Highlights
This intensive 5-day guided tour of Hue, Danang, and Hoi An is operated on a private basis, departing daily upon request. Showcasing the best of Central Vietnam’s most important and popular tourist attractions, from sacred Buddhist pagodas and historical tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty to colourful Hoi An shophouses and the incredible Golden Hands bridge. When you’re not snapping photos, you’ll be savoring delectable meals and shopping for the best tailor-made clothing, handicrafts, and artwork money can buy!
Details
DAY 1: DANANG - HUE (D)
Welcome to Vietnam’s impressive central region, filled with legendary historical monuments, rich cultural diversity, and a wealth of locations to explore. Upon arrival to Danang International Airport, meet your local guide and head two hours up the coast to Hue, a tranquil beautiful city known as Vietnam’s political capital during the Nguyen dynasty’s reign from 1802 - 1945. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Hue provides an impressive background for photographers and history buffs alike with its royal tombs, ancient pagodas, and lush scenery.
On arrival, check in your hotel and enjoy welcome dinner featuring Hue delicacies in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hue.
DAY 2: HUE IMPERIAL CITY & ROYAL TOMBS (B,L,D)
Start the morning with a tour of the Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City. The 19th century palace’s detailed stonework and pavilions still retain a feeling of regal grandeur, and restoration is under way to repair the damage that befell it during the Second Indochina War in the 1960s. Continue along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, long regarded as the symbol of Hue since its foundation in 1601. Take your best selfie with the octagonal seven-tier stupa surrounded by trees, blooming flowers, and the banks of the river.
Pause for lunch in a traditional garden house restaurant and feast on a typical Hue-style lunch you’re your group before heading to Emperor Ming Mang’s tomb, an impressive royal tomb built from 1840 - 1843. Set amidst tranquil gardens and ponds and inspired by Chinese Confucianism, the harmonious design of balance and symmetry is the ideal spot for an emperor’s resting place. Compare it to Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb, the last stop of the day tour, and let the guide know which one you prefer. Completed in 1931, its modernised design showcases an eclectic mix of Vietnamese and European motifs, much different from that of other tombs in the area.
Overnight in Hue.
DAY 3: HUE - BA NA HILLS - GOLDEN BRIDGE - HOI AN (B,L,D)
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and return to Danang with a private transfer south along the coast. Once you arrive to Da Nang, we drive uphill to visit Sun World’s Ba Na Hills, Vietnam’s most celebrated amusement park and recreational center. To reach the park, you must take a ride on one of the world’s longest and highest cable car rides to a scenic resort village at 1,487m above sea level.
Have a buffet lunch at the resort’s restaurant. Then, make sure to check out Le Jardin d’Amour’s stunning flowers and statues as well as Linh Ung Pagoda, a tranquil space featuring a huge statue of Lady Bodhisattva. Wander through the idyllic streets of the French Village, inspired by Renaissance European architecture before the moment you have been waiting for, crossing Buddha’s hands holding up the iconic Golden Bridge. Voted by TIME magazine in 2018 as one of the world’s “Top 10 best destinations” and admired by The Guardian as “the world’s most impressive pedestrian bridge”, this 150m long bridge sits at 1414m above sea level and makes the perfect backdrop from your Instagram photos and Tiktok videos!
Complete your day with a stop at Fantasy Park, dubbed as one of the most modern indoor game centers in Asia, or head down to your hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 4: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN & TRADITIONAL VILLAGE (B,L,D)
After a tantalizing breakfast, dive deeper into the history and culture of the area with a walking tour of Hoi An’s ancient town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of interesting stories and historical facts, so make sure to snap as many photos as you can of its famous tourist attractions, most notably, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Chinese communal hall, quaint open-air markets, and former merchant houses masquerading as family homes and souvenir shops nowadays. Stop by a local Hoi An restaurant featuring delectable local dishes.
Next up is Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village along the banks of the Thu Bon River. Take a local boat to Cua Dai Beach to see traditional fishing methods that local fishermen use to catch fish. Finish up with an exciting bamboo basket boat ride through a gorgeous mangrove forest and see who can catch the smallest crabs during a fisherman race!
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 5: MARBLE MOUNTAINS - LINH UNG PAGODA - DANANG DEPARTURE (B,L)
Check-out of your hotel after breakfast end your trip to Vietnam with an incredible visit of two of Danang’s most sacred spiritual sites. First up is the famous Marble Mountains, Home to five limestone peaks symbolizing the different elements in Vietnamese culture, (wood, metal, water, fire, and earth). Featuring a network of caves housing quiet shrines and pagodas decorated with frangipani blossoms and other tropical trees, it’s one of the country’s best kept tourist secrets and a simply unforgettable experience.
Then, head to Son Tra peninsula for a brief visit of Linh Ung Pagoda, thought to have been built during Emperor Minh Mang’s dynasty when a Buddha statue drifted out of nowhere to the shore. Local fishermen set up a shrine here as they believed the statue was a good omen, and afterwards, the waves gradually became softer, helping them to safely go out each day to catch fish. After 6 years of construction, Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda utilized a combination of contemporary design with traditional Vietnamese motifs to create the eclectic look it has today. Marvel at the panoramic view from the pagoda before stopping for lunch and then transferring to Danang International Airport for your onward booked travel arrangements.
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 4-night hotel accommodation in twin/double share room (see Accommodation section for details)
+ 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners as mentioned in the program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ Admission and round-trip cable car tickets to Sun World Ba Na Hills (excluding games in Fantasy Park)
+ English, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese-speaking local guide (please enquire for other languages)
+ Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Entrance fees for all mentioned visits, activities and tours
+ VAT and service charges.
Services not included
+ Games in Sun World Ba Na Hill’s Fantasy Park
+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
+ Visa fees (if any), travel insurance, and tips
+ Meals other than those mentioned in the program
+ Early check-in or late check-out fees if applicable
+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)
+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone)
+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.
Terms & Conditions
PAYMENTS
A deposit of 30% of the total booking is required within three days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due at 45 days prior to tour commencement date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).
Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. In addition to the total payable amount, credit card payments will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express. Any bank charges and merchant fees must be covered by the customer.
CANCELLATIONS
Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by FantaSea Vietnam. Cancellation by the party leader will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:
+ more than 45 days prior to tour date - 10% of total cost
+ between 31 and 45 days prior to tour date - 25% of total cost
+ between 16 and 30 days prior to tour date - 50% of total cost
+ within 15 days prior to tour date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.
AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to confirmed bookings must be requested by the party leader in writing (by email). Whilst we will endeavor to assist, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. If we can make the requested change, you will be provided with a quote detailing any additional costs, whether incurred due to your amendments, imposed by a Third-Party Travel Provider, or our amendment fees. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:
+ If amendments are made more than 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the first amendment is free of charge. From the second amendment: a charge of U$80 per amendment for a short trip (less than 7 nights) or U$150 per amendment for a long journey (7 nights or more).
+ If amendments are made within 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the above standard cancellation fees will apply, and full price will apply to new travel arrangements.
We will not charge any cancellation/amendment fees if it is due to a breach by us of any of our obligations or due to our fault; or if the Third-Party Travel Provider amends your booking through no fault of the customer.
