Authentic Hue - Food, Culture & Countryside Discovery 3 days

Upon arrival in Hue, you will be warmly greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to rest and refresh after your journey.

Around 18:00 - 18:15, our tour guide and cyclo drivers will meet you at the designated meeting point in the city center to begin your evening food adventure. The first stop will be a Hue cake restaurant, where you will try the specialty cakes of the region, such as Banh Beo (bloating fern-shaped cakes). These soft, savory bites, topped with shrimp paste, crispy shallots, and fish sauce, are unforgettable favorites.

You will then sample Banh Nam (flat steamed rice dumplings), a very typical dish of Hue filled with shrimp and wrapped in a translucent, sticky rice wrapper. Another highlight is Banh Bot Loc (rice dumpling cake), a dish with marinated meat inside and a chewy texture on the outside.

Next, you will head to a spot known for crispy pancakes and pork skewers. Our guide will show you the proper way to enjoy these meals to capture their full flavor. No Hue culinary tour is complete without eating the famous Bun Bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup), a bold, spicy food that leaves a lasting impression on all visitors.

To wrap up the tour on a sweet note, you will visit a long-standing sweet soup shop, referred to as Che, tucked away in a quiet corner. Coming here, you are bound to captivate yourself with a rainbow of colors and a wide range of flavors, from beans and jellies to coconut milk and fruit.

At 21:00, the end of the tour, our guide and cyclo drivers will return you to the rendezvous, say goodbye, and see you in the program that happens tomorrow. 

NOTE: The menu is subject to seasonal changes.

By 8:00, our car and guide will pick you up from the meeting point in the center of Hue. The day starts with a breath of fresh morning air as you come to An Hien Garden House, a treasured architectural work located right next to the poetic Perfume River.

Soon after, you will move to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and most spiritual site in Hue, standing for over 400 years. Here, you will spend time taking in the ancient and sacred architecture, the tranquil atmosphere, and the fascinating legends tied to this place.

After that, you will stop at the Perfume River to take a boat trip. This is a nice moment to admire the morning light reflecting on the water, revealing a harmonious picture between nature and people. During the cruise, you can participate in a meaningful fish-releasing ritual, helping to restore aquatic life in the river.

Arriving at Thuy Bieu Village around 10:00, you will switch to a bicycle to gently view tree-lined paths shaded by green grapefruit gardens. Our guide will expose the village temple, a place to worship the village god, and where villagers gather during traditional festivals.

You will then tour a century-old garden house, a prime example of Hue's residential architecture, followed by a stop at an artist's house. There, you can appreciate soulful homeland-inspired artwork and, optionally, try your hand at painting on silk or conical hats to create your own souvenir (additional cost applies).

At 11:30, you will get to enjoy a macrobiotic lunch prepared from fresh, locally sourced ingredients in one of Luong Quan Village’s model garden houses. This meal not only nourishes the body but also reflects a mindful lifestyle rooted in health and balance.

Afternoon

After lunch, you will learn how to make pomelo jam, a Thuy Bieu specialty, before relaxing with an afternoon tea under the shade of the garden, followed by a 20-minute herbal foot bath.

Around 13:30, the day continues to Tam Giang Lagoon in Quang Loi, Quang Dien. Once here, you will be led to Ngu My Thach Mural Village, where vivid wall paintings depict the rhythms of local fishing life, turning the village into a colorful, open-air gallery.

Subsequently, take your time to embark on a boat trip on Tam Giang Lagoon, Southeast Asia’s largest lagoon system, renowned for its untouched and rustic scenery. When the sun sets, golden hues dance across the water’s surface, creating a memorable scene.

Half of the day becomes more exciting as you make your way to a vegetable and handicraft village to connect with villagers and observe their way of life. Afterward, you will set out to enjoy a fun SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) session on the lagoon and engage in several activities.

The day of rich experiences comes to a close with a mini BBQ featuring fresh seafood and a tree-planting activity as part of our commitment to environmental sustainability.

At around 17:30, you will be ready to come back to the Hue city center.

For the third day in Hue, you will experience a full day from 8:30 to 16:30 in Thanh Toan Village, with a chance to cycle up to 17 km on flat, peaceful roads. 

The cycling tour is designed to unveil the deep roots of Vietnamese rural life, dating back to the 17th century. By exploring this long-established village, you will gain insights into old Vietnamese community structures, local governance, and everyday customs that have been around for a long time. 

Throughout the day, you will have plenty of time to immerse yourself in countryside activities: farm in the rice fields, join locals in fishing methods, cook a home-style meal, and experience handicraft-making guided by villagers who have passed down these skills for generations.

Besides, you will spare some time to relax on the ancient tile-roofed bridge, which is believed to inspire you more on this calm journey. The last day goes beyond cultural discovery with a heartfelt connection with the land and people of Hue.