Central Vietnam: Hoi An, Cam Thanh Village & An Bang Beach - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An 

Welcome to Vietnam! Your driver will be waiting at Da Nang Airport to take you to your hotel in Hoi An, located an hour down the coast. Settle into this peaceful port town, which lies on the Tho Bon River and is fringed by tranquil rice paddies and beaches lapped by the South China Sea. Visitors are drawn to Hoi An for its ancient architecture, lantern-lined streets, and skilled tailors who can whip up a custom-made outfit in as little as 24 hours.

Day 2: Foodie Tour in Hoi An

Today you'll take a food tour to learn about Hoi An's world-famous cuisine. The city's well-positioned port has drawn settlers from all over the world, resulting in a fusion of international street food. Your local guide will take you to some of Hoi An's top spots to try local delicacies like cao lau (a chewy noodle dish), white rose (Hoi An dumplings), fried spring rolls, and Hoi-An-style roasted pork. Learn the history behind each dish and finish with some sweet treats and a signature Vietnamese coffee.

Day 3: Cam Thanh Village Tour & Basket Boat Adventure

Head just south of Hoi An today for an eco-tour of Cam Thanh Village, which is famous for its lush mangroves and 208-acre (84 ha) Bay Mau Palm Forest. You'll visit the bamboo handicraft center, where locals have been creating goods from coconut and bamboo since the beginning of the 19th century. Afterward, take a peaceful trip in a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat through the mangroves; you'll get the chance to paddle and try your hand at crab fishing.

Return to Hoi An and enjoy a free afternoon. Wander on foot or rent a bike to cycle along the car-and-motorbike-free streets—motorized vehicles are banned in the city. Along the way, you'll pass shuttered wooden buildings that date back to the 16th century. Order a custom-made outfit from one of the resident tailors and try some street-food snacks. For sunset views, head to one of the city's nearby beaches, loved for their soft, pale sands.

Day 4: Explore Hoi An

Spend today exploring Hoi An independently. The city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its fusion of ancient architecture, which includes red-gold Chinese temples, an ornate Japanese bridge, Vietnamese merchant houses, and French stores. Wander along the waterfront, passing boats bobbing on the water and local fishermen hauling in the day's catch. 

Take some time to relax in a café with a robust Vietnamese drip coffee and stroll through the vibrant markets to pick up tropical fruit and sample a bowl of herby pho (noodle soup). If you fancy some exercise, rent a bike to explore the countryside outside of Hoi An, which is filled with swaying fields of rice dotted with tiny farming villages. 

Day 5: An Bang Beach Day

Today is yours to spend as you please. To soak up some sun, head to An Bang Beach, which lies just 2 miles (3 km) north of Hoi An. Stroll the long stretch of powdery sand, lapped by topaz water dotted with the distant Cham islands. Swing in a hammock with a drink and a book, or cool off with a swim. There are plenty of restaurants backing the beach where you can grab a bite. Stay for sunset or head back into Hoi An for a seafood feast, followed by a browse in the lively markets.

Day 6: Return to Da Nang, Depart

Today your Vietnam adventure comes to an end. Spend the final few hours in Hoi An picking up souvenirs or relaxing at your hotel before your transfer to Da Nang Airport. Safe travels!

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