Is Hue worth adding to a Vietnam itinerary?
Yes, if history matters to you. Hue gives central Vietnam weight and context, but it needs time; as a rushed box between prettier stops, it can feel underwhelming.
Answer
Hue is not the stop to add because everyone else did. Add it because you want imperial history, older streets, river mood and a break from the brighter Hoi An-Da Nang circuit. It is quieter in its appeal, and that is why some travellers undervalue it. The payoff comes from giving the city enough space to explain itself rather than racing through a few monuments before another transfer. For a short, beach-leaning itinerary, Hue may be the cut. For travellers who want Vietnam to feel layered rather than just scenic and delicious, it can be the stop that changes the tone of the central route.