From the golden coast to the emerald mountains, we’ll wind our way through the photogenic river delta, capturing a glimpse of everyday rural Vietnamese lifestyles as we head close to the border with Laos. Our trail takes us through a number of Co Tu ethnic minority villages, highlighting the richness and variety of cultures found in the area.
Day 1:
Departing Hoi An, our first stops are at a 1000 year old Cham temple as well as former US and French bases from the independence wars.
We then wind our way into the mountains through tea plantations, home to the people of the Co Tu minority. We take a break to enjoy a stop at a tea plantation before a visit with one of the few remaining Co Tu woodcarvers and his family. We experience a home cooked lunch in their house before continuing our journey deep in to the mountains. This area is very isolated and the culture and traditions remain essentially untouched by time; making this remote and staggeringly beautiful region home to one of the most authentic hill tribes remaining in Vietnam.
Our final stop for the day is Bho Hoong, a traditional Co Tu village where we will stay for the night in stiled Co Tu huts. Little has changed in the past hundred years in Bho Hoong and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Central Vietnam. A light village walk, guided by a local resident, allows us to explore the village and unlock its cultural secrets. After our walk, we are free to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river.
The evening is highlighted by a superb dinner of delicious Co Tu dishes, traditional music performances and a chance to interact with the villagers, gaining more insight into their rich culture. Larger groups (four or more) will be treated to bonfire and traditional dancing as well! Afterwards, retreat to your luxuriously outfitted accommodation where the serene setting and clear mountain air will lull you to sleep.
Day 2:
In the morning, wake up to the sounds of the village coming to life. Enjoy breakfast and a hot cup of coffee as you watch the morning activities of the Co Tu, heading out into the fields and preparing the days meals. Saying farewell to our Bho Hoong hosts, we head back out onto the winding mountain roads. Stopping at another Co Tu village, we enjoy the brocade weavers, a craft the Co Tu are famous for. Then we embark on the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, through lush forests and past jaw-dropping views of the mountains of Central Vietnam. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more beautiful we arrive at a waterfall tucked alongside a towering peak for a picnic lunch.
The afternoon sees us descending back down toward the coast, stopping along the way to explore historic sites and places of interest, before heading east to Hoi An.
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