Central Vietnam Highlights in 8 Days

The spirit of the trip:

Immerse yourself in the heart of Central Vietnam - from the ancient charm of Hoi An to the imperial grandeur of Hue, with sun-kissed beaches in between. This 8-day journey blends culture, nature and relaxation at your own pace, with a private guide who brings every story to life.

Highlights:

Private trip and 100% tailor-made
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit Ba Na Hills and the iconic Golden Bridge
Explore Van Lang Fishing Village – authentic local life
Relax on the beautiful beaches of Hoi An
Day trip to Hue – Imperial Citadel, royal tombs and local cuisine
Discovery of Vietnamese tradition, culture and way of life

Brief Itinerary:

Giorno 01: Da Nang - Arrival - Hoi An

Giorno 02: Hoi An - Bana Hills - Ngu Hanh Son - Hoi An

Giorno 03: Hoi An - Discovery of the city

Giorno 04: Hoi An - Van Lang Fishing Village and Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest

Giorno 05: Hoi An - Beach stay

Giorno 06: Hoi An - Beach stay

Giorno 07: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue Discovery

Giorno 08: Hue - Departure Day

Giorno 01: Da Nang - Arrival - Hoi An

Without guide or driver

After you land at Danang airport, a driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Hoi An.

You will spend the night at a hotel in Hoi An.

Giorno 02: Hoi An - Bana Hills - Ngu Hanh Son - Hoi An (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver

golden-bridge-bana-hill Located on the top of Ba Na Hills, more than 1,400m above sea level, the Golden Bridge offers breathtaking views of Da Nang City and the ocean.

Take the cable car to the main cable station (about 20 minutes) to visit this mountainous theme park perched 1,500m high on a mountain, a hill resort inherited from the French. The site was first developed by the French in the 1920s, who escaped the summer heat for its cool, mountain air.

At the station, get to see the Linh Ung Pagoda, Loc Uyen Garden and Quan Am Pavilion. Next, your guide will bring you the Monkey garden and finally to God Mountain, the highest peak in central Vietnam. Stroll through the Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain, enjoy the gorgeous view of Da Nang city.

You could choose one in a plenty of restaurants up there to have lunch (your own arrangement) and head into Fantasy Park to enjoy some games later. Then take the journey (by cable car) downhill and transfer back to the hotel Hoi An.

Then you visit Ngu Hanh Son Mountain.

Free time for your own exploration of town.

Giorno 03: Hoi An - Discovery of the city (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver

hoi an vietnam Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day with a walk in the heart of the old town of Hoi An.

You walk through narrow streets occupied on both sides by pretty antique houses, testimonies of a flourishing period of the country’s foreign trade a few hundred years ago. With its architectural and historical values, Hoi An, known in the past under its name “Faifo”, was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1999. During this walk, you visit the most beautiful remains of Hoi An such as the Japanese bridge, the Chinese temple, the old house as well as the crafts district…

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we will take you to a lantern making workshop in the ancient district of Hoi An. You can make a lantern yourself.

The rest of the day is completely free for your personal discovery of this ancient port city. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

**** Hoi An is a charming town with original architecture of houses, temples, bridges, communal houses; the way of life of the inhabitants and its varied gastronomy. Illuminated by thousands of lanterns, Hoi An is magnificent in the evening. During free time, you can stroll through the small streets or go for a bike ride (the hotel’s free bike) around town or in bucolic villages, have dresses made to measure, taste typical dishes or release paper lanterns on the river in the evening,…

Giorno 04: Hoi An - Van Lang Fishing Village and Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest (B, L)

English-speaking guide
Return bike transfer

Breakfast at your hotel then we ride our bikes in the Vietnamese countryside, far from the noise of the city, transport and tourist trails.

From village to village, you will cross immense rice fields taking winding and peaceful paths, towards the Van Lang fishing village and the Bay Mau water coconut forest.

About 7 hectares, surrounded by a mangrove forest, canals, and houses covered in coconut leaves. During the Vietnam War it was the shelter for local people and soldiers and nowadays this place is famous for providing the most seafood products.

Along the way, you stop at several key locations : the local Ba Le market, rice fields, cemeteries, schools…

Arriving at the village, you will be warmly welcomed at Mr. Han‘s where you will meet his family spanning 3 generations, you will also have the opportunity to taste green tea and stroll through the village. Later, the fishermen will take you to discover their traditional fishing techniques and their coconut forests by a cruise in “Thung chai” – (Basket boat).

Back to Mr. Han for a moment oftent with a foot massage with medicinal herbs. It is a traditional therapeutic practice. With this moment of relaxation, you will witness preparing lunch with his family which will include for example: crispy pancakes, Hoi An spring rolls, Tam huu (Pork – Shrimp – Herbs tied with chives), grilled fish in a banana leaf, etc. Subsequently, you can taste the dishes you have prepared.

After relaxing in the shade of the water coconut trees, you will take your bike back to Hoi An.

The rest of the time is free to rest. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Giorno 05: Hoi An - Beach stay (B)

Private driver

Breakfast at the hotel, then free time for personal discovery of Hoi An as well as swimming, relaxation, on beautiful beaches of An Bang. Free meals and night in Hoi An.

“Located about 4 km from the center of the old district of Hoi An, An Bang Beach is the ideal place for your relaxation while maintaining its virginity and calm. This immaculate beauty gives it an incomparable softness bringing together sun, wind, blue sea and fine, dazzling sand. The best time to go is from March to September »

Giorno 06: Hoi An - Beach stay (B)

Without guide or driver

beach holiday in An Bang Hoi An Breakfast at the hotel, then free time for personal discovery of Hoi An as well as swimming, relaxation, on beautiful beaches of An Bang. Free meals and night in Hoi An.

Giorno 07: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue Discovery (B, L)

English-speaking guide & Private driver

Hue was the capital of Vietnam between 1802 and 1945 and this chapter was one of the most eventful in the country. The city’s preserved architectural and historical heritage deserves your full attention.

Hue, Vietnam travel Breakfast at the hotel then departure by private car to Hue crossing pretty landscapes along the central coast of Vietnam. Several stops along the way, including one on the Cloud Pass to have a beautiful view towards the Lang Co beach, one of the most beautiful peninsulas in Vietnam. Arrive in Hue around noon, you enjoy lunch in a good local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you visit the Majestic Imperial City where 13 Emperors of the Nguyen dynasty lived between 1802 and 1945. It is the only example of an Imperial city still existing today, time has passed, but it still retains all its beauty of original Vietnamese-Chinese architecture. You visit sumptuous monuments of the complex including: the Porte du Midi, the Palace of Supreme Harmony, the Eastern and Western pavilions, the Reading Pavilion, the Royal Theater, the private palaces of the Queen Mother, the Palace of Longevity, the Tea and Boat pavilions, the Pavilion of Benevolence, the Gate of Virtue…

You visit the Imperial Mausoleum of Tu Duc, a sumptuous tomb built in a peaceful setting amid frangipani trees and pine forests. This complex was designed according to plans drawn up by the emperor himself. On the way back, stop to discover the traditional craft area where incense sticks and conical hats are made.

At the end of the afternoon, we take a beautiful walk to visit the Dong Ba market where you find products testifying to the skill of the women of Hue, such as their talent for making the famous conical hats!

Free dinner and overnight at the hotel in the heart of Hue city.

Giorno 08: Hue - Departure Day (B)

Without guide or driver

After you have breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the airport to catch your international flight back home.

1. Climate in Vietnam

The climate of Vietnam is very different and characteristic from one end of the country to the other due to the differences in latitude. The geographical particularities of the country make it possible to have a nice trip to Vietnam in any season. In fact, when one region is humid or suffocating, another has a sunny and very temperate climate.

+ From December to February:
The north and center of the country are in winter. The average temperature varies between 15°C and 23°C. The climate is rather cool and humid with irregular rainfall, especially in the mountains where the temperature often drops below 10 °C. This period is characterized by frequent light rains which the Vietnamese call “rain dust”. The sun therefore shines very little.

The south of the country is considered the ideal period, as it is the dry season with 1 or 2 days of rain per month. It is also the time when the temperature is pleasant, with values between 22°C and 33°C. The vegetation is lush and offers excellent opportunities for taking beautiful photos.

+ From March to May:
This period is known as the most beautiful season of the year for an ideal stay in Vietnam. In this period the climate is very pleasant. It is the dry season in all three regions of the country, but also the period when the vegetation is lush and the rice fields are green, offering you splendid opportunities to take magnificent souvenir photos.

The north is in spring, where the climate is mild. This region enjoys the freshness of the wind with an average temperature between 15°C and 25°C. During this period, this region enjoys beautiful sunshine but rarely rains.

It is also the best time to visit the center of the country. The climate is rather favorable and tropical. The weather becomes sunnier with a nice increase in temperature between 25 °C and 32 °C.

The south is considered an acceptable period. The climate is dry and very sunny. However, the heat can be uncomfortable, as the average temperature is between 28°C and 34°C and can rise up to 41°C. However, frequent short rains bring a little of freshness.

+ From June to September:
It is the third tourist season in the country. Overall, the climate is pleasant from north to south for traveling in Vietnam.

The north of the country is in summer. The climate is warm, with an average temperature between 25°C and 33°C. The rains this season are intense (mostly downpours) but short-lived, about 30 minutes-1 hour. Even in the mountainous region it is hot, the rains are frequent but intense and rapid. The sky is blue and sunny and the weather is the clearest of the year, while the terraced rice fields are a beautiful intense green. It is the ideal period for small excursions to ethnic villages.

The center is the right time to visit this region which is not affected by the summer monsoon. The weather is therefore fine, often with heat haze, and the temperature can rise up to 40°C. However, the frequency of rainfall in this region is lower than in the north. However, if you find yourself in the central seaside resorts, the beach will be your best ally for cooling off.

The south has a tropical climate with an average temperature between 25°C and 33°C. It is the rainy season, but the precipitation is often in the form of very rapid heavy downpours (about 15-30 minutes), after the rain there is immediately generous sunshine under a clear sky and the vegetation is very green.

+ From October to November:
Overall, the months of October to November are considered a great time to travel to Vietnam.

The north has a very pleasant, cool and dry climate in autumn with an average temperature between 15 °C and 23 °C.

The center enjoys rather pleasant temperatures between 20°C and 28°C. This period also corresponds to the storm season with heavy rainfall which can cause more or less serious flooding on the coastal strip. This region is also subject to abundant rainfall, which, however, despite being very intense, does not last long.

The south has a tropical climate, with average temperatures varying between 24°C and 32°C. The sun and heat are always present. During this period, heavy rains (in the form of short but almost daily torrential downpours) refresh the atmosphere. However, it is good to know that heavy rains generally occur at the end of the day and should leave you free time to explore the region.

Our latest weather advice

Vietnam is in the path of typhoons and tropical storms and is particularly affected between mid-July and mid-November. GThanks to the modernization of infrastructure and meteorological warning systems, there are no particular dangers.
The rainy season is not synonymous with all-day rainfall, so the term “monsoon season” seems to be more appropriate and, contrary to popular belief, these rains are nourishing and synonymous with life in Vietnam, the land of water!

2. Accommodation

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are carefully selected and classified from 2 to 5 stars, to guarantee comfort and services suitable for every type of traveller. Based on your budget, your preferences and travel style, we offer you properties that offer the best balance between quality and price.

It is important to know that the price of a hotel can vary considerably: a 5-star hotel can cost up to ten times more than a 2 hotel stars. Furthermore, two hotels of the same category may have different rates, since the quality of services, location and level of comfort may vary.

All hotels included in our proposals are personally verified by our team. Our selection criteria are based on cleanliness, quality of hospitality, location, charm and tranquility. Whenever possible, we favor more intimate and authentic structures, avoiding large international hotel chains as much as possible.

In addition to hotels, we also promote responsible and authentic tourism, offering the possibility of staying with local families. This experience allows you to come into direct contact with the population, share moments of daily life and discover the local culture in a more authentic way. The accommodations we offer always respect adequate standards of quality and comfort.

Useful information: During the high tourist season (October to April) hotel availability can quickly decrease. To ensure you get the best accommodation options, we recommend book your trip in advance.

3. View

To travel to Vietnam, you must be in possession of a valid passport, with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of return.

The Government of Vietnam has introduced a tourist visa exemption for citizens of five European countries: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption allows you to stay in Vietnam up to 45 days without a visa, regardless of your passport type or reason for travel. The measure is in force from 15 August 2023.

The visa exemption is also valid for multiple entries, provided that each stay does not exceed 45 days.

For stays of over 45 days, you must request a Vietnam visa before departure or via the official procedures available online.

For more information on entry requirements and visas for Vietnam, please do not hesitate to contact us or consult the updated information on our website.

4. Vaccine

According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, no vaccine is required for travel to Vietnam.

Vietnam has a tropical climate, so the presence of mosquitoes is normal. However, cases of malaria are mainly recorded in remote and mountainous areas, especially in forest areas far from the main tourist circuits. Based on our experience, any vaccinations or specific precautions may be recommended especially for trekking trips or multi-week expeditions in isolated regions.

For most cultural trips in Vietnam, which pass through cities, villages and well-traveled tourist regions, sanitary conditions are generally safe.

Usually our travelers simply use mosquito repellents, which are effective and practical during the trip. However, we recommend bringing these products from your home country, as it is not always easy to find good quality repellents in Vietnam.

It is also recommended to bring long, light trousers, particularly useful during walks in nature or in rice fields.

Today, most hotels in Vietnam use effective treatments against mosquitoes. Furthermore, during any stays with local families, mosquito nets are normally available and well prepared to ensure guests' comfort.

Note: If you are particularly sensitive to infectious diseases or have specific health conditions, we advise you to consult your doctor before departure.

5. International flight

International flights to Vietnam

Our travel offers do not include international flights between Italy and Vietnam for two main reasons.

First of all, international flights purchased directly in your country are often cheaper than those booked through a local agency in Vietnam. Additionally, payment terms for international airline tickets generally require full payment at the time of booking and incur high international bank fees.

For this reason, we advise our travelers to buy flights directly from Italy, using comparison sites or the official websites of the airlines.

Useful sites for comparing flights

flight search engines are the simplest and most effective tool for finding the best price. They allow you to compare different airlines based on dates, price and duration of the trip.

You can consult for example:

Airlines used by our travelers

Flights with one stopover (the most common options from Italy)

Vietnam Airlines – https://www.vietnamairlines.com
Qatar Airways – https://www.qatarairways.com
Emirates – https://www.emirates.com
Turkish Airlines – https://www.turkishairlines.com
Singapore Airlines – https://www.singaporeair.com
Thai Airways – https://www.thaiairways.com
Lufthansa – https://www.lufthansa.com
Air France – https://www.airfrance.it

These companies offer regular connections between Italy and Vietnam, generally with a stopover in cities such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok or Singapore.

Flexibility of travel dates

Our itineraries in Vietnam and Indochina are always adaptable to your arrival and departure dates. You can then purchase flights on the dates you prefer and we will organize the travel program accordingly.

If you wish, our team can also help you search for the best flight options for free based on your departure city and travel dates.

Inclusions:

Transport in spacious private vehicle with friendly, professional and competent driver.
Accommodation in the planned hotels or in a similar category depending on availability.
Meals mentioned in the program: (B=breakfast, Br=brunch, L=lunch, D=dinner included), served in local restaurants with typical Vietnamese cuisine.
English-speaking guide as described in the detailed program.
All entrance fees to tourist sites.
All entry permits to tourist areas.
All costs of all other services as clearly described in the above program.
Excursion boats as described in the program.
02 bottles of mineral water 0.5 (l)/person/day.
Other services as mentioned in the program (water puppet show, cooking class etc.).

Exclusions:

Drinks during meals
Personal insurance
Personal expenses
International flights
Personal tips

Further information:

1. This is a travel proposal. No service is booked at the time of the quote. We await your confirmation and the payment of the first deposit to proceed with the booking according to the terms and conditions.

2. We propose good hotels as indicated in this program. If you prefer other hotels and would like to change them, please feel free to let us know.

3. Please note that the hotels proposed in the program are indicative and may change depending on availability at the time of booking. In the event of unavailability or cancellation by the hotel due to force majeure, the proposed hotels will be replaced by ones of an equivalent category.

Hotel rooms are officially available to you from 2:00 PM on the day of arrival (check-in) until 12:00 PM on the day of departure from the hotel (check-out).

4. Domestic flights are operated by the local airlines Vietnam Airlines and Angkor Cambodia Air. The times indicated in the trip description are subject to change without notice by the airline. The best possible solution will be offered as an alternative, and Horizon Vietnam Travel assumes no responsibility towards its customers for anything that falls within the scope of force majeure.

5. The price of the trip:

Trip prices are calculated in euros (EUR). They are based on the services clearly indicated in the program. The prices shown do not include services before your arrival in our country, nor drinks, tips and personal expenses. Prices are subject to change based on airfares, currency fluctuations and hotel or ground transport rates.

After the sale, these prices are valid for a period specified by HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL in the price list, invoice or any other document given to the customer. During the validity period, these prices may be subject to adjustment in the event of very significant currency fluctuations, a significant increase in the price of hotels, air or ground transport… Should the customer refuse the adjustment request, HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL reserves the right to cancel the program and refund the deposit to the customer.

6. Since your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is set, we sincerely advise you to make a decision as soon as possible, so that our agency or a local agency you entrust your trip to can book the best services for you.