Classic Central Vietnam 8 Days
Day 1: Hanoi arrival/Hue (G)
Arriving at Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, you will be at the airport to connect a domestic flight to Hue. When you arrive, you’ll be met by our guide and driven to visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue and the Dong Ba market. You’ll spend the night in Hue.
Day 2: Cycling to get closer to Hue’s life (B, L, G)
Pick up your bike and ready for a ride through Hue’s rural villages towards the Thanh Toan Bridge (roofed in Chinese style). Nearby, a local market will provide you with views of daily life and local products. You’ll then return to Hue’s city centre with en-route visit the Ngoc Son Princess ‘garden house’. It has an attractive family altar and the owner is an expert on Hue’s culture and history – he will be pleased to explain the geomantic principles underpinning the building and garden’s construction.
After lunch, your route will take you to visit some of the garden houses in Phu Mong Kim Long village, thence ride toward one of the handicraft villages in Hue’s hinterland that specialises in a single product range of traditional cakes – ‘banh it’ and ‘banh phu the’ before looping back to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
Day 3: Hue/Danang/Hoi An (B, L, G)
In the morning, your car will drive you to Danang. On the way, you’ll cross the Hai Van mountain pass. The views from the top are excellent – you should be able to see Lang Co beach, Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, and the lagoon far below, with Danang spread out before you to the south. In the afternoon, you’ll have a guided visit to the Ancient Town of Hoi An and spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 4: Hoi An rural life (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll take an easy cycling to the rural scenery of Hoi An to a small village located on the banks of the Tra Que lagoon, three kilometres northeast of the old town. You’ll join local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Your lunch will be prepared by the family.
You’ll then return to the old town to learn how to make silk lanterns at a local house. You’ll also be able to view the complex process of creating Hoi An-style lanterns. You’ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An – Fishing on the river (B, L, G)
In the morning, you’ll be driven to the house of a local fishing family in Thanh Nam village. You’ll learn about the local lifestyle and how to make the small square fishing nets used by the villagers. After lunch with the family, you’ll board one of the fishing boats to try your hand at casting nets on the river.
The next thing is to decide what to do with your catch! If you’re bold, follow the usual practice and head to the market. This will be your chance to see how good you are at bartering from the seller’s side of the transaction. Even if it doesn’t tempt you to run a business in the local market when you get home, the experience will leave you with plenty to tell your friends. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your hotel for an overnight stay. “
Day 6: Cu Lao Cham diving (B, L, G)
Around 8.00am, you’ll be driven to Cua Dai Beach where you’ll board a chartered boat to the islands – the journey to the first snorkelling site takes about an hour and ten minutes. Depths extend to 23 metres – coral is approximately two metres beneath the surface. The second site is close to cliffs.
Later, you’ll head for a classic tropical beach for lunch under the coconut trees – fresh seafood caught, prepared and cooked by the crew (alternatives can be arranged if necessary). Your afternoon will be free to laze on the beach or explore the soft corals near the bay. At about 3.30 pm, you’ll clamber back on the boat to return to Hoi An and your hotel.
Day 7: Hoi An free (B)
The day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. You’ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An/Danang/Ho Chi Minh City departure (B, DP)
In the morning, your driver will arrive at your hotel to take you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City in good time to connect your departure flight. Tour ends.
