Hue City & Perfume River shore excursion from Chan May port

The Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and a half-hour on the Perfume River fit inside one port call.

An 8-hour shore excursion from Chan May or Tien Sa port takes you to Hue's main sites: the Imperial Citadel (home to the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor's Private Residence), the active Buddhist monastery of Thien Mu Pagoda dating to 1601, a 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River, and an authentic lunch in the city. Your guide meets you outside the port after a 15-minute walk to the entrance, and the tour returns you to the ship with time to spare before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hue Citadel2h · entry included
2. Perfume River30m · entry included
3. Khai Dinh Tomb40m · entry included

Hue City and Perfume River Tour

• Pick up outside Chan May or Tien Sa port
• Arrive in Hue City
• Visit Hue Imperial Palace
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
• Take 30-minute boat trip on Perfume River
• Enjoy authentic lunch in Hue
• Visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb
• Return to ship before departure

The experience

You walk about 15 minutes from Chan May or Tien Sa port to meet your English-speaking guide at the entrance, avoiding the port fee and the crowds inside. From there, transport takes you straight into Hue, a former national capital on the Perfume River that served as the political and cultural center of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945. The city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the tour moves through its three main draws without backtracking.

The Hue Citadel is the centerpiece: a walled complex containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City where the kings lived, and the Emperor's Private Residence. After that, you visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery with roots going back to 1601 that many consider Hue's unofficial symbol. Then comes the 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River itself, the waterway that defines the city. Lunch is authentic Hue food, eaten in the city rather than rushed at a tourist spot. The last stop is Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, a royal burial site designed with feng-shui principles and built to blend into its natural surroundings using mosaic technique.

The timing is fixed to get you back to the ship at least an hour before departure, with some flexibility built in. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and all entrance tickets are included. Children from age 6 can join. Younger children can ride in a stroller if needed. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the walking and climbing involved.

What’s included

• Private transportation from the port entrance.
• English-speaking guide.
• entrance tickets to the Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb.
• a 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River.
• authentic lunch in Hue.
• and bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Tran Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to cover Hue's four main sites (Citadel, Forbidden Purple City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and a river stretch) in one guided outing timed to your ship's schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Under 6: 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 Hue Citadel and why does it matter?

The Hue Citadel is a walled complex that once housed the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor's Private Residence during Vietnam's Nguyen Dynasty. It is Hue's prime attraction and the reason the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How long is the boat trip on the Perfume River?

The boat trip lasts 30 minutes. You travel on the Perfume River, the waterway that runs through Hue and gives the city its name.

What is Thien Mu Pagoda?

Thien Mu Pagoda is an active Buddhist monastery founded in 1601 that many consider the unofficial symbol of Hue. It remains a working religious site with monks and followers.

When do I need to be back at the ship?

The tour returns you to the ship at least one hour before your departure time, with some flexibility. You should confirm your ship's arrival and departure times when booking so the guide can arrange the schedule accordingly.

What's included in the price?

The excursion includes private transportation from the port, an English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets to the Citadel, pagoda and royal tomb, a 30-minute boat trip on the Perfume River, lunch in Hue, and bottled water throughout the day.