Another 7-day package of Central Vietnam including Hoi An and Hue will bring students and teachers all of the highlights in these two charming city. We’ve fully customized the trip to involve student’s youth and desire to explore outside world. It’s an ‘eating adventure’, a walking tour around the ancient streets, a cooking class with market visit, a eco farming trip with local farmers, a community service in a charity foundation and so much more.
General Information
Tour Code: VSTC 02
Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Start/End: Hoi An/Hue
Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi) – Danang – Hoi An – Street food tour – Walking tour - Eco Farming Tour – Community Service – Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi)
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City (Hanoi) arrival – Danang – Hoi An (D)
Day 2: Hoi An Street Food Tasting and Walking Tour (B, L, D)
Day 3: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary and Cooking Class (B, L, D)
Day 4: Hoi An – Fishing, Farming Eco Tour & Community Service (B, L, D)
Day 5: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, L, D)
Day 6: Hue’s Riverboat and Royal Tombs (B, L, D)
Day 7: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi) Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City (Hanoi) arrival – Danang – Hoi An (D)
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City (or Noi Bai airport in Hanoi), we will be at the Terminal in good time to connect a domestic flight to Danang.
On arrival, students and teachers will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to hotel to our hotel in Hoi An to check in. The rest of the day will be free to recover from Jetlag, we will spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 2: Hoi An Street Food Tasting and Walking Tour (B, L, D)
This morning we venture out on a food exploration day and discover why Vietnam is so well known for its amazing cuisine. Food in central Vietnam, having once had a strong link to the Imperial Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, is luxurious and complex in both taste and appearance. Enjoy visiting vendors and markets, some hidden away in back alleyways yet all producing the most delicious food. Explore this cuisine which uses an abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables and uses meat as a condiment rather than a main meal. Discover why Vietnamese food is regularly described as 'healthy yet delicious'.
Later this afternoon we will take a walking tour through the World Heritage listed town of Hoi An. Often featured in newspapers and travelling shows such as ‘Getaway’, this small quiet town is now a very popular spot to visit. Hoi An is known for its excellent food, interesting architecture and countless tailors. So whether it’s a new pair of shoes or an outfit that you’re after, there is something here for you. And of course if you need a break from it all, sit down in one of the many coffee shops where the smell of French pastries will be just too tempting to resist! We will spend the night in a hotel in Hoi An.
Day 3: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary and Cooking Class (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we transfer to My Son Holy Land. Located 69 km southwest of Danang, My Son was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty and is now considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. We have the opportunity to explore the amazing Hindu-like temples and towers interconnected by complex designs.
We make our way into Hoi An town to Hai Scout Café after lunch then enjoy a welcome drink, before visiting Hoi An’s colorful markets to experience the sights, sounds and aromas of this amazing place. During our market experience we will have the opportunity to interact with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in our impending cooking lesson. We will then board a private boat for a leisurely cruise along the Thu Bon River which will take us to the Red Bridge Cooking School. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours with each dish first being demonstrated by the Red Bridge’s master Chef before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving and plate decoration. After the lesson we will sit down and enjoy what we have just prepared for dinner. We spend another night in Hoi An.
Day 4: Hoi An – Fishing, Farming Eco Tour & Community Service (B, L, D)
This day will be a special day for both students and teachers as we’re going to do some community services as well as experience the daily life of the local farmer and fishermen.
We have an early start this morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand; during our cycling we will also have the chance to ride a water buffalo! Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm lined waterway. Lunch today, is on board our boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village.
After lunch, we will go back to the town centre and stop at the Lifestart Foundation where we will do some community services and support the foundation. Founded by an Australian woman, Lifestart is a charity, which helps disadvantaged Vietnamese to become self-sufficient. After having a presentation at the foundation’s office, we will take part in a program where we will be taught traditional Vietnamese crafts such as lantern making and painting classes. We will spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. Along the way, we will stop to contemplate the stunning views of Lang Co Beach, village and the lagoon before going north to Hue.
On arrival in Hue, we will take a cyclo ride to visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, after exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument. We will then depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. We will spend the night in Hue.
Day 6: Hue’s Riverboat and Royal Tombs (B, L, D)
After breakfast at hotel, we will board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to the most beautiful tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. We will enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From here, we rejoin our van and go visit Emperor Khai Dinh's Tomb and Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb.
In the afternoon, we visit one of city’s ‘garden houses’ and then return to our hotel to freshen-up. In the evening, we will have dinner in the pleasant surroundings and a comfortable atmosphere of another of the garden houses. We spend the night in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi) Departure (B)
Time will be free until our car arrives to take students and teachers to Phu Bai airport in Hue for a domestic flight Ho Chi Minh City (or Hanoi) in good time to connect with the departure flight. Tour ends.
Hotel List:
Location | Hotels & Ratings 3*** (please click to open hotel website links) | Room Type |
Hoian | Vinh Hung 2 Hotel *** | Deluxe room |
Hue | Alba Hotel *** | Deluxe room |
