Vietnam – Off the Beaten Path

This tour offers a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, scenic drives, and a unique cooking class. You'll explore Hoi An's charming town and delve into Hue's imperial past.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN DA NANG- TRANSFER TO HOI AN 

Your private hotel transfer will meet you outside of the arrival hall at Da Nang Airport (DAD) then transfer to your hotel in Hoi An which takes around 45 minutes. Check in hotel then free at your leisure.

Meals included: None

Day 2: TRA QUE BIKING COOKING CLASS - HOI AN WALKING TOUR – HOI AN MEMORIES SHOW

Start after breakfast for a 30 minutes gentle bicycle ride through the flat country lanes to Tra Que, which is a charming little village located just a few kilometres northeast of Hoi An. The village is famous for growing many kinds of vegetables and herbs including: lettuce, salad, houttuynia, flagrant knoutwed, basil and coriander.

We will learn about the planting and growing of vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a herbal foot massage before taking a short informal cooking class with a local family, to learn how to make (and then eat) some local delicacies. 

HOI AN WALKING TOUR

Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, with a number of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, and and also western (Dutch and Spanish) during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Today, this UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for aa approximate 2 hours walking tour to give you a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past.

You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of Chinese, an old merchant’s house - Tan Ky and have a visit to the colorful local market.

THE REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE

In the evening you will enjoy a special show in Hoi an. “Hoi An Memories” Show - The heroic and romantic memories of Hoi An. Take a walk on the memory lane with “Hoi An Memories” Show, an outdoor visual arts performance, you will experience impressive stories on the rich history, culture and identity of Hoi An. “Hoi An Memories” show is a outdoor art performance with the participation of over 500 dancers and actors, various props, captivating stage effects, eye-catching choreography, modern sound and lighting, all in one on a 25,000 square metres stage.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: A SPECTACULAR DRIVE TO HUE

Leave around 8.00am and drive around 1.5 hours to the Ba Na Hills. This hill resort, inherited from the French, has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views. 

Until WWII, the French were carried up the last 20km of rough mountain road by sedan chair, but now a 5.7km (the world’s longest) cable car system has opened up access. The ride involves a rise of almost 1400m, a truly spectacular trip over dense jungle and waterfalls.

Folklore says that when the French arrived in this region, theysaw a lot of bananas and gradually this morphed to Ba Na!

Walk the Golden Bridge...

This amazing construction has attracted visitors worldwide, eager to see a novel piece of architecture famed for its unusual design. The pedestrian walkway, sits at over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level and extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face, offering visitors uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath.

The bridge was designed to evoke the image of the 'giant hands of God', pulling a strip of gold out of the and to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide an amazing scenic overlook.

We'll remain flexible as to the walks and sites visited.

Lunch is included, following which we'll continue to Hue by way of a scenic drive over the stunning Hai Van Mountain Pass. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level).

The rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea. Hai Van is translated "Sea Clouds", since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea.

The views over Lang Co Bay are stunning. We'll make stops along the way for photos and refreshments as required and will arrive into Hue by mid-late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: HUE DISCOVERY OF COMPLEX ARCHITECTS 

This morning, our private transfer and guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hue to begin your journey exploring the architectural wonders of Hue city.

Enter the ancient Hue Citadel and the Forbidden City.

The poetic and beautiful Hue of Vietnam was chosen to be the capital of the Southern Kingdom under Nguyen Lords’ Dynasty, and officially became the nation's capital under Tay Son Dynasty, King Quang Trung. The citadel palace complex is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River), inside Hue city.

It is a huge complex covering an area of 520ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The rule of the last Vietnamese Emperor lasted until the mid-1900s. At the time, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. It suffered from termite and cyclone damage, but was still very impressive. Many bullet holes left over from the war can also be observed on the stone walls.

Minh Mang tomb, on the west bank of the Perfume River is explored next. Begun in 1840, construction was not complete when Minh Mang died. His successor, Emperor Thieu Tri continued this task according to his father’s plans. It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to finish the project. Fully completed in 1843, the tomb comprises of about 40 monuments of various sizes which was designed on an
symmetric axis running from Dai Hon gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the tomb.

Then we will visit Thien An Monastery, which is located in Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue, in a romantic, airy space in the middle of the forest of pine. After many years of establishment, with the type of design of a convent church, Thien An Monastery still retains its intimacy, harmonizes with nature and is beautiful between the forest. We will have a great time there.

After that we will transfer to visit Dong Ba Market - the biggest market of Hue city. Dong Ba Market is the oldest of its kind in Hue, with hundreds of stalls selling household items, handicrafts, clothing and fresh produce at affordable prices. The Market spans almost 16,000 square metres, with several sections dedicated to fruits, seafood, clothing, meat, and handicrafts. Dong Ba Market is one of the few shopping venues in Hue, attracting tourists looking to experience the local lifestyle and shop for souvenirs and street food. Here you will have a chance to enjoy a local coffee at Depo Cafe Shop.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: DEPARTURE 

Private transfer to Phu Bai Airport (flight details tbc). Your guide will be with your transfer.

This service marks the conclusion of your 5-day, 4-night journey.

Meals included: Breakfast

SERVICES INCLUDED

• 4 nights in good hotels with breakfast each morning
• Bottled drinking water while on tour All tolls and taxes
• Qualified and licensed English-speaking tour guides
• Meals in local restaurants as mentioned in the itinerary. (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch)
• A/C private transportation with driver
• All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
• All tolls and taxes

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• International air ticket to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax if applicable
• Other meals where not mentioned in the program
• Personal expenses
• Travel and medical insurance
• Items not listed in the itinerary
• International air ticket to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax if applicable
• Tips for guides and drivers