ENRICHING EXPERIENCES

Sitting on the banks of the beautiful Bon River, for generations, not much has changed in this vintage-feeling fishing village that feels like stepping back in time. Take in a relaxing scene at Thanh Nam that offers a glimpse of Old Vietnam on this restorative excursion. Watch fishermen expertly cast their nets to catch prawns, crabs and fish before trying to cast the net and catch them yourself. Before leaving, take a ride in a round basket boat and enjoy a coffee on the riverbank.

For a more unusual and buzzworthy outing, Distillerie d'Indochine offers the only beachside distillery in Vietnam. Visitors can learn about the traditional barrels used and ageing method for artisan rum. Choosing organic sugarcane hand-havested within 40 kilometres of the distillery, this small business creates white, amber and aged rums using highly pure local groundwater. Enjoy a taste or a cocktail while looking over a pristine beach at this memorable outing and bring a bottle home for the rum lovers in your life.

Step back into the capital of the Champa Kingdom with a wander through 70 gorgeous stone ruins skillfully carved from red brick and sandstone. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring impressive Hindu-themed temples built between the fourth and thirteenth centuries, offers towers and obelisks, each with an intriguing tale to tell. Each ruin is devoted to a Hindu god or goddess, with Shiva, thought to be one of the protectors of the Champa kings, as the most prevalent. A cultural must-see for fans of historical sites and spiritual places, discover this fascinating world for yourself in a dramatic setting.

This gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site is as delicious as it is beautiful, with an expansive food culture that’s second to none. From cold beer and fresh seafood by the river’s edge to Chinese and European-influenced dishes to fine dining opportunities, anything you have a taste for can be located within the town’s limits. Don’t miss the covered market, a favourite of both locals and visitors. From garlic prawns on fresh noodles to lemongrass pork patties sitting atop mounds of steaming rice, our guide can find every food you’d like to try.

Enjoy a tour of one of Vietnam’s most livable cities and the point that connects a trio of beloved UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hue Citadel, Hoi An, and My Son Sanctuary. A coastal metropolis with 60 kilometers of beautiful shoreline, this city provides the best of urban and beachside living in one package. By day, visit historical sites, take in traditional performances, try famed street food and peruse local and international shopping streets. By night, high-end restaurants, exclusive clubs and rooftop cocktail bars rule the city. Whatever you’re looking for, your guide can help you to unearth it in Danang.

A tranquil and unspoiled sandy beach with gorgeous blue waters and a length perfect for strolling, An Bang Beach’s proximity to both Hoi An and Danang makes it a favorite spot for city-dwellers to meet on weekends. It’s most unique feature is its stunning views of nearby Marble Mountains, Cham Island and Danang Bay. Play in the waves and give in to true vacation relaxation. The more adventurous can try surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding before enjoying refreshments along the beach’s wonderful assortment of cafes, lively bars and fresh seafood restaurants - all open until late.

A true symbol of Hoi An and the subject of countless evocative Hoi An photos, local lore says that this bridge, built hundreds of years ago, was crafted by Japanese traders to provide a fast route to the Chinese quarters across the river, where they did much of their business. Walk beneath its wooden pagoda and marvel at detailed sculptures of dogs and monkeys that the bridge was built. The bridge, about 60 feet in length, is very well preserved, undergoing renovations in 1817, 1865, 1915 and 1986.

Hoi An has been home to traders from around Asia and Europe for centuries, they used to use it as a seasonal base, later sending employees to settle permanently in the multicultural town. So, it’s no surprise -- but no less thrilling -- that the town’s stately old homes feature a multitude of exotic influences, many of the most beautiful and history-rich remaining open for visitors. From river-facing merchant’s residences to lush gardens, vintage outdoor kitchens, and personal family temples, be intrigued by the life of Hoi An’s traders. You may even get the chance to meet the families who have been in residence for generations.

A former trading port, this deeply charming, lovingly preserved town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From end to end, it is brimming with picturesque buildings and a bustling center for shopping, dining and more. Amble beneath the dreamy lanterns that light the town by night and visit Chinese temples before stepping over the famous Japanese bridge that traverses a flowing river. Vintage pagodas, wooden shop-houses and mansions open to the public will also be part of this beautiful and atmospheric excursion that earns rave reviews.

Visit three marvelous bridges on your evening outing to Danang. Thuan Phuoc is the longest suspension bridge in Vietnam, completed in 2009 with a beautiful LED light system for especially gorgeous evening views. The Han River Bridge, the country’s first swing bridge, opens to let river traffic pass every evening at 11pm, a must-see for many visitors. Dragon Bridge is a six-lane bridge featuring a dragon "breathing" fire and water in a performance every weekend and holiday evening at 9pm. Many coffee shops and cafes have opened nearby to allow viewers excellent places to enjoy the show.

Among one of Vietnam’s most-recognized and photographed locations, the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills is a walking path seemingly held aloft in the sky by two stone hand sculptures. Completed in 2018, the attraction quickly became a bucket list travel destination for people around the world. Located in Thien Thai Garden at Sun World’s famous Ba Na Hills park, an outing to the 150-meter bridge will also include a roundtrip ride on a cable car, a stop in a wine cellar, and a visit to Le Jardin Gardens and Fantasy Park.

Shop like a local at a traditional open-air marketplace where the people of Hoi An gather to stroll, chat and purchase fresh foods such as fish, meat and vegetables alongside staples and dry goods such as beans and rice. After a hearty shopping session, stop for a tasty snack or refreshing drink. The wet market is the perfect place to snap memorable photos and watch the boats come to port with their freshest catch. Here, buying and selling exist as it has for decades. Stalls sit beneath a tin roof in a large pavilion and dot the ground on the surrounding streets.

The locals call them the “landscape of the southern sky,” this range of five mountains contains a peak named after each of the five elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. Explore Buddhist sanctuaries, tunnels, caves, pagodas, towers and more -- all while enjoying gorgeous vistas. At the base of the range, you can make a stop at a 300-year-old marble sculpture village where you can watch artisans at work, ask them questions, wander among their art pieces and pick up a souvenir as well. This outing is a favourite of guests and one whose memory stays with them long after they depart.

Ba Na Hills allows you to alight on a French village, visit a wax museum, explore a winery, thrill on exciting rides including an alpine coaster, be wowed by a 4D cinema experience, win challenging games, delight in new foods and stroll over the world-famous Golden Bridge held aloft by giant hand sculptures before soaring through the sky in a cable car - all in one day. This resort and amusement park is perched in the in Trường Sơn Mountains, offering invitingly fresh air, lovely views and exciting moments that no visitor will forget.

Danang is a seafood city. From fish cakes to crab-with-tamarind sauce, locals know and insist on the freshest catch for their meals. On this excursion, you’ll have the chance to try your choice of local flavours from bun cha ca noodle soup with dense fish cakes to giant prawns cooked with the flavours of garlic, tamarind, chiles and more. The eastern side of the city, near the Han River, is where our guides will introduce you to local octopus, crab, clams, squid, prawns and beyond - each served with amazing array sauces, dips, marinades and tasty fixings.