You simply cannot come to Hue and not visit the Hue Imperial City. It was built in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long, during the Nguyen dynasty, heavily influenced by Chinese Forbidden City architecture. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its grand scale and intricate Vietnamese architecture.

Tickets can be purchased at the booth it the entry to the city.

Expect to pay around 200,000 VND ($11 AUD) for adults and 40,000 VND ($2.20 AUD) for children (7-12 years old)

Tips for visiting with kids

• Go early to avoid the heat and crowds

• Take a pram for little ones, there's lots of walking

• Bring water, sun protection and comfortable walking shoes

• Take cash, there are some spots to purchase ice cream (needed in the Vietnamese heat) but they are cash only.

• Don't visit after getting no sleep on the overnight train from Ninh Binh like us (our kids were a little too tired to enjoy walking around the grounds)

Visiting hours:

• Summer (April to September): 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM

• Winter (October to March): 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

How long to stay:

You should set aside roughly 2 to 3 hours to walk the sprawling, partially restored citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. If you only have a short time, prioritise Thai Hoa Palace and the main courtyards for the clearest glimpse of imperial life.