Hue Citadel & Hai Van Pass Train Day Trip from Da Nang

Summary

Train ride over Hai Van Pass to Hue’s royal citadel with lunch

You’ll ride Vietnam’s most scenic train route over Hai Van Pass before exploring Hue Citadel with a local guide. Taste real central Vietnamese food at lunch, wander ancient palaces and temples, and float by Thien Mu Pagoda on Perfume River. It’s a day full of stories, small surprises, and those moments that linger quietly afterward.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the train from Da Nang to Hue to feel so… nostalgic? Maybe it was the clack of the tracks or how the windows fogged up as we climbed into the mist around Hai Van Pass. Our guide, Linh, pointed out tiny fishing boats far below and told us how this route once meant everything during the war. I tried to spot Lang Co Beach through breaks in the trees—sometimes you just catch a flash of white sand and then it’s gone. The air smelled faintly salty, like wet stone after rain. I kept thinking: why don’t more people take the train?

We tumbled off at Lang Co station (I almost left my bag on board—classic me) and piled into a van for Hue. The city felt softer than I imagined. At Hue Citadel, Linh walked us through crumbling gates and past lotus ponds where old men played chess under banyan trees. She showed us where emperors held court at Thai Hoa Palace—she even made us try pronouncing “Nguyen” properly (Li laughed when I tried; pretty sure I butchered it). There was this hush inside the palace rooms, broken only by our footsteps echoing on cool tile.

Lunch was a blur of flavors—lemongrass chicken, something with fermented shrimp paste that I still think about (in a good way), and sticky rice that stuck everywhere but my mouth. Afterward, we drifted along Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. A monk nodded at me as he swept fallen frangipani blossoms from the steps. The sun felt heavy but not harsh—just enough warmth to make you slow down. Khai Dinh Tomb later was all mosaics and shadows; Linh explained how French and Vietnamese styles collided here, which somehow made sense standing in that strange quiet.

I keep replaying that moment on the train when everyone went silent watching clouds roll over Hai Van Pass—a kind of shared pause you don’t really plan for. If you’re looking for a day trip from Da Nang that isn’t just ticking boxes, this one sticks with you long after you’re back in your hotel room.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Da Nang to Hue by scenic train

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

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hue Citadel tour?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang city center are included.

How long is the train ride from Da Nang to Hue via Hai Van Pass?

The train journey takes about 1.5 hours from Da Nang Station to Lang Co Station in Hue.

Does the tour include entry fees for attractions?

Yes, entry fees for Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Thien Mu Pagoda are included if you select that option.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, lunch featuring Vietnamese local cuisine is included; vegetarian options are available.

What sites are visited on this day trip from Da Nang?

The tour visits Lang Co Beach, Lap An Lagoon (from train), Hue Citadel (including Noon Gate & Thai Hoa Palace), Thien Mu Pagoda, and Khai Dinh Tomb.

Is there an English-speaking guide throughout?

Yes, an experienced English-speaking local guide leads the tour.

Can children join this tour? Is it accessible?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infants seats are available and it’s wheelchair accessible.

What time does the tour start and end?

The group is picked up around 6:45am in Da Nang; return is around 6:00pm.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Da Nang city center, a scenic one-way train ticket over Hai Van Pass to Lang Co station with views of beaches and mountains, comfortable transfers between sites by air-conditioned coach with bottled water provided throughout. Entry tickets for Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Thien Mu Pagoda are covered (if selected), plus a traditional Vietnamese lunch with vegetarian options before returning back to your hotel by evening.