Hue City Tour: Citadel, Tombs & Hai Van Pass Drive

Imperial City of Hue tour: explore 19th-century ruins, royal tombs, and the walled Citadel along the Perfume River

A full-day tour from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital, with hotel pickup, professional guide in English or Vietnamese, lunch and entry to the Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. The route crosses Hai Van Pass, recognized as one of the world's top ten most beautiful coastal roads, and includes stops at Lang Co Beach and My Khe Beach on the return. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours and suits all fitness levels. Children are welcome from age 5.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Thien Mu Pagoda1h · entry included
2. Khai Dinh Tomb1h · entry included
3. Hue Citadel1h 30m · entry included

Hue city tour from Da Nang and Hoi An

• Pick up at your hotel
• Pass by Da Nang city and bridges
• Drive through Hai Van Pass
• Stop at Lap An lagoon and pearl village
• Lunch at local restaurant with optional foot massage
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
• Visit Khai Dinh King tomb
• Visit Hue Citadel and Forbidden Purple City

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel and head south through Da Nang, then climb Hai Van Pass: a winding coastal road with views that have earned it a place among the world's most scenic drives. The pass itself is optional depending on weather or construction, but when it runs, the zigzag roads and dramatic curves make the crossing memorable. A stop at Lap An lagoon breaks the drive. The lagoon is known for its pearl village, built around oyster farms where you can rest briefly before continuing into Hue.

Lunch at a local restaurant comes midday, and a 15-minute foot massage is available as a special offer before or after the meal. The afternoon focuses on Hue's historical sites: Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, sits on the Perfume River; Khai Dinh Tomb, a royal burial site of the Nguyen Dynasty, combines multiple architectural styles and is known for Vietnam's largest dragon sculptures carved into its side walls; and the Hue Citadel, a walled fortress and palace that housed the Forbidden Purple City during the imperial era. A professional guide in English or Vietnamese walks you through each site and explains the history of the dynasty that ruled from here.

The return journey takes the Hai Van Tunnel instead of retracing the pass, and you stop at My Khe Beach, one of the most photographed stretches of sand on the central coast. Drop-off is back at your hotel. Transport, all entry fees and taxes are included. Lunch is provided. The tour accommodates all fitness levels and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the drive.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Vietnamese.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport in a good vehicle.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• all entry fees and taxes to the Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda.
• stops at Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach and My Khe Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:15

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dragon Travel Viet

Is this one for you?If your first or free day falls between Da Nang and Hoi An, this tour fills it with the imperial history and coastal scenery of central Vietnam without needing to arrange transport or navigate between sites yourself. The guide handles the route, the timing and the context at each stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is Thien Mu Pagoda and why does it matter in Hue?

Thien Mu Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam and sits on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue. It is one of the main historical and spiritual landmarks of the city and a key stop on the tour.

Is Hai Van Pass always included, or does weather affect it?

Hai Van Pass is included in the route, but the stop at the top depends on weather or construction conditions. The operator will inform you in advance if the pass will be visited or if an alternate route will be used instead.

What is Khai Dinh Tomb and what makes it different from other royal tombs?

Khai Dinh Tomb is a royal burial site of the Nguyen Dynasty and is smaller in surface area than earlier tombs but far more elaborately designed. It blends multiple architectural styles and features the largest dragon sculptures in Vietnam carved into its side walls.

Does the tour include lunch and how long is the full day?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included, and a 15-minute foot massage is available as a special offer before or after the meal. The full tour runs 9 to 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

What beaches are part of the tour?

Lang Co Beach is a stop on the way to Hue, and My Khe Beach is visited on the return journey before heading back to your hotel.