Imperial City Hue Tour

• Discover the history of Hue’s Imperial Citadel with a local expert guide

• Walk through the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City and explore royal architecture

• Learn about the Nguyen Dynasty – Vietnam’s last imperial family

• Hear untold stories about concubines, eunuchs, and imperial secrets

• Enjoy a relaxed, small-group experience perfect for history and culture lovers

Step into the heart of Vietnam’s imperial past on this 2-hour guided walking tour of the Hue Imperial Citadel — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty for over 140 years.

⏰ Tour Duration: Approximately 2 hours
📍 Start Point: Ngo Mon Gate (main entrance)
🚶‍♂️ Tour Pace: Easy walking with frequent stops for storytelling and photography
🌤️ Best Time to Join: Early morning (8:00–10:00 AM) or late afternoon (3:00–5:00 PM) to avoid the midday heat

Your journey begins at the Ngo Mon Gate, the imposing main entrance where emperors once reviewed ceremonies. Pass through its layered terraces and into the vast courtyard of Thai Hoa Palace, where coronations and royal meetings were held. Admire the harmony of imperial architecture — red lacquered pillars, dragon motifs, and a roof tiled with glazed ceramics.

Continue deeper into the Forbidden Purple City, once restricted to the royal family. While much of it was destroyed during wartime, its restored pavilions and lingering foundations give life to stories of emperors, concubines, and royal customs.

Your local guide will weave together tales of Hue’s dynastic rise and fall, highlighting fascinating facts:
• Why the Citadel was designed according to ancient feng shui principles
• How imperial power was displayed through space, symmetry, and colors
• Where the emperor watched performances or wrote poetry in solitude

The tour also reflects on the Citadel’s more recent history — see bullet-scarred walls and hear how the site withstood battles during the Vietnam War.

Whether you’re a curious traveler or a history buff, this intimate walking tour offers a vivid journey through Vietnam’s regal legacy in its most storied city.

• lease wear comfortable shoes as this is a walking tour

• Bring a hat and sunscreen during summer months

• The tour runs rain or shine — bring an umbrella if needed

• The Forbidden Purple City is partially reconstructed, some areas may be under renovation

• Children under 5 join free but must be accompanied by an adult

• Please wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection (hat, sunscreen)

• Bring cash if you wish to buy souvenirs or snacks near the Citadel

• The tour will run rain or shine — bring an umbrella or raincoat if needed

• Modest clothing is recommended out of respect for cultural sites

• Not suitable for wheelchair users due to uneven ground