Compare Multi-Activities in Central Vietnam by Exo Travel vs Vietnam in 9 days - Natural Wonders & Traditions - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1: Danang Arrival

Arrival in Danang, meet your guide and driver then take the 45 minutes transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town. Rest of the time is free at leisure.

Optional : Street food tour at extra cost, itinerary as below:

Start at a colorful and friendly ‘wet market’ where you’ll get the chance to meet and chat with stall holders to learn more on the huge choice of ingredients on sale (best to visit in the morning). Everything from silk worms, a huge variety of fresh fragrant herbs and vegetables to the meat and fish sections will be seen.  Leaving the market continue along both high streets and back streets, discovering out-of-the-way producers and street vendors making and selling a wide variety of exotic foods. Your final destination of the morning will be a comfortable restaurant where the tasting session will begin. A wide selection of local delicacies bought directly from the vendors – will be tried. Learn the names and meanings of different local foods and how to pronounce the names as well as the main ingredients and how they should be eaten. This tasting session will give you a deeper understanding of Vietnamese cuisine  and the purpose of the tour is to give an opportunity to try the huge variety of foods of the local Hoi An people – the benefit also goes back to the vendors as all dishes are bought directly from them

Overnight in Hoi An

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Danang to Hoi An Ancient Town: 45 mins

Day 2: Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An (Cycling)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We ride out of town to visit My Son, the ancient centre of Cham civilization. The ride is worth the effort in itself and is arguably one of the best cycling route. We transfer out of town to avoid the highway before cycling along scenic country back roads pass through rice fields, eucalyptus forest and many scenic villages. The road climbs away from the coast offering stunning views.

Set out for a challenging ride from the outskirts of Hoi An on a quiet back road to the famous Cham Towers of My Son. My Son was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty, between the 4th and 12th centuries, and more than 70 towers and temples remain rising majestically from the rice paddies. The ride is through a remote area where very few tourists venture, and surrounded by stunning views. You will arrive tired but triumphant at these most wonderful towers and enjoy a picnic lunch before transferring back to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from My Son to Hoi An: 1.5 hrs

Cycling distance for short option: 20 km

Difficulty: Easy

Cycling distance for long option: 54 km

Difficulty: Medium

Day 3: Hoi An - Bach Ma National Park (Trekking)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Our local guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Bach Ma National Park. Upon arrival, you will visit Bach Ma's information Center to learn about the ecological system of the National Park.

Drive up to the mountain and check-in at a villa on the top of the park.

Trekking along the trails to Ngu Ho (Five Lakes), relaxing and swimming in the jungle. Picnic lunch is served. Later, continue the trek through the forest to Do Quyen – Rhododendron waterfalls (at a height of 300 meters) and return to the villa for dinner.

In the evening, join the camp-fire and discover the sounds of Mother Nature by night.

Overnight in Bach Ma National Park

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Hoi An to Bach Ma: 3hrs

Trekking distance: about 8-10km

Difficulty: Easy

Day 4: Bach Ma National Park - Hue City

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Get up early to walk up to Bach Ma Summit at the height of 1.450m above sea level to enjoy the spectacular sunrise and the panorama view the coast including Tam Giang Lagoon and Lang Co beach.

Those wanting a more relaxing morning can just sit on the balcony of your villa, sipping your coffee in the clouds. If lucky, you will have a chance to meet the langurs or the birds in the park by the famous ‘birdman’, which can skillfully imitate the bird’s song and sing with them.

At around 9h30am, check-out from the villa for 1 hour drive to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, take the cyclo who’s waiting for you in front of hotel. Enjoy the pleasant cyclo ride crossing Truong Tien Bridge over Perfume River. Pass by Dong Ba market to reach to the Hue Citadel. From here, start the walking tour. Visit to Imperial city, Forbidden Purple city to learn about the Feudal life of Nguyen’s Emperors (ruled 1802 –1945).

After the late lunch at restaurant nearby the citadel, you are about to walk deeply inside the Citadel.  Along the Ngu Ha river (for the King’s use before), Truc Chi bamboo garden settled down, specialized in making paper and arts from the bamboo. Tea/coffee break served up while the briefing about the process of making paper from bamboo given by the artist. Under the guidance of the artists, you will make a souvenir yourself.

Walk along the bank of Perfume river, you will visit to An Hien garden house, owned by a Royal Mandarin at the beginning of 20th Century. 

A short bus drive takes you to Tu Duc tombs – one of one of the most impressive of the royal mausoleums in Hue

After the visit, you will be transferred to Vong Canh hill to enjoy the spectacular view over the Perfume River. Grab in a cold drink of Vietnamese coffee before driving back the hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Bach Ma to Hue: 1 hr

Day 5: Hue - Phuoc Tich Village - Hue (Cycling)

This morning we cycle in a countryside loop of Hue through back roads to visit the traditional village of Phuoc Tich. The route leads us through many untouched villages and local markets (Catholic village, bamboo making village, incense making village….).

Many homes in Phuoc Tich dated back 200 years and highlight feng shui design. Enjoy a traditional lunch with Uncle Ho Van Te and learn more about the history of the village. In the afternoon, continue cycling along the scenic route back to Hue.

We end the day with an exclusive cooking class where you will learn how to prepare a Hue “Royal” meal. You will prepare 4 or 5 courses ranging from traditional Vietnamese spring rolls to a delicious banana leaf salad. The cooking class takes approximately 1.5 hours. Finally, enjoy the delicious and beautiful dishes you just made. With this tour, gain a deeper knowledge and feeling of Ancient Hue.

Overnight in Hue

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Phuoc Tich to hotel: 1 hours

Cycling distance for short option: 20 km

Cycling distance for short option: 40 km

Difficulty: Easy

Day 6: Hue - DMZ Vinh Moc - Phong Nha

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Depart from your hotel in Hue. Drive north and stop at La Vang Cathedral (which despite its years of turmoil remains an important pilgrimage site for Vietnam’s Catholics). Carry on to what is left of Quang Tri Citadel, where in 1972 a fierce battle raged for 81 days, visit the museum where photographs, war remnants and artillery can be seen.

Continue up Highway 1 across the Hien Luong Bridge, and over the Ben Hai River which demarcated North and South Vietnam, this area saw some of the heaviest fighting during the war. Doc Mieu Firebase, which lies just north of here, played a pivotal role in the South's defence and for a while, this was the command post for calling in airstrikes along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

The journey from here to Vinh Moc Tunnels is scenic after you leave the main highway, pass through quaint villages and skirt along Cua Tung Beach. The village of Vinh Moc found itself tragically positioned in one of the most heavily bombed areas of Vietnam.  In order to escape this bombardment, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings.  Three hundred people lived intermittently in the tunnels from 1966 to 1971. 

From Vinh Moc drive to Truong Son National Cemetery where the remains of some 15,000 Vietnamese soldiers and civilians have been laid to rest, sadly many tombstones bear no name.

Transfer to Phong Nha at the end of day.

Overnight in Phong Nha

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Hue to La Vang cathedral: 1 hour 30 mins and continue driving to other stop.

Day 7: Phong Nha day trip (Kayaking)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Pick up at your hotel, head to dark cave centre, upon arrival, change your suite, then start sightseeing and discovering the Dark Cave, swimming in the cool water of Thuy Tien lake inside the cave, walk under the mud.

Later do Kayak on Chay River for sightseeing Rustic village and green fields, Limestone Mountains in the park. Lunch at local restaurant.

Back to Phong Nha

Overnight in Phong Nha

Distance and journey time:

Transfer from Phong Nha to Dark Cave center: 1 hour

Day 8: Phong Nha – Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel then free at leisure until time transfer to Dong Hoi domestic airport for your onwards flight.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Hanoi. Night on board.

Day 2: Hanoi

Arrive in Vietnam and transfer to your hotel. Take the opportunity to explore this bustling city and get to know your surroundings. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off on an orientation tour of Hanoi to discover the most emblematic sights of this historic city. Pass by old French colonial buildings and the Opera House on your way to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and Mausoleum, dedicated to the nation's founder.* Also see Ba Dinh Square and One Pillar Pagoda, which dates back to the foundation of the city. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, home to beautiful gardens and well-preserved architecture. Afterwards, enjoy a cyclo ride (a type of Vietnamese rickshaw) around the charming streets of the Old Quarter and visit a bustling local market. End your tour on the banks of beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can learn about the legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi. * Please note: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is viewed from the outside on Mondays, Fridays and in the afternoons as it is closed at these times.

Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to being your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board. * There will be no guide on board.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An

Brunch on board as the junk continues to cruise before you return to Ha Long port. Disembark and transfer to Hai Phong airport for a flight to Danang. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and then transfer to your hotel in the charming city of Hoi An, known for its pretty lantern-lit streets. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of atmospheric Hoi An. This former port and UNESCO World Heritage site is full of architectural gems that show a range of influences. You can admire these charming houses along Tran Phu Street, one of the oldest in Hoi An, visit the 400 years-old Japanese covered bridge, the Chinese temple, and a traditional Vietnamese merchants house. The afternoon is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion.* Overnight stay in Hoi An. * Optional Full-Day Thu Bon River & Organic Village Excursion: Experience real rural life in Vietnam with this full-day tour, which includes a cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing many fishing areas. Stop at Van Lang Village to witness basket boat racing, before heading to Tra Que Herb Village, where local farmers will give you an insight into their organic produce. Enjoy a culinary masterclass in Vietnamese cuisine before enjoying a delicious lunch.

Day 7: Hoi An - Hue

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel along one of Vietnams most scenic highways towards the city of Hue. Along the way, stop at the white sands of Lang Co Beach and the top of Hai Van Pass for exceptional views. Arrive in Hue and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city's sights. Visit the Imperial City and the Royal Citadel. Much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. Next, visit King Khai Dinh Mausoleum and browse through a bustling local market. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Hue.

Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War. Continue to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon. The tour finishes with Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city.* We recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. * Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - US

Breakfast at the hotel. If your flight departs in the afternoon, we recommend the option to enjoy a half-day Cu Chi tunnels visit.* In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Optional Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion: Spend the morning exploring the impressive tunnel complex of Cu Chi, dug in 1948 for guerrillas to escape the bombardment of French forces. Explore the underground villages and understand the history of the tunnels.