Hoi An & Hue: Central Vietnam in Depth
Central Vietnam's two UNESCO cities — the merchant port and the imperial capital
From
£1,895pp
About this tour
Central Vietnam contains two of the country's most rewarding cities and this 7-day small-group journey — led by Finn Rawlinson and capped at 10 guests — gives you enough time in each to actually know them. Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed merchant port that traded with Japan, China, Portugal and Holland in the 17th century; its extraordinarily preserved architecture tells that story in every tiled roof and carved timber beam. Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty for 143 years; its citadel, royal tombs and ceremonial temples make it Vietnam's most historically substantial city. The two cities complement each other perfectly — Hue the formal imperial seat, Hoi An the cosmopolitan trading port — and the Hai Van Pass between them is one of Southeast Asia's great scenic drives. Flying into Da Nang, arriving in Hoi An and departing from Da Nang keeps all movement to a minimum and maximises time in both places.
“Led by Finn Rawlinson, our small-group Vietnam specialist with eight years of experience.”
Why this works for travellers over 50
- Two cities, seven days — genuine depth rather than rushed highlights
- Finn Rawlinson's small groups have a consistent chemistry that guests value highly
- Four Seasons Da Nang included as the Hoi An-area base
- Hue royal cuisine cooking class included
- Hai Van Pass scenic drive included
- Max 10 guests — the most intimate small-group format we offer
- No early morning starts — 09:00 latest departure each day
Request a Callback
Price per person — based on two travelling together.
We respond within 1 working day · No obligation
Your journey
Day-by-day itinerary
1Arrival in Hoi An
Hoi An
Arrival dayFour Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Arrival in Hoi An
Hoi An
Fly to Da Nang. Group transfer south to the Four Seasons Da Nang. Welcome dinner overlooking the South China Sea.
2Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An
GentleFour Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An
Morning guided walk: Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky merchant house. Afternoon free — tailors, cycling, beach or market.
3My Son & Hoi An Cooking Class
Hoi An
Active morning, gentle afternoonFour Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
My Son & Hoi An Cooking Class
Hoi An
Morning at My Son Hindu temples. Afternoon cooking class at a Hoi An riverside school. Evening lantern boat on the Thu Bon River.
4Hoi An Free Day
Hoi An
Free dayFour Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Hoi An Free Day
Hoi An
Completely free day. Beach, spa, bicycle to the villages, independent exploration of the Ancient Town.
5Hai Van Pass to Hue
Hoi An → Hue
Travel day with scenic driveLa Résidence Hotel & Spa, Hue
Hai Van Pass to Hue
Hoi An → Hue
Drive north over the Hai Van Pass. Check in to La Résidence. Evening walk along the Perfume River.
6Hue Imperial Citadel, Royal Tombs & Cuisine
Hue
ModerateLa Résidence Hotel & Spa, Hue
Hue Imperial Citadel, Royal Tombs & Cuisine
Hue
Full day with Finn: Imperial Citadel in the morning, Emperor Minh Mang's tomb after lunch, royal Hue cooking class in the afternoon.
7Hue Departure
Hue → Da Nang
Departure day
Hue Departure
Hue → Da Nang
Morning at leisure in Hue. Group transfer to Da Nang Airport for onward flights.
Like what you see?
Our specialists can tailor every day to your preferences.
Fitness & mobility
Pacing & accessibility
Cultural immersion at a relaxed pace across two UNESCO cities. Afternoons free throughout. Max 5km per activity day.
Walking
Max 5km on any day. Hue Imperial Citadel is the most active day (6km but spread across a large complex — vehicle available between sections).
Transport
Air-conditioned minibus. Hai Van Pass scenic road drive. No flights within this tour.
Altitude
Hai Van Pass summit at 496m — crossed by road. All other destinations at sea level.
Heat / Climate
Hoi An and Hue can be wet in November–December. Best season is January–August for central Vietnam.
Accommodation
Your hotels
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
★★★★★Ha My Beach, Hoi An · 4 nights
One of Vietnam's finest beach resorts, set on Ha My Beach with three pools, a world-class spa and 100 private pool villas. The resort's tuk-tuk shuttle runs to Hoi An Ancient Town throughout the day.
- 100 private pool villas
- Three pools including one for adults only
- World-class spa
- Tuk-tuk to Ancient Town
- Ha My Beach — quieter than Da Nang beach
La Résidence Hotel & Spa, Hue
★★★★★Perfume River, Hue · 2 nights
The restored 1930s French Governor's Residence — Art Deco grandeur on the Perfume River.
- Former French Governor's Residence
- Art Deco architecture
- Riverside pool
- Le Gouverneur restaurant
Enhance your trip
Extend to Full Vietnam 14-Day
+£1,595
Continue from Hue to Hanoi and Halong Bay, or south to Ho Chi Minh City, to create a full Vietnam journey with Clara Nguyen as private guide.
per person (Hanoi extension with Halong Bay)
Pricing
Holiday pricing
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. We arrange departures throughout the year to suit your preferred dates.
Starting from
£1,895
per person · 2 sharing
Solo traveller supplement: +£495 pp
Travelling solo?
Single supplement: +£495 pp · Single supplement waived January 2026 for solo travellers
Full details
What’s included & not included
Included in your price
- 6 nights (Hoi An Four Seasons 4n, Hue La Résidence 2n)
- Expert small-group guide Finn Rawlinson throughout
- My Son Sanctuary excursion
- Hoi An cooking class
- Royal Hue cooking class
- Thu Bon lantern boat evening
- Hai Van Pass scenic drive
- All entrance fees
- Daily breakfast; meals as noted
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- ATOL financial protection
Not included
- International and domestic flights to/from Da Nang
- Travel insurance (required)
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Vietnam e-visa
Your specialist
Who will plan your holiday
Finn Rawlinson
Finn leads small-group central Vietnam tours with the ease of someone who knows every street. His Hue historical knowledge, developed over 8 years and dozens of visits, is exceptional for a non-Vietnamese guide.
Tailor-made
Like this tour but want it adapted?
Extra nights, alternative hotels, private transfers — our specialists will build your perfect itinerary from scratch.
What our guests say
Guest reviews
The Four Seasons was a revelation
“We knew Hoi An was supposed to be lovely but nothing prepared us for the Ancient Town at dusk. The lantern evening on the river was magical. The cooking class — genuinely one of the best afternoons we've had anywhere. Four Seasons Nam Hai is extraordinary.”
Frances & Michael Langdon
Oxford · 2025-02-17
Seven days felt like a complete journey
“I'd been to Vietnam before but only Hanoi. Central Vietnam with Finn was a revelation. Hue's royal cuisine is unlike anything I'd eaten before and the cooking class gave me three recipes I've already used at home. La Résidence is an exceptional hotel.”
Sarah Goodwin
Bristol · 2025-01-07
Small group at its best
“Ten guests, one guide, seven days. By day two we were a genuine group of friends. Finn managed the balance of structured visits and free time perfectly. My Son was unexpectedly moving. Hue was revelatory. Would do this tour again in a heartbeat.”
Dennis & Mary Ashworth
Manchester · 2024-11-25
Before you go
Practical information
Visa requirements
E-visa required. Apply online. US$25. 3 business days processing.
Currency
Vietnamese Dong. ATMs in Hoi An and Hue. Credit cards at resorts.
Tipping
Finn: £10–15/day. Cooking class families: 100,000–200,000 VND. Boat rowers: 30,000–50,000 VND.
Electricity
220V. Mixed sockets. Universal adaptor needed.
Health & vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended. Low malaria risk in tourist areas. Tap water not safe.
Flights
Fly to Da Nang (DAD) from London via Gulf hub or Bangkok. Return from Da Nang. No internal flights within this tour.
Local transport
Air-conditioned minibus throughout. Four Seasons tuk-tuk shuttle to Hoi An included by resort. No flights.
Travel with like-minded people
Join a Small Group Departure
Prefer to travel with a small group of fellow over-50s rather than as a couple or solo? Our fixed-departure group tours put you alongside eight to twelve like-minded travellers with a dedicated tour manager for the entire journey.
- Maximum 12 travellers — intimate by design
- Dedicated tour manager throughout
- Social dinners and shared discoveries
- Single supplement waived on selected departures
- Like-minded over-50s travellers
- No single friends needed — just arrive and enjoy
Register Your Interest
Tell us your preferred dates and travel companions — we’ll match you with the right departure and send full details.
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Why is Hue food considered special?
Hue was the imperial capital, and its cuisine evolved to serve the royal court — involving many small, elaborately presented dishes rather than simple family meals. It uses more herbs, more chilli, more sour notes, and more visual artistry than either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City food. Many Vietnamese food scholars consider Hue the culinary capital of the country.
What is the best time to visit Hoi An and Hue?
February to August is the driest and most pleasant season for central Vietnam. October and November bring heavy rain (Hoi An can flood in late October). December and January are dry but can be cool. We note weather conditions on all departures.
How far is the Four Seasons from Hoi An Ancient Town?
About 30 minutes by tuk-tuk (the resort's free shuttle runs throughout the day). Alternatively, it's a 10-minute taxi. The distance means you arrive at the Ancient Town fresh rather than fighting for hotel space in the thick of the tourist area.
Can this tour be combined with the Halong Bay & Hanoi tour?
Yes — the Hoi An & Hue 7-day pairs well with the Halong Bay & Hanoi 8-day. We can connect them with a Da Nang–Hanoi flight and create a 15-night central and northern Vietnam journey with Clara as your private guide throughout.
What is the Hai Van Pass and why does it matter?
The Hai Van Pass (Pass of Ocean Clouds) is the mountain ridge that separates northern and central Vietnam — geographically, climatically and culturally. Crossing it by road is one of Vietnam's great scenic drives, with the East Sea on one side and forested hills on the other. It featured in the most famous Top Gear episode ever made. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
Is My Son on the way between Hoi An and Hue?
No — My Son is inland from Hoi An (about 45 minutes by road), in a valley to the west. We visit it as a dedicated day trip from Hoi An. It is not convenient to visit en route to Hue.
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