The Huong Giang Hotel in Hue was designed by Ngo Viet Thu, the architect of the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. Modernism with imperial court motifs on the banks of the Hương River.

On the banks of the Huong River, literally a stone’s throw from the Imperial Citadel of Hue, stands a hotel designed by the man whose most famous project is the Presidential Palace in Saigon. Huong Giang Hotel Resort & Spa — one of Hue’s oldest hotels, where modernist architecture deliberately speaks the language of decorative motifs from the Vietnamese imperial court.

Briefly. The hotel was designed by Ngo Viet Thu, the most famous Vietnamese modernist architect of the 20th century, author of the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace) in Ho Chi Minh City. The building combines modernist form with decorative elements referencing the art of the Hue imperial court — a rare conscious combination of two traditions in Vietnamese hotel architecture. Its location on the Huong River embankment, within a lotus pond and a 15-minute walk from the UNESCO Citadel, makes the hotel a convenient base for exploring Imperial Hue. Guests in reviews praise the river views from rooms ending in “53” and the retro atmosphere, but honestly note some wear and tear to the finishes and weak laundry service.

The Architect of the Presidential Palace

Ngo Viet Thu is a figure in 20th-century Vietnamese architecture comparable in importance to the leading modernists of Southeast Asia: he received his education in France, became the first Vietnamese to win the Grand Prix of Rome for architecture, and upon returning home designed the Independence Palace (later renamed the Reunification Palace) in Saigon — a building that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of South Vietnam’s statehood until 1975 and remains today one of Ho Chi Minh City’s main attractions.

The fact that the same architect had a hand in one of Hue’s first major hotels makes Huong Giang not just a hotel by the river, but part of a broader architectural heritage of a man whose projects shaped the appearance of post-war South Vietnam at the highest state level.

Modernism Speaking the Language of the Imperial Court

The hotel’s defining architectural feature is the deliberate combination of modernist forms characteristic of post-war Vietnamese architecture with decorative motifs drawing on the art of the Nguyen imperial court, whose capital was Hue for over a century. For a city whose identity is entirely built around the legacy of the last Vietnamese imperial dynasty, this architectural gesture isn’t accidental—it’s a direct statement: even a new, modernist building feels compelled to speak in the language of local court aesthetics rather than ignore it in favor of an international style.

Lotus Pond and River View

The hotel is situated on the banks of the Huong River – the very river that gave its name to the entire city (Hue is officially called Thua Thien-Hue, but it’s the river that serves as its compositional and symbolic center) and a lotus pond has been laid out next to the building, adding to the atmosphere of the whole area. Despite being close to a pedestrian tourist street, the hotel’s location provides a surprisingly quiet and secluded atmosphere – a rare combination for a hotel in the very heart of a tourist city.

The choice of room deserves special attention: guests unanimously recommend rooms ending in “53” — 153, 253 or 353 — as offering the best river view compared to even more expensive suites, whose layout is at a disadvantage in this respect to simpler categories.

Beyond its architectural heritage, the hotel offers standard amenities for a four-star level: an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, fitness center, and family rooms—a practical base for those planning several days exploring the Citadel, the tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors in the surrounding area, and a boat trip on the Huong River itself, for which the hotel received its name.

What Guests Say

  • “This is a true gem awaiting attention to detail from owners to become a real star in charming Hue. The premium river view I stayed in exceeded all my expectations. I would return to that same room without hesitation (especially #153/253/353) as they offer the best view, even compared to the suites.”
  • I really liked the hotel. The location is excellent, in the city center, on the waterfront. If you book a room with a river view, you won’t hear traffic noise. Beautiful river views, interesting colonial-style furniture, spacious rooms, good breakfast, very friendly and professional staff. The hotel isn’t new; there’s some wear and tear.
  • The location was superb, easy to get to from the Royal Palace, and the sunset was gorgeous. The retro atmosphere was charming, and the spacious grounds were lovely.
  • Hotel with an excellent location, has practically everything you need, room is large. They offer welcome drinks, staff are very friendly. […] The only downsides were the lack of pajamas and the expensive, but poor laundry service.

What’s Next

Another historical Hue hotel from our section — Morin Hotel, a building with a dramatic history including student protests and seizure during the Tet Offensive of 1968.

Prices, room availability, and services may change – check the latest information before your trip.