7 DAYS PICTURESQUE CENTRAL VIETNAM LIVE IT UP

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, take a relaxing boat trip along the romantic Huong (Perfume) river to visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu 7-storey pagoda. Located on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, the Thien Mu Pagoda opens in new window (or Pagoda of the Celestial Lady) is an icon of Vietnam. Construction of the complex began in 1601 and continued for over 200 years.

Next visit the Citadel Complex of Hue, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945, is now one amongst the relics of the Hue ancient capital. Thereafter continue your exploration of the imperial city features such as the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden Purple city.

Thereafter lunch at local restaurant before we proceed to the instagramable coloured village of Incense makers in the ancient capital city. Since almost every household in the village engage in incense making, the whole village is alight with a rainbow of colored bamboo sticks from the early morning in associated with the aroma of sandalwood pervading the air.

Next enjoy a scenic drive to Dong Hoi (4.5 hours transfer), a peaceful riverside town 200km away from Hue which is famous for its many beautiful National parks and caves. Upon arrival, proceed for dinner at local restaurant before checking into hotel and rest for the day.

Overnight in Dong Hoi.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning starts your day with transfer to Paradise cave an “Underground royal palace”, it is the largest and most beautiful cave in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang area. You will be taking an electrical car from the parking area to the foothills of the cave with an estimate of 2km, to admire the countless stalactites of different shapes and sizes in the cave.

Thereafter descend into the cave on a wooden walkway that is made to protect and preserve the fragile cave formations. This walkway continues for 1 km through the enormous, well-lighted cave.

Continue your adventure to the Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park in the afternoon. This mystical park is also recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. Board your private boat for a 2.5 km cruise down the Son river to the mouth of the cave.

Here you will pass-by the entrance to the mystical tunnels, filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites and crystal clear waters. You get to spend a few hours to explore and admire the magical cave. This cave is also known as the water cave and is well-known by both local and tourist for its beautiful rock formation.

In the evening, proceed for dinner and free at your own leisure where you can explore the nostalgic Hue city.

After breakfast, transfer to Bana Hills, a French Village which is around 100km from Hue (2 hours journey). The resort is a unique architectural work of an ancient French villages: square, church, town and villages. Take the 20-minute cable car ride up the Bana Hills and enjoy the view of the peninsula and the lush green forests and waterfalls below and experience romantic, fine space of the ancient French architecture.

Activities in French Village which you can enjoy:

After breakfast at hotel, start your tour with a visit to Marble Mountain in Da Nang. Upon arrival at Marble Moutains, we will climb up the stone stairs of Thuy Son (‘Water’ Mountain) which is the largest and most famous of the five marble mountains. While trekking up, you will be mesmorise by the panoramic view of the nearby countryside.

At the same time, you will also get to visit Huyen Khong cave before entering Tam Thai and Linh Ung pagodas where you will be rewarded by great city views and amazed by the magnificient main cave which houses a beautiful Cham Buddha sitting under a natural shaft of light.

Next, drive around Son Tra peninsula also known as the Monkey Mountain – the screen of Da Nang City. Visit the first Linh Ung Pagoda, where exists the highest Goddess of Mercy Statue of Viet Nam. The pagoda offers stunning views of Danang beach and Cham Islands in the distance.

In the afternoon, visit Hoi An ancient town, this ancient architecture of Hoi an is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence.

There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Trieu Chau Assembly house, 200 years old Tan Ky House & Historical museum. While walk past the rows of low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, you will be able to reflect the town’s multi-cultural past.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Bach Dang dock. You will experience taking the wooden boat while transferring to Cam Thanh water coconut village. Here you will learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community.

Thereafter board on a boat and cruise along the Cua Dai River. Join local fisherman on the river and experience casting of net like the locals as well as learning how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Have lunch at local family house in the village.

Afternoon, visit Thanh Ha pottery village where you can get to observe the steps of making a pottery product such as vase, pot, kettle, cooking pot. Continue to the home of a lantern craftsman. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lantern as well as the many stages of making the perfect lantern. You will also get to experience lantern making and keep it as a souvenir.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Hoi An.