Hue day trip from Da Nang: Hai Van Pass, Citadel & Perfume River

Drive over Hai Van Pass and explore five centuries of imperial Vietnam in one day.

A full-day tour from Da Nang to Hue takes you over the scenic Hai Van Pass, through the fortified Imperial Citadel with its Forbidden Purple City, on a boat trip down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, and ends at the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang, lunch, entrance fees and an English-speaking guide are included. The tour suits all fitness levels and runs 9.5 hours. Choose between a private tour or a group tour with a maximum of ten passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hue Citadel1h 30m · entry included
2. Perfume River15m · entry included
3. Thien Mu Pagoda30m · entry included
4. Khai Dinh Tomb45m · entry included

Explore Hue and Hai Van Pass

• Drive to Hue via Hai Van Pass
• Explore war bunkers at Hai Van Pass
• Visit Hue Citadel and Imperial City
• Lunch break
• Boat trip on Perfume River
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
• Visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb

The experience

The route starts with a drive north along the coast to Hai Van Pass, where you stop to explore remnants of war bunkers and take in views across the water before heading inland to Hue. The Citadel, built between 1804 and 1833 during the Nguyen Dynasty, is the centerpiece: a fortified complex ringed by 2-kilometer ramparts and a moat, containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, the Emperor's Private Residence, gates, temples, pavilions and gardens. You walk through this on your own pace with the guide, then break for lunch.

After lunch, a boat carries you down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery founded in 1601. The pagoda holds historical displays including a car belonging to a monk who set himself alight in 1963 to protest the South Vietnamese regime's treatment of Buddhists. The final stop is the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed according to feng shui principles and set into the landscape rather than imposed on it.

Hotel pickup and drop-off happen in Da Nang City Center. The guide speaks English, though other languages are available for an extra charge. Travel insurance and bottled water come with the booking. Wear shirts with sleeves and pants covering the knees at the Citadel. This is a requirement, not a suggestion.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang City Center.
• entrance fees to the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb.
• lunch.
• a boat trip on the Perfume River.
• bottled drinking water.
• travel insurance.
• and an English-speaking guide (other languages available for an additional charge).

Options for this experience

2 options

Group tour with a maximum of 10 passengers per groupUp to 10 people · Guide in English · 07:30Group tour with a maximum of 10 passengers per group, pickup is included

Private TourUp to 8 people · Guide in English · 07:30Private tour, includes pickup

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Hoi An Express Travel

Is this one for you?Private tours work best if you want to set your own pace through the Citadel and skip the group stops. Group tours keep costs lower and cap at ten people, so you're not in a large crowd. Both depart from your Da Nang hotel and return there, so there's no separate transport to arrange.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Forbidden Purple City inside the Hue Citadel?

The Forbidden Purple City is a walled section within the Citadel that housed the imperial court and royal family during the Nguyen Dynasty. It contains temples, residences and private quarters, and is one of the main structures you explore during the Citadel visit.

How long do I spend at each stop on the Hue tour?

The tour runs 9.5 hours total from Da Nang. The Citadel takes up the bulk of the morning and early afternoon, lunch is a short break, the Perfume River boat trip and Thien Mu Pagoda visit take the mid-afternoon, and the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb is the final stop before the return drive to Da Nang.

What happened at Thien Mu Pagoda in 1963?

Thien Mu Pagoda holds a car that belonged to a Buddhist monk who set himself alight in 1963 to protest the South Vietnamese regime's treatment of Buddhists. The pagoda, founded in 1601, is still an active monastery and displays this historical artifact as part of its exhibits.

Is the Perfume River boat trip included, or do I pay extra?

The boat trip on the Perfume River is included in the tour price. You travel by boat to Thien Mu Pagoda as part of the itinerary, with no separate charge.

Can I book this tour privately, or does it run as a group?

You can choose between a private tour or a group tour with a maximum of ten passengers per group. Both options follow the same itinerary and include the same services. You pick which format suits your travel style at checkout.

What should I wear to visit the Hue Citadel?

Wear shirts with sleeves and pants that cover your knees when visiting the Hue Citadel. This is a requirement for entry, not optional, so plan your clothing accordingly.