Hue Citadel tour from Da Nang by authentic train via Hai Van Pass

Ride the scenic train through Hai Van Pass, then walk the Hue Imperial City with a local guide

A full-day guided tour from Da Nang to Hue Imperial City, traveling by authentic local train through the Hai Van mountain pass and stopping at Lang Co Beach. The tour includes entry to the Hue Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda (depending on your option), lunch with Vietnamese local cuisine, an English-speaking guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang. You can book with or without entry tickets, and choose between a small or large group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hue Citadel2h · entry included
2. Noon Gate20m · entry included
3. Thai Hoa Palace20m · entry included
4. Thien Mu Pagoda40m
5. Khai Dinh Tomb1h · entry included

Hue Citadel tour via scenic train

• Pick up in Da Nang city center
• Depart to Da Nang Train Station
• Board local train to Lang Co Station
• Enjoy Hai Van Pass coastal views
• Arrive at Lang Co Train Station
• Transfer to Lang Co viewpoint rest stop
• Explore Hue Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City
• Visit Noon Gate entrance
• Tour Thai Hoa Palace
• Visit Kien Trung Palace
• Explore Thien Mu Pagoda
• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb
• Return to Da Nang city

The experience

The day starts with a 6 a.m. pickup from your Da Nang hotel and a short drive to Da Nang Train Station. From there, you board a local train for the 1.5-hour journey to Lang Co in Hue province. This is not a highway transfer: the route hugs the coast and winds through the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's top ten most beautiful coastal roads. The train climbs through thick jungle, offering glimpses of secret beaches through the forest, then rises high enough to show views across Da Nang Bay. Your guide shares the pass's history as a strategic military location during the Vietnam War, adding context to the landscape rolling past your window.

After arriving at Lang Co Train Station, a driver meets you and you stop for about 15 minutes at a viewpoint overlooking Lang Co's white sandy coastline and clear waters: a chance to stretch, use restrooms and take photos before heading inland. Then you enter the Hue Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the political and cultural heart of the Nguyen Dynasty. With your guide, you explore the Hue Citadel's architectural blend of traditional Vietnamese design and French colonial influences. You walk through the Noon Gate, the U-shaped brick and stone entrance where emperors once processed during ceremonies, and visit Thai Hoa Palace, the central reception hall where important royal events took place. The palace's wood carvings, vibrant colors and peaceful gardens give a sense of the imperial court's grandeur. You also see the newly restored Kien Trung Palace, which served as the residence and workplace of Emperors Khai Dinh and Bao Dai, showing the fusion of Vietnamese royal design with French architecture.

Lunch is Vietnamese local cuisine, with vegetarian options available. Afterward, you visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam's oldest and most iconic religious sites, where the seven-story Phuoc Duyen Tower overlooks the Perfume River and surrounding countryside. Your guide shares stories about the pagoda's cultural and spiritual significance. If your option includes entry tickets, you also visit Khai Dinh Tomb, an elaborate mausoleum showcasing colorful mosaics, detailed carvings and ornate decorations that blend Vietnamese and European styles. The tomb sits nestled in scenic hills and lush greenery. Around 6 p.m., the bus returns you to your Da Nang hotel, ending a day that covers roughly 9 to 11 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang city center.
• one-way train ticket from Da Nang to Lang Co by local authentic train.
• entry to Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda (if your option includes tickets).
• Vietnamese local cuisine lunch with vegetarian options available.
• English-speaking local guide.
• air-conditioned bus with a safe driver.
• bottled water.

Options for this experience

4 options

Big group without entry ticketsGuide in English · 06:00Big group of up to 23 people in a 29-seater bus or coach. Entry tickets not included: this option does not include pre-purchased tickets, but your guide can help you buy them on-site. Pickup is included.

Big group with entry ticketsGuide in English · 06:00Big group of up to 23 people in a 29-seater bus or coach. Entry tickets included: this option covers admission to the Imperial City of Hue, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Pickup is included.

Small group without entry ticketsGuide in English · 06:00Small group of up to 18 people, using a 16-seater van or 29-seater bus. Entry tickets not included: this option does not include pre-purchased tickets, but your guide can help you buy them on-site. Pickup is included.

Small group with entry ticketsGuide in English · 06:00Small group of up to 18 people, using a 16-seater van or 29-seater bus. Entry tickets included: this option covers admission to the Imperial City of Hue, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Youth (5 to 9 years) · Child (under 5)

GroupUp to 23

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 13.54

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dacotours Co.,Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to reach Hue without driving yourself and prefer the coastal train journey over a highway route. Choose the small group option for a more intimate experience, or the large group option for a livelier atmosphere. Pick the option with entry tickets included if you want everything arranged, or without tickets if you prefer to decide on-site which sites to enter.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 9 years); Child (under 5).

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 a mountain pass on the coast between Da Nang and Hue, and one of Vietnam's top ten most beautiful coastal roads. The train winds through thick jungle and climbs high enough to show views across Da Nang Bay and secret beaches through the forest. It is also steeped in history as a strategic military location during the Vietnam War, and your guide explains its significance during the journey.

Do I need to buy entry tickets separately, or are they included?

Entry tickets to Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda depend on which option you choose at checkout. You can book with entry tickets included or without them and purchase them separately on the day. Your guide will let you know what applies to your booking.

How long is the train ride, and what makes it different from a bus transfer?

The train journey from Da Nang to Lang Co takes about 1.5 hours. Unlike a highway drive, the train travels along the coast with views of beaches, mountains and countryside landscapes. Train travel offers more legroom and seating space, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery without the fatigue of a road transfer.

What is included in the lunch, and are there options for dietary preferences?

Lunch is Vietnamese local cuisine, and vegetarian food is available. Your guide can help arrange your preference when you confirm your booking details.

What time does the tour end, and when will I be back at my hotel?

The tour runs roughly 9 to 11 hours from the 6 a.m. pickup. You are returned to your Da Nang hotel around 6 p.m., and the driver drops you at your hotel in Da Nang city center.

Is there a window seat guarantee on the train?

Window seats depend on availability and the train's seat rotation policy. The operator will do their best to book the best seat available, but cannot guarantee a window seat in advance.