Itinerary for a Da Nang to Hue Tet tour by private car

A spring visit to the old capital of Hue during the first days of the new year offers a quiet, refined experience that keeps the flavour of the old royal court. The drive from the coastal city of Da Nang through the Hai Van tunnel to Hue takes just under two hours, and it opens up a festive spring setting inside the Imperial City and the time-worn temples along the Perfume River. Booking a private car with a driver for a same-day trip lets your family move at an easy pace, with more control over where you stop to pray for a good year and where you try spring dishes.

Cultural highlights of a spring visit to the old capital

During Tet, the old capital combines the solemn dignity of the Nguyen dynasty palaces with the stillness of its hundreds of ancient temples:

1. Court festival atmosphere inside the Hue Imperial City

The Imperial City is the centre of traditional Tet activities. Past Ngo Mon Gate, you can join re-enacted court rituals such as the changing of the guard and the raising of the neu pole (a bamboo pole set up at Tet to ward off evil), traditional martial arts displays and Hue court music (nha nhac) performed in the courtyard of Thai Hoa Palace. Visitors can also try folk games that were popular with the royal family at Tet in the past, such as do xam huong, tha tho and dau ho.

Any free entry for Vietnamese citizens on the first three days of Tet is announced each year by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, so check the latest notice before you go. Bring your citizen identity card to show at the ticket gate.

2. Sacred temples to visit at the start of the year

Hue is one of the country’s major Buddhist centres, with a network of quiet temples:

• Thien Mu Pagoda: An ancient national temple reflected on the Perfume River. Visitors offer incense at Phuoc Duyen Tower and pray for a safe and smooth new year.
• Tu Hieu Pagoda: Hidden in a green pine forest in Thuy Xuan ward, this quiet temple is the resting place of Nguyen dynasty eunuchs and is closely tied to the tradition of filial piety.
• Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda: A temple of the Southern Buddhist (Theravada) school set in a valley of rustling pines, known for its natural flower garden and stone tablets carved with calligraphy on the philosophy of living at peace.

3. Spring flowers and traditional photo spots in Hue

Beyond the historic sites, a spring trip to Hue also takes you to several colourful photo spots:

• Phu Van Lau – Nghinh Luong Dinh spring flower market: Tet flower displays along the north bank of the Perfume River, with yellow apricot blossoms of Hue, large chrysanthemums and ornamental flowers grown by local craftsmen.
• Thuy Xuan incense village: On Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, rows of thousands of incense sticks laid out in circles like coloured flowers make this a favourite stop for young visitors photographing traditional ao dai at Tet.

Sample same-day private car itinerary from Da Nang to Hue

The same-day round trip from Da Nang to Hue by private car is arranged to take in the sights and keep every age group comfortable:

Preparing for a spring visit to the old capital

Spring weather in Hue in January and February is usually cool, with average temperatures of 18°C to 22°C and occasional light drizzle, a typical feature of the imperial capital:

• Warm clothing: Pack a light jacket, a thin scarf and a small umbrella to shelter from spring drizzle and to use as a prop for traditional ao dai photos.
• Stable walking shoes: The Imperial City grounds and the tomb areas are very large and have many old stone steps, so soft-soled shoes make a full day easier.
• Hot food: The cool start of the year suits bun bo Hue in its hot, spicy broth, a plate of freshly steamed banh beo nam loc, or a cup of royal-style tea scented with chrysanthemum, served with spicy ginger candy from Kim Long.

For details on transport options, see the private car page for Da Nang to Hue, and read the comparison of ways to travel to Hue from Da Nang to choose the best option for your family.