FechTin Go · Vietnam · Thua Thien Hue

Perfume River

Three fishermen casting on the Perfume River · Ngoc Vuong · Pexels License

The river that splits Hue in two, and a floating stage for Hue song every evening.

The Perfume River runs so slowly that in places it looks still, and the whole of Hue is arranged around it: the citadel on the north bank, the French quarter on the south, the imperial tombs strung along the upper reaches. The name, by the usual explanation, comes from the scent of plants carried down from upstream. The right way to experience it is in the evening: board a dragon boat, go out midstream, listen to a session of Hue song with zither, moon lute and old voices, then at the end float a paper lantern onto the water. By day this same river is the road to Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen temple and the tomb of Minh Mang.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Perfume River?

January to April; Hue song in the evening

How much does it cost to visit Perfume River?

Boat and performance priced by the trip, usually per boat

How long do you need at Perfume River?

2 hours for a Hue song session

What are the opening hours of Perfume River?

All day; Hue song performed in the evening

Did you know

• The river divides Hue into the north bank with the citadel and the south bank with the French quarter.
• By the usual explanation the name comes from the scent of plants carried down from upstream.
• Hue song performed on dragon boats is the musical form tied to this river.
• The river is the water route to Thien Mu pagoda, Hon Chen temple and the imperial tombs.

Travel tips

• Book a Hue song boat through your hotel or at Toa Kham wharf; agree the number of pieces and the length.
• By day use the river itself as the route to the tombs rather than going by road.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfume_River

Updated: 2026-08-16