5D4N CENTRAL VIETNAM DA NANG HUE & HOI AN

5D4N Central Vietnam Da Nang Hue & Hoi An

On arrival at Da Nang Airport, your driver will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to a local restaurant for lunch.  Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam and the 4th largest city in Vietnam, is well known for its beautiful white sandy beaches with clear blue waters and its history as a French colonial port.  After lunch, head to the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue, via the scenic 21km long coastal road known as Hai Van Pass.  Also known as “Sea of Clouds” Pass, it offers some of the most incredible ocean views in all of Vietnam.  At 500m above sea level, it is the highest pass in Vietnam, and with curves and hairpin turns, this road rewards drivers and passengers alike with spectacular views of nice sandy beaches and misty mountains rising high over the South China Sea.  There will be a stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the Lang Co Peninsula.  Upon arrival in Hue, go on a boat ride on the Perfume River with a stop to visit the iconic symbol of Hue – the  famous Thien Mu Pagoda, a temple complex that was first built in the 17^th century and subsequently reworked and expanded upon.   In the evening, dinner will be at a local restaurant.  Thereafter, free time to explore Hue.  Overnight in Hue.

Day 02 – HUE   [B/L/D]

Enjoy a city tour of Hue after breakfast.  Hue, one of the most charming towns in Vietnam and located on the banks of the Perfume River, was the national capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 with a long and illustrious history.  One of the big draws in Hue are the tombs of the emperors from the 19th and 20th centuries with carvings depicting Buddhist legends.  You will visit the Tomb of King Khai Dinh and the Tomb of King Minh Mang.  After lunch at a local restaurant, you will head to the 19th century Imperial Citadel to view the Imperial Flag Tower, the Noon Gate, the Holy Cannons, the Nine Dynastic Urns, the Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City.  This vast complex, a walled palace within the citadel, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.  Next stop is Dong Ba Market – the oldest and largest of its kind in Hue – where you can find hundreds of stalls selling household items, handicrafts, clothings, fresh produce and authentic Vietnamese dishes at very affordable prices.  This century-old market has retained its architectural and cultural features and attracts  not just tourists but also the locals.  You can certainly experience local lifestyle and shop for souvenirs and street food at Dong Ba Market.  Dinner will be at a local restaurant and free time thereafter to explore Hue on your own.  Overnight in Hue.

Day 03 – HUE – HOI AN   [B/L/D]

Depart Hue and proceed to Hoi An.  Enroute, you will visit Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills named after the five basic elements of life (of Eastern philosophy): Kim Son (Mt Metal), Moc Son (Mt Plant), Thuy Son (Mt Water), Hoa Son (Mt Fire), and Tho Son (Mt Soil).  These mountains are located in the 400-year-old traditional craft village of Non Nuoc and they are full of caves, tunnels and Buddhist shrines just waiting to be explored!  In the afternoon, go on a walking tour to explore the well preserved Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises a mix of eras and styles ranging from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colourful French colonial buildings and ornate Vietnamese tube houses.  There is also a lovely waterfront.  Some of the highlights of this quaint old town with iconic yellow walls everywhere include the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall, the Japanese Bridge (with a pagoda on it), the Cau Pagoda, temples and the local market.  Free time after the walking tour to explore the colourful streets of Hoi An on your own.  With its old yellow buildings and glittering lanterns, Hoi An is absolutely beautiful in the evenings!  And the Hoi An night market is not to be missed.  Dinner and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 04 – HOI AN – BA NA HILLS – DA NANG   [B/L/D]

Depart Hoi An and head to the Ba Na Hills, famous for its mountaintop French village located at an elevation of 1,500m.  Board a cable car up to the Ba Na Hills to visit the Golden Bridge, the flower garden, a traditional Vietnamese pagoda and the French village.  The cable cars at Ba Na Hills hold several Guinness World Records, including the longest gap, heaviest cable and the greatest change in elevation.  It was ranked by CNN as one of the 10 most impressive cable car infrastructure systems in the world.  Lunch will be at a local restaurant.  Thereafter, proceed to Da Nang,  for a city tour of this former French colonial port that is located at about the halfway point between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south.  Some of the highlights include the massive Son Tra Peninsula (about 4,000 hectares) with plenty of untouched beaches along the peninsula and some excellent viewpoints; hence, its reputation as one of the most  beautiful places in Da Nang.  Thanks to its iconic bridges, Da Nang is often regarded in Vietnam as the “city of bridges”.  The  famous 666m long Dragon Bridge is the longest bridge in Vietnam renowned for its unique design and interesting light shows in the evenings on Saturdays and Sundays.  After visiting the Dragon Bridge, you will also visit the popular 68m long and 6m wide Love Bridge renowned for the numerous padlocks with names, initials and messages of affection.  While it is nice to view the river during the day, it is a more delightful experience in the evenings when the lights along Da Nang’s bridges come on in a nightly show of colours.  Dinner and overnight in Da Nang.

Day 05 – DA NANG – DA NANG AIRPORT  [B]

Free time until your transfer to Da Nang Airport for your departure flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.