Day 1: On Arrival Danang –Transfer to Hotel in Hue
DA NANG AIRPORT TO HUE
Your private guide will meet you outside of the arrival hall at Da Nang International Airport.
Flights details tbc
Following National Highway 1 north to Hue city is around 2 to 3 hours drive. Depending on time of day (and time available) we will either take the scenic drive over the Hai Van Mountain Pass or if arrival is late in the day, we’ll drive the direct route via the Hai Van Tunnel.
On arrival in Hue, check into your hotel and the remainder of your day is free and easy.
Overnight at hotel in Hue City
Day 2: Hue - Phu Cam Cathedral - Our Lady of La Vang – Hue Citadel - Thien An Monastery
After breakfast we will visit Phu Cam Cathedral which is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hue, and is one of the largest, the most famous and the oldest church in Hue.
Then we drive north of Hue to Our Lady of La Vang – A major pilgrimage center for Catholics in Vietnam, spending time for praying then back to Hue city for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will depart to visit Citadel, which is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River), inside Hue city.
It is a huge complex covering an area of 520 ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The rule of the last Vietnamese Emperor lasted until the mid-1900s. At the time, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. It suffered from termite and cyclone damage, but was still very impressive. Many bullet holes left over from the war can also be observed on the stone walls.
After ending a meaningful day, we take time to enjoy the atmosphere at Thien An Monastery.
It is located in Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue, in a romantic, airy space in the middle of the forest of pine. After many years of establishment, with type of design as convent church, Thien An Monastery still retains its intimacy, harmonize with nature, and be beautiful between forest. We will have a great time there.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hue City
Day 3: Hue – Cloudy Pass – Bana Hills – Hoi An Ancient Town
After breakfast, Following National Highway 1 to Hue City is around 4 hours drive. We’ll stop at Da Nang Beach, followed by a scenic drive over the stunning Hai Van Mountain Pass. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level).
The rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea.
Hai Van is translated “Sea Clouds”, since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea.
The views over Lang Co Bay are stunning. We’ll make stops along the way for photos and refreshments as required.
Passing by Da Nang we head to the Ba Na Hills. This hill resort, inherited from the French, has refreshingly cool weather and gorgeous countryside views.
Until WWII, the French were carried up the last 20km of rough mountain road by sedan chair, but now a 5.7km (the world’s longest) cable car system has opened up access. The ride involves a rise of almost 1400m, a truly spectacular trip over dense jungle and waterfalls.
Folklore says that when the French arrived in this region, they saw a lot of bananas and gradually this morphed to Ba Na!
Walk the Golden Bridge…
This amazing construction has attracted visitors worldwide, eager to see a novel piece of architecture famed for its unusual design.
The pedestrian walkway, sits at over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level and extends over the treetops from the edge of a leafy cliff face, offering visitors uninterrupted views of the majestic landscape beneath.
The bridge was designed to evoke the image of the ‘giant hands of God’, pulling a strip of gold out of the and to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide an amazing scenic overlook.
We’ll remain flexible as to the walks and sites visited.
Lunch is included, following which we’ll continue to Hoi An to arrive by around mid to late afternoon.
After check in hotel in Hoi An, we will visit Hoi An ancient town, evening walking in the old town.
Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, with a number of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, and and also western (Dutch and Spanish) during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for a 3 hours walking tour to give you a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past. You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of Chinese, an old merchant’s house – Tan Ky beautiful town of all lanterns by night.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An City
Day 4: TraQue Cooking Class - Our Lady of Tra Kieu – Hoi An Memories Show
TRA QUE – IN AND AROUND HOI AN
Start after breakfast for a 30-minute gentle bicycle ride through the flat country lanes to Tra Que, which is a charming little village located just a few kilometers northeast of Hoi An. The village is famous for growing many kinds of vegetables and herbs including lettuce, salad, houttuynia, flagrant knotweed, basil, and coriander.
We will learn about the planting and growing of vegetables and herbs. Enjoy a herbal foot massage before taking a short informal cooking class with a local family, to learn how to make (and then eat) some local delicacies.
OUR LADY OF TRA KIEU
In the afternoon, we will visit Our Lady of Tra Kieu, which is the holy mountain church where pilgrimages gather to pray and memorize the glory and the victory that Our Lady who gave to the faithfuls when they were in the war of self-defense against the Can Vuong Movement in 1885.
HOI AN MEMORIES SHOW – THE REAL WORLD PERFORMANCE
In the evening you will enjoy a special show in Hoian.
“Hoi An Memories” Show – The heroic and romantic memories of Hoi An
Take a walk on the memory lane with the “Hoi An Memories” Show, an outdoor visual arts performance, you will experience impressive stories on the rich history, culture, and identity of Hoi An.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An City
Day 5: Departure
Free at leisure until transferring to airport for your flight home.
End of your Vietnam Catholic Tour.
Meal: Breakfast
Traveling with us in the meaning of “CONNECT and SHARE”, you will see how life becomes special to catholic communities and it is a great chance to understand more about Vietnamese culture and catholic stories through the real local catholics.
Ho Thi Suong Lan
0161000885230
Vietcombank – Hue
Viet Orchid Travel Co., Ltd.
16 Doan Huu Trung, Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City,
Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam.
(+84) 914 544 660 – 234 3623 896
Fax: 0234 3935 621
