Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is a destination steeped in history, culture, and poetic beauty. With the Imperial Citadel – a UNESCO world cultural heritage, Thien Mu Pagoda on the legendary Perfume River, and unique cuisine such as bun bo and banh beo, Hue attracts more than 4.5 million visitors each year, according to the Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism (2024). In 2025, Hue is expected to increase the number of visitors by 12% thanks to events such as the “Hue Festival” (June-July) and the renovation of the walking street area.
This article provides a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and savings tips for a 3-day, 2-night self-guided tour of Hue, suitable for both beginners and experienced backpackers.
Why choose Hue tour 3 days 2 nights?
Hue, 670km from Hanoi and 1,050km from Ho Chi Minh City, is famous for the quiet beauty of its tombs, pagodas, and peaceful space along the Perfume River. According to Vietnamnet (2024), Hue is one of the top 10 cultural destinations in Vietnam thanks to relics such as the Imperial City, Khai Dinh Tomb, and rich cuisine such as Hue sweet soup and mussel rice. A 3-day, 2-night self-guided tour allows you to fully explore the highlights, experience a dragon boat on the Perfume River, and enjoy local specialties. The average cost is from 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, suitable for individuals, families, or groups of friends.
FAQ: How to explore Hue fully in 3 days? Follow the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before traveling to Hue on your own
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Book travel tickets: From Hanoi/HCMC, book a flight to Phu Bai airport (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, 1-2 million VND/round trip) or train (500,000-1 million VND/round trip). From Phu Bai airport to Hue city center (15km), take a taxi (200,000 VND) or bus (50,000 VND). Rent a motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day) or bicycle (50,000 VND/day) in Hue for flexible travel.
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels like Thanh Lich Royal Boutique (800,000-1.5 million VND/night) or homestays like Hue Riverside (300,000-600,000 VND/night).
Estimated cost: 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, including transportation (1-2 million VND), accommodation (600,000-1.5 million VND), food (100,000-200,000 VND/meal), and entrance tickets (150,000-200,000 VND/site).
Supported applications: Use Google Maps, Vietmap for location. Book flight tickets via Traveloka, train tickets via Baolau. Follow the weather on AccuWeather to avoid rain (September-November).
Luggage: Ao dai (rent 100,000 VND/set for taking photos), sunscreen (SPF 50+), hat, sneakers, digestive medicine, ID card. Bring cash because ATMs are limited in areas far from the center.
Tip: Book your flight 1-2 months in advance through Vietjet to save 20%. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid the crowds. Bring your own water bottle and a cloth bag to buy specialties such as sesame candy and royal tea.
Detailed itinerary for Hue tour 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Hanoi/HCMC – Hue – Imperial City – Thien Mu Pagoda – Perfume River
6:00: Take an early flight from Hanoi/HCMC to Phu Bai airport (6:00-7:30). Take a taxi (200,000 VND) or bus (50,000 VND) to Hue city center. Check in at Thanh Lich Royal Boutique (800,000 VND/night) or Hue Riverside homestay (300,000 VND/night).
9:00: Breakfast at Bun Bo Ba Tuyet (47 Nguyen Cong Tru, 40,000 VND/bowl). Rich Hue beef noodle soup, fragrant broth, served with raw vegetables and crab cakes.
10:30: Rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/day) to the Imperial City (150,000 VND/ticket, 2-3 hours). Explore the Nguyen Dynasty Citadel, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden City. Rent an Ao Dai (100,000 VND/set) to take photos at Ngo Mon Gate.
13:00: Lunch at Cung Dinh restaurant (25 Nguyen Thai Hoc, 150,000 VND/meal) with mussel rice, banh beo, banh nam. Rest at Mat Biec cafe (40,000 VND/cup) with nostalgic space.
15:00: Visit Thien Mu Pagoda (free, 1 hour), the oldest pagoda in Hue on the Perfume River. Take photos at Phuoc Duyen Tower and learn about the history of the pagoda from the 17th century.
17:00: Dragon boat ride on the Perfume River (100,000 VND/person, book through Hue River Tour: 0905 123 456). Listen to Hue folk songs (50,000 VND/person, 1 hour), watch the sunset on the river.
19:00: Dinner at Les Jardins de la Carambole (32 Dang Tat, 200,000 VND/serving) with grilled spring rolls and banh khoai. Free to explore Nguyen Dinh Chieu walking street (19:00-22:00, free), try Hue sweet soup (20,000 VND/cup). Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Tu Duc Tomb – Khai Dinh Tomb – Vong Canh Hill – Dong Ba Market
7:00: Breakfast at Com Hen Co Ha restaurant (1 Han Mac Tu, 40,000 VND/portion). Delicious rice with mussels and rich shrimp paste topping.
8:30: Rent a motorbike (100,000 VND/day) to Tu Duc Tomb (150,000 VND/ticket, 1.5 hours). Explore the poetic tomb of King Tu Duc, admire Luu Khiem Lake and Hoa Khiem Palace.
10:30: Visit Khai Dinh Tomb (150,000 VND/ticket, 1 hour), a unique tomb with a combination of Eastern and Western architecture. Take photos of the sophisticated reliefs and porcelain mosaics.
12:00: Lunch at Ba Do restaurant (8 Nguyen Binh Khiem, 150,000 VND/meal) with grilled pork rice paper rolls and grilled pork vermicelli. Rest at Cung Dinh tea shop (30,000 VND/cup).
14:00: Visit Vong Canh hill (free, 1 hour), enjoy panoramic view of Huong river and Ngu Binh mountain. Take photos with poetic natural scenery.
16:00: Visit Dong Ba market (free), buy specialties such as sesame candy (50,000 VND/box), royal tea (100,000 VND/package), and ready-made ao dai (200,000 VND/set).
19:00: Dinner at Tinh Gia Vien restaurant (20/3 Le Thanh Ton, 200,000 VND/meal) with beef hotpot and banh ram it. Join the night cycling tour around the Perfume River (100,000 VND/person, book through Hue Cycling Tour). Overnight at the hotel.
Tip: Buy a combo ticket to 3 mausoleums (Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, Minh Mang: 360,000 VND) to save 20%. Wear sneakers when going to Vong Canh hill. Book a table at Tinh Gia Vien via hotline (0234 123 4567).
Day 3: Tam Giang Lagoon – Lang Co Beach – Return to Hanoi/HCMC
7:00: Breakfast at Nam Pho Banh Canh restaurant (16 Pham Hong Thai, 40,000 VND/bowl). Thick banh canh, delicious toppings of fish cakes and shrimp.
8:30: Rent a motorbike to Tam Giang lagoon (25km, free). Take photos at the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia, watch fishermen casting their nets. Rent a boat (100,000 VND/person, 1 hour) to explore the lagoon.
11:00: Travel to Lang Co beach (40km, free). Swim at the clear blue beach, enjoy coconut water (20,000 VND/fruit). Have lunch at Be Than restaurant (150,000 VND/meal) with lobster and grilled squid.
14:00: Check out of hotel, take taxi (200,000 VND) or bus (50,000 VND) to Phu Bai airport. Buy sesame candy specialty (50,000 VND/box) at the airport.
16:00: Take flight back to Hanoi/HCMC (1-1.5 hours). End of trip.
Tip: Book a boat trip to Tam Giang lagoon through Hue River Tour to avoid running out of seats. Bring a swimsuit when going to Lang Co beach. Check your luggage before leaving the hotel.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your experience and budget. Here is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 3-5 million | 1-2 weeks | Tour guide support, save time, including car, hotel, entrance tickets | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 2.5-4.5 million | 1-2 months | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, weather risks |
Tips: Package tours are suitable for beginners or international visitors who want to hear historical explanations. Self-guided tours are ideal for young people who like freedom, but you need to book your flight and boat tickets in advance through Klook.
Tips to save money when traveling to Hue on your own
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Book early: Book flight tickets through Vietjet, Traveloka 1-2 months in advance to get 20% discount. Book hotel through Agoda to get 10-15% discount.
Choose a homestay: Stay at a homestay like Hue Riverside (VND 300,000/night) instead of a 4-star hotel (VND 1.5 million/night) to save 50%.
Local food: Choose a restaurant like Bun Bo Ba Tuyet (40,000 VND) instead of a tourist restaurant (200,000 VND/serving). Try banh beo and Hue sweet soup at Dong Ba market (20,000 VND/serving).
Travel economically: Rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/day) or motorbike (100,000 VND/day) instead of a taxi (200,000 VND/trip). Walk around the center of Hue to reduce costs.
Join a group tour: Dragon boat tour on the Perfume River (100,000 VND/person) or mausoleum tour (500,000 VND/person) is cheaper than renting a car yourself (1 million VND/trip).
Note: Traveling in low season (January-April, September-December) saves 20%. Bring cash as ATMs are limited in remote areas. Avoid eating in tourist areas to avoid being overcharged.
Frequently asked questions about Hue 3 days 2 nights tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Hue?
January-April and September-December, dry, cool weather. Avoid September-November due to storms. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid crowds.
2. How much does it cost to travel to Hue on your own?
Self-sufficient from 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, package tour 3-5 million VND, depending on service and number of attractions.
3. Is Hue tourism suitable for families?
Yes, places like the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda are safe for children. Homestays like Hue Riverside have family rooms (VND500,000/night). Let us know in advance if you have children so we can adjust the menu.
4. What to do if the weather is bad?
Visit the Imperial Citadel, mausoleums, and Dong Ba market instead of Tam Giang Lagoon. Follow AccuWeather and contact Hue River Tour (0905 123 456) to adjust the itinerary.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides sightseeing?
Listen to Hue folk songs on the Perfume River, cycle around the center, enjoy cuisine such as beef noodle soup, mussel rice. Night tour of the walking street (100,000 VND) and Dong Ba market are also very interesting.
Conclusion: Explore the ancient capital with Hue tour 3 days 2 nights
A 3-day, 2-night self-guided tour of Hue is a great way to explore the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Perfume River, and Tam Giang Lagoon. With a detailed itinerary, specific costs, and 2025 savings tips, you can easily enjoy the ancient capital without worrying about going over budget. Plan today, book your tickets through Traveloka, and prepare for an emotional trip!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/danh-sap-hue-kham-pha-kinh-do-tram-mac-tiet-kiem-nghin-do-3298109.html
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