Hue Royal Tombs Tour: Visit Pagoda & King's Mausoleums

Step into the lives of emperors and explore their majestic tombs and sacred pagoda.

A guided or driver-led tour of Hue's royal tombs and pagodas, where you choose which 2 to 5 sites to visit from the Nguyen Dynasty mausoleums and Thien Mu Pagoda. A local guide in English walks you through the architecture, history and lives of Vietnamese kings, their families and court members, or a driver takes you at your own pace. The tour covers sites 12 km from central Hue, ending with the option to enter Hue Citadel or return to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Khai Dinh Tomb30m
2. Minh Mang Tomb45m
3. Tomb of Tu Duc45m
4. Thien Mu Pagoda30m
5. Hue Citadel5m

Visit Hue Royal Tombs and Pagodas

• Visit Khai Dinh Tomb
• Visit Minh Mang Tomb
• Visit Tomb of Tu Duc
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
• Visit Dong Khanh Tomb
• Visit Tu Hieu Pagoda
• Tour ends at Hue Imperial City or hotel

The experience

You pick which tombs and pagodas to see, and whether you want a guide walking you through the history or a driver dropping you at each site. The royal mausoleums (Tu Duc, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh and Dong Khanh) each tell a different story of the Nguyen emperors. Tu Duc's tomb, built from 1864 to 1867, was constructed while he still lived and served as both a royal palace and final resting place. Minh Mang's mausoleum, completed in 1843 after three years of work, sits 12 km from Hue city where two rivers meet to form the Perfume River. Khai Dinh Tomb blends Vietnamese, Indian and Western architecture in a way no other royal tomb does.

Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-tiered structure on Ha Khe Hill overlooking the Huong River, anchors many itineraries as the most recognizable religious monument in Hue. Tu Hieu Pagoda, one of Vietnam's oldest, lets visitors participate in ceremonies like chanting sutras or offering incense. Dong Khanh Tomb, recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site, stands as a unique architectural work within the Nguyen Dynasty mausoleum system.

The tour runs 3 to 5 hours depending on how many sites you choose and whether you're moving with a guide or at your own pace with a driver. Transportation is included. You can arrange pickup from your hotel. At the end, your guide or driver can drop you at Hue Citadel if you want to buy separate entry and explore the imperial city, or return you to your hotel in the city center. Each mausoleum charges its own entry fee (100,000 VND per adult per tomb).

What’s included

• Transportation to each site.
• a local guide in English (depending on the option you choose).
• pickup from your hotel (in at least one option).
• access to the royal tombs and pagodas you select.

Options for this experience

11 options

Choose any 1 place, with a driverUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00No tour guide is included. You will tour by private car with a driver; if you would like an English-speaking guide, there is an extra charge, so please confirm. Places to visit: choose 1 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the driver only. Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: private air-conditioned car/van with an experienced driver, and a stop at any 1 place you choose from the list. Not included: a tour guide, food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips, and anything not mentioned. Pickup is included.

Choose any 2 places, with a driverUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 16 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30No tour guide is included. You will tour by private car with a driver; if you would like an English-speaking guide, there is an extra charge, so please confirm. Places to visit: choose 2 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the driver only. Duration: 3 hours, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: private air-conditioned car/van with an experienced driver, and stops at any 2 places you choose from the list. Not included: a tour guide, food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips, and anything not mentioned. Pickup is included.

Choose any 2 places, with a guideUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00A tour guide is included, with an English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned car or minivan. Places to visit: choose 2 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the tour guide. Duration: 3 hours, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned car/van, and sightseeing at any 2 places you choose. Not included: food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), shopping, and tips for the guide and driver. Pickup is included.

See 8 more options

Choose any 3 places, with a driverUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:30No tour guide is included. You will tour by private car with a driver; if you would like an English-speaking guide, there is an extra charge, so please confirm. Places to visit: choose 3 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the driver only. Duration: 4 hours, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time at each stop. Included: private air-conditioned car/van with an experienced driver, and stops at any 3 places you choose from the list. Not included: a tour guide, food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips, and anything not mentioned. Pickup is included.

Choose any 1 place, with a guideUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00A tour guide is included, with an English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned car or minivan. Places to visit: choose 1 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the tour guide. Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned car/van, and sightseeing at any 1 place you choose. Not included: food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips for the guide and driver, and shopping. Pickup is included.

Choose any 3 places, with a guideUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:30A tour guide is included, with an English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned car or minivan. Places to visit: choose 3 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the tour guide. Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes, flexible depending on your group's pace; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned car/van, and sightseeing at any 3 places you choose. Not included: food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), shopping, and tips for the guide and driver. Pickup is included.

Choose any 4 places, with a driverUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00No tour guide is included. You will tour by private car with a driver; if you would like an English-speaking guide, there is an extra charge, so please confirm. Places to visit: choose 4 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the driver only. Duration: 5 hours, flexible depending on the sites you visit; we place no limit on your sightseeing time at each stop. Included: private air-conditioned car/van with an experienced driver, and stops at any 4 places you choose from the list. Not included: a tour guide, food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips, and anything not mentioned. Pickup is included.

Choose any 5 places, with a driverUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00No tour guide is included. You will tour by private car with a driver; if you would like an English-speaking guide, there is an extra charge, so please confirm. Places to visit: choose 5 from the Tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas. Duration: 6 hours, flexible depending on the sites you visit; we place no limit on your sightseeing time at each stop. Included: private air-conditioned car/van with an experienced driver, and stops at any 5 places you choose from the list. Not included: a tour guide, food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), tips, and anything not mentioned. Pickup is included.

Choose any 4 places, with a guideUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00The tour includes an English-speaking guide only, plus a private air-conditioned car or minivan. Places to visit: choose 4 from the Tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas, with the tour guide. Duration: 5 hours, flexible depending on the sites you choose; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned car/van, and sightseeing at any 4 places you choose. Not included: food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), shopping, and tips for the guide and driver. Pickup is included.

Choose any 5 places, with a guideUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00The tour includes an English-speaking guide only, plus a private air-conditioned car or minivan. Places to visit: choose 5 from the Tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Dong Khanh, and the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu Pagodas. Duration: 5 hours, flexible depending on the sites you choose; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned car/van, and sightseeing at any 4 places you choose. Not included: food and drinks, the 150k entry fee per tomb (Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Dong Khanh), shopping, and tips for the guide and driver. Pickup is included.

Motorbike tour with guide and riderUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00An experienced motorbike driver and an English-speaking guide are included, so you simply sit behind and enjoy the ride. Places you can visit: the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, up to 2 Royal Tombs, Tiger Arena, Vong Canh Hill (US Base), and the countryside. Duration: 6 hours, flexible depending on the places you choose; we place no limit on your sightseeing time. Included: English-speaking guide, motorbike with helmet and experienced driver, and a guided tour of the sights you visit. Not included: food and drinks, entry fees to the Imperial City and Royal Tombs, shopping, and tips or gratuities for the guide and motorbike driver. 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 day19 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Youth (8 to 11 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 5.79

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendly

Operated by Adventure Journey

Is this one for you?Choose the guide option if you want to learn the stories behind each emperor's reign, architecture and family life. Pick the driver option if you prefer to explore at your own pace and spend as much time as you want at each tomb. The number of sites you visit, anywhere from 2 to 5, lets you fit the tour into your schedule, whether you have a morning or a full afternoon in Hue.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 11 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3).

What's the difference between the guide and driver options on this tour?

A guide in English walks you through the history, architecture and stories of the emperors and their families at each stop. A driver takes you to the sites you choose and waits while you explore on your own. Both options let you pick which 2 to 5 tombs and pagodas to visit.

How far are the royal tombs from central Hue?

Most of the mausoleums sit around 12 km from the center of Hue city, along or near the Perfume River. The tour includes transportation to each site.

What makes Khai Dinh Tomb different from the other royal tombs?

Khai Dinh Tomb is the only Nguyen Dynasty mausoleum built with blended architecture combining Vietnamese, Indian and Western styles, making it architecturally distinct from Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Dong Khanh tombs.

Can I visit Hue Citadel as part of this tour?

Hue Citadel is an optional finishing point. Your guide or driver can drop you there so you can buy entry and explore it on your own, or take you back to your hotel instead. Entry to the Citadel is separate from the tour price.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks depend on which tour option you choose at checkout. Some packages include them and others don't. Check your selected option for what's covered.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.