Center Tours

About Vietnam Classic Tours Northern *Vietnam* Central Vietnam Southern Vietnam Contact Us	Central Vietnam The center of Vietnam was historically the Cham Kingdom, before becoming the ancient empire of Annam. This heritage can be explored in the site of My Son, the town of Hoi An, and the city of Hue, three of the architectural gems of the country, each of them a World Heritage Site. It is a distinctive region, a narrow band of beautiful highlands and coast, where people speak the language with a heavy melodious accent. *My Son, which flourished between the 4th and the 12th centuries, was a main center of the Champa culture. The Champa Kingdom emerged in the area around Danang (Central Vietnam) during the 2nd century. Thanks to commercial and religious contacts with the Indian sub-continent, the Champa Kingdom rapidly developed a strong affinity for Indian culture. They borrowed the Sanskrit alphabet as well as the Indian architectural tastes and style. The influence of Hinduism was also undeniable. Although the Champa Kingdom was an independent entity, it had always fought with the Vietnamese and the Khmer to be ultimately absorbed by Vietnam in the 17th century. Danang* is the most important seaport in Central Vietnam as well as the most important city as a gateway to the World heritage site such as Hue and Hoi An. Danang is also the third International airport of Vietnam with direct flights to Bangkok and Hong-Kong. The surrounding mountains allow breathtaking views of the coastal line (the famous Hai Van Pass on the road linking Danang to Hue). Danang offers pristine white sand beaches such as China Beach and Lang Co Beach. *Hue* is centrally located in the Thua-Thien Hue province of Vietnam and lies between the Red river delta and the Mekong Delta. It is located 650 kilometers south of Hanoi, and 1080 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh city. The best time to visit Hue is between November to April where the climate is generally mild with temperatures ranging from 68 - 81 degrees, however, expect some rain showers. In 1993, Hue was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its important role in the history of Vietnam. Hue was made the capital of Vietnam during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. During this period, it became the cultural, religion and education center of Vietnam. Although badly devastated during the Vietnam wars, Hue has retained much of its cultural heritage and is known for its magnificent architecture, citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples. Hue is also noted for its traditional cuisine and quality of embroidery, particularly the "ao-dai" which tourists bring home as souvenir.
	Hoi An, located only 35 km south of Danang, Hoi An used to be one of the major trading ports of Southeast Asia. In 1999, UNESCO listed the city as a World Cultural Heritage. With its narrow streets and low tiled-roof houses, Hoi An has a particular Chinese atmosphere. Nowadays, Hoi An is one of the most popular places in Vietnam for those who want to escape bustling cities and find a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. One of the highlights of the town is the Japanese covered Bridge, which is more than 400 years old. Aside from the historical and cultural interests, there are a few good restaurants serving local delicatessen as well as many tailors shops where you can have your clothes tailor-made. The nearby Cua Dai beach, 4 km from Hoi An, has some nice hotels to stay a couple of days to visit the town and enjoy the beach. View Center Tour Options Below: Center Day Excursions You have a choice from a half-day or full day city tour of Hue, full day tour of Danang and Hoi An, full day tour of Hoi An and My Son, or a half day city tour of Hoi An. Hue-Danang-Hoi An Package 4 days & 3 nights package. This tour will take you to the different sites of Hue, Danang and Hoi An. Transfer to and from Hanoi. TAF International, Inc. (TAF) specializes in travel to Vietnam and can arrange all your tours, transportation and accommodations while you are in Vietnam. General information on Vietnam and descriptions of places of interest are listed on this website. Any of the tours listed can be customized to fit your needs. Please contact us at any of the numbers below for more information. TAF International, Inc. ♦ 3615 Harding Avenue, Suite 409 ♦ Honolulu, HI 96816 Phone: (808) 735-0238 ♦ Fax: (808) 734-2315 ♦ Email: taf@tafinternational.com