Weekend escapes from Huế: my six favourite trips
Huế sits in the middle of the country, between the mountains and the sea. That makes it the perfect base, and I take full advantage.
Mai · 3 October 2026 · 7 min read
People often ask me if Huế is “worth more than a day”. My answer: stay longer, and use it as a base. Within a few hours you have lagoons, a national park, the best mountain pass in the country, Hội An and some of the largest caves in the world. Here are the trips I do again and again.
about 15 km
Thuận An & Tam Giang lagoon
Fishing villages, stilt houses and sunset on the biggest lagoon in Southeast Asia.
about 45 km
Bạch Mã National Park
Old French villas in the cloud forest, waterfalls, and cool air in summer.
about 65 km
Lăng Cô bay
A turquoise bay below the mountains, seafood on stilts, quiet beaches.
about 130 km
Hội An over the Hải Vân pass
The most beautiful road in Vietnam, then lanterns and tailors.
about 210 km
Phong Nha caves
Huge caves by boat and on foot, a long day or better a night.
8 km
Thanh Toàn tiled bridge
A covered bridge from the 18th century over the rice fields. Bicycle distance.
The one I do most: Tam Giang lagoon
Leave at 4 pm, cycle or take a Grab to the lagoon, and walk out on the wooden piers as the fishermen set their nets. The sky goes pink, then orange, then everything is silver. Eat grilled fish in one of the stilt restaurants and come back in the dark.
The one for summer: Bạch Mã
When Huế hits 38°C, I go up to Bạch Mã. The French built hill-station villas there in the 1930s; now their ruins sit in the forest along the trail to the summit. Take the five-lakes trail for a swim in the waterfalls.
The big one: Hải Vân pass to Hội An
Hire a car or, if you are confident, a motorbike with a driver, and take the old pass road, not the tunnel. Stop at Lăng Cô for lunch, at the top of the pass for the view, and arrive in Hội An for lantern hour. Spend the night: Hội An is lovely early in the morning, before the crowds.
practical
Distances are approximate, by road from Huế.
The rainy season (October to December) can close mountain roads and flood the lagoon roads. Check the weather the day before.