A Day Among the Monuments of Hue by Private Car

One-day Hue city tour by private car

The one-day tour of the ancient capital of Hue runs as a whole-vehicle program between 8:00 and 17:00. The itinerary lets you link the heritage sites on the north bank (the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda) with the royal tombs on the south bank of the Perfume River in a single day, without hailing separate cars between stops.

The driver collects you at, and returns you to, your hotel lobby in central Hue. The car travels with your group alone and waits in the parking area of each monument, so you can move your lunch break or shorten the walking sections when the sun is strong; see also the one-day Hue heritage itinerary through the Citadel and royal tombs.

Suggested route along the heritage axes

The standard day is ordered so that you do not cross back and forth over Phu Xuan and Da Vien bridges:

• Morning (8:00 – 12:00) — the north bank of the Perfume River:
  • 8:00: the car collects you at your hotel and takes you to the Cua Ngan or Cua Nha Do car park to visit the Hue Imperial City complex (Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, The Mieu temple) while it is still cool.
  • 10:30: drive along Kim Long street up Ha Khe hill to visit Thien Mu Pagoda on the north bank of the Perfume River.
  • 11:30: lunch around Kim Long or the centre of the south bank with Hue cakes (banh beo, banh nam, banh loc), bun bo, or family-style rice restaurants and clay-pot rice places that have car parking.
• Afternoon (13:30 – 17:00) — the royal tombs to the south-west:
  • 13:30: visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (Khiem Tomb) with its Luu Khiem lake and cool pine hill. To pick the tomb that fits your group’s walking stamina, read the guide to choosing which Hue royal tomb to visit with only one day.
  • 14:45: stop at Thuy Xuan incense village on Huyen Tran Cong Chua street to learn how traditional incense is rolled and to take photos.
  • 15:45: continue to the Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh (Ung Tomb) on the slope of Chau Chu mountain to see the blend of Asian and European architecture and the ceramic mosaic work in Thien Dinh Palace.
  • 17:00: the car brings the group back to the hotel in central Hue.

Pickup points at monument gates and choosing a vehicle size

The Imperial City and the tombs stand in large grounds where the entrance and exit gates are sometimes different, so the driver agrees a pickup point at the exit gate in advance, and the group can rest in an air-conditioned car straight after sightseeing:

• A couple or a group of 2–3: a 4-seat car moves easily through the city streets around the Citadel and parks neatly at the Thuy Xuan incense village car park.
• A family of 4–5 with older relatives or young children: choose a 7-seat car with higher ground clearance and wide steps, which helps when you get in and out at 4–5 stops during the day.
• A group of 6–12: a high-roof 16-seat van keeps the whole party in one vehicle and is easy to gather at the tourist-coach car parks of the Imperial City, the Tu Duc tomb and the Khai Dinh tomb.

Not included in the rate

• Not included: admission tickets to the Imperial City and the tombs, which are issued by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre; lunch costs and guide services at the sites.

Questions to settle before the trip

How many hours does the one-day Hue city tour cover?

The program uses a standard one-day frame from 8:00 to 17:00 (at most 9 hours). If your group wants to start earlier or stay out later in the evening, tell dispatch when you book.

Which sights are on the itinerary?

A common itinerary includes the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Thuy Xuan incense village, the Tu Duc tomb and the Khai Dinh tomb. You can change the list of sights or the order of the visits to suit your group.

Does the rate include admission tickets to the monuments?

No. The listed price is the whole-vehicle price for a private car and a driver for the full day. You buy tickets for the Imperial City and the tombs yourself at the ticket offices of the monument management.

Can the car take us to lunch at a Hue specialty restaurant?

Yes. The driver can take your group to Hue specialty restaurants, vegetarian restaurants or other eateries you choose along the route.

Can we add the Minh Mang tomb?

It can be arranged. The Minh Mang tomb is about 12 km west of central Hue. If you want to add it, talk to dispatch beforehand so the time between the stops of the day can be balanced.