Things to do in

Hue, Vietnam

Enjoy a lesson in Vietnamese history on this day trip from Da Nang. After getting picked up from your hotel, head to Hue, stopping at Hai Van Pass to explore some abandoned war bunkers. Upon arrival, head to the city's prime attraction, the Citadel. Wander through this vast complex containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor's private residence, and learn more about Vietnam's last dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty. You will also discover other architectural masterpieces such as temples, pavilions, gardens, and the gates to the Imperial City. In the afternoon, stop for lunch to reenergize before enjoying a boat trip along the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery, and admire its iconic 7-story pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city.   From the monastery, head to the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, the final resting place of a Nguyen Emperor. Admire the tomb's unique architectural design and learn more about the many myths and legends that surround this controversial emperor before heading back to Da Nang.

Take the hassle out of your journey from Hue to Hoi An with a private car transfer. You will be picked up from your hotel in Hue and dropped off in Hoi An at your desired location, with plenty of time for sightseeing on the way. Stop off at Lang Co beach, a popular tourist destination. This beautiful beach is situated on a lagoon, separated from the sea by the highway. Relax and enjoy some fresh seafood. Once you are back in the car, you will drive over the Hai Van (ocean cloud) pass along one of the world's most beautiful coastal roads. Enjoy incredible views along the series of hairpin turns, steep inclines, and breathtaking vistas.  Next you will see the Marble Mountains. This group of five limestone hills are named after five elements (fire, metal, earth, water, and wood). Thuy Son, the water mountain, is the largest of the five and boasts several caves, pagodas, and two viewpoints with spectacular views of Da Nang city. Afterwards, it is possible to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang, to learn about this ancient art form (available upon request). Finally, you will be dropped off at a convenient location in Hoi An. 

Enjoy the flexibility of traveling at your own pace with your private driver to discover the highlights of Hue's heritage. Following the suggested route, your driver will pick you up at 9 AM and take you to the Minh Mang Tomb, located at the junction of two tributaries of the Perfume River surrounded by rolling hills. Next, stop at Khai Dinh Tomb, situated on one of the Chau Mountains. Khai Dinh's tomb is surrounded by natural beauty and its architecture is a blend of East and West. Then, stop at Tu Duc Tomb, located in a beautiful area made of rolling hills and pine trees.Your driver will recommend a good and cheap restaurant where you can enjoy tasty dishes. In the afternoon, visit the the colorful Imperial City, an ornate palace complex surrounded by towering fortress walls. Your last stop is the Thien Mu Pagoda, constructed during the 17th century to worship the legend of a celestial lady. It became well-known worldwide when, in 1963, Thich Quang Duc, a 66 year-old resident monk died after setting himself on fire to protest anti-Buddhist policies of the government of South Vietnam. After your visit here, you will be dropped off back at your hotel in Hue city.

Discover the sights and sounds of Hue, the former Imperial capital of Vietnam. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city sits on the banks of the delightful Perfume River, where you will find amazing citadels, fabulous palaces, and royal tombs. Many of the sites can be reached by river, and on this full-day private tour a boat cruise is part of the program. You will be picked up from your hotel by your guide, who will take you down to the river for your cruise. Sail along the romantically named Perfume River, seeing Hue’s best-known religious sites, such as the Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue your journey by land, visiting the Imperial Citadel, from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. See the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, 9 Dynastic Urns, 9 Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. After a break for lunch, visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb and discover the blend of Western and Eastern architecture. Then visit Minh Mang King’s Tomb, where one is sure to be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. Continue to conical hat village, an incense stick-making village. The guided tour will give you a deep understanding about the king’s philosophy of geomancy, and how this affected royal life.

Visit the cultural epicenter of Hue with a private guide and unearth the city's history. immerse yourself in the Imperial City of Hue, which served as Vietnam’s capital from the early 1800s until the mid-1900s.  Explore the vast grounds, passing by the majestic entrance, the Noon Gate. See the Nine Holy Cannons, which are located on the ramparts just inside the Citadel said to symbolize the four seasons and the five elements. Continue to the Mieu and the Hung Mieu Temples. Also known as the Temple of Generations, learn how the Mieu was built as an ancestral temple to honor the ten emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. Walk a bit further north and see a smaller temple, the Hung Mieu Temple, built to honor the parents of Gia Long, the first emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. Next, stop at the Thai Hoa Palace. Hear stories about how this lavish hall was used for important ceremonies and official receptions. Take in the spacious palace with its 80 columns, ornate dragon details, and immense courtyard. See the scenic and newly-renovated Phung Tien Temple, which was once a place where the emperor, empresses, and other royal females came to worship the Nguyen ancestors. Admire the rocky pools, pass by the library, and take photos by the flower garden. Your final stop on this private tour will be the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater, one of Vietnam’s oldest working theaters to date. It was restored and opened to the public in 2004 after many of its unique architectural elements and designs were replicated, making it easy for you to transport yourself back in time and imagine the former Vietnamese royals watching traditional performances.

With an early hotel pick-up at 8:30 AM, guests will be asked to secure their luggage with the individual drivers before the adventure begins. The first stop is Thanh Toan Village, where the group can get a glimpse of daily small-town life and culture. After a quick coffee break, the tour continues on to the fishing village to learn about the coastal traditions of this area. With a break at the scenic Elephant Waterfall, the group can enjoy swimming and relaxing amongst stunning landscapes. As the group travels to Lang Co Beach, there is time to take in the famous Phu Gia Pass and peninsula views. Once at the beach, the group will stop for a local lunch and the opportunity to take photos. Da Nang Beach is world-famous for its history and beauty and is the perfect spot to capture unforgettable seaside memories. After lunch, the group will move on to visit the Marble Mountain, with climbing optional. Departing from the Marble Mountain, the group continues on to the final stop of Hoi An, where the tour ends.  

After pick-up at your hotel in the morning, prepare bike, bag, protection gear and meet other travelers at supplier's office. Depart and leave the city behind and head into the countryside. Take a short stop at Thanh Toan roof-tile bridge, one of oldest bridges in Vietnam. Visit a farm museum to see local Vietnamese rice harvesting methods. Ride further on the HW1 to visit Elephant Springs where you can swim in fresh spring water from the Bach Ma Mountains. Continue on to Lang Co Bay and enjoy local food at a boat-house on the lagoon. Now it's time for the highlight of the trip. Start seeing the best views from Hai Van Pass, and reach the top of the mountains where you can see all the way back to Hue or to Da Nang. Take short trek to the top for more beautiful views Ride down to Da Nang city, along the beach then visit Marble Mountains where you'll take a short trek. Ride back to Hoi An along the beach before returning to your hotel.o your hotel

Take a drive from Hue to Hoi An by private car, enjoying scenic views and important landmarks along the way on a 7- to 8-hour excursion. After pickup from your hotel in Hue city center, start your trip with the natural beauty of Lap An Lagoon. Admire the lush greenery, crystal-clear water, and the picture-perfect image of the clouds covering the mountains. Just 60 kilometers from Hue, the next town you’ll stop at is the serene fishing township of Lang Co. This village’s incredible beach was recognized in 2009 as one of the 30 most beautiful bays in the world. Next, experience Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. On the top of the pass, there are vestiges of an ancient fortified gateway. The American and French bunkers in Hai Van Pass provide views to the city without any steep climb. At the peak is a rest station where you can take a break and enjoy a coffee.     The highlight of your drive will be your stop at the Golden Bridge, held up by two magnificent stone sculptures shaped like hands. You’ve never seen anything like this, and you’ll want to take lots of pictures. Finally, visit the Marble Mountains, famous for the image of rocky peaks rising above the roofs of homes and resorts. As the road curves towards the mountain, you’ll see large stone dragons and seated figures of Buddha. You’ll then be dropped off at the location of your choice in Hoi An.

This 7-hour tour begins with hotel pickup. Along the way to Hoi An there will be stops for sightseeing at An Bang Cemetery, home to more than a thousand tombs and stretching from the 8-meter gates down to the sea. Continuing on, enjoy the verdant trees, crystal waters, and cloud-covered mountains of Lap An Lagoon. Nestled between Phu Gia Pass to the North and Hai Van Pass to the South, this oyster-farming village should not be missed. Just 60 KM on from Hue is the serene fishing township of Lang Co, whose beach was recognized in 2009 as one of the 30 most beautiful bays in the world, with a sloping beach and fine, clean sand.    The car winds its way through Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. The American and French bunkers along the pass provide panoramic views of the city, the perfect spot for a much-welcomed break with the locals. Last but not least, marvel at the rock peaks of the Marble Mountains and follow the curvy road upwards, past large stone dragons and seated figures of Buddha. Here you can learn about Buddhism and witness the harmony of nature and religion.   After a full day of touring, drop-off will be provided in Hue or Hoi An.

Choose between a shared or private tour to explore Hue and visit the Citadel, Hue’s premier attraction. On your morning tour of the site, you’ll see the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor's Private Residence. Following the Citadel visit, you’ll have a short break for lunch, followed by a boat trip on the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue. This is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963 drove to Saigon and set himself on fire in protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treatment of Buddhist monks and followers. Your final visit of the day will be to the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed using feng shui principles, and built to blend in with its natural surroundings.