Hue, Vietnam: 41 km imperial city route with 10 stops

The 41 km Hue Route covers the main attractions of the imperial city: the Citadel, Tien Mu Pagoda, An Dinh Palace and the mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. The itinerary also includes Huyen Khong Temple, the abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Water Park, and the Lumiere Vy Da Boutique Hotel.

Distance
41.1 km
Mode
route
Start
Hotel Lumiere Boutique Vy Da
End
Thien Mu Pagoda
Stops
10
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Hotel Lumiere Boutique Vy Da — A boutique hotel with colonial architecture that has preserved the authentic charm of the imperial era of Vietnam.
  2. Temple Huyen Khong — Buddhist temple complex
  3. Дворец An Dinh Palace — A royal residence of the late XIX century, combining French and Vietnamese architectural styles.
  4. Мавзолей Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc — A grandiose complex with ponds and pavilions, which served as a place of meditation for the emperor during his lifetime.
  5. Мавзолей Mausoleum of Emperor Dong Khanh — A compact mausoleum with a harmonious combination of Eastern and Western design elements.
  6. Abandoned Hồ Thủy Tiên Water Park — An abandoned theme park with the ruins of attractions, creating the atmosphere of a mystical artifact of the past.
  7. Mausoleum Lăng Khải Định — An eclectic mausoleum with roof turrets and gilded elements, reflecting the influence of French colonialism.
  8. Мавзолей Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang — A majestic funerary complex surrounded by lakes and gardens, embodying the philosophy of balance and harmony.
  9. Imperial Citadel of Huế
  10. Thien Mu Pagoda — Historic Buddhist pagoda with scenic views on the Perfume River

Useful for your trip

Transport
The train from Da Nang to Hue (100 km) takes just over 3 hours. The ticket costs 147,000 VND. The platform only opens when the train arrives, so it doesn't make sense to arrive an hour in advance.
Transport
At the entrance to the station and on the train, electronic tickets are checked visually, without scanning. A ticket must be available at the entrance to the station.
Where to stay
Hotel Lumière Boutique Vy Da: a room for $29 per night with a spacious bathroom, two sinks, a separate toilet, bathrobes, daily delivery of water, tea and coffee. The hotel is new (opened in 2026).
Where to stay
The hotel has pickball courts, a gym, a large area with several buildings of 6 floors. Early check-in is possible (in this case at 13:00 instead of 14:00).
Food
Lumière Texas BBQ & Craft Beer at the Vy Da. When ordering a burger, they give you a free beer of classic size (330 ml). Burger with two patties, two layers of cheese and bacon. Good prices.
Save money
A combined ticket for 12 attractions in Hue costs VND 100,000 and is valid for 5 days. A separate ticket to the Imperial Palace alone costs 200,000 VND.
Timing
The station is air-conditioned, there are free sockets and a water vending machine. There is no need to arrive too early - the platform will open as soon as the train arrives.
Tip
The train has dirty windows, so the views on the way may not be very visible. This is the cheapest ticket option, used mainly by locals.
Timing
It is better to start visiting the Imperial Palace at 7:00 in the morning, as it is very hot during the day. Bring a spare shirt for the change.
Tip
At the entrance to the Imperial Complex there is a complete map of all objects. There are many people in costumes for photographs on the grounds, especially Vietnamese.

Video on this route

HUE 2026 🇻🇳 | The Imperial City of Vietnam: What to See in 3 Days

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