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Imperial City, Hue

Imperial City, Hue: Our most recommended tours and activities

Imperial City, Hue: Tour from Hoi An and Da Nang

1. Imperial City, Hue: Tour from Hoi An and Da Nang

Travel back to the Nguyen Dynasty on a multi-stop tour from Hoi An and Da Nang to Hue. See the Imperial City, the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Get a taste of Hue cuisine during lunch at a local restaurant. Following pickup in Hoi An, the journey to Hue begins by crossing one of the best coastal roads in the world, the Hai Van Pass. Take advantage of a 30-minute stop at the peak and 5 minutes to take photos at Lang Co Beach.  After a final round of pickup in Da Nang, visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a blend of Western and Eastern architecture constructed between 1920-1931. Then, enjoy lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes.  With a full stomach of local cuisine, continue to Hue’s main attraction, the Imperial Citadel. Once the home of the Nguyen Emperor, the citadel also contains the Forbidden Purple City. Explore Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s largest pagoda. Built in 1601, it is the subject of many local folk rhymes and is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. Finish the day with drop-off back in Da Nang and Hoi An.

Hue: Private Tour by Car with Driver

2. Hue: Private Tour by Car with Driver

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.

From Hoi An: Hue City Private Tour with Guide

3. From Hoi An: Hue City Private Tour with Guide

At 7:30 am, our friendly driver will come to pick you up at your hotel or homestay in Hoi An or Da Nang and we start Hoi An to Hue Day trip. Along the way, our driver will stop at Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon for you to take photos, drink some coffee and enjoy the fabulous views of Lang Co Bay. Around 10:30, we arrive at Hue city and pick up our excellent local guide to admire the wonderful man-made masterpiece- the royal tomb of the Khai Dinh Emperor. You will be overwhelmed by its unique and fabulous architecture. Our excellent guide will tell you about the Khai Dinh emperor's life as well as his biography. After that, we will have a lovely lunch at an authentic restaurant with 5 local specialties and take a break. After lunch, we will explore the complex of Hue Imperial Citadel, Royal City, and Forbidden city. The local guide will tell you a lot of information about the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors, concubines, and eunuchs' lives. We will explore all the main attractions in the Citadel of Hue such as the Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Ngu Phung Palace, Nguyen Dynasty Family temple, Royal Library, Royal Lake, Royal Garden, and Royal Theater. Keep doing the Hue city tour from Hoi An, we will visit the oldest and most sacred pagoda which was built over 400 years- Thien Mu Pagoda. Our tour guide will tell you interesting and mysterious stories of the ancient pagoda as well as the sad love story (Love Curse). Last but not least our Hoi An to Hue day trip is 40 minutes of a dragon boat trip on the Perfume River to sightseeing and relax. After all, our driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Da Nang/ Hoi An or drop you off at your Hue hotel. Tour ends.

Da Nang: Small-Group Hue Imperial City and Hai Van Pass Tour

4. Da Nang: Small-Group Hue Imperial City and Hai Van Pass Tour

This tour takes a trip to the decadent Imperial City of Hue, a well-preserved walled city. Hue is a must-see for those who love history, complete with its beautiful architecture and Insta-worthy photo stops. Your tour will start at Khai Dinh Tomb, a site that looks more like a palace than a grave. After an equally impressive visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, a five-tier temple built in the 1700s, is the highlight of this tour: the Imperial City. Throughout your experience there will be plenty of time to wander the many ancient temples, browse exhibits at the visitors center, and stroll elegant gardens. At the conclusion of your experience, you will be returned to your Da Nang accommodation.

From Hội An: Hue Imperial City and Hai Van Pass Tour

5. From Hội An: Hue Imperial City and Hai Van Pass Tour

This well-preserved walled city is a must for those who love history, beautiful architecture, and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. The day begins with a breathtaking journey from Hoi An through the Hai Van Pass. Once in Hue, the tour starts at Khai Dinh Tomb, a site that more closely resembles a palace than a grave. After visiting the equally impressive Thien Mu Pagoda, you enter the Hue Imperial City, known not only for its architecture, but for its beautiful landscaping. After the guided tour, try a delicious local lunch, wander the ancient temples, browse the visitors center, and stroll through the elegant gardens.

Hue: Imperial City Guided Walking and Pedicab Combo Tour

6. Hue: Imperial City Guided Walking and Pedicab Combo Tour

The tour guide will meet you directly at your hotel lobby and you will then depart from the city centre and head to the Huong River. Begin with a walking tour along the river. Here you will be able to admire wonderful views along the river banks, and learn more about the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty.  Next stop is the Imperial City of Hue. The guide will lead you around the expansive site and share interesting stories and facts as you go. Discover the forbidden city and the gated courtyard, as well as several gardens, pavilions, and theaters. After visiting the Imperial city, hop on a pedicab to explore the area around the Citadel. Make several stops at interesting places along the way, such as the Fine Art Museum, and the beautiful royal garden of Tinh Tam Lake. See many old monuments that feature sophisticated architectural patterns in harmony with nature.

Hue: Imperial City Private Walking Tour

7. Hue: Imperial City Private Walking Tour

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.

Hue: City Highlights and Craft Villages Tour with Lunch

8. Hue: City Highlights and Craft Villages Tour with Lunch

We firstly depart for Dong Ba market, the largest market in Hue and also a trading place of many small businesses. This place best depicts the daily life of the locals. The massive Hue Citadel is the most well-known and iconic site in Hue. Begun in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, it is actually a sprawling complex comprised of the Imperial City, several museums, lakes, and beautiful gardens, all laid out in a series of concentric circles. We also visit Hue Royal Antiques Museum, Thien Mu Pagoda - a historic pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam. After lunch, head to Sinh village also known as Lai An village with its famous folk painting industry, Truc Chi Garden contains full of the quintessence of a trade village as well as a place of exchange of other traditional villages. Tay Ho village, the most prominent name because this is the place that makes the famous Bai Tho palm-leaf conical hat. We then make a trip to the incense village. Spring where talented artists are day by day preserving the tradition of "the soul" of the Vietnamese nation. You will witness firsthand the stages of making an incense tree.

Danang or Hoian: Transfer to Hue City with Sightseeing

9. Danang or Hoian: Transfer to Hue City with Sightseeing

Explore Marble Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son) – have a hiking tour on the moutains – visit some caves and Buddihist temples. Museum of Cham Sculpture – Learn more about Champa ancient people, Hai Van Pass –the most beautiful road pass – the stunning view from the top; enjoy the best coffee in Vietnam with great view, Lang Co beach – a famous beach of Vietnam next to Haivan pass, it is a popular stop for tourists on the Hue-Danang route, Fishing village: Visit a lot of fishing boat on the lagoon where local live and move around for fishing. Then go straight to Hue city.

Hue: Imperial City Tour for Families

10. Hue: Imperial City Tour for Families

Traveling with your family can be a challenge, but don't worry! As a mother, I've designed a tour that caters to your family's interests. Whether you want a private and comfortable tour with your partner or engaging activities that your kids will love, we have you covered! With my knowledgeable and personable team, you'll explore the Imperial City's most majestic sites, like The Phoenix Tower and Thai Hoa Palace while skipping the lines to make the most of your time. But we don't just offer a standard tour - we provide a comprehensive understanding of this stunning city, with captivating legends about the 13 Nguyen Emperors at The To Mieu, and exploration of the Hue Purple Forbidden City's intricate living spaces and spacious royal gardens. We've included breaks for refreshments, and craft-making activities at the Royal Treasury Craft Space, so you can take home souvenirs made by your loved ones. Our hassle-free pick-up and drop-off service will transport you directly from your hotel, and you can choose the tour start time that best suits your family. With no other tour groups to worry about, you can focus on creating unforgettable experiences on our private family tour to the Imperial City of Hue. Book now and trust me and my team of females and mothers to take care of everything for you!

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What people are saying about Imperial City, Hue

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 171 reviews

I am so glad that we booked this tour - Nhung was a great tour guide, she was very helpful and informative as well as answering all questions we had. The tour itself was a good pace and we really enjoyed seeing Hue and the historical sights. Nhung had lots of interesting information to give us. We were very tired because we didn’t sleep well, so sorry that we couldn’t be more talkative! But we loved listening :) Everything was on time and the driver was also very kind and helpful. I would recommend anyone to go on this tour to Hue. Thanks Nhung!

Good experience to visit Vietnam historical sites. Although the trip to Hue lasts about 2 and half hours, the sites are near to each other. This makes the 4 to 5 hour stay at Hue enriching and fulfilling. The guide is comprehensive and accommodating. She also introduces a good restaurant for my self-paid lunch.

Like that our tour guide, Ming has prepared photographs and map of the imperial city for our easy visualization. The weather was wet that day, added on to solemnity to the history

we had an amazing tour, Thanh our driver was so helpful and made seeing all the sights in Hue so fun and easy. I would really recommend!

Nice mix of sites - but concentrating mainly on the Imperial Citadel. The guide was fun and informative.