Interieur of the Citadel of Hue
Central Vietnam
Our Tours in a Private Vehicle with Chauffeur and Guide
Our Tours in a Private Vehicle with Chauffeur and Guide
Central Vietnam is a region of jagged coasts and highlands. We have selected for you three world-famous sites: the Imperial city of Hue, the old Portuguese town of Hoi An, and the Cham towers of My Son, all three filled with exceptional architectural treasures that we propose you to visit either in two days in Hue only or 2 days in Hue and 2 days in Hoi An/My Son.
We also offer you an exceptional programme of snorkeling and diving in the Cham Islands, famous for the beauty of its scenery and its underwater parks.
Like for all our tours, we include the sites usually visited by tourists and rarely-visited ones.
It is better to to go from Ha Noi to Hue by night train, which arrives in Hue around 10 am. The planes leave Ha Noi at 7 am, or at 15:00, the latter allowing no visits the first day.
We also offer you an exceptional programme of snorkeling and diving in the Cham Islands, famous for the beauty of its scenery and its underwater parks.
Like for all our tours, we include the sites usually visited by tourists and rarely-visited ones.
It is better to to go from Ha Noi to Hue by night train, which arrives in Hue around 10 am. The planes leave Ha Noi at 7 am, or at 15:00, the latter allowing no visits the first day.
The prices include:
- A private car with an English-speaking guide
- The accommodation
- The meals mentioned in the descriptions
- The entrance fees to the sites
- The boats and other transportation (cyclo-pousse, etc.)
- The taxes and service
They do not include the air or train tickets to Hue, the free meals, the drinks, and personal expenses.
We also offer you an exceptional programme of snorkeling and diving in the Cham Islands, famous for the beauty of its scenery and its underwater parks.
THE HISTORIC TREASURES OF THE IMPERIAL CITY OF HUE (2 days/1 night)
This tour is exceptional, for it takes you not only to the main historic sites, the Imperial City and the Mausoleums, but also to rarely visited ones such as the Temple of the elephants and the Van Canh Belvedere. It also includes a diner in the most spectacular garden- restaurant of the city, Ancient Hue, located in the aristocratic district of Kim Long.
Day 1: THE IMPERIAL CITY AND THIEN MU PAGODA
 The Mid-day Gate (Imperial City) |
A driver and guide welcome you at the railway station and take you to your hotel, the very elegant Asia Hotel, with its 7th-floor panoramic pool. Breakfast on the pool restaurant. We then take you by cyclo-pousse in front of the spectacular Mid-day Gate, the entrance to the famous Hue Imperial City and its Purple City, the Vietnamese equivalent of Beijing Forbidden City. Immense complex of magnificent buildings: the Humanity and Virtue Gates, the Throne Hall, the Temple of the Cult of the Nguyen Emperors, the Queen-Mother Palace, etc. The guided visit lasts 3 hours. |
We then board a small boat which sails up the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), in front of which you have lunch in the boat. Visit of the pagoda. We then return to the modern city and visit the Fine Arts Royal museum, located in An Long Palace, the residence of the last Emperor, Bao Dai, after his abdication in 1945. Return to your hotel and a delicious diner at the excellent restaurant La Carambole.
Day 2: THE IMPERIAL TOMS OF THE NGUYEN DYNASTY
| We spend the day visiting the most beautiful pagodas and the Tombs of the Great Dynasty of the Nguyen (1802-1945). Those tombs are in fact magnificent mausoleums, with pagodas, temples, small lakes, etc. Some were even used by the emperors as occasional residence. We first visit two sites without tourists : the Tiger Arena, where the emperors organized fights between a tiger and an elephant, and 100 m farther away, the charming temple Voi Ré Temple, dedicated to the only two elephants which lost. We continue on a small road and arrive at Minh Mang Tomb, famous for its magnificent landscaping. We then cross the Perfume River and visit Khai Dinh Temple, with its astonishing interior mosaics. |
 The Imperial City of Hue |
Lunch in the famous Biet Phu Thai Nhi Garden-Restaurant, followed by a small detour to a another rarely visited site, the Van Canh Belvedere, a hill from which we enjoy a magnificent view of the river and surrounding mountains. We then visit the nearby Tu Duc Tomb, a luxurious complex designed by the emperor himself. Before returning to the hotel, we stop at the very charming Tu Hieu Pagoda, where over 80 monks still live. Return to your hotel and diner of Hue specialties in the sumptuous Ancient Hue Garden-Restaurant, located in the ancient aristocratic district of Kim Long. 2nd night in your hotel.
Rates per person in dollars
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Do not hesitate to ask us for the rates for hotels over 2 Stars.
THE 2 JEWELS OF THE CENTER: HUE AND HOI AN (4 days /3 nights)
Day 1 and 2: HUE: THE IMPERIAL CITY AND THE IMPERIAL TOMBS OF THE NGUYEN DYNASTY
Same programme as the previous tour.
Day 3: HUE – HOI AN Departure from the hotel after breakfast, to take the Mandarin Road and climb the famous Pass of the Clouds. We stop in Danang to visit the world famous Cham Museum. We then drive down to the Portuguese Old Town of Hoi An. Lunch in a restaurant of delicious local cuisine, followed by the visit of the Old Town of Hoi An, where you can admire the architectural treasures of that World Heritage site: the Japanese Bridge, the common houses (hoi quan), the 19th Century old houses, and the temples and pagodas. Diner of local specialties and one night at the charming Phu Tinh II Hotel. |
 The Old Town of Hoi An |
Day 4: HOI AN - CHAM RUINS OF MY SON
| After breakfast, we take you to the fascinating Cham site of My Son, another World Heritage. Hidden in a luxuriant valley 55 km West of Hoi An, it counts 20 towers out of the original 68, which were probably the sepultures of the kings of the Champa Kingdom (11th to XVth century). Lunch in My Son and return to Hoi An. Free afternoon to stroll through the town and shop. Diner of local specialties and 2nd night at the Phu Tinh II Hotel. |
 Cham Ruins of My Son |
Rates per person in dollars
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Do not hesitate to ask us for the rates for hotels over 3 Stars.
HISTORY, DIVING AND DREAM BEACHES : 2 DAYS HOI AN + 2 DAYS CHAM ISLANDS
| The 7-island Cham Archipelago is a small pristine paradise (Regional Park with no tourist development) accessible from Hoi An by public boat (2 hours) or small speed-boats (1 ½ hour). The main island (8 km by 1.5) reminds of St Barts 40 years ago, with its mountains (highest peak 517 m) and its small coves accessible by a narrow road overlooking the coastline. Its counts a cute small harbor, Bai Lang, an another tiny fishing harbor at the end of the road, Bai Huong, et four beaches, 2 of which are basically “equipped” : Bai Ong, a 15-mn walk from Bai Lang, with several restaurant huts, and Bai Chong, accessible by motorbike or boat, with a Thai house homestay and 2 restaurants. |
 Bai Lang |
In addition to its immense charm, the archipelago is also reputed for being a Maritime Park with excellent snorkeling and diving. We offer you the possibility of visiting Hoi An and My Son in 2 days, and then stay 2 days in the islands, with two snorkeling mornings or 4 dives (2 each morning), according to the following programme :
Day 1 and 2 : HOI AN
Same program as day 3 and 4 of the previous tour.
Day 3 : HOI AN – CHAM ISLANDS
 Bai Chong |
Your driver and guide pick you up at your hotel around 8 am and take you to the harbor. Very beautiful boat ride on the Hoi An River, crossing of the island sound, and arrival on the diving site around 10 am. Snorkeling or diving. Then the snorkelers are taken to Bai Chong Beach, and the divers to a second diving site. Everybody meets again for a delicious sea-food lunch on Bai Chong Beach. In the afternoon, relax on the beach (volley-ball anyone ?) or boat ride or mountain walk. Diner on the beach and night under a fully-equipped tent (showers and toilets common with the beach homestay). |
Day 4 : CHAM ISLANDS – HOI AN After a beach breakfast, return on the diving site for snorkeling or two dives, and back to Bai Chong for lunch. Relax on the beach and back to your Hoi An hotel around 4 pm. |
 Bai Chong |
Attention : The islands are not accessible if the seas are too rough. We inform you accordingly.
The 2-day Cham Islands can also be combined with our 4-day tour 2 days Hué + 2 days Hoi An/My Son.
Just ask us.
The 2-day Cham Islands can also be combined with our 4-day tour 2 days Hué + 2 days Hoi An/My Son.
Just ask us.
Rates per person in dollars :
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Included :
Hoi An : Driver and guide, hotel, meals as indicated, entrance fees, taxes and service
Iles Cham : Hotel-harbor transfers, boat to the islands, snorkeling or diving with equipment and instructor,
all the meals, water bottles, night under the tent
Not included :
Hoi An : free meals, drinks, personal purchases
Iles Cham : Drinks and personal purchases
Hoi An : Driver and guide, hotel, meals as indicated, entrance fees, taxes and service
Iles Cham : Hotel-harbor transfers, boat to the islands, snorkeling or diving with equipment and instructor,
all the meals, water bottles, night under the tent
Not included :
Hoi An : free meals, drinks, personal purchases
Iles Cham : Drinks and personal purchases
