Hue Ancient City Tour: Citadel, Mausoleum & Perfume River

Walk the Forbidden Purple City, make incense by hand, and taste Bún Bò Huế in six hours from the port.

This six-hour shore excursion from Chan May or Tien Sa Port takes you through Hue's imperial landmarks: the UNESCO-listed Hue Citadel with its royal palaces and Forbidden Purple City, the serene Tu Duc Mausoleum set in pine forest and gardens, and a scenic Perfume River boat ride past Thien Mu Pagoda. You'll roll your own incense sticks at a family-run handicraft workshop, then sit down to a traditional Hue lunch with Bún Bò Huế, Bánh Khoai and fresh spring rolls. The tour includes all entrance fees, transport, guide, and a soft drink. You choose between a private vehicle or a shared group departure, both timed to get you back before the ship sails.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tomb of Tu Duc1h · entry included
2. Perfume River1h · entry included
3. Hue Citadel2h · entry included

Explore Hue's imperial sites and culture

• Visit Hue Citadel and Forbidden Purple City
• Tour Tu Duc Mausoleum and gardens
• Enjoy boat ride on Perfume River
• See artisans at Incense Handicraft House
• Try making your own incense sticks
• Have traditional Hue lunch with local dishes

The experience

Hue Citadel anchors the morning. This sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site was home to Vietnam's last emperors, the Nguyen Dynasty, and your guide walks you through majestic gates, courtyards, temples and the Forbidden Purple City: the royal inner sanctum where only the emperor's family could enter. The architecture tells the story of imperial power and the turbulent times these rulers navigated. The scale of the place makes clear why Hue was Vietnam's cultural and political heart.

Tu Duc Mausoleum comes next, a different kind of grandeur. Built as both a tomb and a royal retreat in a tranquil pine forest, it's where Emperor Tu Duc (a poet and scholar) spent much of his life in contemplation. You'll move through elegant pavilions, peaceful lakes and lush gardens, learning how the site's harmony of nature and architecture reflects the spiritual legacy of the dynasty. The Perfume River boat ride follows, a short, serene passage across calm water with views of the countryside and the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda rising on a hill. The river was named for fragrant flowers that once bloomed along its banks and carries deep historical weight in Hue's identity.

Before lunch, you'll step into a small family-run incense workshop and try your hand at the craft. Artisans roll and shape incense sticks from natural ingredients using techniques passed down through generations. You'll see how it's done and make your own, gaining a feel for a tradition that plays a vital role in Vietnamese religious ceremonies and daily life. Then comes the meal: a traditional Hue lunch at a local restaurant with Bánh Khoai (savory pancakes filled with shrimp and pork), Bún Bò Huế (the city's signature beef and lemongrass noodle soup), grilled pork skewers, fresh spring rolls, and a soft drink. The food is bold, fragrant and reflective of why Hue is one of Vietnam's most celebrated food destinations.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to the Hue Citadel and Tu Duc Mausoleum.
• private or shared air-conditioned vehicle transport with pickup outside the port gate.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• traditional Hue lunch with soft drink at a local restaurant.
• one bottle of mineral water per person.
• taxes and service charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

PrivateGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:30Private tour, pickup is included

Join-InGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:30Pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (11 to 65 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Up Travel Vietnam

Is this one for you?Choose the private vehicle if your group wants to move at its own pace and skip the wait for other travelers. The shared departure works well for solo travelers or couples who don't mind company and want to keep the cost lower. Either way, the six-hour window is tight enough that the fixed schedule is what keeps all four major stops (Citadel, mausoleum, river, and lunch) inside a single port call.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Hue Citadel and what will I see there?

The Hue Citadel is a vast UNESCO World Heritage site that was home to Vietnam's Nguyen Dynasty emperors. You'll explore majestic gates, courtyards, temples, palaces and the Forbidden Purple City, the royal inner sanctum, while learning about the lives of the last emperors and the architectural splendor of the era.

Do I get to participate in the incense-making, or just watch?

You'll try your hand at creating your own incense sticks at the family-run Handicraft House. Artisans will show you how they roll and shape incense from natural ingredients using techniques passed down through generations, and you'll make a stick yourself to take the experience home.

What dishes are included in the traditional Hue lunch?

The lunch features Bánh Khoai (a savory Hue pancake filled with shrimp and pork), Bún Bò Huế (beef and lemongrass noodle soup), Nem Lụi (grilled pork skewers), Gỏi Cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and a soft drink, offering a complete taste of the city's bold, fragrant cuisine.

Will the tour get me back to the ship in time?

Yes. The tour is timed to fit within a port call, and pickup happens right outside the port gate with return scheduled before departure. Both private and shared options follow the same timeline to ensure you're back aboard safely.

What's the difference between the private and shared tour options?

The private option uses a dedicated air-conditioned vehicle for your group alone. The shared option joins other travelers on the same route. Both include the same attractions, guide, lunch and inclusions, and both depart and return on the same schedule.