Nice experience, very customer-oriented company fast and easy booking, very fast reaction. Mr. Bien a well-prepared guide and enthusiastic. You should try this experience.
Hue Highlights Small Group Tour - Shore Excursion
Chan May Port or Tien Sa Port
Port Pick-Up & Drop-Off
15 Passengers Maximum
The ancient capital of Hue is characterised by its imperial charms and many of its heritage buildings. With a mix of natural landscapes and architectural marvels, Hue is a hidden gem that captures the historic essence of Vietnam. Travel to Hue and turn your journey into a captivating experience straight from the pages of a storybook.
Highlights
Pick-Up & Drop-Off From Chan May Port or Tien Sa Port
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Admire Exquisite Handcrafted Creations
Feel the Royal Ambiance of a Majestic Tomb
Take a Leisurely Boat Ride on the Perfume River
Tour Details
Chan May Port
From $139 per person
Tien Sa Port
From $140 per person
Season
Year-round!
Duration
All private tours are approximately 8 hours. At the end of the private tour, we always make sure that you return on time to board the cruise ship.
Meeting point
Pick-up from Chan May Port or Tien Sa Port
Port Permit Service
Our guide and transport will go inside the port, right to your cruise ship for pick-up and drop-off. This requires passport details such as full name, passport number, DOB, expiry date and nationality.
Max Group Size
We limit the number of guests to 15 to ensure the best experience at every destination.
Included
- All Entrance Fees
- All Taxes
- Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Unlimited Bottles of Water
- English-Speaking Guide
- Port Permit Service
- Lunch (please note we can cater for any dietary requirements, just be sure to get in touch beforehand)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Booking Fees
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Insect Repellent
- Light Jacket
What to wear
Please ensure you dress respectfully. Knees and shoulders should be covered when you visit religious sites.
Itinerary
Welcome to the Land of Heritage
This small group shore excursion will reveal the hidden charm of Hue, a culturally rich destination in Central Vietnam. Meet your guide at your preferred port of call and transfer to an air-conditioned vehicle to kick off your journey.
Hue was the country’s cultural and religious heart, with symbolic monuments that have made their way onto the UNESCO World Heritage list. Make your way to the heart and soul of Hue – the Complex of Hue Monuments with Hue Citadel as the core structure of the complex. The architecture reflects the grandeur of the once-golden dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty. Walking through the different areas of the Imperial Citadel, including the museums, the temples and the chambers truly brings its history to life.
*If you come from Chan May Port, we will travel through Hai Van Pass, meaning “Ocean Cloud Pass.” The scenic route winding through the mountainside serves as the natural border between Hue and Da Nang. In 2021, the renowned US magazine Travel + Leisure(opens in a new tab) ranked the Hai Van Pass among the top 4 of the world’s 10 most beautiful coastal drives.
Discover the Artistry of Local Handicrafts
Your next stop will be Thuy Xuan Village, a famous craft village located about 7 km from the city centre. The incense-making tradition dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty, carrying a rich history spanning nearly 700 years. You will witness how an incense stick undergoes intricate processes to preserve the distinct scent. Have your camera ready to take photos of these colourful incense sticks.
Marvel at the Amazing Architecture of a Royal Tomb
A trip to Hue will not be complete without exploring the majestic royal tombs of the Nguyen emperors. These tombs evoke the grandeur and mystique of a bygone golden era. You can take this opportunity to connect with the past and uncover fascinating stories of royal life.
On this shore excursion, we will visit the Tomb of King Tu Duc. Deeply devoted to art and poetry, Emperor Tu Duc poured his passion into creating a tomb that is both romantic and magnificent. Tu Duc Tomb is regarded as the most well-preserved among the seven tombs of the Nguyen emperors. You will step back in time with interesting stories about the construction of the tomb and the luxurious life of Tu Duc with his 104 wives.
Enjoy a Boat Trip along the Perfume River
During the next leg of the journey, make your way to Bunker Hill. Overlooking the poetic Perfume River, the site served as a military vantage point used by the French and Americans during the wars with Vietnam, and now many bunkers still remain. You can get up close to investigate the bunkers while admiring the gentle flow of the river.
After lunch at a cosy restaurant, continue your journey to Tiger Arena, a 200-year-old circular area in Hue. Reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum, the Vietnamese Tiger Arena is nestled within a lush jungle landscape. In the past, it was the place where the Nguyen Dynasty used to organise battles among elephants and tigers.
To conclude our shore excursion, journey to Thien Mu Pagoda. Feel free to discover the architectural highlights of this religious site, such as Tam Quan Gate, Dai Hung Palace, Phuoc Duyen Tower, and many more. Next off, we will board a classic dragon boat and cruise down the Perfume River back towards the city. You will get back to the port in time to continue your cruise.
See What Our Guests are Saying
I now refer my friends, family and colleagues, as well as book all of my tours, accommodation and flights with Maika because I feel very lucky to have finally found an organisation in Asia that gives me the confidence to do so.
The tour was very well organized, and the guide spoke very good English. We got to see and experience so many things: Besides visiting a pagoda and Buddha statue, we also went on a boat ride (with a stop to enjoy a coconut drink) and visited local businesses producing rice paper, conical hats and mats. We had fresh fruit and tea for a snack and Pho soup for lunch which was delicious! We had such a good day and would highly recommend this tour!
We went on this tour, two families of four, with children aged 9-12 years old. We were really happy with it and highly recommend. Lin was our guide and she was fantastic, would really do a trip with her again. It was nice to do this privately and easy to adjust with Lin if needed. Maika helped us book the accommodation in Can Tho which we really appreciated. Would highly recommend and for sure do again.
You did a great job looking after all of our family of 7. The kids enjoyed all the tours and especially the Mekong cruise …as did we……because the kids were so happy we got to enjoy some time to ourselves too. I would recommend Maika Tours if your thinking of visiting Vietnam!
