Region & Excursions in the Hoi An area

Only 30 minutes south of Danang, lies the charming village of Hoi An. Sitting on the bank of the Thu Bon River it is also only a few kilometres from the beach.

Some of the streets of Hoi An are like time capsules from centuries past. As a busy trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries it was a hub for seafarers from China, Japan, Portugal and Holland. Wandering through the streets it is easy to spot features reflecting this multinational past.
 
Hoi An has also got to be one of Vietnam's most picturesque towns. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Hoi An was once the major Vietnamese trading centre for silk, porcelain, pepper, cinnamon and medicinal plants. When the river eventually filled with silt the trading moved further north to Danang.
 
The town's distinctive architecture remains intact despite the wars of the 19th and 20th centuries.
 
There are many sights of interest to explore in the Hoi An region.

SHUTTLE BOAT TO HOI AN TOWN

Enjoy the one hour cruise taking in Hoi An river life from the hotel to Hoi An town by our Victoria boat, specially arranged to provide comfort and safety for seven passengers.
(1 hour; Minimum 2 persons - Maximum 7 persons)

RICE PADDY BY SIDE-CAR EXCURSION

Enjoy this unique one hour Victoria side-car excursion of Hoi An's rice paddies and shrimp farms.
(1 hour; Minimum 1 person - Maximum 10 persons)
 
 
 
 
 
 

DISCOVER HOI AN'S EARLY FISH MARKET EXCURSION

While the whole town sleeps, the fishermen are hard at work, catching delicious seafood that will be served freshly at the city's restaurants and markets. Enjoy a unique visit to the Hoi An Fish market when the fishermen are bringing their night's catch to shore.
(2 hours; Departure at 6:00 AM; Minimum 2 persons per trip)
 
 
 

KAYAK TRIP ON THE RIVER EXCURSION

Discover traditional riverside life while kayaking the Thu Bon River. During this excursion you will encounter fishermen, migratory birds and experience the customary river ways of Hoi An.
(2 hours; Departures in the Morning at 10:00 AM and in the Afternoon at 2:30 PM; Minimum 2 persons - Maximum 4 persons)

DISCOVER HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN: CULTURAL & HISTORIC EXCURSION

Lying on the Thu Bon river at about 30 Km (18 miles) Southeast of Danang City. Hoi An ancient town was an active Eastern port city during the Middle Ages. The city still maintains its uniqueness of character and possesses qualities that are rarely seen in the region or elsewhere in the world.
 
Known as Faifo, a Japanese port in the 15th century, Hoi An is certainly the most charming ancient town of Vietnam, with its colourful and traditional Japanese Bridge, Chinese temple, bustling fishing market, village of traditional ceramic handicraft and junk builders.
 
The specific characteristics of this old city have been made efforts to restored and preserved generation after generation. Go along the main streets of Hoi An and have a quick glance at the bustling life here.
(3 hours; Departures in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons per trip)
 

MARBLE MOUNTAIN EXCURSION

25 Km (15 miles) away from Hoi An to the North, the Marble Mountains include 5 majestic granite peaks. It was rumoured that this was an eggshell of the dragon King left behind after the birth of a beautiful princess.
 
At the beginning of the 19th century, King Gia Long while passing through this region named the mountains after the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.
 
Visitors will be attracted strongly by many beautiful caves in the mountain of Water. Passing 157 stone steps to get to the pagoda, where you will view an impressing panorama.
(3 hours; Departures in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons per trip)

CHAM MUSEUM EXCURSION

Founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francais d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone carvings (altars, lingas, garudas, ganeshas, and images of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu) are breathtaking; making this a place you can easily visit again and again.
(3 hours; Departure in the Morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons per trip)

BOAT TRIP TO KIM BONG CARPENTRY VILLAGE

Visiting Hoi An, you should plan a boat trip on the Thu Bon, the largest river in Quang Nam province. Lying along the banks of the Cai River (a branch of the Thu Bon), the traditional craft villages of Hoi An are not far from the town. Handicraft has been considered as a holy religion. Doing the work is of the highest moral ethic. The traditional craft villages of Hoi An were generated on that concept, and many of them were very famous in the past.
(3 hours; Departure on request; Minimum 2 persons per trip)
 

MY SON HOLY LAND EXCURSION

The My Son remnants are considered the largest and most holy temple complex of the Champa Kingdom in the south central coastal area. The complex is comparable to other great structures which bear the hallmarks of Indian civilization in the Southeast Asian region.
 
Located 68 km (42 miles) southwest of Hoi An, My Son lies in an emerald circular valley about 2 kilometres in diameter. It is surrounded by hills and mountains. Construction work went on from the 4th to the 13th centuries and the temples were dedicated to Shiva. The site was abandoned by the 15th century when the Cham people moved south.
 
My Son at one stage boasted 71 brick and stone structures. Regretfully the complex was heavily damaged by warfare and, as a result, there remain only 32 ancient towers, of which only 20 have their original figures kept relatively intact.
 
The relief carvings depicting deities, human beings or animal creatures are what are most interesting here. You may also like to ponder how the Cham craftsmen put all the bricks together without using any mortar - many researchers are baffled.
(4 hours, Departure in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons per trip)
 

MARBLE MOUNTAIN & CHAM MUSEUM EXCURSION

It is about 25 km (15 miles) away from Hoi An to the North, Marble Mountains stands for the majestic granite mountains adjacent to the shore. It was rumoured that this was an eggshell of the dragon king left behind after the birth of a beautiful princess. At the beginning of the 19th century, King Gia Long when passing by this region named these mountains after the name of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.
When you pass 157 stone steps to get the pagoda, an imposing panorama is displayed impressively. It has been major pilgrimage site since Cham times and an ideal base for guerrillas during the war, with its commanding views of Danang Bay. Visitors will be attracted strongly by many beautiful caves in the mountain of Water.
 
From Marble Mountains, heading for Danang, you will reach the Cham museum after 15 minutes by car. After the My Son ancient tower complex was discovered, many of its artefacts, especially statues of female dancers and genies worshipped by the Cham people, worship animals and artefacts of the daily communal activities, were collected and displayed at the Cham Architecture Museum in Danang city. Although there are not many remnants left, those that remain, display the typical sculptural works of cultural value of the Cham nationality. Furthermore, they are vivid proof, confirming the history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich cultural tradition.
(5 hours; Departures in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons per trip)

HIGH SPEED BOAT TO CHAM ISLAND

Cu Lao Cham, a group of islands, is 25 Km (15 miles) off the Hoi An shoreline. The islands are home to an abundance of plants and animals. The remains of ancient residents existing 3000 years ago have been discovered recently as well as the archaeological remains of a hydro-agriculture system and traces of natural trade with foreigners from the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.
(5 hours; Departure in the morning and in the afternoon; Booking preferred at least 2 days in advance and will be cancelled in case of bad weather; Minimum 2 persons per trip)

HUE CITY TOUR

Ever the place of the Vietnam's imperial court and home for 13 emperors, Hue has always had its own unobtrusive mystique. It's as if the Perfume River breezing its cool wind through the city, encourages quiet reflection, drawing generations of scholars, philosophers and artists to halt on its bank. The river's name stemmed from the sweet-scented flowering trees growing on its shores, while the city's present name evolved from an older title, Thuan Hoa, which means "amicableness" or "harmony".
 
In 1802, the beautiful city of Hue was chosen as the capital of the newly unified Vietnam by the Nguyen Dynasties. Those kings were long gone, their opulent palaces and tombs fallen into ruin. Yet the city still clings to its faded splendour, its moss-covered stone monuments and lotus-filled canals as silent reminders of a by gone splendid era.
 
Life in Hue has always revolved around the river and none a visit is completed without a boat cruise. Not only do boats offers peaceful means to go to such not-to-be-missed landmarks as Thien Mu Pagoda, Hon Chen Temple and the mausoleums but also, seen from the river, make visitors discover Hue at its most beautiful.
In April 2000, Hue was chosen as a site in Vietnam for organizing an international festival, which drew thousand of visitors from around the world to celebrate the city's cultural and artistic traditions.
(12 hours; Departure at 8:00 AM; Minimum 2 persons per trip)

ECO SUNRISE TOUR

Enjoy an exceptional sunrise while observing the local fishermen coming in from a night of fishing at sea.

(2 hours; Departure at 5:00AM; Minimum 2 persons)

ECO - WATER COCONUT PALM PARADISE TOUR

Located in the Hoi An River, 2 km (1 mile) away from the resort, the palm water coconut canal paradise is a fantastic and peaceful place for exploring and relaxing. During the American war, many Northern Army soldiers hid themselves famously in large water coconut palm canals to fight against the American Southern troops. You will learn about the hard life experienced during wartime. You will have the chance to explore the water coconut canal paradise with our unique basket boat and experience the life of the local fishermen! You can opt to catch crab with the local fisherman and savour your catch on the boat.

Additional surcharge for seafood meal and cold beer applies
(4 hours; Departure in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons)

ECO - FARMER TOUR

Tra Que is a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An. The village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up everyday meals of the Hoi An people. Here, you can take a walk around with your local tour guide to visit the local farming families watering and hoeing vegetable beds and wearing the local farmer clothes.
Experience a day of living and working in the Tra Que vegetable village and you will have the chance to discover the real life of local farmers.

(4 hours; Departure in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons)

ECO - RIVER FISHERMAN TOUR

Would you like to go fishing with the local fisherman?
Have you ever been fishing in the unique basket boat?
Join us! You will be trained how to use a Vietnamese fishing rod and fishing net and begin reeling in your catch!

 
Additional surcharge for seafood meal and cold beer applies
(4 hours; Departure in the morning and in the afternoon; Minimum 2 persons)
 
For excursion prices and booking, please contact us.