Delve into the history of Vietnam on this complete guided tour of the ancient capital: Hue. Explore the imperial tombs, the Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, and end the day with a sunset dragon boat ride on the Perfume River.
Tour the Imperial City
At the indicated time, we'll pick you up at your hotel in Hue to start our full tour of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Did you know that it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993?
We'll begin with a guided tour of the magnificent Imperial City, home to the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam’s last ruling family, from 1892 to 1945. Discover an impressive collection of artifacts that once belonged to this royal family, including the Hien Lam Pavilion, the Nine Imperial Urns, and The Mieu Palace. The cultural and architectural richness of this site will surely captivate you!
Next, we’ll delve deeper into the city’s history as we explore the Purple Forbidden City, a secluded area within the imperial citadel once reserved exclusively for the emperor. We'll visit the royal library, garden, and theater—perfect spots for photos!
Afterward, we’ll visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest in Hue, situated along the banks of the Perfume River. Built in 1601, its garden holds a historic car that transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon, where he immolated himself in protest against the dictatorship of Ngo Dinh Diem. It’s a story that is sure to give you goosebumps.
From here, we’ll board a boat for a scenic cruise down the Perfume River to the city center, where we’ll enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. After recharging, we’ll continue to the majestic tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. This stunning mausoleum, considered one of the most impressive of the dynasty, is sure to leave you speechless.
Then, we’ll stop at the vibrant village of Thuy Xuan, renowned for its incense and conical hats. To conclude the tour, we’ll visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, notable for its unique blend of Vietnamese and European artistic styles. You'll even notice that the sculptures of the royal guards feature mixed-race features!
Finally, after 7 to 8 hours touring the main treasures of Hue, we'll bid farewell at your hotel.
Pickup
Please note that hotel pickup and drop–off services are included in this activity for those staying in downtown Hue. If your hotel is outside this designated area, we'll reach out to you to set up an alternative meeting point.
