Things to do in
Central Vietnam

Our most recommended things to do in Central Vietnam

From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

7:20-7:50am The bus will pick up all customers from the Hanoi Old Quarter between 7:20 AM and 7:50 AM. For customers staying outside the Old Quarter, please arrive at the Hanoi Opera House by 7:20 AM for pick-up. The final pick-up location is at 84 Tran Nhan Tong Street (Hanoi Du Parc Hotel) at 7:50 AM. Uncover the cultural and natural heritage of the Ninh Binh province on a guided day trip from Hanoi. Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, float through the tranquil rivers of Trang An, and climb to the top of Mua Caves for striking panoramic views of rocky hills. Get picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and depart toward Ninh Binh. Stop at Bai Dinh, the biggest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam, to gaze at the imposing pagoda. See 500 Arhat Statues made out of blue stones, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton Buddha statue, rising up to 10 meters. Take a lunch break in a local restaurant, with a Vietnamese buffet of goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice, as well as vegetarian food options. Continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island. Hop on a wooden boat to navigate through its quiet rivers, discover mysterious caves, and admire towering limestone karsts covered with tropical plants. Finally, climb up 500 steps to the viewpoint of Mua Caves to marvel at panoramic views of Tam Coc before returning to Hanoi. 19:00pm Drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter, the end trip Note: The bus will pick up all customers from the Hanoi Old Quarter between 7:20 AM and 7:50 AM. For customers staying outside the Old Quarter, please arrive at the Hanoi Opera House by 7:20 AM for pick-up. The final pick-up location is at 84 Tran Nhan Tong Street (Hanoi Du Parc Hotel) at 7:50 AM.

From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Hanoi to Tam Coc and ride a Sampan boat to impressive caves. Experience local life as you cycle through picturesque villages, explore ancient temples, and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. Start your tour early with pickup at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Hop into the luxury van to visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit Dinh king Temple and Le king Temple from the 10th century, and hear about the heroic histories of the two Kings during the Chinese Wars. At midday, sit down for lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant. Continue to Tam Coc and take the sampan go (traditional river boat) along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc's three caves. Head back to Tam Coc wharf, take your bicycle, and cycle around traditional villages and Tam Coc town. Visit Mua cave, which attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps to see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. In the evening, return Ha Noi.

Da Nang: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, and Am Phu Cave Tour

Da Nang: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, and Am Phu Cave Tour

After pickup from your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An, visit the Son Tra Mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain, to gain insight into Vietnam's rich history of Buddhism and Hinduism. Then, visit the Lady Buddha statue, the tallest Buddhist statue in Vietnam, reaching a height of 220 feet (67 meters). Next, visit local stone factories and sculpture shops, before visiting Marble Mountain. Visit the Âm Phủ cave, to take a walk through a re-creation of Buddhist hell. At midday enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese dishes. You'll be transferred back to your hotel around 1:00 PM.

Hoi An: Vietnamese Foldable Lantern Making Class

Hoi An: Vietnamese Foldable Lantern Making Class

Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture with a lantern-making class. Select from full and express options. In the full activity, make the lanterns completely from scratch. In the express activity, start with the bamboo structure of the lanterns already made and begin by choosing your lantern fabric. Begin your experience with some herbal tea and traditional music. Hear about the history of Hoi An bamboo silk lanterns from your host and how the local people believe that hanging lanterns in front of their house brings luck, happiness, and wealth. Create lanterns shaped like lotuses, triangles, garlic, UFOs, or diamonds and choose your own silk style and color with guidance from your instructor. This unique activity can be enjoyed by the entire family, even by kids as young as 3 years old. Once completed, these lanterns are easy to fold, carry, or put in your luggage, so you can take home an original, hand-made souvenir from your visit to Hoi An.

Hoi An: Hoai River Boat Trip by Night with Release Lantern

Hoi An: Hoai River Boat Trip by Night with Release Lantern

Hoi An, a charming ancient town in Vietnam, is known for its picturesque lantern-lit streets and its serene Hoai River. One of the most enchanting experiences you cannot miss in the old town is taking a Hoi An lantern boat ride on the Hoai River. The wonderful journey with lantern boat Hoi An will give you to immerse yourself in the town’s unique ambiance. Release a lantern on the Hoai River, and explore the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. Take in the sights and smells of Hoi An by night in this authentic experience. Ride on a boat on the river and take part in a ritual as you release your off lantern into the night sky. After the boat, explore the city's bustling night market. Learn all about the city's the traditional culture and stretch your legs in its picturesque Old Town.

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Culture and Coffee Making Class

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Culture and Coffee Making Class

Connect coffee and culture during this guided workshop in Hoi An. Learn how to make 4 district styles of Vietnamese coffee in a hands-on way and enjoy tasting the coffee you make along with a cookie. Meet your guide and start with a cup of special herbal tea. Listen as your instructor shares stories behind the popular cafés of Vietnam and their connection to the history and culture. Begin to master the art of Vietnamese coffee making by learning how it goes from crop to cup. Find out how local coffee is brewed using a little metal filter called a Phin (a version of the French press) to create a flavor that is truly rich and deep. Hear about the steps needed to roast dark beans, so that they mix perfectly with sweet condensed milk. Prepare black coffee, happy white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, and Ha Noi capital egg coffee. Sip your coffee with a cookie at the end of class while taking in good music in a comfortable atmosphere.

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary Early Morning, Breakfast & Coffee

Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary Early Morning, Breakfast & Coffee

Note before booking: + The experience is not for everyone, please consider all the aspects before booking. It's for those who want to avoid crowds, heat and take better pictures, and enjoy the tranquility. + It can be struggled to get up early while we require very precise pickup time. Guest's punctuation is important. + The tour is more expensive because we have to pay the service higher since it's early. No complain about price, please. + Breakfast and coffee is included. We eat at 9:15 am. + Entrance ticket not included. + Avoid the imitators. Tour Itinerary: • 5.30 am : Pick up at hotel and transfer to My Son. Along the way, guests get an included Vietnamese coffee. • 6:30 am: Arrive at My Son and explore in about 2 hours. • 9:15 am: Enjoy local special noodles My Quang (vegetarian available) (included), local mochi cake, seasonal fruits at a local home restaurant. • 10:00 am: Start to depart back to Hoi An city. • 10:30 am- 11:00 am: Tour ends at hotels in Hoi An. Pickup policy: + Free pickup and drop-off from town to the beach (Hoi An). If your hotel is far from the town, you can contact us to inquire before booking. + Customers staying outside the pickup area pay pickup fee or come to the meeting point (given upon booking made). + Customers staying in Da Nang pay 300,000 VND each way of transfer or can manage to Hoi An to the meeting point. Group size: Small group, min 1 pax, maximum 12 pax Beat the crowds and the heat with a morning walking tour of My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An. Immerse yourself in local Champa culture, learning about the sanctuary from your local guide. Taste local flavors with a noodle breakfast and coffee after the tour. Discover local Champa culture, history, and nature as you walk around the sanctuary's lush grounds. Learn all there is to know about the site from you guide who grew up near the sanctuary. Make the most of your early start, beating the crowds, enjoying the cool morning air, and capturing the morning glow in your photos. After visiting the sanctuary, head to a local home restaurant and taste Quang noodles and coffee for breakfast, truly immersing yourself in traditional Vietnamese customs. Head back to your hotel in Hoi An after a culturally-filled morning.

From Da Nang/Hoi An: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills Full-Day Tour

From Da Nang/Hoi An: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills Full-Day Tour

Explore Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills from Danang/HoiAn 7:30 - 8:15 AM You get picked up from your hotel, then go to Ba Na Hills (If you staying Hoi An, 7:10 you have transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang and join with group) 9:30 - 10:00 AM Take the cable car up to Golden Bridge. Enjoy sightseeing the beautiful natural forest from your cable car. Then walk and take photo of Golden Bridge, the Flower Garden, Linh Ung pagoda and Wine Celar. 12:00 PM Take the second cable car up to French Village Enjoy lunch with buffet of more than 80 dishes in the restaurant. Walk around the European Architecture Village Entertain in Fantasy Park with thrill-games, adventure game, 4D, 5D movies. 3:00 - 3:30 PM Take the cable car down the mountains On the way back, the group tour stops for local souvernirs in 10-15 minutes Drop back to your hotel. End of services. (For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change)

Ba Tran: Hoi An Basket Boat Ride in Water Coconut Forest

Ba Tran: Hoi An Basket Boat Ride in Water Coconut Forest

Spend 50 minutes on the bamboo basket boat through the magnificent water coconut forest ,navigate the small canals of the mangrove forest and coconut palms with a local and join some interesting activities in the mangrove palm jungle: boat spinning and dancing; singing karaoke; try throw the fishing nets with the locals; enjoy the traditional folk song performance and fishing crabs along the river.

From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class

From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class

Spend time in Vietnam's countryside on a morning or afternoon guided tour from Hoi An. Browse a local market before floating through a dense coconut palm forest on a traditional bamboo basket boat. Learn how to prepare Vietnamese food and savor your work during a cooking class. Meet your guide at the Godiva coffee shop before heading to explore a morning or afternoon market in Hoi An. Marvel at the seasonal fruits, noodles, herbs, vegetables, meat, and fish on display. Interact with the vendors and get some tips on how to bargain.  Then, paddle through the water coconut palms aboard a bamboo basket boat for 40 minutes. Learn how to fish with a fishing net, listen to some folk songs and receive some handmade souvenirs made from coconut leaves. Learn how to cook Vietnamese food, such as Bánh cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), Bánh Xèo (Hoian rice pancakes), Phở (beef noodles), and Chè (sweet bean soup) as you prepare your own lunch or dinner.

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What people are saying about Central Vietnam

Overall rating

4.5
(20,034 reviews)

Mama Zuzu was an amazing guide. She was kind and an amazing host. The food was delicious and her family was welcoming. The views and hike were breathtaking. The trek was quite a feat. Be ready for a long walk, to get your shoes dirty, and ensure some uphill climbing. Wouldn’t change it though, the climb was worth it. Amazing experience overall. Only note, I would pay the extra 10$ US for the more comfortable bus. You do get a more social experience though in the bigger bus.

A fantastic afternoon for everyone, including my 6 & 8yo! Well positioned location, helpful and friendly staff! Lantern making was an absolute hit, the basket boat ride was lots of fun and the cooking class was interesting! Food was very tasty, staff were knowledgeable around allergies and catered accordingly. Overall very impressed. Thank you

We had Bee as our guide and he was fantastic, very patient and accommodating of the various skill levels in the group. He took great photos along the way, both on the bike and off! Highly recommend booking with these guys during your stay in Hoi An!

This tour was great. Lily was so informative and friendly and showed us a lot. Highly recommend doing this at the start of your trip as you will want to come back to the restaurants you discover on this tour. Highly recommend.

Mr. Vu (our guide) was simply phenomenal. He made the entire trip worthwhile. He spoke great English and explained details nicely.