều” means afternoon in Vietnamese), Cà Phê Chiều offers the perfect setting to slow down and savor the moment. Located on Đặng Thái Thân street, this café captures the essence of Huế’s gentler pace of life, making it ideal for afternoon coffee wind-downs.
6. T Roaster
📍7 Sư Vạn Hạnh, Hương Long, Huế
The industrial-meets-rustic space, complete with concrete walls, wooden seating, and greenery framed against farmland views, creates an atmosphere that’s both Instagram-worthy and genuinely calming. Beyond the excellent espresso drinks and Vietnamese coffee classics, you can grab bags of their freshly roasted beans to take the T-Roaster experience home with you.
7. Lòbánh
With five convenient locations scattered across the city, Lò Bánh makes it easy to grab fresh baked goods no matter where your adventure begins:
Perfect for early morning pick-ups before heading out to the tombs, or a quick snack stop between the Citadel and your next café destination.
📍Lò – 75 Nhật Lệ, Huế
📍Lò – 94 Trường Chinh, Huế
📍Lò – 614 Lê Duẩn, Huế
📍Lò – 118 Phan Chu Trinh, Huế
📍Lò – 45 Lê Lợi, Huế
Tranh làng Sình – nghệ nhân Kỳ Hữu Phước
Google Maps: https://share.google/uGUijVUql4tglRuSX
Tucked away about 7-9 kilometers from Huế’s center, across rice fields and winding village roads right next to the river, lies Sinh Village—a place where a 400-year-old folk painting tradition quietly persists.
A Living Tradition
According to local artisan Kỳ Hữu Phước, folk paintings have been created in Sinh Village for over four centuries. These woodblock prints depict scenes of daily Vietnamese life: farmers plowing with buffaloes, planting rice, harvesting crops, and folk games like blind man’s buff, tug of war, and wrestling. They’re snapshots of rural Vietnam, preserved through generations of artistic tradition.
For over 30 years, Kỳ Hữu Phước has dedicated himself to keeping this traditional craft alive in his small workshop. It’s a labor of love in an era when such traditions struggle to survive.
What to Expect
Today, it’s only a super small woodblock print shop. When you visit, you might find yourself the only guest—creating an intimate, almost private experience. The artisans take time to explain the types of papers they use and the stories behind each printing. There’s no rush, no crowds, just genuine connection with a dying art form.
The journey itself adds to the experience: rice fields stretching on either side, small village roads that feel worlds away from the city, and the peaceful presence of the river nearby.
Supporting Traditional Craft
Here’s the thing: traditional crafts like this struggle to survive without visitors. The prices are almost unfairly low—prints cost only 20,000-30,000 VND depending on size, and they also make print holder blocks from bamboo. Everything is handmade, yet the prices barely reflect the skill and time invested.
If you have a free afternoon in Huế and aren’t sure what to do, this could be the perfect trip out of town. It’s not a major tourist attraction, and that’s precisely what makes it special. You’re not just buying a souvenir—you’re helping preserve a 400-year-old tradition that exists in one small workshop, maintained by artisans who refuse to let it fade away.
Lebadang Memory Space
Lê Bá Đảng, also known as Lebadang, is a celebrated modern artist recognized as the “Master Painter of the East and West.” His works were showcased globally during the latter half of the 20th century and are part of many private collections, especially in the U.S., Japan, and France.
In Hue, both locals and visitors can view over 300 pieces by Le Ba Đang across different styles and materials. These artworks are displayed in the Lebadang Memory Space, a contemporary and innovative private museum.
***How to get there?
It’s about 10 kilometers from the city center. I suggest you rent a motorbike and head there on your own. If you use a Grab to get there, plan your return, as ride-hailing apps won’t function for the trip back. Trust me, it definitely worth it.
Address: Thôn Kim Sơn, Thủy Bằng, Huế.
Hotline: 0817 275 252
Opening Time: 8AM – 12AM/ 2PM – 6PM (Closed on Monday)
Price:
- 269,000 VND/pax;
- 150,000 VND/Hue person;
- Children under 1.3m: Free
Hue Abandoned Water Park
The old water park in Hue is located by Thuy Tien Lake, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Hue. It has become a favorite spot for Instagrammer visiting the city. Its run-down condition has turned it into a part of local folklore, sparking numerous tales and myths about its mysterious closure. Like a scene it’s straight out of a post-apocalyptic film, interested?
