The fee was approved at a special session of the Hue People’s Council on May 22 and will apply equally to Vietnamese and foreign visitors.
Under the resolution, Vietnamese visitors will receive free entry on the first day of the Lunar New Year and during several major national holidays. Discounts and exemptions will also apply to children, students, people with disabilities and researchers.
Officials said the fee would help fund the management, maintenance and preservation of the national heritage site.
Hai Van Quan, located on the border between Hue and Danang at an elevation of about 490 metres above sea level, was originally built during the Tran Dynasty and later restored under Emperor Minh Mang in 1826.
The site served as a key military fortress guarding the southern gateway to the former imperial capital of Hue during the Nguyen Dynasty.
A restoration project worth more than VND 42 billion (USD 1.6 million) was launched jointly by Hue and Danang authorities in 2021. The site has remained open free of charge since August 2024 following restoration work.
Under an agreement between the two localities, Hue will manage the site from 2026 to 2028 before administration rotates to Danang.