13-Day Authentic Vietnam Plus Golden Bridge Tour from Da Nang: Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi | Ba Na Hills, My Son Sanctuary and Cat Cat Village 

Pick-up at Da Nang International airport. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Exploring Hoi An in Ao Dai - Vietnamese traditional costume is one of the best ways to take in the city’s charm. You will have the opportunity to wear the traditional Ao Dai styles and colors. While exploring this small yet beautiful town, tourists and frequent visitors find that it is a place of tranquility and peace. The unique atmosphere here combines elements of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese culture. Some of the most remarkable views of the city are from the ancient houses. From here, visitors can catch a glimpse of a long gone past and more subdued and simple time. The tour includes visits by cyclo to Hoi An Museum, many of the town’s renowned Ancient Houses which boast a remarkable architectural style, Assembly Halls of Chinese influence, Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop, and of course the must-see Japanese Covered Bridge. These spots are considered as typical architecture styles in Hoi An and reflect clearly the cross culture among France, Japan, China and Vietnam. Passing over hundreds of years and withstanding the severity of the weather, Hoi An still exists and keeps the ancient and quiet beauty. Sit on a cyclo with the traditional long dresses, you will feel comfortable and discover the quiet and peaceful beauty. Overnight in Hoi An.

Ba Na is one of the most interesting areas in the region as often one can feel the four distinct seasons within a single day: morning - spring, noon - summer, afternoon - autumn and evening - winter. You will have a chance to visit Golden Bridge which is a 150-meter long pedestrian bridge with two giant stone hands supporting the structure. It is designed to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide a scenic overlook and tourist attraction. We can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape of nature comfortably and smoothly. Past the Golden Bridge, and into the center of a charming (and very Epcot-like) French village, complete with French Gothic-style cathedral, French restaurants, cobblestoned streets and impressive French gardens. There are many more places in Ba Na Hills to explore including Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda, Le Jardin Garden and a complex of ancient villas. Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda with an exquisite architectural design was built in 2004 and is symbolized by a 30-meter high Buddha statue that is exposed amidst an immense space of clouds and mountains. We will continue our trip discovering Tinh Tam Garden, Nghinh Phong Peak and Vong Nguyet Hill where we can enjoy the panoramic views the areas have to offer. Overnight in Hoi An.

Discover Hoi An’s countryside and its local foods by bicycle. Local foods in Hoi An are known and enjoyed by the tourists once setting foot here. In Hoi An, these cuisines are very popular and sold everywhere in all streets. Moreover, these cuisines are considered as unique symbols for the culture and introduced to every tourist. We will ride to a local restaurant for Hoi An specialty - Cao Lau. We then bike through the countryside to a Tra Que Village. You will also learn how to make special “white rose” dumpling cakes with a local family and taste your products. Continue riding to Cam Nam to enjoy the Yin and Yang food such as: Banh Dap (“cracked or smashed rice pancake”), Che Bap (“corn and coconut sweet soup”).

In the afternoon, visit My Son Sanctuary - an experience that should not be missed. Located in the heart of a beautiful valley and surrounded by high mountains, My Son was named a Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. Wander around the lost Champa Kingdom that dated back to the 3rd century, explore the temples and learn about the fascinating history behind this sanctuary of Hinduism. Overnight in Hoi An.

Head to Hue, along the North coast of Da Nang to the top of Hai Van Pass where bunkers remaining from the war can be explored. Upon arrival in Hue, we will visit the Citadel, Hue’s prime attraction, which contains the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor's Private Residence. Hue Citadel was built from 1804 to 1833 under the Nguyen’s Dynasty (the last feudalist kingdom in Vietnam). The grounds of the Imperial City are protected by 2-kilometer fortified ramparts and ringed by a moat. Inside the Citadel, there are many different construction works such as: Imperial City Gates, Purple Forbidden City, Temples and places of worshipping, pavilions, gardens, etc.

We will have a short break for lunch then take a boat trip on the Perfume River with a stopover at Thien Mu Pagoda, which is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Sai Gon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treatment of Buddhist monks and followers. We finally visit the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and built on principles of feng-shui. Overnight in Hoi An.

The tour kicks off in style with coffee in local style then hop on your scooter to start exploring Hoi An’s hidden gems and charismatic locals. Take a drive to Cam Nam Island to visit some local houses and places where people live and work traditional lives. Visit a ship repair yard to experience the hard work involved in maintaining a local fishing boat. Then, a short drive through a local village and beautiful countryside includes a stop at an ancestor house where guests can learn more about the belief system in Vietnam. We will visit the local shoes-making shop to learn about the ancient tradition of tailoring and shoe-making in Hoi An. Before having a short break at a stall overlooking Hoi An Ancient Town and Thu Bon River, we visit a rice cracker place to observe the traditional cracker making process as well as have a taste of the yummy end-product. Afterwards, on our drive through the countryside, you will experience the resplendent beauty of the rice paddies, grazing buffalo and monkey bridges, all of which you can take photos of. We will ride to Tra Que Village, a beautiful herb and vegetable garden which supplies vegetables for the restaurants in the ancient town. At the end of the tour, guests can unwind at a stunning beach lounge overlooking one of the best beaches in Vietnam, An Bang Beach, with a refreshing drink. Overnight in Hoi An.

Free time all day to explore the place on your own.

In the evening, enjoy Water puppet show and dinner in Hoi An.At night Hoi An ancient town transforms into what is also known as lantern town. The night market is filled with beautiful handmade arts and crafts but the real charm lies in the colorful lanterns that adorn all the buildings and streets. Take a one and a half hour boat trip to view the sunset at Duy Hai fishing village then back to the Ancient Town to have a different view of the Ancient Town at night - a very romantic, unique and unforgettable scenery during your Vietnam trip.

After the boat tripp, head to Hoi An Water Puppet Theater to enjoy the show. Water puppetry is a unique folk art form which is associated with the long history of wet rice civilization of Vietnam. Water puppetry is exactly as it sounds - puppets dancing and moving along the water, controlled by the invisible hands of the puppet masters. It is not just a great source of entertainment but also a form of art that needs extreme precision and tremendous practice. Combined with traditional music makes you really enjoy Vietnamese culture. Have dinner at a nice restaurant located on a bank of Hoai River, providing you with a great view of the main part of the Ancient town from the other part of the river. Finish by a quick shopping at the night market with a variety of local products. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Da Nang airport to go to Ha Noi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, pick up and transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax. Overnight in Ha Noi.

We will pick you up at your hotel for departure to Sapa. After lunch, take a scenic drive up to the hill station of Sapa. From there we will take a short 30-minute journey south toward Muong Hoa Valley. The walk takes you from Lao Chai Village of the Black H'Mong Minority to the Ta Van Village of the Giay Minority with a stop at the local Catholic Church, taking in the different traditions, cultures and costumes of the two minority groups. Have dinner. Overnight at homestay.

Sapa has always been famous for its breathtaking scenery and tranquil air. Enjoying the Sapa view when trekking to Cat Cat village in the morning is indeed your first reward. You will have a chance to enjoy Cat Cat waterfall, admire giant water wheels, visit the H’ mong house, learn the H’ mong culture and practices, taste the H’ mong wine, experience the H’ mong foods. Check out, come back to Ha Noi. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Take a two-hour ride heading South of Ha Noi to Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Ninh Binh Province, known to travelers as Vietnam’s “Inland Ha Long Bay”. Tam Coc stream is the national key tourist spot in Vietnam, recognized as a World Heritage by UNESCO. This area includes a system of limestone caves and historical relics related to Tran’s Dynasty. This will be an exciting day highlighted by a two-hour boat ride in Tam Coc Stream. You will enjoy spectacular scenery while gliding along the river among rice paddies and ranges of limestone mountain peaks. Tam Coc means three grottos: Ca grotto, Hai grotto and Ba grotto. When the boat comes into three grottos, tourists will feel cool. Stalactites from the ceiling like iridescent pearls. This grotto is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colours that sparkle like gemstones. After enjoying a lunch of local food served at a riverside restaurant, we will take a short trip down a peaceful country road to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital of the 10th and 11th century visiting two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le. You will also visit Bich Dong Pagoda, which was built in the style of “three” in Han scripts, consisting of three unconnected buildings, based on the mountain position from low to high forming three separate temples, hidden under the green canopy of ancient trees surrounded by stone. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Free time all day to explore Ha Noi on your own or take an optional tour with Hoi An Express. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Have breakfast at the hotel and relax until the time of transfer to Noi Bai International airport for your departure flight.