Hoi An All Ancient History
Duration
Tour Type
Highlights
- Explore Hoi An’s Soul with a ‘behind the scenes’ tour led by a local foodie guide.
- Embark on a Vespa tour through the Hoi An countryside. Visit traditional villages, see rice paddies, and learn about local crafts.
- Paddle a stand-up board or kayak along the Thu Bon River, taking in the serene landscapes and the sunset over the ancient town.
- Shop at a local market, visit Tra Que Organic Village, and learn to cook Vietnamese dishes.
- Enjoy a unique dining experience on a bamboo raft on the Co Co River, preceded by a basket boat ride to catch the sunset.
Itinerary
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Da Nang – Da Nang Airport, after clearing the customs procedure and collecting your luggage, please go to the exit gate and look for your guide holding a signboard with your name on it. Meet your guide and driver for transferring to Hoi An town, approx. 45 mins far away from Da Nang, a destination with two faces – the charming, old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and a long stretch of clean white sand.
Upon arrival at the hotel, check-in and the rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
**NOTE: The normal check-in time is 14:00 (An early check-in is on request and subject to availability, the extra cost will be applied to guarantee this service).
Overnight in Hoi An.
Hoi An's Soul @08:30
Be charmed by Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns, and get ready for a ‘behind the scenes’ experience with the help of your foodie guide, and explore the hidden corners and unique dishes of the heartwarming food and people of Hoi An town.
After being picked up from your hotel, we start the day with breakfast at a local restaurant while sitting by the river and looking back across to the Old Town. With a cool breeze and a delicious bowl of Cao lầu, it’s a perfect way to start the day and have a taste of what’s to come. Take a walk-through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Meander down the small alley to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda, and the wonderful market as well as the many silks, handicrafts, antique shops, and galleries.
Visit a merchant house where the 7th generation descendant of the same family still makes white rose dumpling for a living. White rose dumplings have become the ubiquitous symbol of food in this ancient town. You will also have a chance to enjoy street food from various street vendors such as Bánh bột lọc – Vietnamese clear shrimp & pork dumplings, Bánh ít – Vietnamese sticky rice dumplings, Bánh khọt – Savoury Coconut Pancake. Last but not least, visit the most well-known Banh Mi all around the world and be featured in international food programs. Sit by the small vendor on the roadside to have a cup of che (sweet soup), the most popular dessert in Vietnamese cuisine. To cap off the experience you’ll stop by a riverfront restaurant, settling on the water-facing verandah where you’ll sip on a refreshing drink as fishermen and small tour boats glide along the water.
After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An, say farewell to the guide and back to your hotel with mouth-watering memories.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Hoi An Morning Countryside tour by Vespa @08:30
This morning set off for a fun-filled Hoi An Vespa tour. Zip through the streets of the old town riding pillion on the back of a Vintage Vespa to a local café. Over a cup of coffee, the guide will explain the day’s itinerary in more detail.
Your journey off the beaten path begins as you zoom to an island boasting rural countrysides and ride along the river to an Ancestral House, then over a wooden bridge to a traditional boat builders yard. You then explore villages and zig-zag through the breathtaking scenery of rice paddies and farmland, stopping en route to learn from friendly families about mat weaving, local farming, and how to make rice crackers and noodles. After enjoying a yummy snack, we ride towards the coast, along trails lined with white sand and pine trees before fueling up on organic drip coffee at a village café and learning the art of coffee roasting. Next, we stop at the top of Cau Cua Dai Bridge which offers us spectacular panoramic views of Hoi An, then over to the water coconut palm fringed trails to a delicious lunch in a picturesque setting before returning to the heritage town.
Return to the hotel and free at leisure until the afternoon tour.
SUP/ Kayak Sunset Paddle to lantern town @15:00
You will drive to Cam Thanh Village to do the stand-up paddle tour. We start off learning the basics of stand-up paddle surfing. Once you get your footing we will paddle along the palm islands and begin our wonderful adventure on the Thu Bon River to the ancient town. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and life on the river as you paddle along. As we approach the lantern town, experience the sights of Hoi An from a unique water-level perspective. Catch the reflection of the old houses of the Ancient Town on the water at that magical hour the sun goes down and enjoy at a local coffee shop.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Deluxe Cooking Class at Red Bridge (Join-in) @08:00
Set off on a culinary adventure by transferring to Hai Café, a charming restaurant in the center of Hoi An’s old town. Enjoy a welcome drink while being briefed on the day’s activities.
Then it’s off to the market to Tra Que Organic Village and walks through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago - no electrical machinery here. You will pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home. To the local village market and with a shopping list in hand, purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach, and banana flower.
Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School, you will have a chance to freshen up before beginning the two-hour course. Working together with Red Bridge Chef, you will learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils, you will cook 4 famous dishes. Once ready, sit down and feast on a delicious meal of authentic local cuisine. Leisurely cruising along the river back to central Hoi An town, and then drive back to the hotel.
Return to the hotel and be free at your own leisure until the evening dining for your last night!
Dining on the Bamboo raft @17:00
A bamboo raft will be placed on the surface of the Co Co riverbank where you will enjoy a unique dining experience in the countryside environment with a romantic atmosphere during your stay. You will be served with fresh food and daily catch from the surrounding river, fresh local vegetables will be prepared as appetizers. Before dinner, you will have a chance to experience a short basket boat trip on the Co Co river to enjoy one of the most beautiful sceneries and sunset in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Today you will have free time until your driver picks you up 3.5 hours before your departure time and transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
**NOTE: The normal check-out time is 12:00 (The late check-out is on request and subject to availability, the extra cost will be applied to guarantee this service).
Include/ Exclude
- All accommodations as per the program (based on double/twin sharing room)
- Transportation with driver in A/C vehicle
- Service of English-speaking local guide
- Drinking water & cold towels during the tour
- Meals as mentioned (meals only, no drinks/ water)
- Excursions and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicles (or by boat if mentioned)
- Entrance fees and boat rides for mentioned visits
- Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
- Flights tickets both domestic and international (please see airfares table)
- Visa fee and/or visa authorization
- Other meals than mentioned
- Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
- Camera/video entrance fees
- Laundry, telephone calls, and expenditures of personal nature
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusive part
- Early Check-In and Late Check Out not mentioned above
- Travel insurance
- Tips & gratuities
- Any compulsory and peak season surcharge (normally New Year period, Christmas, Lunar New Year, and National Holidays)
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