Take a 30-minute flight over Hue’s old royal compound, where the royal family lived in the 19th century, until the French ousted the Nguyen dynasty in the 1880s. The Nguyen dynasty wasn’t the first royal family to live in a walled-off city — it was based on the design of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Hue Citadel faces the Perfume River, with a layout deemed auspicious by divination. It’s surrounded by tall walls, and it’s impossible to see the compound from the public street.

You’ll board a small, cessna plane with enough room for just 12 passengers. The small size of the plane ensures that everyone gets a good view. In addition to the long, winding Perfume River, you’ll also see bamboo fish mazes at the confluence of several other rivers. The fish mazes form a patchwork across the Tam Giang Lagoon, and you’ll see boats busily making their way through landscape rarely seen by visitors.

Look down to see a complex that includes imperial tombs and an elaborate royal gate. Although this tour is only 30 minutes, you’ll see an incredible variety of Hue’s most interesting sights. Your guide will provide interesting facts about the city as you pass over Hue, and answer any questions that might arise over this citadel’s secret history.

Sunglasses, camera, and money to tip your guide.

Guided tour in a seaplane.