Central Vietnam Community Connections

📍 Phu Bai Airport to Central Hue (17 km): 30 mins

Be greeted upon arrival then transfer approx. 30 mins (17km) from Phu Bai Airport to central Hue in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide. 

Today’s tour will begin at 13:30. Take a short, but insightful, tour through historic Hue. With hundreds of years of history, it would be impossible to see everything in a day, but this tour gives a fabulous overview of the city’s culture and history.

Kick off this half-day tour in Hue with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Roam the expansive grounds, admiring buildings that reflect the pomp and ceremony of the once-mighty Nguyen Dynasty. Hear the stories of the majestic buildings and intriguing former emperors. Take a look at areas damaged by conflicts, both ancient and modern, and learn of Hue’s role in Vietnam’s military history. Stop at Kien Trung Palace, once the residence of Vietnam's last emperors, which has been superbly renovated by the local conservation department in recent years.

Continue by cyclo to get a closer look at the tranquil gardens and traditional buildings of the areas. Arrive at Tinh Tam Lake, a lake filled with lotus flowers (season dependent). Meaning ‘Peace of Mind’ the emperors used to relax along the water's edge and is still a popular place for Hue residents to wind down.  

Then leave the city centre and travel through Hue’s beautiful countryside. Arrive at Khai Dinh’s tomb for a stroll. One of the Nguyen Dynasty’s former emperors, this remarkable complex blends traditional Vietnamese in design with European touches, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Return to the hotel or next destination after this last visit. 

Notes:
- A surcharge applies between the following hours: 18:00-07:00
- In case you cannot find your guide, please call our 24 Hrs Customer Care number +84 917332246. 
- Please note the standard check-in time at hotels is 14:00.

Overnight in Hue

Travel for Good Category: Heritage Protection

Inclusions:

Today’s tour will begin at 09:00 with a short transfer to the Dong Ba Market, one of the biggest markets in Hue, where locals shop daily. Meet our chef and follow him to explore the fresh ingredients while discovering different veggies used in our dishes today. A 15 mins transfer away from the city centre will take you to the garden of one of the oldest families who founded Ngoc Anh village in 1558, where your cooking class takes place. Take your time to explore the garden before starting your cooking lesson.

Following, it is time to start cooking. Learn about the balance of Hue vegetarian cuisine, the cultural and spiritual traditions that have influenced Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine, including the principles of Buddhism that advocate for a meat-free diet. During the six dish course (two cooked by you and 4 by the chef), be surprised by how Hue’s people turn veggies into delicious dishes and understand how cuisine evolved to adapt to the change of modern life but still keep the soul of traditional food.

Return to the hotel by 14:00 and be fulfilled with delicious memories and a deeper understanding of the connections between food, culture, and spirituality through vegetarian cuisine.

Rest of the day and evening at leisure. 

Overnight in Hue

Travel for Good Category: Organic Lifestyle

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hue to Hoi An (140 km): 3 hours

Start off today early at 08:00 in order to capture the villages at their most lively. After a short 20-minute drive, stop at Thanh Toan, a remarkable bridge built more than 250 years ago. One of only two covered bridges in Vietnam, the other being the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Thanh Toan has stood the test of time, lasting through wars, floods and numerous storms. 

Carry on through the countryside to Thanh Tien. For hundreds of years the residents of this village have made beautiful paper flowers including chrysanthemums, orchids and lotus designs. Witness the locals crafting these delicate creations and learn about their role in traditional Vietnamese culture. 

Nearby is Sinh, a scenic village situated on the lower stretch of the Perfume River. Visit family-run workshops where skilled craftsmen make woodblock prints, another of Central Vietnam’s ancient art forms. These hand-made items are used during the Lunar New Year as burning effigies for ancestor worship. See the prints being made from start to finish, using techniques handed down from generation to generation. 

Embark on a 30-minute return trip to town for lunch by private car, enjoying one last look at Hue’s charming countryside before heading to Hoi An.

Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Travel for Good Category: Arts, Food and Creativity

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Departure at 08:30 (alternatively at 13:30), for a half day discovery with a local guide, exploring the ancient town. Explore former merchant homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined, traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge. Also visit charming backstreets and tiny alleys to discover lesser known gems. 

Meander down a small alley to a traditional style house where the art of healing through martial arts has been practised by a local family for generations. This healing method is the master’s invention, combined between Qigong, Tai Chi, and traditional Vietnamese martial arts called Vo. Have a chance to learn some basic steps under the guidance of the master. 

To conclude the cultural exploration, visit a cosy local home to taste a typical dessert before heading back to the hotel or next destination.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Depart the hotel at 08:30 (alternatively at 13:30) for a half day adventure in a quaint village located 30-minutes drive west of Hoi An. Start the tour with a visit to a multi generational family  home, offering a glimpse into their traditional lifestyle and their organic garden. Then, hop on a bicycle for a leisurely 40-minute ride, explore the surrounding countryside by bicycle, passing through villages, rice fields (seasonal), local homes and temples. 
Arrive at the banks of the Thu Bon River for a short boat cruise to a bamboo bridge, a crucial crossing for farmers to access their fields. Continue through plantations of peanuts  (seasonal), chillis, fresh herbs and other produce, observing farmers at work. On the cycle back, visit a family home and witness the craftsmanship of a local woodshop. (The boat trip will be replaced with noodle-making activity on days with unfavorable weather (windy or heavy rain).

Once back at the home of your hosts, experience a fun hands-on bánh xèo (savory pancake) demonstration, followed by a farm fresh meal featuring organic produce from the garden, offering a taste of authentic Vietnamese flavors. This experience provides an opportunity to observe sustainable farming practices and rural community life in Central Vietnam. 

Overnight in Hoi An
Travel for Good Category: Culture Diversity, Off the Beaten Track

Overnight in Hoi An

Travel for Good Category: Community Based Tourism, Off the Beaten Track

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hoi An hotel to Danang Airport (30 km): 50 mins

Transfer approx. 50 mins (30 km) from Hoi An Hotel to Danang Airport in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide.  

Notes:
- A surcharge applies between the following hours: 21.30-10:30
- Please note the standard check-out time for hotels in Vietnam is from 12:00

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast