OUR PRIVATE TOURS
Chào mừng bạn đến Miền Trung Việt Nam!
Welcome to Central Vietnam!
Central Vietnam is the geographic heart of our amazing nation. Its packed with historic sights, awe-inspiring attractions and incredible scenery. Yet, step behind the tourist ‘routes’ and you find a culture unchanged for generations. Often you are shyly welcomed by curious children, their parents treating you with unfailing courtesy. Here, for pennies, you experience food that could grace any international fine-dining table.
Our third city of Da Nang is the hub. Its airport welcomes direct flights from across Asia with international links from Saigon & Hanoi. Arriving in central Vietnam has never been easier. Riverside Hoi An is 45 minutes away, the imperial city of Hue accessible across stunning Hai Van Pass. Our ‘new’ attractions are easily reached from Da Nang or Hoi An. Ba Na Hills, the Golden ‘Hand’ Bridge, Vietnam’s famous basket boats, and of course a foodie adventure like no other!
Choose a wonderful day from our itineraries below. Or let us design a trip to match your individual requirements. Our tours don’t come off-the-shelf, we listen to what you want and introduce you to authentic Vietnam.
NEW TOUR! Our Half-Day 'Bikes, Boat, BBQ & Beautiful Hoi An' Private Tour
Pretty Hoi An and surrounding countryside is a really charming, well-preserved time capsule of an influential period in Vietnam’s past. This 6-hour afternoon/evening private tour is a snapshot of rural Vietnam, its food, our locals, Hoi An’s river and wonderful evening lights & lanterns. We include:
- A half-day private tour by bike, motorcycle or car with our renowned English speaking tour guides – the flat countryside route is about 12km, so your choice of transport!
- 2pm - your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel pick-up (InterContinental at a supplement)
- A true taster of authentic Vietnam as you journey thru' rice paddies and outlying villages
- Visit the unusual organic herb & vegetable farms at Tra Que village – supplying most Hoi An's restaurants and eateries fresh every day
- Cruise the Thu Bon river with Vietnamese boatsmen. See local fishermen and their unique nets. Enjoy the wonderful evening lights of Hoi An from your private riverboat
- A 3-course BBQ of local specialities with a drink, prepared just for you as sunsets
- From Bạch Đằng river station we take the short walk along the river bank to Hoi An's colourful night market and lantern area where you can make-a-wish with your personal river lantern
- 8pm – either remain in Hoi An town or we return to your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel
Tour 1: Our Authentic Hoi An - 'Focus on Locals'
Private Tour
For early risers, this is your chance to get behind the well-trodden tourist routes. To ‘real Vietnam’, normally unseen by the growing number of visitors to Hoi An. Few will get the chance to really experience beautiful Hoi An as locals see it with local Hoianian guides by their side. Today we focus on how our people go about their daily lives – to suit you, its a 6-7am start as Vietnamese are early risers, but here’s a genuine glimpse into ‘local’ Hoi An and our rural families in the surrounding countryside. And to try our food we eat every day. We include:
- A full 6-hour car, walking & boat tour with one of our renowned English speaking Hoianian tour guides
- Your Hoi An hotel pick-up by air-conditioned car at 6-7am – your choice.
- Discuss Vietnam's 'ride-hailing' phenomenon!
- Experience Hoi An and it's market as it springs to life after sunrise – the absolute centre of daily family life
- Eat Vietnamese breakfast with locals and try unique Vietnamese coffee
- See exercising Vietnamese elders along the riverbank and the town being prepared for our visitor's arrival
- Take a private boat to rural Cam Kim island to meet our country families to see how they live and work. Here are families generally untouched by tourism but who welcome you into their homes with genuine Vietnamese courtesy - a true taster of authentic Vietnam
- Visit a fishing boatyard and locals pagoda, see young apprentices working by hand in a carpentry workshop and try your hand at rice paper making the Vietnamese way!
- Return to Hoi An ancient town and walk the alleyways behind the tourist trails – Hoi An as seen by few visitors
- Your Hoi An hotel drop-off
Tour 2: Our Hoi An 'Countryside & Town' Private Tour
Another of our UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the charming ancient town of Hoi An never fails to delight its many visitors. Sometimes busy but always a real pleasure to discover, this former port is a melting-pot of history, architecture, eras & styles. We include:
- A full day private tour with quality air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver plus one of our renowned English speaking tour guides
- Your Da Nang City/Beach, or Hoi An, hotel pick-up
- A choice of morning activities in the surrounding countryside and rural areas of Hoi An. Maybe Cam Kim island to visit our country
- An authentic Vietnamese Lunch in Hoi An on request*
*The famous Hoi An Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette) is well on the world foodie map because of Anthony Bourdain’s recommendation! Definitely worth a try to see what all the fuss is about!
- An afternoon walking tour of UNESCO listed Hoi An 'ancient town', including the Japanese Bridge, Fujian (Phúc Kiến) Assembly Hall, and the historic house of Tan Ky
- Evening time in the very pretty Hoi An Lantern Area & Riverside
- Hoi An Night Market
- Your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel drop-off
Tour 3: Our Hoi An 'Foodie & Sightseeing' - Private Tour
Charming Hoi An never fails to delight its many visitors. Sometimes busy but always a real pleasure to discover, this former port is a melting pot of history, architecture, eras & styles and is best as an afternoon/evening tour to experience its beautiful Lantern Area, Riverside & food.
And of all SE Asia countries, Vietnam probably has the most diverse food scene. And the most diverse is Hoi An, with a food experience like no other. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of dairy and oil, complementary textures, and reliance on herbs and vegetables. And Vietnam is famous for its varied vegetarian dishes.
The abundance of spices produced by central Vietnam’s mountainous terrain
sets our region’s cuisine apart from North & South Vietnam. With the balance between fresh herbs and meats and a selective use of spices our region’s food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.
You’ll enjoy the sight, aroma and taste of central Vietnam’s favourite foods while experiencing the colours and excitement of night time Hoi An! We include:
- A 6-hour car private sightseeing & food tour of Hoi An with a Hoi An local tour guide
- Your 3pm Hoi An or Da Nang city hotel pick-up with air-conditioned vehicle
- A late afternoon walking tour of UNESCO listed Hoi An 'ancient town', including the Japanese Bridge, Fujian (Phúc Kiến) Assembly Hall, and historic Quan Thang House
- Our unique 'Vietnamese coffee culture'
- Tasting 10 central Vietnamese delicacies including dessert (you'll be asked about intolerances/likes & dislikes) – and we guarantee you will not be left hungry! We include the Hoi An Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette) made famous by Anthony Bourdain. Definitely worth trying to see what all the fuss is about!
- Evening time in the very pretty Hoi An Lantern Area & Riverside
- Hoi An Night Market
- A Thu Bon river boat-ride and make a wish with your own candle lantern on the river
- Bottled chilled water and soft drinks
- Your Hoi An or Da Nang city hotel drop-off
Tour 4: Our Hoi An & Da Nang 'Two Centre' Private Tour
This is our ‘Two Centre’ fully escorted private tour. In just one day you contrast the photogenic beauty of Hoi An ancient town’ with modern Da Nang city and its bustling centre, awe-inspiring attractions and stunning beaches right on its doorstep. We include:
- A full day (10-hour+) private tour with quality air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver plus one of our renowned English speaking tour guides
- Your Da Nang City/Beach, or Hoi An, hotel pick-up
- Mysterious and historic Marble Mountains
- A unique 'Vietnamese coffee culture' experience in one of Da Nang's iconic coffee shops
- Da Nang's river bridges including our famous 'Dragon Bridge'
- Da Nang's ever-expanding centre and wonderful My Khe beach (with its own history) right on the city's doorstep.
- Son Tra Peninsula + 'Lady Buddha' & Ling Ung Pagoda
- An authentic Vietnamese Lunch in Hoi An on request*
*The famous Hoi An Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette) is well on the world foodie map because of Anthony Bourdain’s recommendation! Definitely worth a try to see what all the fuss is about!
- An afternoon walking tour of UNESCO listed Hoi An 'ancient town', including the Japanese Bridge, Fujian (Phúc Kiến) Assembly Hall, and the historic house of Tan Ky
- Evening time in the very pretty Hoi An Lantern Area & Riverside
- Hoi An Night Market
- Your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel drop-off
Tour 5: Our Hoi An or Da Nang Private 'Foodie' Tour
Of all countries in South East Asia, Vietnam probably has the most diverse food scene. And at its most diverse is central Vietnam with Da Nang and Hoi An offering food experiences like no other.
Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of dairy and oil, complementary textures, and reliance on herbs and vegetables. And Vietnam is famous for its varied vegetarian dishes.
The abundance of spices produced by central Vietnam’s mountainous terrain sets our region’s cuisine apart from North & South Vietnam. Our food is notable for its sophisticated meals consisting of many complex dishes served in small portions. With the balance between fresh herbs and meats and selective use of spices, our region’s food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.
You’ll enjoy the sight, aroma and taste of central Vietnam’s favourite foods while at the same time experiencing the colours and excitement of night time Vietnam! We include:
- A 5-hour evening private food tour of either Da Nang city or Hoi An town
- Your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel pick-up with air-conditioned vehicle
- A town centre walking tour (plus some sightseeing) with one of our renowned English speaking tour guides.
- Experience our unique 'Vietnamese coffee culture'
- Tasting 10 central Vietnamese delicacies (you'll be asked about intolerances/likes & dislikes before your tour commences) – and we guarantee you will not be left hungry at the end of your time with us!
- Bottled chilled water and soft drinks
- Your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel drop-off
Tour 6: Our 'Imperial City of Hue' Private Tour
Once the imperial capital of Vietnam and located on the picturesque Perfume River, tranquil and evocative Hue is a city crammed full of ancient and modern history, photogenic sites and wonderful food opportunities. Our fully escorted private tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site includes:
- A full day (10-hour+) private tour with quality air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver plus one of our renowned English speaking tour guides
- Your Da Nang City/Beach, or Hoi An, hotel pick-up
- Crossing the Hai Van Pass, This scenic 21 km drive was made world-famous by the BBC 'Top Gear' programme and is said to be one of the best coast roads in the world
- A photo stop at beautiful Lang Co Bay
- Visit fishing families along Lap An lagoon and their oyster farms
- The 19th century Hue Citadel, the imperial city remains and its Forbidden City
- Thien Mu (or Fairy Lady) Pagoda and its 21m high tower on the north bank of the Perfume River
- A Private Boat ride across the atmospheric Perfume River
- An authentic Vietnamese Lunch of Hue delicacies on request*
- A short drive through rural Hue Province into Chau Chu mountain
- The elaborate tomb of Emperor Khanh Dinh with its unique imperial audience court
- A scenic return on the 'quick road' through Hai Van tunnel
- Your Da Nang City or Hoi An hotel drop-off
Tour 7: Our Ba Na Hills Resort & The Golden Bridge Private Tour
Bà Nà Hills was a French hill station built around 1919, located high in the mountains west of Da Nang city the station went into general disuse after 1945. In its place and opening some 10 years ago, Sunworld Ba Na Hills Resort is THE tourist attraction for many visitors to Vietnam. Reached by a world record-holding cable car system, the resort includes its famous ‘Golden Bridge’, opened in 2018.
‘Beat The Crowds’ – Ba Na Hills is always very busy and often crowded every day of the week! The crowds increase at weekends and during Vietnam’s holiday periods. There can be long morning-queues at the cable car station with overcrowding on any day you visit.
Here are our tips for enjoying Ba Na Hills with us:
- For a family: we make an early start to arrive at the ground level cable car station before the long unruly queues that build-up with the arrival of the large group tours. Finish your day mid-afternoon means you miss the homewards rush too. This is important advice for families travelling with elders and young children
- For couples and adult groups: generally a half-day is sufficient and arrive at the cable car station before 7.30am or about 2.30pm (the queues have subsided and the afternoon weather is cooler). Usually, we include a half day of Da Nang 'highlights with lunch before the short drive to Ba Na.
- Golden 'Hand' Bridge: The attraction everyone is talking about! But remember the bridge is not a 'stand-alone' attraction, you must purchase the complete Ba Na Hills resort ticket and take its cable car to see the bridge.
Tour 8: Our Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary Private Tour
During the 4th to 13th centuries there was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence.
My Son (spoken Mee Sun) Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries with My Son valley a site for religious ceremony for kings of the ruling dynasties of Champa, as well as a burial place for Cham royalty and national heroes.
My Son is located in the mountainous border region of Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam and is yet another of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. My Son is easily reached from Hoi An in about 60 minutes and is an afternoon visit to escape the ever-present large group tours and our midday heat.
Our My Son tour can either be a stand-alone half day tour or we can include Da Nang or Hoi An highlights in the morning with an option of an authentic Vietnamese lunch before our short drive to the Sanctuary