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Hue City Tour: Dragon Boat, Citadel, Royal Tombs & Craft Village

  • Hue
  • Day trip
  • Small group

A full day in Hue with pick-up at your Hue hotel: a dragon boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the Citadel, Dong Ba Market, a Hue lunch with royal tea, two royal tombs and Thuy Xuan incense village.

Hue is a city that rewards slowing down. The Perfume River flows quietly through it, Ngu Binh Mountain stands green with pines, and the citadel and royal tombs have witnessed the changes of Hue and Vietnam through many periods of history.

This day starts on the water, with a dragon boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest in Hue, then moves through the Citadel of the Nguyen kings and the bustle of Dong Ba Market. After a Hue lunch with royal tea and a warm herbal foot bath, the afternoon brings two royal tombs – Minh Mang and Khai Dinh – and a family workshop in Thuy Xuan where incense and conical hats are made.

  • Dragon boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest
  • The Hue Citadel, home of the Nguyen kings
  • Two royal tombs: Minh Mang and Khai Dinh
  • Traditional Hue lunch with royal tea and an herbal foot bath
  • Thuy Xuan incense and conical hat village
  • Dong Ba Market and everyday Hue life

Day by day

  1. 1

    8:00–8:30

    Morning on the water

    Dragon boat on the Perfume River

    Perfume River winding through green pine-covered hills

    Your driver and guide pick you up at your hotel in Hue. Board a dragon boat on the Perfume River and glide upstream in the fresh morning air towards Thien Mu Pagoda.

  2. 2

    Hue's oldest

    Thien Mu Pagoda

    Seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower of Thien Mu Pagoda

    Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River.

  3. 3

    Inside the walls

    Hue Citadel

    Aerial view of the Hue Citadel Noon Gate and grounds

    Drive on to the Hue Citadel and explore the former living, working, worshipping and relaxing quarters of the Nguyen kings, the last royal dynasty of Vietnam.

  4. 4

    Daily life

    Dong Ba Market

    The last stop of the morning is Dong Ba Market, for a taste of everyday local life.

  5. 5

    Rest the feet

    Lunch, royal tea and an herbal foot bath

    Bowl of Vietnamese noodles with herbs and dipping sauces

    Lunch at My Home Restaurant: traditional Hue dishes and royal tea, then rest your feet in warm herbal water.

    Meals:
    Lunch
  6. 6

    Two royal tombs

    Minh Mang & Khai Dinh tombs

    Pavilions of a Hue royal tomb among pine trees

    In the afternoon visit two famous royal tombs: Minh Mang Tomb, known for its traditional architecture, and Khai Dinh Tomb, with its unique blend of Vietnamese and French styles.

  7. 7

    Colour and craft

    Thuy Xuan incense & conical hat village

    Terracotta brick garden at Thanh Ha pottery park

    A short 10-minute drive brings you to Thuy Xuan. Visit a local family to see how traditional conical hats and incense are made, and take photos among the colourful incense displays.

  8. 8

    16:30

    Day's end

    Back to your hotel

    Transfer back to your hotel in Hue. Tour ends.

Moments you'll remember

  • Upriver at dawn

    The dragon boat pushes off into the calm of the Perfume River, Thien Mu's tower appearing on the bank.

  • Warm water, tired feet

    After lunch and royal tea, a basin of warm herbal water for feet that have walked the Citadel.

  • Colours of Thuy Xuan

    Bundles of incense fanned out in red, yellow and pink, drying in the sun.

Why we love this trip

It's Hue at a gentle pace, with everyday life alongside the royal monuments – and the warm herbal foot bath after lunch is a lovely touch.

— The AmGo team

What's included

  • Minivan transfers
  • Dragon boat transfer on the Perfume River
  • Professional tour guide
  • Lunch
  • Entrance tickets
  • Royal tea after lunch
  • Herbal foot bath after lunch
  • 2 bottles of mineral water per person for the day

Not included

  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses and services not mentioned above
  • Tips for the guide and driver

Good to know

Cancellation

Free cancellation with a full refund up to 1 day before the tour starts.

What to bring

  • Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for the Imperial City, tombs and pagoda
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • A light rain jacket or umbrella
  • Camera or phone with a charged battery
  • Some cash for drinks and souvenirs

Notes

  • Price shown – Pick-up in Hue city centre (1–12 guests): adult 1,274,000 VND, child 952,000 VND.
  • Children 5–9 years pay the child price; from 10 years the adult price applies. Children 1–4 years travel free, sharing a seat and meals with their parents.
  • Group size: small group of 1–12 guests.
  • This tour starts and ends in Hue; it does not include transport from Da Nang or Hoi An.
  • Prices don't apply on Vietnamese public holidays and Tet; surcharge 100,000 VND per person on 1/1, 30/4, 1/5 and 20–21/02/2026.
  • No departures 15–19/02/2026 (Tet).
  • Pick-up and drop-off are at hotels in Hue city centre. Pick-up details are confirmed when booking.

Meeting point

Pick-up and drop-off at hotels in Hue city centre (pick-up 8:00–8:30).

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Frequently asked questions

Where does the tour start?

At your hotel in Hue city centre, with pick-up at 8:00–8:30. You're dropped back at your hotel around 16:30.

Can I join from Da Nang or Hoi An?

This tour starts and ends in Hue. From Da Nang or Hoi An, choose our Hai Van Pass & Hue day tour instead.

What's included at lunch?

Lunch at My Home Restaurant with traditional Hue dishes and royal tea, followed by a warm herbal foot bath.

Is insurance included?

No, insurance is not included on this tour.

How much does it cost, and what are the options?

Prices are per person: Pick-up in Hue city centre (1–12 guests): adult 1,274,000 VND, child 952,000 VND.

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