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Where do the dragon boats depart from in Hue?

Hey there, so you’re wondering about where those dragon boats leave from in Hue, right? It’s a good question because the Perfume River is pretty long, and you don’t wanna be wandering around aimlessly when you’re ready for your dinner cruise.

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From what I’ve seen and from chatting with folks who’ve been there, the main spot, the one pretty much everyone talks about, is Toa Kham Pier. It’s super central, like, right near the Truong Tien Bridge. You know, that iconic bridge with the cool lights at night? Yeah, that one. It’s really easy to get to, whether you’re walking from your hotel or hopping in a taxi. When I was there last year, in November 2024, that’s where we headed to for our evening cruise. It felt like the hub of all the river activity, a real bustling spot with lots of boats bobbing around.

Now, while Toa Kham is the go-to, it’s not the only place. Sometimes, especially if you’ve booked a tour through your hotel or a specific agency, they might use other piers. For example, I’ve heard of boats departing from Ben So 5 Le Loi Pier or even the Huong Giang Hotel Pier. These are generally less crowded, which might be nice if you prefer a quieter start to your evening. There’s also the Nghinh Luong Dinh Pavilion Pier, which historically was for royal boats, and now it’s mostly for more high-end, luxury cruises. So, if you’re looking for that truly opulent experience, that’s a spot to keep in mind, though it might need a bit more planning ahead.

It just depends on what kind of experience you’re after. If you’re going for a more spontaneous, “let’s just see what’s available” vibe, Toa Kham is your best bet because there are usually plenty of boats and operators right there. But if you’ve got a specific dinner cruise booked, double-check your confirmation, because they’ll tell you exactly where to meet.

Either way, once you’re on that boat and floating down the Perfume River with the city lights reflecting on the water, it’s truly something special, no matter where you started from. It gives you this quiet, almost reflective feeling, like you’re stepping back in time a little. A must-do in Hue.