Historic Hoi An In Depth

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

Be greeted upon arrival then transfer approx. 50 mins (30km) from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An Hotel in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide.  

Notes:
- A surcharge applies between the following hours: 18:00-07:00
- Please note the standard check-in time for hotels in Vietnam is from 14:00.
- In case you cannot find your guide, please call our 24 Hrs Customer Care number +84 91 733 2246.

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

📍 Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary (50 km): approx. 1 hour

Delve into the rich history of Central Vietnam. Travel to the countryside where ancient temples are all that remain of the once-mighty Cham Empire. Then a guided walking tour explores Hoi An’s narrow streets and traditional houses whose historic tales are waiting to be discovered.

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Spend a day immersed in the rich history of Central Vietnam. 

After around 1-hour driving from central Hoi An, arrive at the cultural highlight of Central Vietnam, the temple complex at My Son (pronounced Me Sern). Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999, the tower temples were the seat of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence between the 4th and 13th centuries.

Wander around the crumbling ruins, hearing about the Cham culture, its rulers and their impressive reign. Take a moment to soak up the serene atmosphere and imagine what My Son was like in its heyday. 

After this glimpse into Central Vietnam’s ancient history, return to Hoi An. Take a break at a restaurant to sample some of the town’s most famous dishes. 

The afternoon will be spent walking Hoi An’s old town to learn about its illustrious past as a trading port. See the remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood hundreds of years of weather and war. 

Start at the Japanese Bridge, which spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colourful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Additionally, explore smaller laneways and local neighbourhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An, return to the hotel or your next destination.
Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Hop on a bike and discover the tranquil pace of life and beautiful scenery of Hoi An's surrounding countryside. Pedal through villages that retain their old-world charm, see traditional crafts being made and meet with friendly locals. A scenic boat trip along the Thu Bon River caps off the adventure.

Pick up at 08:30 from your hotel to the meeting point to start the tour. Set off on a Hoi An countryside bicycle tour. Take a short warm-up ride to Hoi An’s main boat pier, board a local ferry boat, and cross the Thu Bon River. 

Back on dry land, pedal into the countryside. Pass through picturesque villages where life moves at a slower pace. Pedal across rice paddies and coconut groves, crisscrossing small waterways. Stop often to take photos of the beautiful landscapes.

Along the way, there are also plenty of chances to see traditional handicrafts. Visit a wood carving workshop making everything from furniture to statues. See a boat building yard where river boats and other vessels are created using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation. There may also be a chance to see the production of ‘basket boats’, small woven baskets that can be paddled by one person as a sort of raft. These visits provide a great opportunity to see the remarkable innovation and skills of the Vietnamese people.

Having worked up an appetite, take a break for lunch. A selection of traditional Vietnamese dishes will be served near a family house in a quiet, scenic location. Then it’s time to return to Hoi An. Board a wooden river boat for a relaxing 45-minute cruise back to town, arriving in the mid-afternoon. 

Overnight in Hoi An
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Experience the making of Hoi An's famous Banh Mi. Learn to create this classic Vietnamese sandwich from start to finish, from baking the bread to assembling the perfect fillings. Join our hands-on cooking class and enjoy the fruits of your culinary efforts.

The adventure begins at 8:30 with a hotel pick-up. After a short drive, arrive at a local bakery, witness how they create the iconic banh mi baguette, learn its secrets and have a fresh taste of the banh mi in its original form.

Next, dive into the vibrant local market. Navigate the bustling stalls alongside local shoppers, picking up the fresh herbs that fuel Vietnam's favourite sandwich. Back to the class at a local house amidst Tra Que Herb Village by private car, meet your culinary guide and prepare to master the symphony of flavours that defines a great banh mi.

From the savoury char siu (BBQ pork) and the special vegan pate made from nuts to the freshly made pickles, learn to craft the signature fillings that make this sandwich a world renown dish. 

Unwind with a demonstration on brewing the perfect cup of Vietnamese coffee cafe sua da, a fragrant and essential companion to any banh mi feast. Finally,  savour your creation alongside a local appetiser, a testament to your newfound culinary skills.

By 12:00, return to the hotel with a newfound appreciation for the art of Vietnamese cuisine. 

Overnight in Hoi An
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Hoi An hotel to Danang airport (30 km): 50 minutes

Transfer approx. 50 mins (30km) from Central Hoi An to Da Nang 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