Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and remains one of Vietnam's most historically rich cities, with its UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, royal tombs along the Perfume River, and Thien Mu Pagoda among its treasures. The city is also celebrated for its refined royal cuisine — Hue-style dishes are considered among the finest in Vietnamese cooking. Hue sits midway along Vietnam's coast between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, close to the Demilitarised Zone and easily combined with Hoi An and Da Nang.