Hue Imperial City Tour: Hai Van Pass & Thien Mu Pagoda

Phuoc Duyen Tower at Thien Mu Pagoda tour with guide explaining its Hue symbolism

A full-day guided tour from Da Nang to Hue Imperial City with a local English-speaking guide, covering Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, the Citadel complex (including Thai Hoa Palace and Noon Gate), Thien Mu Pagoda, and Khai Dinh Tomb. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang are included, along with lunch at a local restaurant and entry tickets to the main sites (depending on your option). The itinerary can be adjusted to suit your schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hue Citadel2h · entry included
2. Noon Gate20m · entry included
3. Thai Hoa Palace20m · entry included
4. Thien Mu Pagoda40m · entry included
5. Khai Dinh Tomb1h · entry included

Explore Hue and Coastal Sights

• Pick up from Da Nang city center
• Drive along Da Nang Bay coastline
• Visit Hai Van Pass for panoramic views
• Stop at Lang Co Beach and Lap An Lagoon
• Explore Hue Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City
• Lunch at local specialty restaurant
• Visit Noon Gate
• Tour Thai Hoa Palace
• Visit Mieu Temple
• Explore Thien Mu Pagoda
• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb
• Return to Da Nang hotel

The experience

The day starts with a 7:30am pickup from your Da Nang hotel and a coastal drive toward Hue. On the way, you'll stop at Hai Van Pass, which sits 500 meters above sea level and is the highest pass in Vietnam. The views stretch across Da Nang Bay, Tien Sa Port and the Son Tra Peninsula, and your guide will share stories about its role as a strategic military location during the Vietnam War. The pass itself is one of the most scenic coastal roads in the country, with lush green mountains dropping down to the East Sea.

After Hai Van Pass, you'll reach Lang Co Beach, a pristine bay at the foot of the pass with flat sand and clear water. The tour also includes a stop at Lap An Lagoon, tucked between mountains and the bay. From there, you head into Hue itself to explore the Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the political and cultural heart of the Nguyen Dynasty. You'll walk through the Noon Gate (a U-shaped brick and stone structure with a wooden pavilion that once framed the emperor's ceremonial processions), and enter Thai Hoa Palace, the official reception hall where important ceremonies took place. The palace's wood carvings, vibrant colors and peaceful gardens give a sense of the imperial court's grandeur. Lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes happens around noon, with vegetarian options available.

In the afternoon, the tour takes you to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam's oldest and most iconic religious sites. The seven-story Phuoc Duyen Tower is the pagoda's most recognizable feature, and from there you can see across the Perfume River and the countryside. The complex includes shrines, pavilions and gardens designed for meditation. Before returning to Da Nang, you'll visit Khai Dinh Tomb, an elaborate mausoleum that blends Vietnamese design with European influences through colorful mosaics, detailed carvings and ornate decorations. The tomb sits in scenic hills surrounded by greenery. You'll leave Hue around 3:45pm and arrive back at your Da Nang hotel between 5:30pm and 6pm.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your Da Nang hotel.
• an English-speaking local guide throughout the day.
• entry to Thien Mu Pagoda.
• lunch at a local restaurant with Hue-style dishes and vegetarian options.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned transport with a safe driver.
• travel insurance. Entry tickets to Hue Imperial City and Khai Dinh Tomb are included depending on which option you choose at checkout.

Options for this experience

6 options

Entry ticket and lunch excludedGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 09:30A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip. Entry tickets to attractions are not included: Imperial City (200,000 VND) and Khai Dinh Tomb (150,000 VND). Lunch is not included. Free pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Da Nang city center by private vehicle. Pickup is included.

Pickup in Danang included; entry ticket not includedGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:00A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip. Pickup from Da Nang city center, with pickup and drop-off by private vehicle at your hotel in the city center. Lunch featuring local specialties at a local restaurant. Entry tickets to attractions are not included: Imperial City (200,000 VND) and Khai Dinh Tomb (150,000 VND). Pickup is included.

Pickup from Da Nang city centerGuide in English · 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Pickup and drop-off at Da Nang city center. A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide. Entry/admission tickets included for Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch featuring local specialties. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Pickup from Hoi An city centerGuide in English · 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Pickup and drop-off at Hoi An city center. A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip. Entry/admission tickets included for Imperial City, Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch featuring local specialties. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Chan May PortGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:00Pickup and drop-off at Chan May Port. A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide. Entry/admission tickets for Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch with local specialties. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Tien Sa PortGuide in English · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Pickup and drop-off at Tien Sa Port. A friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip. Entry/admission tickets included for Hue Imperial City, Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch featuring local specialties. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Youth (5 to 9 years) · Child (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 13.51

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dacotours Co.,Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose the option with entry tickets included if you want to walk inside the Citadel, Thai Hoa Palace and Khai Dinh Tomb without buying admission at the gate. Pick the no-ticket option if you prefer to explore the exteriors and gardens only, or if you plan to visit these sites on another day. Pickup is available from Da Nang city center, Hoi An city center, Tien Sa Port or Chan May Port: select the one closest to where you are staying.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

143 verified traveler reviews

5 ★140

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 9 years); Child (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Hai Van Pass and why does the tour stop there?

Hai Van Pass is the highest pass in Vietnam at 500 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of Da Nang Bay, Tien Sa Port and the Son Tra Peninsula. The tour stops there because it is one of the most scenic coastal roads in the country, and your guide will explain its history as a strategic military location during the Vietnam War.

Does the tour include entry tickets to the Citadel and the tombs?

Entry tickets to Hue Imperial City and Khai Dinh Tomb are included in most options, but you can choose an option without entry tickets if you prefer. Check which option you select at checkout, as this determines whether admission is covered.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes is included in most options and happens around noon. Vegetarian food is available if you need it. Check your selected option to confirm lunch is covered.

What time does the tour start and when will I be back at my hotel?

The tour starts with pickup at 7:30am from your Da Nang hotel and returns you between 5:30pm and 6pm the same day. The full day lasts 8 to 10 hours depending on traffic and how long you spend at each site.

Can I adjust the itinerary or timing to suit my schedule?

Yes, because this is a private tour, the timing and itinerary can be adjusted and customized to suit your needs. Discuss any changes with your guide when you confirm your pickup time and location via WhatsApp or phone.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

If the tour has to be cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. Check the weather forecast in advance and prepare weather-appropriate clothes. Your guide will also check and inform you beforehand.