OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

08:30 AM: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hue City Center. Start the trip exploring Hue City by motorbike.

- We’ll first thing stop at Phuong Duc, a small village on the southern bank of the Perfume River.  Located about 3km southwest of the Hue citadel, Phuong Duc, a guild of Casters is a renowned bronze casting village that originated from a guild of bronze casters organized during the Nguyen Dynasty. Many national treasures were made in the village, including the nine tripod cauldrons, the nine holy cannons, and the giant bell of Thien Mu pagoda. Visiting here, you can witness traditional bronze-casting techniques and see how artisans skillfully craft their products.

- The next destination will be Hổ Quyền, also known as Tiger Arena. It was constructed under the Nguyen dynasty and was a Roman-style arena where emperors, Mandarins, and locals enjoyed fierce fights between elephants and tigers. It was at this tiger arena that elephants got ready for the battles. 

- Visit the Voi Ré palace—one cultural monument that was recognized as a national monument in 1998. This palace was properly considered the place to pay honour to elephants—the essential animals in war and transportation in the past—during the Nguyen Dynasty. Those brave elephants were conferred Commander-in-Chief featuring: Tượng Ré, Tượng Bích, Tượng Nhĩ and Tượng Bôn.

- Leaving Voi Ré palace, you will head to Thuy Xuan incense-making village.  Located on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, about seven kilometers from Hue’s center, Thuy Xuan is a lush village at the foot of Vong Canh Hill beside the Perfume River. Over 700 years old, the incense-making village here has been handed down since the Nguyen Dynasty. Thuy Xuan people are still attached to the incense profession, despite going through many historical events. Not only means of livelihood, these incense sticks are also to preserve the traditions left by their ancestors.

12:00 PM: Cross the pontoon bridge, which is built by the local residents, to visit Gia Long’s Tomb, also known as Thien Tho Royal Tomb. Emperor Gia Long founded the Nguyen Dynasty – the last dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal history. His tomb is well-known for the most beautiful feng shui position among the Nguyen Dynasty tombs, with 42 mountains surrounding the complex, each bearing its own name. Step inside the the burial area of Gia Long Tomb, you will be conquered by  the magnificent and tranquil atsmophere. It is surrounded by lush green and peaceful lake.

01:00 PM: Have a vegetarian lunch at the restaurant. For Hue people, vegetarian cuisine is an important part of their culture, as they observe two vegetarian days each month – on the full moon day and the first day of the lunar calendar. The dishes offer a frugal yet nutritious flavor, making them a popular choice among locals. If you prefer not to have a vegetarian meal, we can arrange duck dishes instead.

01:30 PM: Drop you off at your hotel in Hue City Center. Tour ends!