Phong Nha - Hue - Hoian 5 days

From Hanoi, we take the morning flight to Quang Binh, it takes you 1h30 in flight. Airports transfers in private vehicle by our driver.
Option for traveling from Hanoi to Quang Binh:
1. By night train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi, Quang Binh (SE1: 07: 30pm - 05: 35am, SE19: 08: 10pm - 06: 24am)
2. By bus (Hanoi - Phong Nha) (7:00 pm - 6:30 am)
Quang Binh is a beautiful and peaceful area by the Oriental Sea. Its picturesque and romantic landscape is formed by the harmonious combination of the sea, the mountains and the rivers. Quang Binh owns many wild beaches with white sand and transparent water such as Nhat Le, Phu Quang, Bao Ninh. In addition, it has very beautiful caves including the Phong Nha - Ke Bang Cave was named World Natural Heritage in 2003.
Check-in the hotel in city center.
Free time to rest or relax on Nhat Le beach
Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast, we depart to Phong Nha cave - World Natural Heritage nominated by Unesco (1.5 hour drive).
 
The Phong Nha cave situated in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is 50km northwest of Dong Hoi City. The cave system of Phong Nha - Ke Bang is also known as the "kingdom of caves". It consists of more than 300 mysterious caves in various sizes. Compared to other cave systems in the world, the British Geological Association has rated it at the top value for its characteristics such as: the longest underground rivers, the tallest and broadest cave entrances. Phong Nha & Thien Duong are two of the most beautiful caves of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
 
Upon arrival at Phong Nha, embark to a sampan for the cruise trip on Son River, which takes you into Phong Nha Cave. During the 600m cruise along the interior cave, you will admire astonishing stalactites and stalagmites.
In the afternoon, we will continue with a visit to Paradise Cave (Hang Thien Duong) which is the longest cave in South East Asia (31km).
Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Hue - the Imperial City. Arrival in Hue around noon.
Your first visit of Hue begin at the mysterious Citadel, the most important site of Hue historical monuments - Duration: 2 hours.
 
The Citadel was built for 30 years from 1804 under the command of the King Gia Long and was inspired by the fortifications of Vauban. It is a fortified town and consists of three parts: the capital city, the imperial city and the forbidden city, as well as more than 100 original architecture buildings spread over many sectors. The citadel was partly destroyed in 1968 during the Vietnam War, but many donations permitting nowadays to make revive this invaluable heritage.
 
You will then visit the tomb of the Tu Duc Emperor and the Tu Hieu pagoda
The tomb of Tu Duc is located in a narrow valley, about 8 km from the center of Hue. Its architecture is representative of traditional Vietnamese art. Coming to Tu Duc Tomb, tourists may feel like they’re lost in a huge scenery park, where the old monuments of old feudal time are harmoniously in tune with the natural atmosphere.
Not far from the tomb of Tu Duc Emperor, about 5 km from the city center, there is the Tu Hieu pagoda. The Buddhist monk Nhat Dinh was at the origin of its construction in 1843. Even today, the pagoda hosts a very active community of monks that you will be invited to meet. In this calm and peaceful environment, you can discuss about serenity, search for peace and inner awakening. Hue is still one of the most important Buddhist centers of the country.
 
Overnight at hotel in Hue

After breakfast at hotel, you will discover the surrounding countryside of Hue during a pleasant cycling or cyclo ride. En route stop at Phu Mong village where you will visit a typical Hue garden house. You will resume your walk to the Thien Mu pagoda, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam.
The morning ends with a visit to the Minh Mang Mausoleum. You will have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we take the coastal road to Hoi An over the scenic Hai Van Pass (120 kms - Duration: 3,5h). The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds.
On the road from Hue to Hoi An you will cross the road to the Cloud Pass. Consisting of the most picturesque part of the entire Mandarin road, it runs along the Cordillera Truong Son which marks the border with Laos. At its summit, it offers a unique panorama on the Danang bay in the south and on the coast of Hue in the north. As such, the Cloud Pass is a true climatic barrier between the north and the south of the country.
Through Danang, you will visit the Cham Museum (1 hour) which contains the most beautiful collection of Cham sculptures in the world - more than 300 original pieces dating from the 7th to the 15th century.
You arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon, check-in hotel.
Overnight in hotel in Hoi An.

Today your guide take you to visit the surrounding villages by bike.
During the walk, you will cross immense rice fields along the peaceful paths, away from the tourist paths. You will then walk through the villages where you will be put in contact with the local inhabitants who work in the gardens.
You can participate in gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering, and tending greens. The fishermen will take you to discovering their traditional fishing techniques and their coconut forests by a cruise in «Thung chai» - bamboo basket boat.
Enjoy lunch at a local family with the typical dishes. Before leaving the host family, relax a traditional therapeutic foot bath with medicinal herbs.
For the rest of the journey, you will visit the old town of Hoian, the charming town preserved by Unesco: Phuc Kien Assembly Hall which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors, the Japanese bridge built in 1593, Tan Ky House - a 200 year old ancestral house, the market and its harbor which were very animated in the 15th century...
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.