Hue City Tour by Private Car – 1 Day with a Local Driver

Hue City Tour by Private Car takes you to Hue’s main sights with your own car and local driver. Walk around the Imperial City, visit two royal tombs and stop for photos at Thuy Xuan Incense Village. Your driver handles the travel between stops, so you do not need to find a taxi after each visit.

This trip is a good choice if you want to explore Hue at your own pace with your partner, family or friends. You can spend time taking photos, walking around the sights or enjoying a lunch break. Tell us what you enjoy, and we will help you plan a route that fits your day. You explore each site independently while we take care of the transport.

Tour Highlights

• Travel in a private air-conditioned car with a local driver.
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda and enjoy views of the Perfume River.
• Walk through the gates, courtyards and palace buildings of Hue Imperial City.
• See the detailed decorations at Khai Dinh Tomb and the lake and gardens at Tu Duc Tomb.
• Stop for photos and watch incense making at Thuy Xuan when the makers are at work.
• Choose your lunch stop and explore at a pace that suits your group.

Suggested Hue City Itinerary by Private Car

Route: Hotel → Thien Mu Pagoda → Hue Imperial City → lunch stop → Khai Dinh Tomb → Tu Duc Tomb → Thuy Xuan Incense Village → hotel.

Your driver picks you up at your hotel in central Hue at the agreed time. Let us know before the trip if you want to change any stops. For planning tips, read our One Day in Hue itinerary. For a breakdown of the day’s expenses, see our Hue City Tour cost guide.

1. Take a Dragon Boat along the Perfume River — Optional

An optional 30-minute dragon boat ride on the Perfume River can be arranged before reaching Thien Mu Pagoda. The boat charge shown for this option is 250,000 VND per boat for up to 10 guests. If you prefer to skip the boat, your driver takes you directly to Thien Mu Pagoda by car.

2. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Enjoy the River Views

Walk up the steps to see the seven-storey Phuoc Duyen Tower, then follow the paths through the temple grounds. From the front of the pagoda, you can look out over the Perfume River and take photos of the river and boats below. There is time to walk around before continuing to the Imperial City.

3. Explore the Palaces and Courtyards of Hue Imperial City

Explore the former home of the Nguyen emperors. Walk through large gates and open courtyards, visit palace buildings and look at the dragons, painted woodwork and tiled roofs. You can follow the main walking route or spend more time on the areas that interest you. If you enjoy taking photos, the gates and covered corridors offer plenty of details to look for.

Stop for Lunch and Try Local Food

Take a break for lunch before visiting the royal tombs. Your driver can suggest a local restaurant based on what you would like to eat. Choose your dishes and enjoy the break without following a fixed group menu.

4. See the Ceramic Art at Khai Dinh Tomb

Climb the steps to the courtyard, where you can see rows of stone officials and animals. Inside Thien Dinh Palace, look closely at the colorful ceramic decorations on the walls. The small pieces form flowers, dragons and other detailed patterns.

The surrounding hills and streams were part of the tomb’s feng shui design—the traditional practice of placing buildings in relation to the landscape. Take a look at the hillside setting as well as the buildings.

5. Walk by the Lake and Gardens at Tu Duc Tomb

Walk beside Luu Khiem Lake, stop at the lakeside pavilions and follow the paths through the pine trees and temple courtyards. Compared with Khai Dinh Tomb, this site has more open space and feels more like a large garden. You can take photos by the lake and enjoy a slower walk through the grounds.

The landscape was also important in the tomb’s feng shui. Nearby hills were chosen to act as symbolic protection around the site. The setting is part of the design, not just a background to the buildings.

6. Stop for Colorful Photos at Thuy Xuan Incense Village

Stop to see the colorful bundles of incense sticks and take photos of the displays. When the makers are working, you can watch how incense is rolled by hand. Have a look around the small shops, and ask before using their displays for photos.

Relax on the Drive Back to Your Hotel

After the last stop, your driver takes you back to your hotel in central Hue. The return time depends on your pickup time and how long you spend at each stop.

Private Car Prices

Choose the vehicle that fits your group. Prices are per vehicle, not per person.

Sedan (1-3 pax)	SUV (1-5 pax)	VAN (5-12 pax)
750.000 vnd ~ 29USD	900.000 vnd ~ 35 USD	1.250.000 vnd ~ 49 USD