Vietnam Coastal Heritage Journey

📍 Danang airport to your chosen hotel in Hoi An (30km): 50mins

From the Danang airport, it’s a 50-minute drive to the ancient port town of Hoi An. 

 

Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns and UNESCO-heritage listed, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries now draws international visitors to its streets, for both the history and the surrounding scenes.

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

This specially led experience is a unique opportunity to see Hoi An from the perspective of an expert in Hoi An relics and historical heritage. While receiving an in-depth introduction of this UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, learn details about the area’s history and the fascinating conservation efforts being made.

 

Today’s tour starts at 08:30 for a guided walking trip around Hoi An’s charming narrow streets and back lane ways.Then at 09:30, meet heritage specialists to explore this trading port from an expert's perspective. 

 

Familiarize yourself with their restoration work knowledge and their behind the scenes challenges in order to preserve Hoi An’s old town. Get a rare insight into the life of the local residents and how they cope with the annual flooding, urbanization and the support from the local government. Note the site visits may change depending on the projects currently being undertaken by the specialists. 

The Japanese Bridge is currently under renovation until Q4 2024 (est) . Visitors are able to walk alongside the bridge (as of March 2024) on a purposely built metal platform however the actual structure is mostly covered in metal sheeting, therefore limiting photo op’s of the town’s most famous monument.

 

The Thu Bon River is the lifeline of Hoi An, having been the town's main trade route for centuries. Its a wonderful destination to explore on two wheels, where you can experience the area's rich culture whilst meeting artisans.  

Be picked up from the hotel by private vehicle at around 14:30-14:45 to the meeting point in order to pick up the bicycles. After the debrief and getting yourself familiar with the pedals, ride a short distance to the pier, for a quick boat ride across the ‘Mother River’, the Thu Bon. 

On arrival at one of the many river islands that comprise this rich delta region, ride to a family workshop specializing in pearl wood carving. 

Continue peddling alongside rice fields (seasonal) to the second stop. Here locals produce basket boats, the thúng chai, which are unique to Vietnam and particularly the central region of the country. 

The last stop, meet a family who make traditional mats from sedge, a type of long grass grown in the area. Return to Hoi An along country roads before crossing the Thu Bon back to  Hoi An. 

Evening at leisure 

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Join one of Central Vietnam’s most renowned chefs, Duc Tran from Mango Mango fame, on an exclusive half day experience, at his incredible home. The man behind three well-loved restaurants, Mango Mango, Mango Rooms and Mai Fish, Duc fled Vietnam during the 1970’s at the tender age of fifteen. After refugee camp’s finding spice in Texas and world travels he came full circle back to Vietnam in 2003. Fast forward 20-years and Duc’s appeared on numerous international cooking and travel programs.  

At 08:30, begin the tour with a short visit to a local market (led by a local tour guide, Duc will not join) for a brief intro into the area’s produce, from farm to sea. See locals shopping from the seat of their motorbikes. Here in Vietnam, life is about speed and convenience, both in cooking and in life.  

After, head to Duc's rural home/ cooking studio for a private demonstration followed by lunch, freshly prepared by the chef himself. Once satisfied, return to your hotel or next destination. Note: Menu is seasonal.     

Afternoon at leisure 

 

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 From Central Hoi An to Danang Train Station: 40 mins Train time: 6.5 hours From Dieu Tri train station to Anantara Quy Nhon Villas (20km): approx 30 mins

This morning, depart the hotel for a 40-minute transfer to Danang for a unique train experience. Embark on a luxurious railway adventure through the lush landscapes and spectacular coastlines of Central Vietnam. Enjoy a scenic 6 hours journey as your perfect way to rumble through the Vietnamese countryside.

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to the resort. This destination, southcentral Vietnam offers a combination of diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches and unique experiences.  

The rest of the day at your leisure. 

Overnight in Quy Nhon

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

This morning, freshen up for a new day with breakfast and get ready to discover Quy Nhon. Start at 8:30 for the excursion to Cham Towers and local artisanal handicraft villages.

Ruled by Cham people for more than 500 years between the 11th and 15th centuries and with a handful of Cham locals still living in the area. Quy Nhon is home to a variety of Cham monuments and ruins, the majority in the form of towers.

The Banh It Towers, hidden in plain sight high on a hillside in the An Nhon area just outside Quy Nhon city, are some of the oldest Cham ruins in Vietnam. Offering stunning views across rice paddies, the cluster of towers resembles the It cake, a Binh Dinh 3-cornered rice cake speciality. The architecture is very specific to the Champa culture, while also containing influences of Hinduism.

There are many centuries-old villages in the province which specialise in making traditional crafts and Quy Nhon style food and drink with ancient techniques, such as rice wine, rice paper, and conical hats, which you’ll visit.  Return to the hotel at around 12:30.

The rest of the day at your leisure. 

Overnight in Quy Nhon

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Today enjoy free day at leisure.

Overnight in Quy Nhon

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 From Hotel to Phu Cat airport: 45km (1hr)

The morning is at leisure before checking out and heading to the next destination.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast