From Hoi An/Da Nang: Hue Imperial City Tour via Hai Van Pass
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Hue Imperial City Discovery Tour offers a carefully curated journey into Vietnam’s former imperial capital, combining history, culture, architecture, and authentic local life in one seamless experience.
Travel in comfort from Da Nang or Hoi An, crossing the legendary Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal roads, before arriving in Hue. With a knowledgeable local guide, explore the UNESCO-listed Hue Imperial City, royal tombs, ancient pagodas, and vibrant local markets, gaining deep insight into the Nguyen Dynasty and the traditions that shaped Hue’s identity.
Designed as a premium small group tour (maximum 12 guests), this experience ensures personal attention, smooth pacing, and meaningful storytelling. Door-to-door pickup, well-planned stops, authentic Hue cuisine, and thoughtfully selected highlights make this tour ideal for travelers seeking a rich, stress-free, and memorable cultural journey.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If you are staying in Hue after your journey, please let our staff know in advance!
Any special requirements, please let us know!
Please provide all information such as phone number, email and accommodation details
What To Expect
Hai Van Pass
Stop at the historic Hai Van Pass, once a strategic military gateway between North and South Vietnam. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over Da Nang along this iconic 21-kilometer mountain road, famous for its dramatic scenery, coastal landscapes, and photo opportunities.
Lap An Lagoon
Lap An Lagoon is one of Hue’s most beautiful natural landscapes, often described by travelers as the place where mountains meet the sea. Surrounded by calm waters and lush scenery, it offers peaceful views and perfect photo opportunities.
Options
Premium Small Group ALL-IN
Premium Small Group Tour: Small group size, premium service, professional guide, and comfortable transportation. Duration: 11 hours Lunch at Madam Thu Restaurant: Savor a carefully selected set lunch at Madam Thu Restaurant, known for its authentic Hue flavors and high-quality local dish High-quality 16-seater Vehicle Entrance Fees: Entrance Tickets to Imperial Citadel and Khai Dinh Mausoleum are included Pickup included
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Pick up & Drop off in Da Nang/Hoi An
Entry Ticket to Hue Imperial City & Khai Dinh Tomb (If option with entry tickets is selected)
High-quality 16-seater Vehicle with AC
Hue Cuisine & Footbath at Madam Thu Restaurant
Experienced Local Tour Guide
Beverage during lunch
Gratuities
Personal Expenses
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
163 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Hue
David S,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day out . wonderful bus. perfectly timed . plenty of time in each place we visited . Highly recommended.
Wonderful trip
Nat,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a really great day trip from Hoi An. Visiting Hue was an incredible experience. The guide was really knowledgeable.
Hoi An to Hue and back to Hoi An
Ray R,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were staying in Hoi An and wanted to have one night in Hue and then back to Hoi An. Alex turned up on time and was a nice, safe driver who spoke good English. We went to Hue via the Hai Van Pass. On the way we said we would like to see the Hue sites before coming back to Hoi An. This was organised easily and Alex picked us up the next morning as scheduled. Saw the sites and back to Hoi An. Cannot recommend Alex or VM Travel enough. 👍
Fantastic guide
Patricia L,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide An was fantastic, great information and open to questions about culture and surroundings.
Hue from Hoi an.
Jose M,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an amazing experience worth the travel time to get there from Hoi An. Our guide Cong was informative and very friendly. The Citadel tour was expansive and educational including the history of the last emperor. The other sites visited were also very important in Hue’s history - the tomb and pagoda. The included lunch was delicious as well. All in all a great day trip that everyone should experience.
Day trip to Hue
hasarindat,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day trip to Hue organized by VM travels. Our guide(Ray Nguyen) was really great, he was very informative & his planning was perfect which enabled us to see all the 3 places listed on the tour at a reasonable pace. The set menu lunch that was organized for us was authentic Vietnamese which we enjoyed a lot(was the only tour we got to enjoy a truly Vietnamese lunch - all other tours had buffet & the food was a step down from this). Ray was also nice enough to drop us & our luggage off at our hotel in Da Nang which saved us a trip from Hoi An to Da Nang. Overall the best day trip we had in Vietnam. Highly recommended.
Beautiful city, long travel distance
Gingersontour87,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We did the tour of hue from hoi an. It is about a 3 hour journey by car. We made a stop on the way there but not on the way back. This was not mentioned as you were rushed on to the mini bus after the last stop. The tour packed in some main attractions - citadel, temple and tomb with lunch in the middle. It felt rushed and there was no time to get water or snacks - so I would make sure you pack what you need for the tour with no expectation that you will be able to top up on the way. The tour guide gave water - 2x 500ml bottles but if you need more than that for an 11-12 hour trip I would bring more. We travelled as a couple and there was no acknowledgment of this at lunch from the guide which meant we had to sit with other people. Not the end of the world but would have need nice to sit with the people you travel with. They made accommodation for food allergies and checked when at the restaurant as well. Over all a good day trip - long journey with rushed sight seeing but I think that would be the case when visiting hue from hoi am on a group tour due to the travel distance.
Great full day visit with Hue - Interesting Attractions and great food
Coastal68108505096,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were staying in Hoi an and want to visit Hue in the last day of our stay. Found this tour which is perfect for the time allow. It was just right to cover a broad sense of the function of Hue's ancient past. The highlight was our tour guide Minh aka Tony :) He was passionate about his country and explained so much history about all the attraction points. It took 30-40min from hoi an to Da Nang and then 2.5 hours to Hue, so lot of travelling but it was ok because Tony made it very interesting, we had a toilet break half way so it was perfect. The van is the standard tourist Van, not too flash but it was comfortable. Lunch was great, it covers all the Hue signature dishes, I think it was fine. You can pay extra for additional beverages. It was a fun day, we ended up back to Hoi an at around 7pm, so just in time for the start of the night market :)
A wonderful trip to Hue
Gabriele N,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stunning Hue! The tour has been fantastic, Ben is a really passionate guide and explained very well the history and culture of the place we visited. The lagoon was amazing too and the group of people was a real pleasure.
The tour was really well...
Keith M,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was really well organised. Seeing the old Capital of Hue was very fascinating. The Citadel was amazing. Lunch was one of the best we've had on any tour. Three courses was served. We got lucky as we were the only one's who went. Which meant we were like VIPs 😁 The driver and the tour guide John were extremely professional and John was a wealth of knowledge. Highly recommend doing this tour.
Related Experiences
Operated by VM Travel