Private Hue City Tour by Car, Choose Your Sights

Hue Imperial City

The Imperial City was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from Hue between 1802 and 1945. Behind the moat and the massive Meridian Gate lie the Thai Hoa Palace throne hall, temples, gardens, galleries and the Forbidden Purple City, much of which was damaged in 1968 and is being carefully restored. The whole Complex of Hue Monuments has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Plan two to three hours here; it is the heart of any private Hue city tour. Hue Imperial City opening hours are generally from early morning until about 17:30 daily, with evening openings on some days, and entrance tickets are bought at the gate. Our driver drops you at the main entrance and waits for you. Because drivers cannot guide inside heritage sites, we recommend adding a licensed guide if you want the full story.

Thien Mu Pagoda and Tu Hieu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda stands on Ha Khe hill above the Perfume River, about 4 km west of the city centre. Founded in 1601, it is the symbol of Hue, with its octagonal seven-storey Phuoc Duyen tower, a giant bronze bell, stone turtle steles and peaceful gardens where monks still live and study. Entry is free; allow 30 to 45 minutes. If you wonder how to get to Thien Mu Pagoda, it is an easy 10-minute drive, and our driver can stop at the riverside for photos.

Tu Hieu Pagoda lies in a pine forest south-west of the city. Built in the nineteenth century, it is a working Zen monastery with a crescent lotus pond, moss-covered courtyards and a small cemetery of royal court eunuchs. It is one of the quietest places in Hue: visit gently, keep your voice low and cover shoulders and knees.

Minh Mang Tomb and Tu Duc Tomb

The royal tombs south of Hue are not just graves but whole landscaped complexes of gates, courtyards, temples and lakes. Minh Mang Tomb, completed in the 1840s about 12 km from the centre, is the most symmetrical: a long axis of courtyards, pavilions and bridges runs across lotus lakes to the burial mound. It is classical, harmonious and beautifully reflected in the water early in the morning.

Tu Duc Tomb, built in the 1860s closer to the city, was used by the emperor as a retreat palace while he was still alive. Pine trees, a lake with a waterside pavilion for reading and contemplation, and quiet temples make it the most poetic of the tombs. Allow 45 to 60 minutes at each. A Hue tombs day trip by private car is the easiest way to combine them, as public transport does not reach them easily.

Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb is the most unusual of Hue's royal tombs. Built between 1920 and 1931 on a steep hillside about 10 km south of the city, it mixes Vietnamese tradition with European influences in grey concrete, with dragon balustrades, a courtyard of stone mandarins, elephants and horses, and a stele pavilion. The final hall, Thien Dinh Palace, is covered inside with dazzling mosaics of glass and porcelain.

Is Khai Dinh Tomb worth visiting? Yes, especially for its interior, which is unlike anything else in Vietnam. Expect a long staircase to the top, so wear good shoes and allow about 45 minutes. It is compact compared with the other tombs, which makes it easy to fit into an 8-sight day, and our driver will plan the order so you reach it at a cooler time of day if possible.

Thuy Xuan Incense Village and An Dinh Palace

Thuy Xuan Incense Village, on the road to the tombs, has made incense for centuries and once supplied the royal court. Families dye sticks in bright red, yellow and pink, then dry them in huge fan-shaped bundles that make one of Hue's most photographed scenes. You can watch the sticks being rolled by hand and see conical hats and other crafts. A 20 to 30-minute stop is enough.

An Dinh Palace, on the An Cuu River in the city, was built in the early twentieth century as a royal residence and later remodelled in a European style. Its main building has ornate façades, painted ceilings and murals, and it was the last home of the royal family after the end of the monarchy. It is rarely crowded and makes a calm, interesting contrast with the Imperial City; allow about 30 to 45 minutes.

The abandoned water park at Thuy Tien Lake

In the pine hills south-west of Hue, the water park at Thuy Tien Lake opened in the early 2000s and was left unfinished and abandoned a few years later. Its best-known feature is a huge concrete dragon rising from the lake, with stairs inside its body leading up to its head, plus empty slides and an old amphitheatre slowly taken over by the forest.

It is a quirky, photogenic stop for adventurous travellers rather than a classic heritage sight. Access conditions can change, and parts may be closed or under renovation at times, so our driver checks before you go and stays nearby. Wear sturdy shoes and take care on old structures. Best time to visit Hue for this kind of outdoor stop is February to April, when the weather is mild and dry; September to December brings heavy rain.