Da Nang & Hoi An

Your full-day cultural tour in the modern city of Da Nang and the ancient town of Hoi An begins when you board your comfortable motorcoach for the hour-long scenic drive through south-central Vietnam.

Da Nang is the biggest city and the commercial and educational center of this region and serves as a transportation hub, with major railway lines and a large, busy port. But before its modern incarnation, this region was part of the Champa Kingdom, which ruled in the area between the 7th century and the early 19th century. Some descendants of this kingdom, the Cham people, still live in this region and speak a distinct Malayo-Polynesian language: Cham.

Your first stop is the ancient and charming town of Hoi An. Take a walking tour through this pedestrian-friendly village, which was known as Faifo when it was the Cham Kingdom's main international port. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was considered the best trading destination in all of Southeast Asia. Full of history and culture, the city's Old Town is a delight, with its small shops and winding lanes. It is the only town in Vietnam that been so well preserved, and this port town's international history is reflected in its architectural styles and customs. The wooden houses, temples and pagodas reflect Chinese and Japanese influences, as do the textile and ceramic crafts that can be purchased as a souvenir of your visit.

A short pause at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch will refresh you for the afternoon's visit to Da Nang, where you will have the chance to stop for a photo opportunity at the base of the Marble Mountains. This group of five striking limestone and marble hills marks the site of caves, temples and, at its base, beautiful gardens and a stone-carving village, where sculptors create beautiful artwork from the local stone. Pick one out to bring back to your home or garden!

Relax on the return ride to port, with fond memories of your day in and around Hoi An.