Lazing Hoi An Beach, 5 days

On arrival at Da Nang Airport or Da Nang Train  Station, you  are greeted by our guide and taken by private transfer along the coastline to Hoi An. You check in hotel and have free to catch your first glimpse of Hoi An Town at your leisure or simply take a rest. This delightful town has various beaches, however Cua Dai and An Bang are jewels. The long strecthing beach of  Cua Dai is a popular site with the stunning white sand, views of the Cham islands and lux resorts. The less crowded beach of An Bang is within a short biking distance from Hoi An Town  via the meandering country roads. You can hide under a sun umbrella, hang out at one the casual bars or plop yourself on white sand.

The relaxing time gives way to an afternoon exploration of Hoi An.  This ancient town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. We take a walking tour through the old quarter and seeing some of its major sites.  We visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, which was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders  to link them with the Chinese quarters. The ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original Japanese design over centuries. We continue onto the Museum of Trade Ceramics, a beautifully restored timber house where displays many relics of the bygone civilization and the origins of this port town. Upon leaving this museum, we come to the  typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. This ancient house was built by a Vietnamese family two centuries ago and has been lovingly preserved through seven generations. We follow it with the Chua Ong Pagoda and the  Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This imposing and colorful structure is  one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An. You have free  time exploring Hoi An Town and catching up on the shopping paradise at your leisure.

The sunrise over beach is nothing short of spectacular. You set your alarm and wake up early to watch the sunrise  over one of these beautiful sandy beaches  in Hoi An or start your day with a walking along the beach and dipping into the cool water. Getting off the beach, you can spend your time to join one of our optional activities.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Ba Na Hills - 1 Day

The excursion begins with a scenic drive towards Ba Na Hills. This famous hill station   was built at 1487 meters over sea level and is considered as the “ heaven on earth”. On arrival, we hop  on an unforgettable cable car ride to Ba Na Hills, catching  the spectacular views from the undulating mountains to the blue sea in the far distance. We walk up the Golden Bridge, a highlight of  Ba Na Hill station. This iconic masterpiece spreads out nearly 150m long at 1,414m above  the sea level and builds up a sash-like route across the heaven to the  Amour Garden. There are nine different gardens which will tell you nine different stories behind the architecture and the flowers.  We follow the walkway past the Debay wine cellar to the French Village, a little touch of the west in Vietnam. This gleaming quarter illustrates a unique architecture with square, lofty churches, charming hotels  and traditional cottages. The prominent structure on Ba Na Hills is  Linh Ung Pagoda where  is sitting the giant Bodhisattva statue of  67 meter high. We visit this pagoda and embark on an easy walk to Nghinh Phong Peak to admire the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The natural beauty is not only a major attraction of Ba Na Hills. There are also  Fantasy Park, Indoor entertainment zone with thrilling games, which are ideal for family and children to enjoy their time away from the city hustle.  You get down hill  by cable car and travel by road back to Hoi An.

Hue Sightseeing Tour -  1 Day

Today we take an early morning drive north to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen Dynasty.  The scenic drive hugs the coastline before climbing up the  challenging Hai Van Pass , an obvious boundary between northern  and southern Vietnam. We break the journey at the pass top and catch a panoramic view  with a mixture of zigzag roads, turquoise sea, winding rail way behind the verdant forest. On arrival in Hue, we visit the massive Hue Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but partly destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive. We follow it with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market, which is crammed with local treasures and also has many eating spots. We also have time to enjoy a boat trip along  the Perfume River to see the  Thien Mu Pagoda. This iconic religious structure has a nice legend and a prominent architecture stretching from the river banks in seven successive tiers to monastic buildings and octagonal tower, regarded as a symbol of Hue. You round off the trip in Hue and travel by road back to Hoi An.

Cham Islands Snorkeling – 1 Day

The turquoise water plus abundant sea life and corals  makes Cham Islands a perfect place for  snorkeling or scuba diving in Vietnam.  This island complex consists of 8 islets which form the marine park of Cu Lao Cham and was recognized as the Biosphere Reserve of the World. The typhoon season usually cause the rough sea and the strong wind. They may make the island isolated in summer time. Today we take a short drive to Cu Dai Pier  and set off on a boat trip for 15 km  toward Cu Lao Cham.  The local boat will delivers passengers to Hon Nhon Beach. We get down to the water  to swim and snorkel at pleasure, exploring  the beauty of nature and the vivid coral reefs. The snorkeling activity is followed  by a Vietnamese seafood lunch at the edge of the water in Bai Chong Beach. We also have  time to relax in the hammocks,  soak up the sun on a white sand beach or swim in the turquoise water.  The memorable experience of the Cham islands is  rounded off with a transfer back to the mainland.

Today you can soak up the sunshine, dip into the turquoise sea or simply laze on the pristine beach as much as you want. The sun and sea are not only attractions in Hoi An.  You can spend this day joining one  of our below optional activities.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Red Bridge Cooking School -1/2 Day

The cooking class is not only a fun activity but also offers great insight into local culinary culture. Today we join a half day cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. This cooking center set  on the banks of the Thu Bon River, offers some of the most popular and prestigious cooking classes in Hoi An.  You discover the unique flavors and spices of Vietnamese cuisine as you browse the local markets, cruise along the Hoi An River and pick fresh herbs. On arrival at Red Bridge Cooking School, you have time to walk around the herb garden of the school  and see the plants giving Vietnamese dishes their distinctive flavors. Under the guidance of expert instructors, you get a chance to learn to craft local specialties like spring rolls, crispy pancakes or seafood salad. You pick up tips and techniques to recreate your favorite dishes back home, learn the art of food decoration, then enjoy your delicious homemade lunch.

My Son Sanctuary – 1/2 Day

Heading out of the town, we set off on a drive through many flooded rice fields and idyllic villages  to My Son Holy Land, an ancient capital and a religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom. This empire flourished from the fourth through the thirteenth centuries when religious fervours built a series  of impressive tower temples reflecting the spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed along the coast of contemporary Vietnam. On arrival in My Son, we stroll around a green valley surrounded by rugged mountains, where have been help various religious ceremonies of the Champa Dynasty. This sanctuary had all in previous time; however, many structures have not survived through wars and time. We see the remains of some impressive red brick towers, each one nearly a thousand years old. This excursion rounds off with a transfer back to Da Nang.

The beach vacation comes to an end today. You can book extra nights to extend your stay or leave Hoi An for your  next destination. The nearest Da Nang City has flight connection with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Nha Trang and more. You can also travel by travel road or train from Da Nang to Hue, Hanoi, Dong Hoi, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh.  These extra services   are not included in our tour; however,  we are in hand to provide you with valuable information and arrange the transfer on your request.