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'Mix & Match' Tours
§ City of Hanoi
§ Pagodas & History
§ Ha Long Bay & Yen Tu
§ Ancient Capitals
§ Northern Highlands
§ Cao Bang & Lang Son
§ Central Highlands
§ Hue Monuments
§ Cham Discovery
§ Mekong & the South
§ Cu Chi & Tay Ninh
§ Ho Chi Minh City


Tell us about your particular interests, and we'll take you to places only the local guides know. Whether it's active travel, sun worship, study tours, Vietnam War sites, or satisfying your culinary curiosity, Mikeland welcomes a challenge!

 

   

Home > "Mix & Match" Tours > Hue City Tour

Day 1 : Basic Tour of the Citadel and Tombs
In the morning, drive or bicycle to the citadel and royal palace of the Nguyen Dynasty (1800-1945), where you will see the impressive Ngo Mon Gate (top of this page), the emperor's reception hall, houses for the royal library and the Queen Mother, and the famous dynastic urns.

In the afternoon, you can visit the mausoleum of Tu Duc, the longest-reigning of the Nguyen emperors. This elegant complex of tombs, temples, and pavilions is especially interesting because Tu Duc used it as a retreat during his lifetime. Nearby is the fantastic tomb of Khai Dinh, the next-to-last emperor of the dynasty, which incorporates colorful mosaics and exotic styles.

Day 2 : Boat Ride on Perfume River
The best way to appreciate the Perfume River is by boat. The first stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, which was dedicated by the Nguyen lords to a mysterious "holy lady" who predicted that they would become rulers of this land.

If you would like, we can take you to the tomb of the first emperor, Gia Long, which is rarely visited by tourists because it is the furthest from the city. Though the temple to Gia Long is modest in scale, the natural setting is one of the most remote and peaceful spots in all of Vietnam. On the way back, the boat will let you off at the tomb of the second emperor, Minh Mang, which is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved of the monuments of Hue.

Day 3: Other sights and sounds of Hue

If you want to spend more time in Hue, ask your guide for a suggested itinerary for the third day. Some suggestions: a stop at the emperor's colosseum for elephant and tiger fights, the altars to the imperial eunuchs at the secluded Tu Hieu temple, the Jade Pagoda on the Perfume River, and the remains of the Temple of Literature (modelled on the Temple of Literature in Hanoi).

 

  • Hue is a great starting point for exploring either the coast (Cham Discovery Tour) or the mountains (Central Highlands Tour).
  • If you don't have time for the full Cham tour, you can still see some of the highlights in nearby Hoi An and My Son by taking days 1 and 2 of the Cham Discovery Tour.
  • You can spice up your dinner with the traditional court music of Hue at a local restaurant, or enjoy an after-dinner performance on a boat on the Perfume River.