Classic Hue and Hoi An
Culture
7 Days
Trip Overview
Dive into central Vietnam’s major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hue and Hoi An on this 7-day cultural journey. Start in regal Hue, discovering crumbling tombs, forbidden cities, charming villages, and dreamy lagoons before heading down the Hai Van Pass to the ancient town of Hoi An and its enchanting city center and tropical countryside.
Highlights
- Exploring the Citadel and ancient tombs from the famed Nguyen Dynasty
- Discovering a variety of local villages in Hue and Hoi An
- Rowing across Tam Giang Lagoon at sunset
- Private dining in the middle of rice paddies at The Field
This Tour is Perfect for
- Art lovers, culture aficionados, and history buffs
- Combining city comforts with pristine nature and natural beauty
- Leisure travel in a relaxed, upscale style
- Extending for a few days with a mountain retreat in Sapa, a beach escape in Da Nang, or more artistic workshops in Hanoi
Detailed Itinerary
Topas Travel creates tailor-made tours for our guests according to their specific requests. This itinerary has been designed to show you just one of many options
In Brief
Day 1: Hue Arrival
Day 2: Hue
Day 3: Hue – Thien Mu – Thuy Bieu – Tam Giang
Day 4: Hue – An Bang – Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An – Tra Que – Cam Thanh
Day 6: Hoi An – The Field
Day 7: Hoi An Departure
Day 1: Welcome to the ancient imperial capital | Hue Arrival
Xin Chao and welcome to Hue! Upon arrival to Hue’s Phu Bai Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city.
The day is at leisure to discover Hue on your own.
Included meals: N/A
Distance and Activities: 25’ drive
Day 2: Tombs and Citadels | Hue
Lace up your sneakers and get up close and personal with Hue this morning during a cycling tour down gentle hills and along sweeping rivers to crumbling tombs and regal temples. First stop is Tu Duc Tomb, a spacious countryside expanse filled with lotus ponds and ancient shrines. Then, continue on to the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, known as the Nguyen Dynasty’s staunchest Confucian. Stroll through the immaculate gardens before continuing to Kim Long, Hue’s garden neighborhood, for lunch.
Make your way back to the city in the early afternoon, stopping at the ancient Citadel, a palace constructed by the great kings of old, showcasing a proud flag tower, ornate gates, the forbidden purple city, and various royal chambers. Return to your hotel afterwards with the rest of the day free at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 25km cycling – 4h sightseeing tour
Day 3: Villages and Lagoons | Thuy Bieu - Tam Giang Lagoon
Board a colorful dragon boat this morning and sail down the iconic Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most impressive Buddhist sites. Absorb the atmosphere of this important religious complex and continue upstream to Thuy Bieu, an old traditional village surrounded by the Perfume River on 3 sides and known for its fragrant grapefruit orchards and ancient houses.
Sip some tea with a local family and learn about cultural practices carried down from generations, such as watercolor painting, incense-making, and pomelo jam canning.
After enjoying a lunch prepared by the villagers, head towards the ocean and Tam Giang Lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in Southeast Asia. Take in the deep purple sunset from your boat and then head back to Hue.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 2h cruising – 3h sightseeing tour – 2h transfer
Day 4: Drive Down the Ocean Cloud Pass | Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An
Depart Hue today after a relaxed breakfast and head for the charm and beauty of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue is connected to Hoi An along a stunning coastal road where you’ll glimpse lagoons, mountains, rice fields, and the vast ocean.
Explore the gorgeous and colorful An Bang “ghost city” along the way, an example of how the Hue people venerate their ancestors, before continuing on, past the sunny beaches of Da Nang, finally ending at your hotel in Hoi An. Explore Hoi An on your own independently.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 2.5h drive
Day 5: Cycling Through the Countryside | Tra Que – Cam Thanh
After breakfast, pedal your bike ride to Tra Que Herb Village – a small village situated on the edge of Hoi An famous for its vegetables and herbs. Cycle through rice paddies, nipa palm forests, shrimp lakes, and crab farms before learning about the everyday life of rice farmers in the area.
Get firsthand experience by plowing, planting, and watering the seedlings in the traditional way. Enjoy the delicious lunch prepared for you and then continue on to Cam Thanh village, an area of 7 hectares once used as shelter for local people and soldiers during the Second Indochinese War.
Spend some time on the beach nearby and take a ride in a fisherman’s basket boat if you’re feeling brave enough. Then, head back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance and activities: 15km cycling
Day 6: Dine in the Rice Paddies | Hoi An – Cam Thanh Village
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns, with beautiful old streets decorated with hanging lanterns. Enjoy the day, getting to know the restaurants, cafes, and tailors of the Ancient Town, situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. We suggest popping by Reaching Out Teahouse, a lovely old-fashioned house providing work for the hard of hearing, serving up delicious tea and homemade snacks.
In the evening, head to the Field for a private dinner of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine served in an elegant bamboo house built in the middle of rice paddies along the Coco River.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance and activities: 2h private dining
Day 7: Farewell, for now | Hoi An - Da Nang Departure
The day is at leisure until your transfer to Da Nang Airport for onward booked travel.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 30′ drive
Tour Inclusions
- 2-way private A/C airport transfer
- All accommodation indicated as twin-shared room
- All meals as indicated in the program
- All entrance tickets to local villages
- Refillable water in vans (Please check with your guide or driver)
- Private Transfer from Hue to Hoi An
- 1 x English speaking local tour guide on days with activities
- Government VAT
Important Notes
Tour Exclusions
- Drinks and alcohol
- Vietnam visa (On request with additional charge)
- Travel insurance (Compulsory with Topas Travel programs)
- Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements
- Personal travel items (Please visit our Vietnam weather page for more information)
Essential Information
This program utilizes comfortable accommodation in the form of carefully curated hotels, lodges, and homestays. Hotels and lodges have been selected with the active traveler in mind, offering standard services and located as close to nature and local engagement as possible. Homestays are simple and equipped with western toilets and amenities such as fans and mattresses. If you have a specific property in mind you wish to stay at, please let your travel designer know so they can work it into your program.
All bookings are made with and through Topas Travel. By booking a trip with Topas Travel, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth here.