Hue shore excursion from Chan May: Citadel, pagoda & royal tomb

Three centuries of imperial Hue in one port day: Citadel, active monastery, and a royal tomb built on feng-shui principles

A private shore excursion from Chan May port to Hue combines the walled Imperial Citadel, the centuries-old Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, and the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, with an English-speaking guide, authentic Vietnamese lunch, and return timed to depart at least an hour before your ship leaves. The tour runs six to eight hours and includes entrance fees, transport, water and towels. You choose the pace within the day's stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hue Citadel2h
2. Thien Mu Pagoda30m
3. Khai Dinh Tomb1h · entry included

Explore Hue Imperial Sites and Tomb

• Visit Hue Citadel
• Explore Thien Mu Pagoda
• Tour Khai Dinh Royal Tomb
• Return to Chan May Port

The experience

You arrive at Chan May port and meet your guide and driver for the drive inland to Hue. The Hue Citadel is the centerpiece: a walled imperial city built during the Nguyen dynasty's reign from 1803 to 1945, containing the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor's Private Residence. Your guide walks you through the layout and history as you explore the grounds at your own pace.

From there you visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery founded in 1601 and considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. It sits on the banks of the Perfume River, and the grounds hold one of Vietnam's most significant historical artifacts: a car belonging to a monk who drove it to Saigon in 1963 to protest the South Vietnamese regime. After the pagoda, you stop for an authentic Vietnamese set menu lunch at a selected restaurant, a chance to taste Central Vietnamese cuisine in comfort.

The final stop is Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed to blend into its natural surroundings and built on feng-shui principles. Once you've finished there, your driver heads back to the port, timing the return so you arrive at least an hour before your ship departs. Cold water and towels travel with you throughout the day.

What’s included

• Entrance tickets to Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and Khai Dinh Tomb.
• private air-conditioned transport with experienced driver.
• English-speaking licensed guide (other languages available on request).
• authentic Vietnamese set menu lunch at a selected restaurant.
• cold bottled water and cold towels throughout the day.
• toll and parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tommy Shore Excursions

Is this one for you?The six- to eight-hour window leaves you time to see Hue's three major sites and eat a proper meal, but not to linger indefinitely at any one stop or add a second day's worth of exploration. If you want depth at one site or a slower pace, this tour will feel rushed. If you want the highlights of imperial Hue and the pagoda in a single port day, the fixed schedule is what makes it fit.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

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

How much time do I actually spend at each site, or does the guide decide that?

The tour runs six to eight hours total from port to port, and your guide leads the stops at Hue Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and Khai Dinh Tomb, but you move through each at a pace that works for you within that window. The return is timed to get you back to the ship at least an hour before departure, so the guide builds the day around that constraint.

What is Thien Mu Pagoda actually like when you get there?

Thien Mu Pagoda is an active Buddhist monastery, not a museum, sitting on the Perfume River. Monks still live and work there. The grounds hold historical displays, including the car of a monk who in 1963 drove to Saigon to protest the South Vietnamese regime, one of the most poignant artifacts of Vietnam's modern history.

Does the tour include lunch, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, lunch is included at a carefully selected luxury restaurant serving an authentic Vietnamese set menu featuring Central Vietnamese cuisine. It's part of the day, not an extra stop you arrange separately.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay extra for?

The tour includes entrance tickets to all three sites, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking licensed guide, lunch, cold water and towels, toll and parking fees. Tips and gratuity are not included. Other languages are available on request.

Is this tour physically demanding, or can someone with limited mobility do it?

The operator notes you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The Citadel and pagoda involve walking and exploring grounds. Khai Dinh Tomb also requires walking. If you have mobility concerns, mention them when you book so the guide can advise on what's feasible for you.