Day 6: Hoi An Day Excursion (B,L)
The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Da Nang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. The face of the Old Town has preserved its incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient tea warehouses – though, of course, residences and rice fields have been gradually replaced by tourism businesses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents and many tailor shops are very much part of the scene here.
Today, you choose between the following three options for your favourite way to explore and learn about Hoi An:
Option 1: Cooking Class
Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colourful local market, buying all the necessary ingredients before heading back to start preparing. Your chef will first demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cuisine, and you will cook it and enjoy what you have created.
In the afternoon, explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a Walking Tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and these days, is a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander the traditional Chinese shops, the luxurious French homes, and the ancient Japanese Bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers – all of which are sure to charm you.
Option 2: Tra Que Village Discovery
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise with a bike ride to Tra Que Village and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special opportunity of involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables.
You will also learn how the vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialities such a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course, you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid afternoon, we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoi An for a visit to HoiAn Old Quarter. Return to your hotel and relax.
Option 3: Cycle Or Motor Bike To The Countryside
Your guide will collect you at the hotel by motor bike, riding to Tra Que Village and then ride back to the river to board a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving, but also for weaving sleeping mats, so we will stop in on a family to see how they weave the mats which were in every day use until the arrival of the popular mattresses of today. Visit another family who make the famous local noodle – Mi Quang. Both opportunities to learn about local life.
You also get to make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village, we gear up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposite side of the island making our way to Duy Hai Market and Harbour.
Here, a local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh Village where you have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay before returning to your hotel by motor bike. (If you would prefer cycling to a scooter tour, we have the flexibility to modify the route, matching with your ability.)
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