Hue, Vietnam

Food & Drinks

Enjoy a lesson in Vietnamese history on this day trip from Da Nang. After getting picked up from your hotel, head to Hue, stopping at Hai Van Pass to explore some abandoned war bunkers. Upon arrival, head to the city's prime attraction, the Citadel. Wander through this vast complex containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor's private residence, and learn more about Vietnam's last dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty. You will also discover other architectural masterpieces such as temples, pavilions, gardens, and the gates to the Imperial City. In the afternoon, stop for lunch to reenergize before enjoying a boat trip along the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery, and admire its iconic 7-story pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city.   From the monastery, head to the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, the final resting place of a Nguyen Emperor. Admire the tomb's unique architectural design and learn more about the many myths and legends that surround this controversial emperor before heading back to Da Nang.

Discover the sights and sounds of Hue, the former Imperial capital of Vietnam. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city sits on the banks of the delightful Perfume River, where you will find amazing citadels, fabulous palaces, and royal tombs. Many of the sites can be reached by river, and on this full-day private tour a boat cruise is part of the program. You will be picked up from your hotel by your guide, who will take you down to the river for your cruise. Sail along the romantically named Perfume River, seeing Hue’s best-known religious sites, such as the Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue your journey by land, visiting the Imperial Citadel, from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. See the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, 9 Dynastic Urns, 9 Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. After a break for lunch, visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb and discover the blend of Western and Eastern architecture. Then visit Minh Mang King’s Tomb, where one is sure to be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. Continue to conical hat village, an incense stick-making village. The guided tour will give you a deep understanding about the king’s philosophy of geomancy, and how this affected royal life.

Your private tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Hue. You will then set off to Phong Nha. On the way, you will make a rest stop at the famous Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, where the border between South & North Vietnam was located during the war. Next, you will stop by a local restaurant where you will tuck into authentic Vietnamese dishes. After lunch, sail along a river by boat to reach the iconic Phong Nha Cave. This cave is truly a marvel of nature and is hidden away in the dense jungle of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Central Vietnam. Admire the dramatic rock cliffs and wealth of flora and fauna in the area. After visiting the cave, you will start the return journey back to your hotel in Hue, where you will arrive at around 7.30 PM.

Choose between a shared or private tour to explore Hue and visit the Citadel, Hue’s premier attraction. On your morning tour of the site, you’ll see the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor's Private Residence. Following the Citadel visit, you’ll have a short break for lunch, followed by a boat trip on the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue. This is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963 drove to Saigon and set himself on fire in protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treatment of Buddhist monks and followers. Your final visit of the day will be to the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed using feng shui principles, and built to blend in with its natural surroundings.

The tour guide will pick you up at your hotel to begin your full-day excursion with a visit to a traditional hat and incense stick making village. Learn about the people and their work, and buy some of the products for souvenirs, if you like. See the Minh Mang tomb, said to be the most majestic of all of the royal tombs, renowned for its architecture that blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings. Khai Dinh tomb is unlike Hue’s other tombs, being a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. Even the stone faces of the Mandarin honor guards are endowed with a mixture of Vietnamese and European features. After visiting the tombs, you’ll return to Hue city to enjoy a lunch of Vietnamese dishes. In the afternoon you’ll visit the Hue citadel. See the tallest flag pole in Vietnam and the Ngo Mon gate where Bao Dai ended the Nguyen dynasty. You’ll also see Thai Hoa palace, the Hall of the Mandarins, and the Forbidden Purple City. Thien Mu pagoda, built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is an icon of Vietnam and the symbol of Hue city. Cruise the beautiful Perfume River by dragon boat, enjoying scenes of daily life and a magnificent sunset on the river.

With an early hotel pick-up at 8:30 AM, guests will be asked to secure their luggage with the individual drivers before the adventure begins. The first stop is Thanh Toan Village, where the group can get a glimpse of daily small-town life and culture. After a quick coffee break, the tour continues on to the fishing village to learn about the coastal traditions of this area. With a break at the scenic Elephant Waterfall, the group can enjoy swimming and relaxing amongst stunning landscapes. As the group travels to Lang Co Beach, there is time to take in the famous Phu Gia Pass and peninsula views. Once at the beach, the group will stop for a local lunch and the opportunity to take photos. Da Nang Beach is world-famous for its history and beauty and is the perfect spot to capture unforgettable seaside memories. After lunch, the group will move on to visit the Marble Mountain, with climbing optional. Departing from the Marble Mountain, the group continues on to the final stop of Hoi An, where the tour ends.  

Your tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Hue. From there, you will hop on the motorbike and drive to an authentic Vietnamese restaurant, where you will try the following vegetarian dishes: 1. Nem rán chay (Hue-fried vegetable spring rolls) 2. Gỏi ngủ sắc (Five colors salad) 3. Đậu hủ cà chua (Tofu with tomato sauce) 4. Bánh Huế (Steamed rice cakes with green beans) 5. Cà tím rim gừng (Eggplant cooked with ginger) 6. Lẩu thập cẩm (Combination hotpot) Throughout the tour, the guide will also share stories about the local culture of Buddhism. They will explain how this religion has had a heavy influence on the daily lifestyle of the region, including how they cook their food. After the feast, get back on the motorbikes to head off to explore the nightlife of Hue. After discovering some off-the-beaten-path local hotspots, you will be dropped off back at your accommodation.

You are welcomed at Chan May port with procedure assistance to exit from the cruise and drive through northward to Hue. Today you will spend the day in Hue, the former capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 1945. We will start the visit to the Imperial Citadel where preserving many traces of the Nguyen emperors during 19th century, continue to  Thien Mu pagoda, Hue's biggest Buddhist temple standing on the bank of the poetic Perfume River with its notable seven-floor tower. After lunch, we will go on to the Tomb of King Tu Duc with atypical old oriental  design, and mingle with Hue people in their exciting life at Dong Ba market (if time available) before driving back to the port for our departure. End of our services.

Journey on the back of a motorbike to a pottery center. First, Hope Center will organize a unique experience with a raku pottery tour. You will be introduced to this traditional Japanese art of glazing pottery. You will also be able to decorate a pottery piece on your own. This is a really fascinating way to experience fire, water and clay. By coming on this tour, you will also learn sign language for communicating with the hearing impaired people in the social center. You can then communicate with the people who you will be making pottery with. Enjoy a hands-on pottery workshop and make your own ceramic works of art.

Start with pickup in the morning from your accommodation in Hue. From there, head to Dong Ha town where the local guide will board the vehicle to begin the tour. The first stop is Doc Mieu Base, one of the front lines. Learn how the Americans set up a group of firebases on a ridge of hills looking across the DMZ and the Ben Hai River. Gain a deeper knowledge of the history and listen to meaningful stories from your English-speaking guide. Continue to the next stop, Hien Luong Bridge. This bridge is located in the 17th Parallel and during the Vietnam war, it was bisected between South and North Vietnam. Go to the last stop and one of the main highlights, the Vinh Moc underground tunnels. Hear how they were used as a refuge to survive from all the bomb attacks during the war. Before heading back to Hue City, stop by a local restaurant to have an authentic Vietnamese lunch. The tour ends with a drop-off service back to your accommodation.