Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Hoi An’s Charm

Morning:

• Arrival in Hoi An
  • Arrive at Da Nang Airport, the nearest airport to Hoi An (about 30-40 minutes away).
  • Transfer to your hotel in Hoi An Old Town.
  • Check-in and freshen up.
• Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour
  • Start your journey with a leisurely stroll through the Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its narrow lanes, traditional houses, and vibrant shopfronts.
  • Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, an iconic structure with historical significance.
  • Discover the Hoi An Museum of History & Culture to get a glimpse into the town’s rich past.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, trying Cao Lau, a local noodle dish, or White Rose Dumplings, two of Hoi An’s specialties.

Afternoon:

• Visit the Assembly Halls and Ancient Homes
  • Explore the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a grand structure featuring beautiful carvings and a peaceful courtyard.
  • Visit a traditional merchant’s house like Tan Ky House, which gives you an idea of how wealthy traders lived in the past.
• Hoi An Central Market
  • Wander through the bustling market near the river. Here, you can shop for local handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs.

Evening:

• Dinner by the River
  • Have dinner at one of the riverside restaurants. Enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes with a view of the Hoai River.
• Hoi An at Night
  • Explore the night market, where you can see colorful lanterns illuminating the streets. The lantern-lit town gives off a magical ambiance.
  • Optionally, take a boat ride on the river to enjoy the night view from the water.

Day 2: Cultural Insights and Relaxation

Morning:

• Cooking Class and Market Visit
  • Take part in a Hoi An cooking class. Start with a guided visit to the Hoi An Central Market, where you’ll learn about local ingredients and pick fresh produce for your cooking session.
  • Afterward, head to a cooking school where a local chef will guide you through preparing traditional dishes like Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) and Goi Cuon (spring rolls).
  • Enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together!

Lunch:

• Enjoy the dishes you’ve made during the cooking class.

Afternoon:

• Relaxing at An Bang Beach
  • After lunch, head to An Bang Beach for some relaxation by the sea. The beach is just a short drive from Hoi An’s Old Town and offers a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Spend time sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying seafood at one of the beachside restaurants.

Evening:

• Dinner at a Riverside Restaurant
  • Return to Hoi An for a relaxing dinner at a riverside restaurant. Try some grilled seafood or Bánh Mì (Vietnamese sandwich), a popular Hoi An snack.
• Lantern Lighting Experience
  • In the evening, participate in a lantern-making workshop. Create your own lantern and release it into the river with your wishes, which is a popular tradition in Hoi An.

Day 3: Exploring Villages and Departure

Morning:

• Visit the Tra Que Herb Village
  • Head to Tra Que Herb Village, just outside Hoi An, famous for its organic herbs used in local dishes. Take a cycling tour around the village, interact with the farmers, and learn about the cultivation of herbs.
  • Experience an immersive traditional farming activity, where you can help plant or harvest crops.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a lunch in the village with dishes made using fresh herbs from the local farm.

Afternoon:

• Relaxing Spa Treatment
  • Return to Hoi An for some downtime with a rejuvenating spa treatment. Many local spas offer traditional Vietnamese massages and wellness treatments.
• Last-Minute Shopping or Sightseeing
  • Before departing, you may choose to explore any sights you missed earlier or do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs in the Old Town.

Departure:

• Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your departure.

This itinerary balances sightseeing, cultural immersion, relaxation, and some free time, offering a great mix of activities for a memorable experience in Hoi An Old Town.