Hue Imperial City Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Is a stop in Hue on your list? Like, when I was planning my visit, I wanted to soak up as much history as I possibly could. That means I wanted to be walking the same ground as emperors and really take in that incredible architecture. I did my research, compared all the different tours on offer, and eventually picked the ‘From Hue Full Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch.’ So, I thought I should pass on my experiences. I hope it really gives you a feel for if this adventure is right for your travel plans. It’s almost a must for anyone who likes to learn a thing or two when they are exploring someplace new.

A Whirlwind Day in Vietnam’s Old Imperial City

Alright, the tour starts, usually, with a hotel pickup, so that’s a really convenient way to begin a full day. It saves you figuring out transport first thing. So, on this particular trip, our first stop was Thien Mu Pagoda. Now, that is a serene spot right on the Perfume River, with lots of history, actually. The pagoda has great stories from way back when, and you will see why it is a great intro into Hue’s deep history.

Next up, our tour included a boat trip down the Perfume River, just the kind of laid-back way to travel! Being on the water allows you to see a completely different side of Hue. It really does provide a chance to catch your breath before seeing more grand sights. That day the water was quite still so that helped contribute to that peaceful feel.

After the boat trip, we visited the Imperial Citadel, and honestly, it’s just the highlight of the whole day. The Citadel is that large, walled section of Hue that once was home to emperors and royal families. As you walk through places like the Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City, you are almost taken back centuries. The guide was really able to paint a great picture of what life was like here for the people living inside the Citadel.

Lunch and Local Flavors

No tour is complete without diving into the local food, is it? So, this tour does include lunch at a spot that’s pretty famous for its local specialties. As a matter of fact, Hue food tends to be spicier and more vibrant than some of the other Vietnamese food you might have had before. A favorite from lunch was Bún bò Huế, a spicy beef noodle soup which I definitely recommend trying if you get the chance.

In fact, the lunch was great since it wasn’t just about trying a local meal, but the location helped, too. So, you get to rest and refresh. It really is the perfect opportunity to chat to the others in your group about all that you’ve experienced so far.

I found out that lunch in that setting, also helps set you up for more sightseeing. So, that full stomach prepares you to take on a little bit more!

The Mausoleums: Emperors’ Final Resting Places

Okay, after filling up on local grub, the tour takes you to visit the royal tombs. That day we went to the Tomb of Minh Mang and the Tomb of Khai Dinh. Minh Mang’s tomb has great gardens and buildings, so you’ll get a feeling for his tastes and personality.

In contrast, Khai Dinh’s tomb shows the influence of outside designs. It is, rather, built with elements of Vietnamese and European architecture, which made it stand out.

Each tomb shares a story of an emperor, their life, and their status, too it’s almost like they are history lessons in structure. As a matter of fact, make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes, there will be lots of walking, so you will need them! I certainly appreciated having the right footwear that day.

What Makes This Tour Special

There are lots of tours to see the Imperial City. What made this particular one stand out? Well, I’d say it’s the tour guide. So, a guide can make a great place even better, can’t they? I lucked out as my guide knew so much about the history, yes, but he was amazing, as he really seemed passionate, like really passionate about sharing stories about the emperors. It became almost as though we really did get a look into what it might have been like to actually live back then. It felt very engaging.

I think the inclusion of both the boat trip and lunch does help give you time to think between each activity, and makes for a relaxed experience. Another great thing about it is how it makes sure to include stops at all of Hue’s iconic landmarks, really. So, this means by the end of the day, that you will know that you saw all you wanted to see. Pretty helpful if your time is limited, very!

The tour is typically, generally, capped off with transport back to your hotel. After a full day, that is appreciated a lot! Now you can unwind and reflect on everything you’ve seen and done.