THE TET TRIFECTA: A Kinetic Spring Sprint Through Central Vietnam

The Lunar New Year in Vietnam is not merely a holiday; it is a seismic shift in the atmosphere. The frantic energy of commerce dies down, replaced by the slow, curling smoke of incense and the vibrant yellow of apricot blossoms. While the rest of the country retreats into their homes, the Central Coast opens its arms. We are embarking on a 72-hour kinetic injection into the vascular system of heritage Vietnam.

From the neon pulses of Da Nang to the sepia-toned silence of Hue, and the surreal, cloud-wrapped heights of Ba Na, this itinerary is a study in contrasts. It is a route designed for the traveler who refuses to sit still, offering a sensory collision of imperial history and modern audacity during the most auspicious week of the year.

The Stone, The Sky, and The Dynasty

DAY 1: The Subterranean & The Lanterns | Saigon – Da Nang – Hoi An

Points of Interest: Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), Non Nuoc Stone Village, Hoi An Ancient Town.

The Experience: We depart the humidity of the south and land in Da Nang. We waste no time. Our first ascent is Ngu Hanh Son, the Marble Mountains. These five limestone fingers jut abruptly from the sandy earth, a geological anomaly that feels almost violent. We explore the caves of Water Mountain, climbing stone steps polished by centuries of pilgrims. The Shift: We drift south to Hoi An. During Tet, this ancient port is a hallucination of light. No cars. Just yellow ochre walls, silk lanterns, and the slow, rhythmic current of the Thu Bon River. We walk the Japanese Covered Bridge and get lost in the alleys.

Suggestions:

The Food: In Hoi An, ignore the pizza. Find a stall selling Cao Lau. These noodles can only be made with water from a specific ancient well. They are chewy, smoky, and utterly unique.

The Vibe: Tet in Hoi An means flower markets on the river. Buy a floating candle lantern and release it onto the water. It’s a tourist cliché, but it’s magic.

DAY 2: The Castle in the Clouds | Da Nang – Ba Na Hills

Points of Interest: Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge, Fantasy Park.

The Experience: Today, we leave the earth. We drive to Ba Na Hills and board one of the world’s longest cable cars. The ascent is a silent flight over the jungle canopy. The temperature drops. The mist rolls in. You arrive at a surreal French medieval village in the clouds. The Golden Bridge awaits—a ribbon of gold held by two giant, weathered stone hands. It is theatrical, audacious, and undeniable. It feels like walking through a Salvador Dali painting. The Evening: We descend back to Da Nang. The city lights reflect off the Han River. We watch the Dragon Bridge breathe fire (on weekends), a display of modern Vietnamese confidence.

Suggestions:

The Timing: Rush to the Golden Bridge immediately upon arrival. The mountain weather is fickle; clear skies can turn to white soup in minutes.

The Lunch: Dining on the mountain is self-catered. Explore the international buffets; the variety is immense.

DAY 3: The Imperial Road | Da Nang – Hai Van Tunnel – Hue

Points of Interest: Son Tra Peninsula, Hai Van Tunnel, Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda.

The Experience: Morning on the Son Tra Peninsula, standing at the feet of the giant Lady Buddha who gazes out at the East Sea. Then, we push north through the Hai Van Tunnel, the engineering marvel that pierced the cloud pass. We emerge in Hue, the sorrowful capital. We walk the Imperial Citadel, wandering the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City. It is a place of ghosts, where emperors lived in gilded cages. We end at Thien Mu Pagoda, listening to the bell that has rung for four centuries. The End: We fly out from Hue, carrying the weight of history and the lightness of the mountain air.

Suggestions:

The Flavor: Hue food is spicy. Try the Bun Bo Hue (Beef Noodle Soup). It is the soul of the city in a bowl.

The Hand of God

It happens on Day 2. You step off the cable car station and onto the Golden Bridge. The wind whips your hair. Below you is a sheer drop into the green abyss of the Truong Son mountains. Beside you, a massive stone thumb, weathered and mossy, rises from the mist. It looks ancient, though it is modern engineering. Walking this arc of gold, suspended in the grey fog, feels less like tourism and more like walking into a myth. It is the most surreal 150 meters you will walk in Vietnam.

The Tet Secrets

The "Lucky Money" Etiquette: You are traveling during Tet. If you interact with local staff or guides, a small crisp bill in a red envelope (Li Xi) is a gesture of immense cultural respect. It’s not a tip; it’s a blessing.

The Marble Cave: In Ngu Hanh Son, find Huyen Khong Cave. It was used as a Viet Cong hospital during the war. The holes in the ceiling are not natural; they are from bomb blasts, now allowing divine light to illuminate the Buddha.

The Stone Carver

In Non Nuoc village, underneath the Marble Mountains, I watched a young man polishing a small marble lion. He was covered in white dust, looking like a ghost. He told me his family had been carving stone here for seven generations. "The mountain gives us the stone," he said, "and we give it a soul." It was a reminder that in Central Vietnam, the landscape isn't just scenery; it is the livelihood, the religion, and the art of the people.

The Dragon is Awake

Tet is the only time you can see the Golden Bridge without the summer heat and walk the Citadel when the apricot trees are blooming. The dragon is dancing. The lanterns are lit. You need to be there before the incense burns out. Pack your walking shoes. The plane leaves in the morning.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.