North Central Coast Travel Guide
The Meridian Gate (Ngo Mon), entrance to the Imperial City of Hue. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
The North Central Coast is Vietnam's narrow waist: a thin strip of coastal plain between the Annamite mountains and the sea. It holds the former imperial capital of Hue and, in Quang Binh, the greatest cave systems on earth.
Hue's Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945: the Meridian Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the emperors' tombs along the Perfume River. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park hides Son Doong, the world's largest cave, plus the visitable Paradise and Phong Nha caves. The old DMZ at the 17th parallel marks the region's wartime history.
Key destinations in North Central Coast
Hue Imperial CityThe Nguyen dynasty citadel: Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang cavesParadise Cave and Phong Nha Cave, in the park that also holds Son Doong.
Tombs of the Nguyen emperorsThe riverside tombs of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh and Minh Mang, south of Hue.
Vinh Moc tunnelsThe village that lived underground for six years: 2.8 km of wartime tunnels.- DMZ sitesThe 17th parallel: Hien Luong Bridge, the Ben Hai River and Khe Sanh.
Thien Mu PagodaHue's 1601 riverside pagoda, the city's unofficial symbol.
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Top Cities & towns in North Central Coast
Regional food
- Bun bo Hue (the spicy beef noodle soup, Hue's signature)
- Banh khoai (Hue's crisp shrimp pancake) and banh beo (steamed rice cakes)
- Com hen (clam rice, the Hue working-class classic)
Getting there
Hue is on the north-south railway (the scenic Hai Van Pass section runs south to Da Nang) with Phu Bai Airport 15 km away. Phong Nha is reached via Dong Hoi, on the same railway, then a 45-minute road transfer to the park.