Vietnam's Traditional CentER

Overview:   This trip is for every traveler with an interest in the cultural heritage of Vietnam. It takes you from the city of Da Nang, one of Vietnam's major international ports the and home to the Cham museum, the ancient and picturesque town of Hoi An, once one of South-East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. From here we will travel onto the old Imperial City of Hue which served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945.

Day 1: Da Nang - My Son (B, L, D)
Excursion to My Son - Journey south west of Da Nang to one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area, and Vietnam's most important Cham site, MY SON. Be

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considered to be Champa's counterpart to the grand cities of South East Asia's other Indian-influenced civilizations: Angkor, Bagan etc. The monuments are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cat's Tooth Mountain. We then visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura, it was the first capital city of Champa, serving in that capacity from the 4th through to the 8th century. A large number of artifacts, including some of the finest carvings in the Cham Museum in Da Nang, were found here. Overnight in Da Nang.

Day 2: Da Nang - Hoi An (B, L, D)
Excursion to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Da Nang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Take a walk around the town. Visit Quan Cong Temple which is founded in 1653 to worship Quan Cong, whose partially gilt statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the construction and repair of the temple. Next stop is Phuoc Kien Pagoda, a Chinese pagoda built around 1690 to dedicate Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. Continue to Japanese Bridge, Hoi An’s symbal. The first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. See Diep Dong Nguyen House: built for a Chinese merchant, an ancestor of the present inhabitants, in the late 19th century; Tran Family Chapel: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles; Trading Ceramics museum: museum offering a display of old Hoi An ceramics; Quan Thang ancient house: one of the oldest and nicest houses in Hoi An. There are some especially fine carvings on the wooden walls of the rooms around the courtyard. Phung Hung ancient house: one family has been living here for already 8 generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style. Chuc Thanh pagoda, founded in 1454 by Minh Hai, a Buddhist monk from China, is the oldest pagoda in Hoi An. Among the antique ritual objects still in use are several bells, a stone gong two centuries old and a carp-shaped wooden gong said to be even older. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 3: Hoi An - Hue (B, L, D)
Depart for Hue, over the Hai Van Pass which crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views of Langco beach. Explore the city by cyclo. Overnight in Hue.

Day 4: Hue (B, L, D)
Boat trip sightseeing Thien Mu Pagoda which is located just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River. It was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolations and. Onward to Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang and its known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs. Keep on sightseeing Tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life. Khai Dinh tomb was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue (B, L, D)
Our trip today will head to the Imperial City which was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum. The first stop is Ngo Mon Gate which is the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and faces the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. After passing the great courtyard, we see Thai Hoa palace. Built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. Next is Halls of the mandarins. These buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies, held in Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977. Nine dynastic urns which were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign. Onward to visit the Dong Ba Market, the local market near the Imperial City. Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Thieu Tri who ruled Vietnam from 1841 to 1847. It is the only emperor's tomb not to be surrounded by a wall. Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Gia Long who founded the Nguyen Dynasty in 1802 and ruled until 1819. He ordered the construction of his tomb in 1814. According to the royal annals, the emperor himself chose the site after scouting the area on elephant-back. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue - Departure (B, L, D)
Depart for Da Nang, pass over Hai Van pass and Lang Co Beach. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views. Lang Co Beach has a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many km of beach front facing the South China Sea.