Explore Local Life In Hoi An

Description

EXPLORE LOCAL LIFE IN HOI AN

Graceful, historic Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage, and the 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent.

Travel a few kilometres further – you’ll find some superb bicycle, motorbike and boat trips – and some of central Vietnam’s most enticingly laid-back scenery and beaches are within easy reach.

Day 1: Danang arrival / Hoian

Activities:

On arrival at Danang airport, met by our guide (Viet Heritage Travel) then transferred to your hotel in Hoian for check-in. The rest of day is free at leisure, overnight in Hoian

Hoi An was a prosperous port from the 16th to 19th centuries trading with merchants from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe who came to buy silk, spices and porcelain. Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Quarter is beautifully preserved with ornate pagodas, antique trading houses and old tile-roofed shops. It is a rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles. Many of the historic buildings lining the canals and pedestrian streets have been converted into art galleries, boutique restaurants, bars and cafes. Hoi An is surrounded by attractive countryside with traditional farming and fishing, and by sandy beaches with modern seaside resorts.

Meals: N/A

Included: Plane, Tour Guide, Hoi An Hotel, Cultural, Heritage, History

Day 2: Walking tour of Hoi An ancient town & boat trip

Activities:

A comprehensive walking tour through the delightful Hoi An Ancient Town, a beautifully preserved Unesco World Heritage Site which has remained virtually unchanged through the centuries. Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Hoi An Town. Exploring Hoi An on foot is one of the best ways to absorb the beauty of this city. While walking around Hoi An, exploring the small yet beautiful town, which tourists find to be a place of quiet and peace. The unique atmosphere combines elements of Vietnam, China and Japan. The most remarkable views are from the ancient houses, reminding visitors of a long gone past and providing a momentary glimpse of a more subdued and simple time.

The tour includes visits to many of the town’s renowned Ancient Houses which boast remarkable architecture, Assembly Halls of Chinese influence, Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop and of course the must-see Japanese Covered Bridge. Mostly the houses here were designed with the Chinese, Japanese architecture. Because in accordance with the history, the Chinese, Japanese used to come here for settling down and doing business. Besides, you can recognize the Eastern and Western architectures through these ancient houses.
After lunch, walk to the Bach Dang dock where you will embark on the boat. From the boat you can enjoy that busy daily life of Hoi An people. Continue to Thanh Ha pottery village where you can learn and enjoy the daily life of local people.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village in the 16th and 17th century Thanh Ha was a thriving village. It was famous for earthenware that was sold in many provinces throughout central Vietnam. Observe all the steps of making a pottery product such as vase, pot, kettle, cooking pot. Then embark to the boat to visit Kim Bong carpentry village. Most of Hoi An old town’s architecture was made by their ancestors, dating back to the town’s heyday as a commercial port. Upon arrival in the village, you’ll see the artisans working with their skillful hands on the crafts and visit ship-building yards. Kim Bong’s common products such as furniture, religious statues and finely crafted wooden doors can be found and bought on souvenirs shops. The style of Kim Bong Carpentry is said to be the excellent combination of Cham kingdom, China, Japanese… and of course the talented hands of Vietnamese craftmen. Transfer back to Hoi An by boat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included: Car, Tour Guide, Hoi An Hotel, Boating, Cultural, Heritage, Biking

Day 3: Hoi An countryside tour with cooking & biking

Activities:

This morning, escape the masses and head out for a bicycle tour through the countryside around Hoi an. Start today by biking to Tra Que, a vegetable and herb-growing village. The country road to Tra Que winds through rice paddies and rural landscapes. At Tra Que see the gardening of herbs and vegetables using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago; no electrical machinery here. You’ll pick some fresh vegetables and herbs to be used in your upcoming cooking lesson. You’ll then to the local village market and with shopping list in hand you’ll purchase a range of local ingredients. You’ll then continue to a family house in Tra Que with a chance to enjoy some local foot massage and soak your tiring feet into nice warm herbal water as a local treatment before cooking class. Working together with the family chef, you’ll learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese ultensils (still in use today). You’ll have a chance to sit and enjoy your own creations.

In the afternoon, bid farewell to your host family before biking to fishing village and water coconut forest in Cam Thanh. This place acted as a refuge for people and local soldiers during the Vietnam war, but now it is famous for producing vast amounts of seafood products. Upon reaching the village, anglers will take you in bamboo basket boats to row into magrove forests, canals… and you’ll have fun with traditional fishing techniques. Bike back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included: Car, Tour Guide, Hoi An Hotel, Nature, History, Biking

Day 4: Hoi An / Danang departure

Activities:

Breakfast at your hotel, free at leisure for last minute shopping, relaxing till transferred to Danang airport for your flight home or next destination.

Meals: Breakfast

Included: Car, Tour Guide, …,Cultural, Nature