Hai Van Pass & Hue Day Trip: Citadel, Pagoda & Lagoon

Summary

Cross Hai Van Pass to Hue’s citadel tombs and tranquil lagoon

You’ll ride over Hai Van Pass with a small group and local guide, pause at Lap An Lagoon’s calm waters, explore Hue’s Imperial Citadel and Khai Dinh Tomb, then share lunch at a local spot before visiting Thien Mu Pagoda—all without worrying about transport or tickets. It’s a full day but somehow leaves you wanting more time in Hue.

What’s the experience like?

The van pulled up just as I was finishing my coffee in Hoi An—early, but not too early for that sleepy blue haze over the street. Our guide, Minh, greeted us with a grin and a “Let’s go!” that felt more like an invitation than an order. I’d heard about the Hai Van Pass before, but actually winding up those hills, windows down, salty air mixing with something floral (jasmine maybe?), it hit different. We stopped at the top for photos—everyone did that thing where you try to fit both the road and the sea into one shot. Minh pointed out old French bunkers half-lost in grass. He said during storms the clouds roll right over this pass and you can’t see your own hand. I kind of wanted to see that too.

Lap An Lagoon was next—just a quick stop, but I remember the silence more than anything. Water flat as glass, fishermen out in tiny boats barely moving. Lang Co Beach flashed by on our left; someone joked we should just jump out and swim instead of heading to Hue. By late morning we were walking up to Khai Dinh Tomb, which looked nothing like what I expected—a mix of dark stone dragons and these almost European arches. Minh told us how the emperor obsessed over every detail; there are mosaics everywhere if you look close enough.

Lunch was somewhere tucked away in Hue—I honestly couldn’t tell you where exactly because I was distracted by the smell of lemongrass and something smoky coming from the kitchen. The food was simple but good: rice, pork stew, some kind of tangy salad. There was a moment when everyone went quiet just eating together and it felt nice after all that bus chatter.

The Imperial Citadel came after—the scale of it is wild. Red walls fading under sun, kids running across old stones while our group trailed behind Minh as he told stories about Nguyen kings (I probably butchered his pronunciation when I tried repeating one). Last stop: Thien Mu Pagoda perched above the river with its bell echoing faintly through trees. Heading back toward Da Nang later, I kept thinking about how much history is packed into one day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang—and how tired my legs were (in a good way).

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hai Van Pass and Hue City tour

• Pick up from Hoi An hotel
• Collect visitors in Da Nang
• Drive through Hai Van Pass
• Stop at Hai Van Pass peak
• Photo stop at Lap An Lagoon
• Admire Lang Co Beach view
• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb
• Lunch break
• Explore Hue Imperial Citadel
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
• Return to Da Nang and Hoi An

Top questions

How long does this Hai Van Pass & Hue day trip take?

The tour lasts around 11-12 hours including pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang and return.

Is lunch included on this Hue day tour?

Yes, lunch featuring local cuisine in Hue is included.

What are the main stops on this tour?

You’ll visit Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon, Lang Co Beach (photo stop), Khai Dinh Tomb, Imperial Citadel of Hue, and Thien Mu Pagoda.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An or Da Nang are included.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is capped at 12 travelers for a small-group experience.

Are entrance fees covered?

Entrance fees for attractions listed in the itinerary are included as per your booking option.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join; they may ride on an adult’s lap or in a stroller/pram.

Is this suitable for travelers with limited fitness?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hoi An or Da Nang, all entry fees for sites like Khai Dinh Tomb and the Imperial Citadel (as per your booking), mineral water throughout the journey, a traditional lunch at a restaurant in Hue featuring local dishes, travel insurance for peace of mind, plus an English-speaking guide who keeps everything running smoothly until drop-off back at your hotel in the evening.