Hue City Tour: Hai Van Pass, Citadel & Thuy Tien Water Park

Summary

Explore Hue’s Imperial Past and Hidden Sights in One Day

If you want to see both Hue’s royal history and its stranger side—all in one day—this tour covers it all: imperial palaces, riverside temples, local food stops, and even an eerie abandoned water park that most folks miss.

What’s the experience like?

Misty morning air clung to our jackets as we left Da Nang, weaving up the Hai Van Pass. The road curved high above the sea—our driver slowed so we could snap a few photos where clouds drifted over old French bunkers. It’s not just a scenic shortcut; you really feel the history under your feet.

The first real stop was Hue’s Citadel. Our guide, Minh, pointed out bullet holes still visible on the ancient walls—a reminder of wars past. Inside, only a handful of buildings remain from what used to be hundreds. We wandered through the Thai Hoa Palace and peered into corners where restoration crews worked quietly. The place felt alive with stories, even as rain threatened to fall.

Next up: Thien Mu Pagoda. We hopped onto a dragon boat for a slow ride along the Perfume River. The water smelled faintly sweet—locals say it’s from blossoms upstream. At the pagoda, monks moved about their day while tourists snapped photos of the old Austin car parked out front—the same one driven by Thich Quang Duc before his famous protest in 1963.

Lunch was at a tucked-away spot near Dong Ba Market—nothing fancy, but the bun bo Hue was spicy enough to make us sweat. Afterward, we drove out to Khai Dinh Tomb. This place is wild—a mashup of Vietnamese tradition and French flair, all perched on a steep hill with mossy steps and dragons carved everywhere you look.

The last stop? Thuy Tien Lake’s abandoned water park. It’s weirdly quiet here except for birds and the crunch of gravel underfoot. The giant dragon sculpture looms over everything—inside it’s dark and echoey, graffiti everywhere, and broken tanks where crocodiles once lived (there are warning signs still up). From the dragon’s mouth you get this odd but peaceful view over the lake and pine trees—almost feels like you’ve stumbled into another world.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hue City Highlights and Thuy Tien Park

• Visit Hue Citadel
• Cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda
• Dragon Boat ride on Perfume River
• Explore Khai Dinh Tomb
• Tour Abandoned Water Park at Thuy Tien Lake

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes, but there’s some walking involved at each site and stairs at Khai Dinh Tomb. Strollers or prams are fine for little ones; infant seats are available if needed.

What should I wear or bring?

Light clothes for warm weather (it can get humid), comfy shoes for walking, maybe a rain jacket just in case—it rains unexpectedly in Hue sometimes.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yep! All entrance fees are covered in your booking price.

Will there be time for photos?

Definitely—we stopped often for pictures along Hai Van Pass and at each main attraction. Just ask your guide if you want more time anywhere.

What’s included

You’ll get private transport with a careful driver, an English-speaking guide who knows their stuff, entrance tickets to all sites listed (Citadel, pagoda, tombs), bottled water to keep you cool, lunch at a local restaurant (with veggie options), plus a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River.