Hue City Tour: 3 Tombs, Citadel & Perfume River Boat

Walk the Imperial Citadel and drift downriver past Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River.

A full-day Hue city tour with private car pickup at your hotel, English-speaking driver, and dragon boat ride on the Perfume River. The itinerary covers three royal tombs (Khai Dinh and Minh Mang among them) the UNESCO-protected Imperial Citadel, and Thien Mu Pagoda, with lunch at a local restaurant included in the day. The tour runs roughly nine hours and returns you to your hotel by late afternoon.

The experience

Your driver picks you up at the hotel between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning and takes you first to Thanh Toan Bridge, where you can watch local life unfold around the market and paddy fields. From there you move to Khai Dinh Tomb, a structure that blends Western and Eastern architecture, and then to Minh Mang Tomb, built in 1840 and considered the most beautiful and majestic of the Nguyen Dynasty tombs. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour shifts to the Imperial Citadel: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most prominent landmark in Hue, founded in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long. You walk through the walled imperial city to see its temples, pavilions and royal structures.

The final stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, set on the banks of the Perfume River. From there, you board a dragon boat and travel along the river back toward Hue's center, passing the Citadel from the water. The boat ride is the only time on the tour when the landscape moves past you rather than the other way around. Your driver meets you at the boat station and returns you to your hotel, with the full day ending around 4:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon.

The tour operates with a private vehicle (your choice of sedan, SUV or van), and a maximum of three travelers per booking. Wifi, mineral water and the English-speaking driver are included. Entrance fees to the tombs and Citadel are separate. If you need an infant seat or have mobility questions, contact the operator before booking to confirm availability.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your Hue accommodation.
• private car with English-speaking driver.
• dragon boat rental on the Perfume River.
• wifi and mineral water during the drive.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private SedanUp to 2 per booking · 09:00Sedan options include: Toyota Vios, Kia Cerato, Honda City, Mazda 3, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Cruze

Private SUVUp to 5 per booking · 09:00SUV options include: Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Innova, Mitsubishi Pajero Sports

Private VanUp to 10 per booking · 09:00Van options include: Ford Transit, Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Toyota Hiace

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by BNT TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Choose the sedan or SUV if you're traveling as a couple or solo. The van works for a small family or group of three. The nine-hour day packs four major sites into one outing, so book this if you want the royal tombs and the Citadel without splitting them across two separate trips.

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Top questions

What is Minh Mang Tomb and why is it on this tour?

Minh Mang Tomb was built in 1840 under the order of Emperor Minh Mang and is considered the most beautiful and majestic tomb of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is one of three royal tombs visited on this tour, representing the architectural legacy of Hue's imperial past.

Can I book this tour if I'm traveling with a baby?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available, though you should contact the operator to confirm the baby seat is still available for your date.

What does the Perfume River boat ride show you?

The dragon boat travels along the Perfume River from Thien Mu Pagoda back toward Hue's center, passing the Citadel from the water on the way. It is the only part of the tour where you view the landscape from the river itself.

Is the Imperial Citadel accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. All areas and surfaces of the tour are wheelchair accessible, including the Citadel, and transportation is fully wheelchair accessible as well.

What meals are included in this tour?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Breakfast and dinner are not part of the tour.

How many people can book this tour together?

A maximum of three travelers can book in a single vehicle. If you have more people in your group, contact the operator to arrange additional bookings or discuss options.