Hue Day Trip from Hoi An
- Shal & James
- May 7
- 5 min read
Updated: May 24
Dreaming of dragons, dynasties, and decadent tombs? A private Hue day trip from Hoi An is the royal deep-dive into Vietnam’s past you didn’t know you needed — and here's how to dodge the group tours and snag a private driver.
For a deep dive into Vietnam’s royal past, Hue is where it’s at. Home to UNESCO-listed sites like the Imperial City and opulent Imperial Tombs. Complex of Hue Monuments was Vietnam's first UNESCO listing and for good reason.
After hours of research, we figured out that while you can book a private or group tour to explore either the Imperial City or the three Imperial Tombs (plus Thien Mu Pagoda), there's no tour that includes both. So, we went rogue — hired a private driver (~£90 / $120) to scoop us up in Hoi An, hit the scenic highlights en route, and explore Hue on our own terms for maximum freedom. Here's what we saw:
Hai Van Pass
Free
Hai Van Pass is a winding mountain road with jaw-dropping views, and at its peak, you'll find a crumbling fortress—once a French and American bunker—where history and haze collide above the clouds. If you're lucky, you'll get a crystal-clear day to soak it all in... we were not so lucky, unless you count seeing clouds as a cultural experience.
Lap An Lagoon
Free
Lap An Lagoon is pure magic—where misty mountains meet mirror-like waters and locals pluck pearls from oysters like it’s no big deal. It's fascinating to see the locals here upcycle old bicycle tires into oyster nurseries—because why not turn yesterday’s ride into tomorrow’s pearls?
Right across the road, you can snag seriously high-quality pearl jewellery from the lagoon's own harvests, all for a fraction of what you’d pay back home. We’re talking real-deal souvenirs that won’t break the bank. James snagged a pair of pink pearl earrings for his mom... but now Shal's wondering why she didn’t get a set too!
If pearl jewellery isn't your thing, stop by B&H Villa Cafe across the street from the lagoon to snag a coconut coffee instead. Just remember it's cash only!
Hue Imperial City
Daily 8 AM - 5:30 PM
~£18 / $24 pp for advance city / tombs combo ticket
Built in 1802 by Emperor Gia Long, the first of 13 Nguyễn emperors, the Hue Imperial City was modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City but infused with Vietnamese traditions (including its own Forbidden Purple City). If you’re new to the world of Forbidden Cities, here’s the deal: these were exclusive, VIP-only palaces where only the emperor, empress and his inner circle could enter—think handpicked concubines and top officials.
History runs deep here—most notably in 1945, when Emperor Bảo Đại, Vietnam’s last emperor, abdicated on these very grounds, handing power to the famous Communist leader, Ho Chi Minh and closing the book on imperial rule.
The Imperial City is a sprawling, two-square-mile maze of temples, palaces, and gardens that had us both wandering and marvelling. We quickly realised why most people opt for bikes—our feet were feeling it after over four hours of exploring on foot! We tried the audio guide, but it didn’t exactly wow us with insights. A local private guide might’ve brought the history to life, but honestly, the grandeur of the structures spoke volumes on their own.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Daily 8 AM - 5PM
Free
Legend has it that a mysterious old woman, draped in red and blue, appeared on the hill where Thien Mu Pagoda now stands. She foretold that a great lord would build a pagoda there to bring prosperity to the land. Lord Nguyễn Hoàng took the prophecy to heart—and in 1601, he made it a reality. While it's not part of the UNESCO-listed, Complex of Hue Monuments, the seven-story octagonal pagoda is really impressive and seeing monks in prayer was pure, unplanned magic.
Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
Daily 7 AM - 5 PM
~£18 / $24 pp for advance city / tombs combo ticket
The original plan was to hit up all three UNESCO-listed royal tombs, but, surprise, we got way too carried away in the Imperial City and ended up with just one royal tomb, but we made it count. The Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh is the smallest but most expensive of them all, blending Vietnamese and European styles in over-the-top opulence. Think dragon-painted ceilings, intricate mosaics, and a bronze statue of the emperor himself—under which his coffin rests, nine meters underground.
We were gutted that we missed the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc who had 300 wives and concubines yet no children. His tomb, like his life, is full of intrigue—though he isn’t actually buried there. To keep his final resting place a secret, the 200 labourers who knew its location were, well… permanently silenced. Last but not least is the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a sprawling site with serene lakes, lush gardens, and 40 structures (palaces, temples, and pavilions)!
Or, if you’re cool with sticking to a schedule, you might fancy one of these highly-rated small group tours that we almost booked ourselves:
Small group 13 people max (~£33 / $44 pp)
Smaller group 5-9 people (~£96 / $128 pp)
The group tours above include bottled water and lunch, but not entrance tickets.
We booked combo tickets to the Complex of Hue Monuments in advance on Klook (~£18 / $24 pp) to dodge the dreaded long queues and avoid any disappointment. But when we got to the monuments, there were no lines, and it was way cheaper to just pay cash on-site. That said, nothing would be more heartbreaking than making the trek all the way there and not getting in. So, yeah, we'd probably do the same thing again just to be safe!
Psst... some links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, we earn a teeny bit – at no extra cost to you. Think of it as buying us a cheeky drink for the travel tips.
We always research, road-test, and report back with the good, the great, and the “meh.” If we link it, we’ve tried it (or nearly booked it) – and we’ll always be brutally honest, commission or not.
