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Things to do in Hue, Vietnam

Our most recommended things to do in Hue, Vietnam

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.

Half-Day Hue Imperial City Tour

2. Half-Day Hue Imperial City Tour

Explore Hue and find out the charm of the city. While exploring the picturesque and beautiful city, tourists and regular visitors also find that it is a quiet and peaceful place. The unique atmosphere here is made up of elements of Vietnamese culture. Some of the city's most notable features are feudal architecture. From here, visitors can glimpse the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. Our first stop is 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. There you can admire artifacts, as well as learn about the ancient royal life of this city. After that, we will go to Thien Mu Pagoda - a historic pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam. Apart from their scenic riverside and hilltop location, the Thien Mu Pagoda and its environs are also rich in history, standing witness to almost four hundred years of tumultuous nation-building in Vietnam. Take a boat trip on the Perfume River back to Hue center.

Hue: Private Tour by Car with Driver

3. 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 Da Nang: Full-Day Trip to Hue

4. From Da Nang: Full-Day Trip to Hue

Enjoy a lesson in Vietnamese history on this day trip from Da Nang. See the purple forbidden city, explore temples and places of worship, and enjoy a boat trip along the perfume river. 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. See the Emperor's private residence, and learn more about Vietnam's last dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty. 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 with origins dating back to 1601. Admire its iconic 7-story pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city.   Next, visit the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and built on principles of feng-shui. Explore 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.

From Hue: Vietnam's DMZ Full-Day Group or Private Tour

5. From Hue: Vietnam's DMZ Full-Day Group or Private Tour

Embark on a guided full-day tour and discover the historically important Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the Quang Tri Province and get a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War on the local culture. Choose from a shared group tour or a private tour.   Get picked up by your driver and guide at the lobby of your hotel in Hue central and then travel to the town of Dong Ha, stopping to visit important historical sites along the way.  Arrive at Dakrong bridge located along Highway 9 and the starting point of Highway 15, one of the main branches of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Admire the bridge’s graceful architecture against beautiful backdrops of rivers and mountains. Next, visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base, a United States Marine Corps outpost south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) used during the Vietnam War. Enjoy a lunch break at a traditional restaurant and then head off to Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, an important landmark in the splitting of the country into a northern and a southern zone along the 17th parallel by the Geneva Accords of 1954. Make your last stop at Vinh Moc tunnels, an underground miniature village, now a museum, which is the largest historical tunnel in the DMZ of Vietnam.

From Hue: Private Half-Day DMZ Tour with Vinh Moc Tunnels

6. From Hue: Private Half-Day DMZ Tour with Vinh Moc Tunnels

09h00: Our guide and car will pick you up at your hotel in Hue central, then transfer to Vietnam Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri province. Ready to start the DMZ Tour Hue. Visiting places: Long Hung Church: one of the very few existing buildings remains in Quang Tri town during “Fire Summer” or Eastern Offensive in 1972. It is a National Relic in the town of Quang Tri Vietnam – BA5453. Quang Tri Ancient Citadel: is seen as an eye-witness of fierce battles during the anti-American resistance war in 1972. During the 81-day fighting, the citadel was almost destroyed by thousands of tons of bombs released by the US army. Nowadays, the citadel becomes a place to mark immortal victories of the Vietnamese army and people and to educate youths about the nation’s revolutionary tradition and its patriotism. Have lunch (light takeaway lunch). After lunch, our guide and car take you back to the war sites, including: Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River: The Geneva Agreements on Vietnam signed in 1954 divided Vietnam into North and South with the 17th Parallel where the Ben Hai River runs through the central province of Quang Tri as a borderline. Hien Luong Bridge, also knows as the Peace Bridge, was built by the French in 1950, across Ben Hai River. It is 178 m long but it took 21 years for Vietnamese people from the North and the South to be united. Vinh Moc Tunnels and Tunnels Museum: The most highlight part of DMZ Tour during Vietnam War. The complex of Vinh Moc tunnel located deep in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone and sheltered Vinh Linh county people from the intense bombing. The tunnels were a success in saving the villagers’ lives and providing them the necessary living conditions to fight back the American enemy. 15h00: Tour ends at hotels in Hue.

Hue City Full-Day Tour

7. Hue City Full-Day Tour

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 Tu Duc’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.

Hue: Full-Day City Tour with Dragon Boat Cruise

8. Hue: Full-Day City Tour with Dragon Boat Cruise

After meeting your guide in the city center, head out on a river cruise along the Perfume River in a traditional Dragon Boat to reach Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest Pagoda temple in Hua. Next, visit the Citadel and learn more about the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last dynasty. See stunning artefacts in the Royal Antiques Museum, marvel at the architecture of the Noon Gate, and wander through the Ancestral Temple and Thai Hoa Palace. Then, experience the hustle and bustle of the Dong Ba Market and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. Later, head to the Minh Mang tomb and experience the fusion of traditional Vietnamese and modern European architecture at the Khai Dinh tomb. Next, visit a conical hat village, where you can see local artisans creating these traditional hats and maybe even pick up a unique souvenir. Your final stop will be at an incense stick village where you will see incense being created.  Get dropped off in Hue city center in the evening.

From Da Nang/Hoi An: Bach Ma National Park Hike and Picnic

9. From Da Nang/Hoi An: Bach Ma National Park Hike and Picnic

06.30am: Pick up from Hoi An 07.00am: Pick up from Da Nang We start to go to Hai Van Pass. Usually transportation cross this pass via tunnel, but it is available to go up this pass, and enjoy the stunning view. Offering an impressive sight of great mountains, blue skies, and green forests, The Hai Van Pass bends around Truong Son mountain range between Hue and Da Nang. Tourists go ahead to sightsee Lap An Lagoon. Nestled beside the majestic Bach Ma forest and Lang Co beach, Lap An lagoon is a large brackish lagoon in Hue province, with an area of about 800 hectares. Not only famous for its poetic beauty, Lap An Lagoon is also the habitat for many animals and aquatic plants. 09.30am: Check in Bach Ma National Park Gate TREKKING STAGE 1 Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) - The best place to go swimming Exploring Bach Ma National Park, travelers cannot ignore the tranquil beauty of Ngu Ho Lake, which is 2 kilometers trekking and walking throughout the forest on route to achieve 5 different lakes at different levels. TREKKING STAGE 2 After that we continue trekking ahead to visit Do Quyen Waterfall. The waterfall flows down a steep cliff about 300m high. The winding rugged trail challenges trekkers with steep slopes and brook crossings. But on top of it, travelers will find themselves lost to the pure chill air, the bird songs, and the secluded scenery. We have picnic lunch. Travelers can enjoy the whole mighty view of the moutains. TREKKING STAGE 3 Vong Hai Dai - An ideal place to get the panorama view of Bach Ma, 1,448 meters above sea level and is the highest point in Bach Ma National Park 4.00pm: Leaving Bach Ma. Tour enđ and drop off tourists at Hue hotel.

From Hue: Bach Ma National Park Hiking Day Trip with Pickup

10. From Hue: Bach Ma National Park Hiking Day Trip with Pickup

Our guide will meet you at your hotel (in Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An depend on the option that you choose) and start the Trekking at Bach Ma National Park tour 1 day. 09.30AM: CHECKIN BACH MA NATIONAL PARK GATE Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) - The best place to go swimming Exploring Bach Ma National Park, travelers cannot ignore the tranquil beauty of Ngu Ho Lake, which is 2 kilometers trekking and walking throughout the forest on route to achieve 5 different lakes at different levels. HAVE PICNIC LUNCH Do Quyen Waterfall - A place to immerse yourself in nature After that we continue trekking ahead to visit Do Quyen Waterfall where has the exact same name with the flower below the waterfall that makes Bach Ma attractive. The waterfall flows down a steep cliff about 300m high. The winding rugged trail challenges trekkers with steep slopes and brook crossings. But on top of it, travelers will find themselves lost to the pure chill air, the bird songs, and the secluded scenery. We have picnic lunch. Travelers can enjoy the whole mighty view of the moutains. Vong Hai Dai - An ideal place to get the panorama view of Bach Ma Bach Ma Peak, also known as Hai Vong Dai, is 1,448 meters above sea level and is the highest point in Bach Ma National Park. Here, you will visit Hai Vong Dai, which offers a panoramic view of mountains, lagoons, and villages such as Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass, Truoi lake, Cau Hai lagoon, and Chan May port. End of the journey, back to the started point. Our driver transfer you to leave Bach Ma and return to your hotel. You reach the starting point late afternoon at about 05.00 - 5.30pm.

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Frequently asked questions about Hue, Vietnam

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What people are saying about Hue, Vietnam

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 624 reviews

5 stars ! Our driver was great. He speaks very good English so it was easy to joke with him in the car. He was also very knowledgeable. We have a smooth ride but also a lot of laugh I would definitely recommend him

Tom was a great guide and driver, taking us to many fabulous places we would otherwise have missed. Best guide we have had in Vietnam.

Very interesting city of Hue. Lots of history, we really enjoy it this trip.

Lovely trip on the river. The guide was great and very informative.

amazing day made special by our drivers Tri and long.