Hue Walking Tour to Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City

The Hue Walking Tour to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City provides an immersive experience into Vietnam’s storied past. Over the course of 2.5 hours, visitors explore key attractions like the Nine Holy Cannons and the Noon Gate, learning about the lives of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and their court culture. With an English-speaking guide and a small group size, the tour offers valuable insights into the architectural and cultural legacy of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those seeking a deeper understanding of Hue’s history, this walking tour presents a compelling opportunity to…

This experience made our list of the 12 Best Walking Tours In Hue.

Key Points

• This 2.5-hour walking tour provides an exploration of the Imperial Citadel and Ruined Forbidden City in Hue, Vietnam, offering insights into the region’s history and culture.
• Key attractions include the Nine Holy Cannons, Noon Gate, and Flag Tower, showcasing the architectural and cultural legacy of the Nguyen Dynasty.
• The tour includes an English-speaking guide and covers the lives of emperors, wives, concubines, and eunuchs, providing an immersive experience of Vietnam’s imperial history.
• Entry tickets to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City are not included in the tour price but can be purchased separately or as part of a combo ticket.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible, and a full refund is available for cancellations up to 24 hours in advance, with reservation options and deferred payment available.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Hue Walking Tour to Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City is priced from $20.28 per person and lasts for 2.5 hours.

The group size is limited to 8 participants, and the tour is conducted in English. It’s wheelchair accessible, and travelers can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Travelers can also reserve their spot and pay later.

The tour allows visitors to explore the Imperial Citadel and Ruined Forbidden City, learn about the lives of emperors, their wives, concubines, and eunuchs, as well as discover the history and culture of Hue and Vietnam with local experts.

Tour Highlights

Frequently, the Hue Walking Tour to Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City allows visitors to explore the Imperial Citadel and Ruined Forbidden City, learning about the lives of emperors, their wives, concubines, and eunuchs.

Participants discover the history and culture of Hue and Vietnam with local experts. Key attractions include the Nine Holy Cannons, Noon Gate, Flag Tower, Supreme Harmony Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, The Mieu Temple, Dien Tho Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City.

This walking tour provides a comprehensive understanding of the Nguyen Dynasty‘s architectural and cultural legacy, offering an immersive experience for those interested in Vietnam’s imperial history.

Key Attractions

The Hue Walking Tour to Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City features several key attractions that offer visitors a glimpse into Vietnam’s imperial history.

These include:

• The Nine Holy Cannons, cast in 1803, which are valuable bronze works of art.
• The Noon Gate, built in 1833, used for troop movements and ceremonies.
• The Flag Tower, an architectural monument of the Nguyen Dynasty.
• The Supreme Harmony Palace, the coronation site of 13 Nguyen kings.

Plus, the tour explores the Nine Dynastic Urns, commissioned by Emperor Minh Mang in 1835, the Mieu Temple, a worship site for 10 Nguyen Dynasty kings, and the Forbidden Purple City, the center of daily life for kings and their families.

Tour Logistics

The tour begins at the 4 Holy Cannons of Ngan Gate (Cửa Ngăn), where the English-speaking tour guide will be waiting with a sign bearing the participant’s name or available for contact via WhatsApp. Entry tickets are not included in the tour price, but combo tickets for the Imperial City and up to 3 tombs are available. The cost for the Imperial City alone is 200,000 VND per adult, while the combo tickets range from 420,000 VND to 530,000 VND.

Ticket Type	Price
Imperial City	200,000 VND
Imperial City + 2 Tombs	420,000 VND
Imperial City + 3 Tombs	530,000 VND

The tour includes a friendly English-speaking guide, but excludes food, drinks, tips, and any other items not explicitly mentioned.

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Inclusions and Exclusions

During the Hue Walking Tour to the Imperial Citadel, the tour guide’s services are included. This means that participants can rely on the expertise of a knowledgeable, English-speaking guide throughout the 2.5-hour experience.

However, the tour price doesn’t cover the following:

• Entry tickets to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City (200,000 VND per adult)
• Food and drinks during the tour
• Tips for the tour guide
• Any other expenses not explicitly mentioned in the tour inclusions

Participants can also purchase combo tickets, which provide access to the Imperial City and either 2 or 3 royal tombs, valid for two days.

History and Culture

Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, boasts a rich history and captivating cultural heritage that comes to life during the Hue Walking Tour to the Imperial Citadel.

Visitors will explore the ornate Nine Holy Cannons, the Noon Gate used for troop movements and ceremonies, and the Flag Tower – an architectural marvel of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The tour delves into the fascinating lives of the Nguyen Emperors, their wives, concubines, and eunuchs, providing a glimpse into the opulent and intricate court culture.

The tour also showcases the Supreme Harmony Palace, the coronation site of 13 Nguyen kings, and the Forbidden Purple City, the center of daily life for the royal family.

Exploring the Citadel

Stepping into the Imperial Citadel, visitors embark on a captivating journey through Vietnam’s rich heritage.

Wandering the grounds, they discover:

• The Nine Holy Cannons, stunning bronze sculptures cast in 1803 that symbolize power and prestige.
• The Noon Gate, a grand entry point used for troop movements and royal ceremonies.
• The Flag Tower, an architectural monument that showcases the Nguyen Dynasty’s engineering prowess.
• The Supreme Harmony Palace, the coronation site of 13 Nguyen kings, where historical events unfolded.

As they delve deeper into the citadel, visitors uncover layers of history, exploring the lavish palaces and gaining insights into the lives of emperors, their families, and the court’s intricate dynamics.

Recap

The Hue Walking Tour to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City offers an immersive experience into Vietnam’s rich history and culture. Participants explore key attractions, learning about the lives of emperors, their families, and the court culture of the Nguyen Dynasty. With a maximum group size of 8 and an English-speaking guide, this tour provides valuable insights into the architectural and cultural legacy of Hue.

You can check if your dates are available here: