Da Nang to Hue Day Trip: Hai Van Pass & Imperial Palace

Nine hours crossing Vietnam's most scenic mountain pass to three centuries of Hue's royal history

A nine-hour guided day trip from Da Nang to Hue travels over Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's most dramatic hillside roads, then visits the Imperial Citadel (home to the Forbidden Purple City), Khai Dinh Tomb with its blend of Western and Eastern architecture, and Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery founded in 1601. A 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River and lunch at a local restaurant are included, with hotel pickup and return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hue Citadel1h 30m · entry included
2. Khai Dinh Tomb40m · entry included
3. Thien Mu Pagoda30m · entry included
4. Perfume River30m · entry included

Hue Imperial Palace and Scenic Hai Van Pass

• Pick up from hotel in Hoi An or Da Nang
• Drive through Hai Van Pass with scenic views
• Stop at Lap An Lagoon
• Visit Hue Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda Buddhist monastery
• Take 30-minute boat trip on Perfume River
• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb with mixed architecture
• Return to hotel

The experience

The drive starts at 7:30 a.m. from your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An, climbing into Hai Van Pass. A steep, winding mountain road that offers panoramic views as the vehicle gains elevation. The pass itself was featured on Top Gear in 2008 for its dramatic terrain. After crossing, you stop at Lap An Lagoon, a brackish water area stretching over 800 hectares with Bach Ma mountain visible in the distance, before continuing into Hue.

Once in Hue, the tour focuses on three major sites. The Imperial Citadel is the centerpiece: a walled complex containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City (where the Nguyen Dynasty emperors lived and worked), and the Emperor's Private Residence. Khai Dinh Tomb stands apart from Hue's other seven imperial tombs because it fuses Western and Eastern architectural styles. Thien Mu Pagoda, founded in 1601 and still an active Buddhist monastery, holds a car displayed inside: a 1963 Austin belonging to a monk who drove it to Saigon to protest the regime's treatment of Buddhists. Lunch happens at a local restaurant between stops.

The Perfume River boat trip lasts 30 minutes and winds through the city that UNESCO recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993. Your guide speaks English (Chinese available on request), and the tour ends with return transport to your hotel. Entrance tickets to the Imperial Palace and Khai Dinh Tomb, bottled water, and the boat trip are all included. Bring your own drinks beyond water.

What’s included

• Pickup and return transport from your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel.
• private car with a safe driver.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• entrance tickets to Hue Imperial Palace and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Andy hoi an online Tours

Is this one for you?The early 7:30 a.m. start and nine-hour duration mean a full day of travel and sightseeing, so book this if you're comfortable with an early pickup and several hours in a vehicle. Children from age 5 are welcome, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller, though the moderate walking at each site works best for those who can manage a few stops on foot.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Hai Van Pass and why is it part of this tour?

Hai Van Pass is one of Vietnam's most scenic hillside roads, a steep mountain route that climbs between Da Nang and Hue with dramatic panoramic views. The tour crosses it because it is the main highway between the two cities and the drive itself is a significant part of the experience.

What exactly is inside the Hue Imperial Citadel that I'll be visiting?

The Citadel contains three main areas: the Imperial City (the walled administrative center), the Forbidden Purple City (the inner palace where emperors and their families lived), and the Emperor's Private Residence. It was the political and cultural capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945.

What makes Khai Dinh Tomb different from the other royal tombs in Hue?

Khai Dinh Tomb is unique because it blends Western and Eastern architectural styles, unlike the other seven imperial tombs along the Perfume River and surrounding countryside, which follow more traditional Vietnamese design.

What is the story behind the car at Thien Mu Pagoda?

The car on display belonged to a Buddhist monk who in 1963 drove it to Saigon and set himself alight to protest the South Vietnamese regime's treatment of Buddhist monks and followers. The pagoda, founded in 1601 and still active today, preserves this car as a poignant historical reminder.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You walk through the Imperial Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Thien Mu Pagoda, but the pace is guided and there are no extreme distances or steep climbs at the individual sites. Most of the day involves driving and the 30-minute boat trip.