6 days Phong Nha, Hue & Hoi An

Phong Nha National Park, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hue, My Son Temples & Hoi An
 

Discover the spirit of Centre Vietnam on a trip from Phong Nha National Park to Hue and Hoi An. This trip offers jungle trekking through the tropical forest of Phong Nha National Park, home to the largest caves in the world. Experiencing the monuments, and stepping back into the world of the country's last emperors in Hue, soaking up the old-world charm of Hoi An. And seeing the fascinating My Son Temples.

Day 1: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha

On arrival at Dong Hoi railway station we have a pick-up for a transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast. Following that we continue on to Phong Nha National Park. From here we visit the Phong Nha National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the oldest known karst mountains in Asia. The area is also known for its enormous cave system. We visit the Thien Duong Cave (Paradise Cave), then take a boat trip up the Son River towards the Phong Cave. The scale of the place is truly astounding. The night is spent in Phong Nha Lake House. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

Day 2: Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to more than 300 caves, imposing karst mountains, jungle treks, and underground rivers. It's here where we find the storied Son Doong Cave, which has been named the largest cave system in the world. Today we set off on a challenging excursion visiting Hang Chuot, Hung Ton Caves and To Mo Valley. We explore karsts, jungles, waterfalls and river caves in a journey into the heart of central Vietnam’s natural phenomena. 

We trek up to 8km through buffalo fields, dense jungle and have an opportunity to swim through an unbelievable river cave. We see the immense formations of Hang Chuot before trekking to impressive Hung Ton Cave and To Mo Valley. The night is spent in the same Phong Nha Lake House. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

Day 3: Phong Nha - Vinh Moc Tunnels - Hue

We get on a car or minibus this morning on our way to the Hien Luong Bridge on the way. It's smack bang on the 17th Parallel, so it separated the North from the South during the war. Following that we journey to the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These were used during the Vietnam War as shelter for the villagers who were escaping intense bombing. The locals lived in the underground system that went over three levels. We are able to enter the tunnels which remain in their original form. This afternoon continue on to Hue for the night stay in a hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

Day 4: Hue sightseeing

Hue contains the treasures of Vietnam’s royal history, and has hundreds of monuments and ruins that take us back in time. Our excursion here is to stroll to the Imperial Citadel. This fortress houses the Imperial City and the citadel-within-a-citadel, the Forbidden Purple City. This icon was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War, and the ruins and holes left by bombs are a reminder of the destruction caused by the war. Afternoon finds us seeing the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue.

This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. In our free time we might like to visit to Dong Ba Market which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and street food. After lunch, we drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. At the end of the day, we head back to Hue for the night in the same hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

Day 5: Hue - Hoi An

We begin with a drive through coastal rice paddies, then traverse the spectacular Hai Van Pass along the mountains en route to Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major trading port with the West from the 15th to the 19th century.

Today it has been restored to look exactly as it did more than a century ago, giving it an old-world feel full of nooks and crannies to explore. On arrival in Hoi An we take a delightful stroll along the narrow streets and a visit to a local temple or some traditional Vietnamese houses. 

We have some free time in Hoi An. Hoi An is very much a shopping mecca. Why not browse the paintings, woodwork, ceramics, embroidery all made by the locals? The city is also famous for its talented tailors who work with beautiful fabrics for a good price. The night is spent in a hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

Day 6: Hoi An sightseeing

After our breakfast we stroll at a leisurely pace, with a mix of eras and styles from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the colourful French colonial buildings to wooden Chinese shophouse to Vietnamese tube houses.  Parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. We also head out to spend the morning at Cua Dai beach.

This beach is known for its stunning palm-fringed white sand and views of the Cham islands. Afternoon finds us driving to My Son Temples. From here we take a short walk to explore the very former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second century and the thirteenth century. Late in the afternoon we return to Hoi An for the night in the same hotel. The tour is complete in Hoi An. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

The facts……

Physical activities: Our itinerary includes walking, hiking and trekking

Meals: A wide variety of food is commonly available in local restaurants, markets and family homes, using fresh local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area. We also cater for Vegetarians.

Transport:
 

• Air-conditioned vehicle (Car or Bus)
• Boat

Tour guide: Our experienced, friendly and professionasl tour guide speaks good English. He is knowledgeable about local culture, history and the environment

Accommodation:
 

• 2 nights in Phong Nha Lake House
• 2 nights in hotel

Trip cost:
 

• $698USD per person for a group of 2 to 6 people
• $639USD per person for as group of 7 to 10 people

The cost of the trip includes:
 

• Accommodation
• Transportation
   
• All meals listed on the itinerary
• Purified drinking water
   
• Entrance fees and permits during guided excursions
• VAT and other taxes

The cost of the trip does not include:
 

• Travel insurance
• Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol)
   
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry & bar bills and admission fees during free time
                                                         

What to Bring:

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities: small day pack for walking, hiking and trekking. Passport, personal articles, camera, insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat…

Have a great trip!!!