Hue Day Tour: Imperial City, Dragon Boat & Tombs from Hue or Danang

Imperial palaces, river breezes and quiet tombs in Hue

You’ll drift along Hue’s Perfume River by dragon boat, step into the Imperial City’s faded grandeur with a local guide, and wander two royal tombs tucked among pines or stone mosaics. Expect hotel pickup (from Hue or Danang), moments of quiet surprise, and glimpses into Vietnam’s imperial past that linger long after you return.

Options for this experience

5 options

From US$ 40 to US$ 69 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Car trip with driver only 12 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:30 Guide in English Up to 5 per booking The guide is not included, and this option is available only if you start from Hue Railway Station or city center hotels in Hue. Sights include the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and any two Royal Tombs (choose from Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh and Dong Khanh). The trip lasts 8 hours, but timing is flexible: your driver waits for you and there is no time limit on sightseeing. Included: private air-conditioned car or van with an experienced driver, private dragon boat on the Perfume River, and road tolls and parking fees. Not included: tour guide, food and drinks, entrance tickets (420k per person), tips for the driver, and anything not listed under inclusions. Pickup is included.

Car-based guided tour from Hue 9 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00 Guide in English Up to 9 per booking Pickup in Hue is available only if you choose Hue Railway Station or city center hotels in Hue as your starting point. Sights include the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and any two Royal Tombs (selected from Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh and Dong Khanh). The tour lasts 7 hours, with flexible timing and no rush, so you can spend as much time at each place as you wish. Lunch is local Hue beef, pork and crab meat noodle soup. Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian. Included: English-speaking tour guide, private car or van, private dragon boat cruise and beef noodle soup lunch. Not included: extra food and drinks, entry fees (420k per person), tips for the guide and driver, and anything not listed under inclusions. Pickup is included.

Car-based guided tour from Da Nang 6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:30 Guide in English Up to 10 per booking Your driver collects you from the train station, airport or city center hotels in Da Nang, and your tour guide meets you in Hue City. Sights include Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon, the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and one Royal Tomb (choose Minh Mang, Khai Dinh or Tu Duc). The tour lasts 10 hours, with flexible timing and no rush, so you can linger at the places you enjoy. Lunch is local Hue beef, pork and crab meat noodle soup. Please tell us beforehand if you are vegetarian. Included: English-speaking guide in Hue City, private car or van, private dragon boat and beef noodle soup lunch. Not included: extra food and drinks, entry fees (350k per person), tips for the guide and driver, and anything not listed under inclusions. Pickup is included.

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Scooter tour with guide and driver 12 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:30 Guide in English Up to 15 per booking Available only if you start from Hue Railway Station or city center hotels in Hue, with a driver and tour guide. Sights include the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Vong Canh Hill, the Tiger Arena and any two tombs (choose from Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh). The tour lasts 7 hours, with flexible timing and no rush, so you can spend as much time at each place as you like. Lunch is local Hue beef, pork and crab meat noodle soup. Please tell us beforehand if you are vegetarian. Included: English-speaking guide, scooter (motorbike) with driver and helmet, dragon boat and beef noodle soup lunch. Not included: extra food and drinks, entry fees (420k per person), tips for the guide and driver, and anything not listed under inclusions. Pickup is included.

Car-based guided tour from Hoi An 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00 Guide in English Up to 10 per booking We collect you from the city center of the Ancient Town, Cua Dai Beach or An Bang Beach in Hoi An, and your tour guide meets you in Hue. Sights include Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon, the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda and one Royal Tomb (choose Minh Mang, Khai Dinh or Tu Duc). The tour lasts 11 hours, with flexible timing and no rush, so you can spend as long as you like at each place. Lunch is local Hue beef, pork and crab meat noodle soup. Please tell us beforehand if you are vegetarian. Included: English-speaking guide in Hue City, private car or van, private dragon boat and beef noodle soup lunch. Not included: extra food and drinks, entry fees (350k per person), tips for the guide and driver, and anything not listed under inclusions. Pickup is included.

None of these options right for you? See 1 alternative ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Hue City tour with dragon boat cruise

• Depart from Da Nang or Hoi An
• Drive through Hai Van Pass
• Visit Lap An Lagoon
• Spend 2 hours at Imperial City
• Take dragon boat on Perfume River
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda for 30 minutes
• Visit two royal tombs (choose from Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh)

Stops and time spent at each 8 stops

1. Hue Citadel 2h
2. Thien Mu Pagoda 30m
3. Perfume River 20m
4. Khai Dinh Tomb 30m
5. Tomb of Tu Duc 45m
6. Minh Mang Tomb 45m
7. Hai Van Pass 15m
8. Lap An Lagoon 15m

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An depending on option), all entry fees for sites like the Imperial City and selected royal tombs, a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River toward Thien Mu Pagoda, an English-speaking guide if you choose a guided option, plus lunch for some itineraries before returning comfortably in the evening.

Times

• Every day 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

Information

Curious about Hue’s past? Drift the Perfume River by dragon boat, explore the Imperial City, and wander royal tombs with a local guide, hotel pickup included.

Group Private

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (12 to 85 years) · Youth (7 to 11 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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

Confirmation Confirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

I’ll admit, I was mostly curious at first: Hue sounded grand but I didn’t really know what to expect. The day started with our driver picking us up right on time (from Da Nang, for us), and I remember the way the air changed as we crossed Hai Van Pass: cooler, a little salty. Our guide, Linh, pointed out old bunkers and told us stories about kings who built their own legacies here. It felt like we were slowly peeling back layers of history just by driving through the hills.

The Perfume River was quieter than I imagined. We climbed onto this painted dragon boat: honestly, it looked a bit kitschy at first but once we were floating, it just made sense. There was incense drifting from somewhere and you could hear monks chanting faintly from Thien Mu Pagoda as we approached. Linh explained how the pagoda’s bell is rung for peace. I tried to picture that sound echoing across the water at night. The pagoda itself is simple but there’s something about the monks’ calm faces that stuck with me.

Later in the Imperial City, Linh showed us those nine bronze cannons (they’re enormous up close), and described how they’ve never been fired, just standing guard over centuries of drama. The walls are faded and chipped in places. You can run your hand along them and feel how old everything is. We wandered through courtyards where royal processions used to pass (hard to imagine now with tourists everywhere). Lunch was quick and nothing fancy (rice and pork), but somehow tasted better after all that walking.

The tombs surprised me most. Khai Dinh’s tomb is almost gothic (dark stone and shards of colored glass everywhere), and Tu Duc’s is more peaceful, set among pine trees with ponds full of lotus leaves. Linh told us how one king designed his own tomb as a retreat while he was still alive. I guess everyone wants their own quiet corner in the end. On the way back to Hue, my shoes were dusty and my head full of stories. I still think about that silent moment on the river when everything slowed down for a bit.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 11 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long does the Hue day tour take from Da Nang?

The full day tour from Da Nang usually takes around 10-11 hours including driving time.

Is lunch included on this Hue city tour?

Lunch is included depending on your chosen option. Check details when booking.

Can I choose which royal tombs to visit?

Yes, you can choose two royal tombs (Minh Mang, Tu Duc or Khai Dinh) if departing from Hue. One if coming from Da Nang or Hoi An.

Is hotel pickup available from Hoi An?

Yes, hotel pickup is available from Hoi An for certain tour options.

How do we travel on the Perfume River?

You’ll ride a traditional dragon boat along the Perfume River as part of your tour.

Are there English-speaking guides?

Yes, English-speaking guides are provided for guided options.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Certain transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Check when booking to confirm specifics.

What should I wear to visit temples in Hue?

Wear clothes covering shoulders and knees out of respect for temple customs.

Operated by Adventure Journey. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago