Central Vietnam Charitable Tour

Upon arrival in Hue you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.  After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument depart for the Mausoleum of Minh Mang, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place.

A special lunch is served midday. You’ll dine at a pagoda/orphanage which has been run by nuns since 1987. A delicious vegetarian meal will be served in the tranquil pagoda grounds by the resident nuns. By patronizing the restaurant you will be supporting the orphanage.

Following lunch visit the home of a local kite maker. A third generation traditional kite maker visiting this artisan will help to keep this unique craft alive. Tour his house and the workshop where he makes the kites. Learn about and try your hand painting a kite. The painting requires a delicate hand, mixing beautiful colors in a harmonious way.

When finished, you can keep the kite as a souvenir of this wonderful experience. This is an enjoyable experience learning about the livelihood and lifestyle of a local artisan in historical Hue. If the weather is right, you can join the school children who gather by the lake near the citadel to fly their kits.

Evening at leisure.

Following breakfast depart for the Hue College of Medicine and Pharmacy who’s ‘Office for Genetic Counseling and Disabled Children’ provides vital assistance to sick and disabled children and their families in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands. This centre offers vocational training to disabled youth as well as running a rehabilitation center, programs for children with intellectual disabilities and heart operation programs. Tour the centre to learn more on the programs offered here.

From here continue to visit Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Have a Vietnamese lunch before leaving Hue for Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. The scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds.

Drive through Danang and make a stop at the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.Upon reaching Hoi An, transfer to your hotel for check in. This evening is at your leisure.

After breakfast take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.

Have lunch at Streets. The restaurant is a not-for-profit, sustainable, social enterprise initiative for street kids and other disadvantaged youth.

This afternoon, experience a tour with the Life start Foundation. It is a registered, non-profit charity organization helping the disadvantaged find community, learn life skills and obtain vocational livelihoods through handicraft. The cost of this tour directly supports disadvantaged Life start community members.

The class is taught by the local artist Mr. Sinh Trong who has been sponsored and helped by Life start Foundation. The Foundation helped Sinh to realize his passion for painting turning it into a vocation. At the end of this lively session, you will be able to keep your own handmade card as a souvenir. After, enjoy an hour-long lantern making class. Hoi An traditional lanterns are very famous and bring a beautiful charm into houses and streets. While creating your miniature lantern, you will have the opportunity to learn about Vietnamese life through interesting discussions with the class instructor and Life start members.

Learn how the Foundation is helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Meet some of these lovely ladies and see how their beautiful products are made. As in the painting workshop, you will have the chance to keep your lantern as a memory of your time with Life start in Hoi An. This evening is at your leisure.

Today is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing before departing to Danang Airport for your onward flight.