Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is a place that preserves unique cultural, historical and culinary beauty. With ancient tombs, the poetic Huong River, and dishes such as Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khoai, this is an ideal destination for those who love nostalgia and sophistication. Only 650km from Hanoi and 1,050km from Ho Chi Minh City, a 4-day, 3-night self-guided tour will take you through the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and famous check-in spots. This article provides a detailed itinerary for 2025, practical experiences, and cost-saving tips, suitable for beginners, professional travelers, and businesses organizing team building.
Why choose Hue self-guided tour 4 days 3 nights?
Hue offers a unique experience with a combination of history, culture, and cuisine. From the Hue Imperial City - a UNESCO heritage site, to the royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, you will feel the breath of the ancient capital. Hue cuisine, with beef noodle soup, pomelo sweet soup, and banh nam, is a highlight not to be missed. With 4 days and 3 nights, you have enough time to explore the relics, enjoy delicious food, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Independent travel helps you flexibly arrange your schedule, save money, and experience Hue in an authentic way. In 2025, with the development of tourism services, Hue promises to bring a memorable journey.
FAQ: Is 4 days and 3 nights enough to explore Hue? With a reasonable plan, you will fully experience the heritage, culture, and cuisine of the ancient capital. Let's explore the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before your self-guided tour to Hue 2025
To make your trip smooth and economical, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Ideal time: February-April (spring, cool weather 18-25°C) and September-November (autumn, little rain) are the best times. Avoid May-August (hot, temperature up to 35°C) and December-January (lots of rain). Book early to avoid high prices during peak seasons such as Hue Festival (June 2025).
Transportation: From Hanoi/HCMC, take a plane to Phu Bai airport (800,000-2,000,000 VND/way, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways). From the airport, take a taxi (150,000 VND) or bus (50,000 VND) to Hue city center (15km). Bus (300,000-500,000 VND/way, Phuong Trang, Hoang Long) or train (400,000-700,000 VND/way) are also economical options. In Hue, rent a motorbike (120,000-150,000 VND/day) or bicycle (50,000 VND/day) to explore.
Finance: Estimated cost 3,000,000-5,000,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, entrance tickets). Bring 1,000,000 VND in cash/person and a bank card (ATMs are common in the center of Hue).
Accommodation: Book a homestay (250,000-600,000 VND/night, Hue Riverside Villa, Sunny Homestay) or a 2-3 star hotel (500,000-1,500,000 VND/room/night, Cherish Hotel, Moonlight Hotel) via Booking, Agoda. Choose an area near the Perfume River or Nguyen Dinh Chieu walking street for convenient travel.
Luggage: Bring a light jacket, sneakers, folding umbrella, wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+), personal medication. Prepare a small backpack with drinking water (2 bottles of 500ml) and snacks (bread, sticky rice, 50,000 VND) to save money when traveling far.
Supported applications: Google Maps, Vietmap for location; Traveloka, Klook for booking flights, hotels; Foody for finding restaurants. Download Hue offline map for use when there is no internet.
Tip: Book tickets to visit the Imperial City and the mausoleums in a combo (VND 360,000/3 mausoleums) to save 20%. Check the Hue Festival 2025 schedule to avoid crowds.
Detailed 4-day, 3-night Hue travel itinerary 2025
The itinerary is designed to explore Hue’s heritage, culture, and cuisine, from the Imperial Citadel to delicacies like beef noodle soup and banh khoai. Use motorbikes and walking to maximize the experience. Here is the detailed plan:
Day 1: Hanoi/HCMC – Hue – Imperial City – Perfume River
6:00: Depart from Hanoi/HCMC
Take a plane to Phu Bai airport (800,000-2,000,000 VND, 1-1.5 hours). From the airport, take a taxi/bus to Hue city center (150,000/50,000 VND, 30 minutes). Arrive in Hue around 9:00 am, check-in at a homestay/hotel near the Perfume River (250,000-1,500,000 VND/night). Rent a motorbike (120,000 VND/day) to get around.
10:00: Visit Hue Imperial City
Ride a motorbike to the Imperial City (ticket 200,000 VND/person, book a combo of 360,000 VND/3 mausoleums to save money). Explore the Nguyen Dynasty Citadel, the Nine Urns, and the Forbidden City. Listen to the tour guide tell about the history of the kings. Visit time is about 2 hours. Have lunch at Ba Hen restaurant (Han Mac Tu street) with mussel rice (30,000 VND/meal).
14:00: Thien Mu Pagoda
Ride a motorbike to Thien Mu Pagoda (5km, free). See Phuoc Duyen Tower and the peaceful space by the Perfume River. Take photos with the ancient architecture and learn about the legend of the pagoda. Visiting time is about 1 hour.
16:00: Cruise on the Perfume River
Book a cruise ticket at Toa Kham wharf (100,000 VND/person, 1 hour). Watch the sunset on the Perfume River, listen to Hue folk songs (add 50,000 VND if you want to listen). Bring snacks (sandwiches, 50,000 VND) to save money.
18:30: Dinner and walking street
Dinner at Bun Bo O Cuong (Nguyen Hue street) with authentic Hue beef noodle soup (40,000 VND/serving). Stroll along Nguyen Dinh Chieu walking street , enjoy lemon tea (20,000 VND/cup) and buy souvenirs such as conical hat (100,000 VND). Overnight in Hue.
Day 2: Tu Duc Tomb – Khai Dinh Tomb – Banh Khoai
7:30: Breakfast and visit Tu Duc Tomb
Have breakfast with Nam Pho noodle soup at Thuy restaurant (Chi Lang street, 30,000 VND/serving). Ride a motorbike to Tu Duc tomb (7km, ticket 150,000 VND/person). Explore the architecture in harmony with nature, Luu Khiem lake, and listen to the story of King Tu Duc. Visiting time is about 1.5 hours.
10:30: Khai Dinh Tomb
Ride a motorbike to Khai Dinh Tomb (10km, ticket 150,000 VND/person). Admire the unique Vietnamese-French architecture, with sophisticated porcelain inlays. Take photos at the court and Khai Thanh Palace. Visiting time is about 1 hour.
12:30: Lunch and enjoy banh khoai
Lunch at Banh Khoai Hong Mai (Dinh Tien Hoang street) with banh khoai, nem lui, cha tom (50,000-80,000 VND/serving). Enjoy Hue green tea (20,000 VND/cup).
14:30: Vong Canh Hill
Ride a motorbike to Vong Canh Hill (7km, free). Enjoy the panorama of the Huong River and the green pine hills. This is an ideal check-in spot for sunset photos. Visiting time is about 1 hour.
18:00: Dong Ba Market – Hue Cuisine
Ride a motorbike to Dong Ba market . Enjoy snacks such as banh nam, banh loc, banh it la gai (10,000-20,000 VND/portion). Buy specialties such as sesame candy (50,000 VND/box), sour shrimp (100,000 VND/jar). Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 3: Tam Giang Lagoon – Lang Co Beach – Hue Tea
7:30: Have breakfast and depart for Tam Giang lagoon
Have breakfast with turmeric noodles at Ba Ty restaurant (Le Loi street, 30,000 VND/serving). Ride a motorbike to Tam Giang lagoon (25km, free). Admire the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia, take photos with the wooden bridge and fishing boats. Rent a boat (100,000 VND/person, 1 hour) to explore the life of fishermen. Tour time is about 2 hours.
11:30: Lunch and visit Lang Co beach
Ride a motorbike to Lang Co beach (40km, free). Have lunch at Be Tu seafood restaurant (150,000-200,000 VND/person) with shrimp, squid, grilled fish. Swim in the sea, take photos with the white sand and majestic mountains. Visit time is about 2 hours.
15:30: Return to Hue – Hue Sweet Soup
Return to Hue city center. Enjoy Hue sweet soup at Che Hem shop (Hung Vuong street) with grapefruit sweet soup and mung bean sweet soup (15,000-20,000 VND/cup). Buy more to bring back as gifts.
18:30: Dinner and listen to Hue folk songs
Dinner at Cung Dinh restaurant (Le Loi street) with traditional Hue dishes such as banh beo, banh bot loc (80,000 VND/person). Book tickets to listen to Hue folk songs on the Perfume River (100,000 VND/person, Toa Kham wharf). Overnight in Hue.
Day 4: Dien Loc Countryside Market – Shopping for specialties – Return to Hanoi/HCMC
7:30: Breakfast and visit Dien Loc rural market
Have breakfast with grilled pork rice paper rolls at Co Hanh restaurant (Tran Phu street, 30,000 VND/serving). Ride a motorbike to Dien Loc rural market (20km, free). Learn about rural market culture, buy agricultural products such as rice, shrimp paste (50,000-100,000 VND). Visit time is about 1.5 hours.
10:30: Shopping for specialties
Ride a motorbike to Dong Ba market or Big C supermarket to buy specialties such as sesame candy (50,000 VND/box), sour shrimp (100,000 VND/jar), royal tea (150,000 VND/package). Negotiate the price to get a 10-15% discount.
12:00: Lunch and departure
Lunch at Bun Bo Ba Tuyet (Nguyen Cong Tru street) with beef noodle soup and purple sweet potato dessert (50,000 VND/person). Check out of homestay/hotel. Take a taxi/bus to Phu Bai airport (150,000/50,000 VND) to fly back to Hanoi/HCMC (800,000-2,000,000 VND). If taking a bus/train (300,000-700,000 VND), arrive around 20:00-22:00, ending the trip.
Compare independent travel and package tours
To choose the right form, below is a comparison table between independent travel and package tours:
| Criteria | Independent travel | Package tour |
|---|---|---|
| Expense | 3,000,000-5,000,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, tickets) | 4,500,000-7,000,000 VND/person (including car, food, accommodation, tickets) |
| Flexible | High, free to arrange schedule | Low, fixed schedule |
| Experience | Authentic, close to local culture and cuisine | Convenient, with tour guide to share knowledge |
| Suitable for | Young, experienced, culture loving | Newcomer, Family, Business |
Tips: Self-guided tours are ideal for those who love to explore and want to flexibly enjoy Hue cuisine. Package tours are suitable for beginners or businesses organizing team building (for example: Vietravel, prices from 4,500,000 VND/person). Book tours through reputable companies to ensure quality.
Tips to save money when traveling independently to Hue 2025
To optimize costs, apply the following tips:
Choose a reasonable restaurant: Eat at a cheap restaurant like Ba Hen, O Cuong (30,000-80,000 VND/meal) instead of a high-class restaurant. Buy snacks at Dong Ba market to save money.
Group travel: Share the cost of homestay, motorbike, and mausoleum combo tickets to reduce 20-30% of personal expenses.
Smart shopping: Negotiate prices for specialties at Dong Ba market, buy early in the morning to get fresh products and good prices (10-15% discount).
Free priority points: Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Vong Canh Hill, Dien Loc rural market to save on ticket costs.
Note: Check the Hue Festival 2025 schedule to avoid crowds. Bring a folding umbrella and a light jacket in case of sudden rain.
Experience unique cuisine in Hue
Hue is a culinary paradise with exquisite dishes. Here are some dishes not to be missed:
Hue beef noodle soup: Rich broth, served with pork leg and crab cake (40,000 VND/serving, O Cuong restaurant, Ba Tuyet).
Banh khoai: Crispy fried cake with shrimp and meat, price 50,000 VND/serving (Hong Mai restaurant).
Mussel rice: Stir-fried mussels, served with raw vegetables, price 30,000 VND/serving (Ba Hen restaurant).
Hue Sweet Soup: Pomelo sweet soup, mung bean sweet soup, price 15,000-20,000 VND/cup (Che Hem shop).
Banh nam, banh loc: Price 10,000-20,000 VND/portion, eaten at Dong Ba market.
Tip: Go in groups of 4-6 to order a combo of dishes, saving 20%. Ask for the price before ordering to avoid miscalculation.
Frequently asked questions when traveling to Hue
1. What is special about Hue?
Hue is famous for its Imperial Citadel heritage, royal tombs, Perfume River, and exquisite cuisine such as beef noodle soup, banh khoai, and Hue sweet soup.
2. Is 4 days and 3 nights enough to explore?
Enough to visit major attractions such as the Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc Tomb, Tam Giang Lagoon, and enjoy the cuisine with a reasonable schedule.
3. How much does the trip cost?
Self-sufficient about 3,000,000-5,000,000 VND/person, package tour from 4,500,000-7,000,000 VND/person.
4. Are there any special preparations required?
Bring a light jacket, sneakers, and a folding umbrella. Book combo tickets for the mausoleum and check the Hue Festival 2025 schedule to avoid the crowds.
5. What to do if the weather is bad?
Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance. If it rains, visit the Imperial City, Dong Ba Market, or listen to Hue folk songs indoors.
Conclusion: 4 days 3 nights journey to explore Hue
A 4-day, 3-night self-guided tour of Hue is a great opportunity to explore cultural heritage, enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient capital, and enjoy unique cuisine. With a detailed itinerary, practical experience, and cost-saving tips for 2025, you are ready to start this adventure. Pack your bags, book your tickets, and explore Hue today!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/combo-du-lich-hue-4-ngay-3-dem-cham-tay-bao-vat-400-nam-tuoi-toi-tu-cam-thanh-xem-cau-thay-ao-7-sac-3265658.html
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