Huế Imperial City Day Tour: Citadel, Thiên Mụ Pagoda & Royal Tomb
A full-day tour of Huế: the Imperial City, Thiên Mụ Pagoda on the Perfume River, and one royal tomb, with a local lunch.
Hue – Imperial City – Royal Citadel – Forbidden Purple City – Thien Mu Pagoda – Minh Mang/Tu Duc/Khai Dinh Tomb
Overview
This day tour starts inside the Imperial City and continues to Thiên Mụ Pagoda by the Perfume River. It ends at the royal tomb scheduled for the tour, with a local lunch between visits.
Huế Through Its Royal Sites
The day starts in Huế's Imperial City, the seat of the Nguyễn dynasty. You see Ngọ Môn Gate, Thái Hòa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, Thế Miếu and Hiển Lâm Pavilion.
A local lunch comes next. The tour then goes to Thiên Mụ Pagoda on the Perfume River, followed by one royal tomb: Minh Mạng, Tự Đức or Khải Định, according to the itinerary.
Much of the Imperial City visit is outdoors and on foot. It suits travellers who are comfortable walking in Huế's sun or rain.
The route goes from the court at the Imperial City, to a pagoda on the river, to a ruler's tomb.
What You Visit
Imperial City
Walk through Ngọ Môn Gate to Thái Hòa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, Thế Miếu and Hiển Lâm Pavilion.
Thiên Mụ Pagoda
A pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River, with a seven-storey tower.
A Royal Tomb
One of the Minh Mạng, Tự Đức or Khải Định tombs, according to the itinerary.
Who This Day Tour Suits
It suits travellers who want to see Nguyễn dynasty architecture, a pagoda and a royal tomb in one day.
Expect a lot of outdoor walking at the Imperial City. If you have limited mobility or are sensitive to heat, consider this before joining.
Planning Notes
The Imperial City is large and most of the visit is outdoors on foot.
Confirm your selected package and pickup arrangements before departure. The Perfume River dragon boat is not included unless your package says so.
Highlights
Duration: 1 day
From USD 146 per person
Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the programme
Visit Ngo Mon, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, The Mieu and Hien Lam Pavilion
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda and a royal tomb on the itinerary
English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide available on request
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Discover Hue’s Ancient Capital: Imperial City, Thien Mu and Royal Tomb
- Hotel pick-up in Hue, or Da Nang/Hoi An with a selected long-distance pick-up package
- Visit Ngo Mon, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, The Mieu and Hien Lam Pavilion at Hue Imperial City
- Lunch at a local restaurant featuring Hue dishes according to the programme
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda by the Perfume River
- Visit Minh Mang, Tu Duc or Khai Dinh Tomb according to the itinerary
- Return to the hotel
Included / Not Included
Included
- Transport according to the selected programme
- English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide on request
- Imperial City and royal tomb admission where included in the selected package
- Local lunch according to the programme
- Bottled water on the vehicle
- Visits to the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, royal tombs and suitable itinerary stops
- Operational support during the tour
Not included
- Admission fees where the selected package does not include them
- Perfume River dragon boat where not included
- Ao dai, photographer, make-up, royal dinner or private photography services
- Drinks outside the programme
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Supplement for Korean-, Chinese- or Japanese-speaking guides if requested
- Weekend, public holiday, Tet or peak-season surcharges
- Stops outside the programme, such as Hon Chen Temple, Thanh Toan Covered Bridge, Vong Canh Hill, incense village and Tam Giang Lagoon