Spend a half day with a local guide, explore the ancient town and learn all about Hoi An’s illustrious past as a trading port.

Visit a Chinese Assembly hall, a colorful bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops.

Make a stop at the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam.  The bridge was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. You will find carvings and paintings rich with symbolism and cultural significance inside the bridge.

Visit some of Hoi An’s famous handicraft shop, art galleries and the town’s vibrant market and thread through the smaller laneways and local neighborhoods to really appreciate Hoi An’s endless charm.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy the beach.

Suggestion: you might like to take a walk around the town and admire the colorful lanterns in the evening. Grab a “Banh Mi”, world-famous local bread.

Night in Hoi An.

Escape from Hoi An’s bustling town center and transfer to Tra Que Village for an exciting morning in the countryside. Visit a local farm inside the village; explore its garden of vegetables and the variety of local produce while assisting the locals working the garden. Depending on the time of year, this may include tilling the land, fertilizing the garden with seaweed or picking ripe vegetables.

After the work, enjoy a herbal foot soak to revitalize tired muscles with locally grown herbs.

As midday approaches join a local family to prepare lunch. Learn the secrets behind some of Hoi An’s most famous traditional dishes using fresh ingredient from the garden, including the famous banh xeo – Vietnam’s delicious version of the pancake.  Let the stoves cool down as you settle to enjoy this home-cooked meal, wrapping up a fruitful day in the countryside.

OPTIONAL: It’s possible to ride a bicycle ride from your hotel (or a starting point) to Tra Que Village.

Afternoon at leisure.

Night in Hoi An.

Cycle to Cam Thanh village, as the rice fields roll by, you will get your first glimpse of the local rice production methods which have remained largely unchanged over the years. Upon arrival at the fishing village, your exploration of the water coconut palm forest will begin in a quirky laced-bamboo basket boat (2 people/one boat). You’ll want to warm up those rowing arms before team are formed for a basket boat race, with the promise of a lovely gift for the winner!

Prize in hand, head to a craftsman’s house in the village and find out how the local handicraft men create a variety of products for decorating and furnishing from materials such as water coconut leaf and bamboo.

The rest of day is at your own leisure to enjoy the beach.

Night in Hoi An.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hanoi.

Explore Hanoi by a city tour. The city tour begins with visits to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda, and Hanoi’s oldest place of worship - the thousand year-old Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Enjoy an extensive Cyclo tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and through the lively streets and alleys of the Old Quarter.