How much does a Hue City Tour cost? The total price depends on the places you visit and the services you choose. You may pay for a private car, entrance tickets, lunch, and a tour guide. A dragon boat ride is optional. This guide shows the main costs to help you plan your budget.
Private Car Prices for a Hue City Tour
A private car is an easy way to see Hue in one day. The price is per car, not per person.
- Sedan (4 seats): 750,000 VND per car
- SUV (7 seats): 900,000 VND per car
- Van (12 seats): 1,250,000 VND per car
The price includes an air-conditioned car, a driver who speaks basic English, hotel pick-up and drop-off in central Hue, travel insurance, and one bottle of water per person. The tour usually starts at 8:00 AM and ends around 4:30 PM.
You can visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, and Thuy Xuan Incense Village.
The car price is shared by your group. For example, four people in an SUV pay 225,000 VND each. Six people in a Van pay about 208,333 VND each.
See our Hue City Tour by Private Car for tour details and booking.
Entrance Ticket Prices in Hue
You need tickets for the Imperial City and most royal tombs. These are the adult prices listed in our current guide:
- Hue Imperial City: 200,000 VND
- Minh Mang Tomb: 150,000 VND
- Khai Dinh Tomb: 150,000 VND
- Tu Duc Tomb: 150,000 VND
- Gia Long Tomb: 150,000 VND
- Dong Khanh Tomb: 100,000 VND
- An Dinh Palace: 50,000 VND
- Thien Mu Pagoda: Free
For the Imperial City, the listed ticket for children aged 7 to 12 is 40,000 VND. Ticket prices can change, so check the latest rates before your visit.
Combo Tickets
If you visit several royal sites, a combo ticket may save money. Our current guide lists a 3-site ticket at 420,000 VND and a 4-site ticket at 530,000 VND per adult. The 4-site ticket covers the Imperial City, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Tu Duc Tomb. The listed combo tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Please confirm the exact sites included in the 3-site ticket before buying.
Tour Guide Cost
A tour guide is optional. Your driver takes you to each stop but does not work as a tour guide.
Plan about 800,000 VND per group, per day for an English-speaking guide. This is an estimate. Please confirm the price when booking. For four people, this is about 200,000 VND each.
A guide can explain the history of the Imperial City, the royal tombs, and the Nguyen emperors. If you prefer, you can visit without a guide.
Dragon Boat Prices on the Perfume River
A dragon boat ride is optional. Our current guide lists 250,000 VND per boat for a ride of about 30 minutes to Thien Mu Pagoda, with up to 10 people.
- 1 person: 250,000 VND
- 2 people: 125,000 VND each
- 4 people: 62,500 VND each
- 10 people: 25,000 VND each
If you do not want a boat ride, your driver can take you to the pagoda by car. Confirm the boat price and capacity when booking.
Food and Drink Costs
Hue has many local dishes at different prices. You can choose where to stop for lunch.
- Local dishes: 30,000 to 60,000 VND per dish
- Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant: 120,000 to 250,000 VND per person
- Royal-style meal: 350,000 to 600,000 VND per person
- Coffee and other drinks: 15,000 to 35,000 VND each
For a normal lunch with a drink, plan about 150,000 to 250,000 VND per person. You may spend less on street food. Prices vary by restaurant.
Try local dishes such as Bun Bo Hue, Com Hen, Banh Beo, and Banh Khoai. Read our Hue food guide for more ideas.
Sample Hue City Tour Budget
These examples include a private car, a 420,000 VND combo ticket per adult, and lunch at 200,000 VND per person. We use a Sedan for one or two people and an SUV for four people.
| Cost (VND) | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car | 750,000 | 750,000 | 900,000 |
| Combo tickets | 420,000 | 840,000 | 1,680,000 |
| Lunch | 200,000 | 400,000 | 800,000 |
| Total | 1,370,000 | 1,990,000 | 3,380,000 |
| Per person | 1,370,000 | 995,000 | 845,000 |
With a Boat and Tour Guide
Add 250,000 VND for the boat and 800,000 VND for the guide per group.
| Cost (VND) | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total with boat and guide | 2,420,000 | 3,040,000 | 4,430,000 |
| Per person | 2,420,000 | 1,520,000 | 1,107,500 |
These are example budgets, not fixed package prices. Your total depends on your route and the services you choose.
How to Save Money on a Hue City Tour
A Hue City Tour does not have to be expensive. The best way to save money is to choose a route that fits your time and interests.
For most first-time visitors, the Imperial City is a good place to start. It is one of the main sights in Hue, and you can easily spend a few hours there. After that, you can visit Thien Mu Pagoda and one or two royal tombs.
You do not need to see every tomb in one day. Each tomb has its own history and design, but visiting too many places can make the day feel rushed. If you are not sure which places to choose, our one-day Hue itinerary can help.
A private car is often a good choice for families and small groups. The price is for the whole car, so sharing it with other travelers reduces the cost per person. You can also take breaks when you need them, especially during Hue’s hot afternoons.
Entrance tickets are another cost to consider. If you plan to visit several royal sites, ask about combo tickets before buying separate tickets. A combo ticket may save you money, but only if you visit the places included.
For lunch, there is no need to choose an expensive restaurant. Hue has many small local restaurants where you can try Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khoai, and other local dishes. A simple local lunch can also be a nice part of your trip.
A tour guide and a dragon boat ride are worth considering, but they are not necessary for everyone. If you enjoy history, a guide can help you understand the Imperial City and royal tombs. If you prefer a quiet trip on the Perfume River, a short boat ride to Thien Mu Pagoda is a good option.
The important thing is to spend your money on the experiences you enjoy, rather than trying to fit everything into one day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are entrance tickets included in the private car price?
No. The private car price covers transport and the services listed in your booking. Entrance tickets are normally paid separately.
Do I need a tour guide?
Not always. You can explore the main sites on your own. However, a guide can be helpful at the Imperial City, where many buildings have stories that are easy to miss without an explanation.
Should I take a dragon boat or travel by car?
Both are good options. A boat ride is a relaxing way to see the Perfume River, while a car is more practical for visiting royal tombs outside the city center. You can also combine both in one day.
Can I visit all the royal tombs in one day?
It is possible to visit several tombs, but we do not recommend rushing through all of them. For most visitors, one or two tombs, together with the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda, make a comfortable day trip.
Plan Your Hue City Tour
Every traveler has a different idea of a good day in Hue. Some people want to learn about the Nguyen Dynasty. Others prefer a relaxed trip with time for photos, local food, and a boat ride.
You can choose the places that interest you most and leave the rest for another visit.
If you would like to explore Hue at your own pace, see our Hue City Tour by Private Car. You can check the vehicle options and plan a route that works for your group.
