Embark on your journey to Hue, travelling along Da Nang's northern coast and pausing at the summit of Hai Van Pass to investigate war bunker remnants. Upon reaching Hue, you'll explore the Citadel, the city's main attraction. This complex includes the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Emperor's Private Residence. Constructed between 1804 and 1833 during the Nguyen Dynasty - Vietnam's last feudal kingdom - the Citadel boasts 2-kilometre ramparts and a peaceful moat. Within its walls, you can discover an assortment of structures such as the Imperial City Gates, the Purple Forbidden City, temples, pavilions, and exquisitely landscaped gardens.
Following a brief lunch break, you'll embark on a scenic boat trip along the Perfume River, stopping at Thien Mu Pagoda. This active Buddhist monastery, established in 1601, houses moving historical exhibits including a car owned by a former monk who self-immolated in 1963 to protest against the South Vietnamese regime's treatment of Buddhists. Your journey concludes with a visit to the tranquil Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings and constructed according to feng shui principles.
