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| Temple in Hoi An, a city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. |
Think of Vietnam and the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) instantly spring to mind. But there is another side to this beautiful country that offers a much quieter, calmer, and more relaxed welcome to travelers who want to mix sun, sand and seafood with temples, history and culture.
Halfway between these two great cities, Vietnam’s beguiling Central Coast is not only blessed with some of the finest beaches in Southeast Asia, but is also home to many important and authentic cultural attractions. Thanks to new nonstop Korean Air service between Seoul and Danang, the Central Coast’s international gateway and a rapidly growing beach resort destination, Vietnam is suddenly as compelling a vacation option as Phuket and Bali.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the old trading port of Hoi An, about 20 miles south of Danang, is a national treasure. Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and influenced at various times by Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, English, French, and Portuguese traders, the ancient town is a maze of beautifully preserved merchant homes, temples and museums as well as bustling shops, bars and restaurants. Tip: A $5 entry ticket allows access to five cultural sites in town.
Hoi An is famous for its fast turnaround and high quality tailors, the best being Yaly Couture at 47 Tran Phu Street. Ngan Xua Art Gallery, situated at 95 Tran Phu Street, offers striking lacquered paintings, while Metiseko, at 3 Chau Thuong Van Street, sells beautifully crafted home wares.
The intriguing Marble Mountains, five miles south of Danang, are a group of five marble and limestone hills that became a stronghold for Viet Cong rebels during the Vietnam War. Today, visitors can climb one of these mountains to see caves, tunnels and pagodas that still remain intact.
The Nam Hai Hotel
Danang is humming with new hotel and golf developments, but by far the best place to stay is The Nam Hai, about 20 miles south of the city, an exceptional beachfront resort having 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villa residences, many with direct access to the beautiful Ha My Beach.
Ignacio Maza, EVP of Signature Travel Network, describes The Nam Hai as “a masterpiece of modern Asian design” and recommends requesting a villa with a private pool.
“The hotel has two main restaurants,” he says, “one by the sea offering fresh seafood and lighter fare, and the main restaurant, which serves a creative East-West fusion menu, with an open kitchen layout.
“One of the resort’s standout features is the spa, which has won awards in a region known for its excellent spas. Make sure you book treatments for your clients in advance to avoid disappointment,” Maza adds.
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| Deluxe room at La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue |
Maurice Bonham-Carter, president and CEO of ID Travel Group, says the luxe pool villas on the north side of the resort, close to the beach, are his pick of accommodations. “The views across the water to the Cham Islands are spectacular,” he says.
“The exceptional breakfast with its Vietnamese specialties changes daily,” he adds. “My advice would be—let the server choose for you, everything is delicious, and you will never have had anything like it for breakfast before.”
Agents can reach out to Albert Lafuente ([email protected]), The Nam Hai’s director of resort sales and marketing, with any queries.
The City of Hue
About 50 miles north of Danang, Hue has a rich imperial history extending from the vast Citadel of Hue on the banks of the Perfume River to the Nguyen Tombs and more than 300 pagodas scattered throughout the city.
“Hue is the heart and soul of Vietnam and travelers should spend at least two nights here. There’s a great deal to see and do, and many travelers make the mistake of rushing through it on one-day visits from Hoi An/Danang,” says Maza.
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| Deluxe room at La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue |
Hue’s centerpiece is the Imperial City, an extraordinary complex of palaces, pavilions, temples, gardens and fortifications which formed the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until the abdication of Vietnam’s last emperor in 1945.
Other must-sees include the Nguyen Tombs, laid out in seven separate mausoleums south of the river, which acted both as summer residences and final resting places of the Nguyen Dynasty kings. The most impressive is the tomb of Minh Mang, who reigned from 1820 to 1841. A network of temples, palaces, courtyards, gardens and ponds surround the emperor’s burial site.
Hue’s unique collection of Buddhist pagodas offers another seam of spirituality—the best examples being Thien Mu, Tu Dam and Tu Hieu—while the exquisite palace of An Dinh, a former royal residence which is soon to open to the public after an extensive renovation, provides a glimpse into the city’s more recent imperial past.
La Residence Hotel & Spa
It’s a rare hotel that can transport guests back to a bygone era but La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue pulls it off in spectacular style. Built in 1930 as part of the former colonial governor’s residence overlooking the Perfume River, this architectural gem was restored and re-opened in 2005 as a deluxe hotel, and is now part of Accor Hotels’ stylish MGallery portfolio.
The Art Deco design runs throughout the hotel from the central reception rotunda, flanked by two wings, to Le Gouverneur Bar, Le Parfum dining room, formal gardens, swimming pool, and 122 guest rooms and suites.
Signature Travel Network’s Ignacio Maza recommends booking rooms facing the Perfume River or the pool/garden area. “If your clients want larger rooms with more atmosphere and one-of-a-kind layouts,” he adds, “I recommend one of the ‘colonial’ rooms and suites in the main building, especially ones facing the pool.”
Agents can direct any questions about La Residence to Phan Trong Minh ([email protected]), the hotel’s newly appointed general manager.
Dining Tip: Apart from Le Parfum at La Residence Hotel & Spa, there are no international restaurants in Hue but Travel Agent enjoyed a pleasant lunch at Y Thao Garden near the Citadel. La Carambole bistro is also highly recommended.
Getting There
Korean Air offers daily nonstop flights to Seoul from major U.S. gateways and four nonstop flights a week from Seoul to Danang. We recommend the excellent Prestige Class (business) service on the most spacious A380 aircraft (New York and Los Angeles), with fully flat sleeper seats, a super efficient cabin crew and two private bar lounges.
Agent Advice
For any journey in Vietnam, ID Travel Group’s Maurice Bonham-Carter recommends allowing twice as much time as you would expect, or are told to expect, and do not drive yourself. “Besides wanting to stop and see things,” he says, “the roads are bad, and traffic is 10-to-one in favor of scooters and motor bikes over four-wheel vehicles…weaving in and out of traffic.” Besides, he adds, “A local guide will enhance your journey and is not expensive.”
Signature Travel Network’s Ignacio Maza recommends riding on Hue’s traditional cyclos (pedicabs) to experience daily life in the city. “Hue is much less crowded than Saigon or Hanoi, making a cyclo ride here much more pleasant,” he says.