Huong River Afternoon Tea Cruise in Hue: Thien Mu Pagoda views

Tea and river views: Hue's pagoda, colonial buildings, and countryside in ninety minutes

An afternoon tea cruise along Hue's Huong River travels upstream from Le Loi Wharf to Thien Mu Pagoda, passing colonial architecture, traditional stilt houses and the Trang Tien Bridge. The boat includes afternoon tea with pastries and herbal tea, and a live guide in English or Vietnamese narrates the sights. The 90-minute round trip suits all fitness levels and welcomes children from age one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon cruise along Huong River

• Board cruise at 5 Lê Lợi Wharf
• Cruise along Perfume River
• Pass by Trường Tiền Bridge
• View Quốc Học High School and monument
• See Hue City People's Committee Building
• Stop and admire Thien Mu Pagoda
• Enjoy afternoon tea with cake
• Return to 5 Lê Lợi Wharf

The experience

The boat leaves Le Loi Wharf and heads upstream along the Huong River, a route that frames Hue's two faces at once. On one bank, the city proper: bustling markets, colonial buildings, the Hue City People's Committee Building with its French architecture set back in greenery, and the Quốc Học High School with its World War I monument to fallen soldiers. On the opposite side, the countryside unfolds: traditional stilt houses, ancient pagodas, and lush vegetation that has barely changed in generations. The Trang Tien Bridge passes overhead, its elegant arches reflected in the water.

Midway through the cruise, the boat slows at Thien Mu Pagoda, the seven-story temple that sits atop a hill overlooking the river. From the water, you get the pagoda framed against its surroundings: the angle most photographs capture it from. The guide points out its spiritual and historical significance while you have time to photograph it or simply sit with the view. If the timing works, the sunset can turn the moment into something quieter than the daytime bustle.

Throughout the cruise, afternoon tea arrives: pastries and herbal tea served on deck while the landscape moves past. The guide speaks English or Vietnamese, so the commentary reaches you in whichever language you need. The boat is modern and built for comfort, and the journey ends back at Le Loi Wharf where it started, so there's no second pickup to arrange.

What’s included

• Afternoon tea with pastries and herbal tea.
• live guide commentary in English or Vietnamese.
• passage past Trang Tien Bridge, colonial buildings, the World War I monument at Quốc Học High School, and traditional stilt houses.
• a close view of Thien Mu Pagoda from the water.
• return transport to Le Loi Wharf.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Youth (4 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Moon River Cruises

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Vietnamese, so if you're comfortable with either language, you'll follow the commentary without strain. The 90-minute duration and gentle pace suit all fitness levels, and the boat is wheelchair accessible, so mobility concerns don't rule it out.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

41 verified traveler reviews

5 ★33

4 ★6

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 17 years); Child (1 to 3 years).

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 Thien Mu Pagoda and why does the cruise stop there?

Thien Mu Pagoda is a seven-story ancient temple that sits on a hill overlooking the Huong River. The cruise passes it from the water, giving you a framed view of the pagoda's architecture and spiritual setting without requiring a climb or a separate visit to the site itself.

What's included in the afternoon tea?

The cruise includes afternoon tea with pastries and herbal tea, served on deck as you travel. It's the main refreshment during the 90-minute journey.

How do I get to the wharf, and is there parking nearby?

The cruise departs from 5 Le Loi Wharf in Hue. Public transportation options are available nearby, and transportation options in the area are wheelchair accessible. The boat itself is also wheelchair accessible.

What if I want to photograph Thien Mu Pagoda? How long does the boat stay there?

The boat pauses in front of Thien Mu Pagoda so you can photograph it and take in the view from the water. The exact time depends on the day's flow, but the stop is built into the route specifically for this moment.