Itinerary

We begin at 4pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and snacks. Your Host Anna and Tutor look forward to meeting you. Meet each other & connect.

We enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal in the Villa carefully prepared by in house chefs. Learn to wrap and roll, how and why what is rolled and what is dipped into what where.

Then we meet our trip guide, and take our private van heading into the UNESCO town, around 10 mins drive. An evening walking tour with our guide, enjoying the beautiful colourful lanterns riverside, and exuberant energy of Hoi An at night.

We try a delicious Vietnamese dessert called Che, learn about the 54 ethnic minority groups of Vietnam, and have the opportunity to take photos, videos and sketch.

We wake early for a sunrise riverboat to the fishing village. You will try a fishermans style coffee, and local breakfast (Fishermans style banh mi) and be right in the thick of the energy and colour of a typical fishing market of Central Vietnam.

Time for your first workshop, and to sketch, photograph and wander. Our guide will help you go deeper.

Lunch is a workers style family lunch, far away from tourists, right next to the taxi drivers, office workers and construction workers of Hoi An.

Afternoon we relax in the Herb Village, learn a few basics of Vietnamese cuisine, the fish sauce chill garlic dipping sauce, rice paper wraps, and frying spring rolls.

Dinner is a local eatery riverside BBQ dinner where you learn all about Nhau-the eateries where Vietnamese go to casually socialise, eat and drink.

We try BBQ fish and squid, delicious mango salad, crispy pork belly and learn about the etiquette of eating Vietnamese style.

We arrive in the Old Town before the tourists do, and have our creative session with your tutor in a street cafe with the locals, right amongst the historic yellow buildings.

Pho for breakfast, the national dish of Vietnam, of rice noodles, beef broth and rare beef with mountains of fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime, sprouts and chilli.

After breakfast we have designed a wonderful walking tour of the Old Town of Hoi An, visiting historical temples, ancient houses and discovering the alley ways and hidden gems of the yellow city. Try the Hoi An dumpling named "white rose".

Lunch is a modern style fusion restaurant in Anna's friends grandparents house, down a secret laneway of the UNESCO heritage town.

Afternoon we keep exploring and creating, meeting at the best cafe in town to meet some local practicing artists, try a specialty coffee.

Dinner is an exciting street food experience of delicious skewers cooked over coals, wrapped with mountains of herbs and a delicious peanut dipping sauce.

Market Sketching session in Anna's favourite market. You will meet the locals, and be right at home sitting amongst the vendors while learning to sketch.

A relaxing afternoon in the garden cafe and art gallery of Ethnic minority crafts and textiles where you have your creative session with your tutor.

Enjoy a single origin ethically produced coffee or tea, ask Kiet all about the items in his gallery and give your credit card a little love and purchase some of the hand collected items on display if thats your thing. Textiles, woven items, clay and wood pieces.

Lunch is by Giang, featuring local seasonal produce purchased from the local market that morning, cooked family style

Dinner is the best restaurant in town with Chef Duc. Wear your night outfit, I have a surprise for you beforehand!

Breakfast in the Villa, then we check out and head for the hills!

The highlight of the trip.
-We visit a Co Tu village. One of 54 ethnic minority groups of Vietnam.
-First we visit the elder Mr Y Kong and pay our respects. He will tell us a few things about his culture, and you can have a bathroom stop here.
-Next we meet with Anna's friend Thin, a Co Tu woman.

-Creative Sessions in the Village

Lunch, village tour, musicians, dancing, swimming and more sketching, photography and connecting in the village. Feel free to wander around and meet the beautiful people of this warm and inviting village, or stick close to Thin and ask her a million questions, of which she will be happy to answer. The Co Tu are very proud of their culture, and we are genuinely privileged to be able to visit them.

We stay overnight here, so expect a night of rice wine, bonfires, dancing and music, Co Tu style.

We head to Lang Co lagoon for a seafood lunch on our way to Hue, the former capital city of Vietnam.

Check into our 5 star hotel for some rest and comfort before meeting up again for a fun dinner, Vietnam Style.

A fun easy, loud happy place. We eat local specialties such as chicken 7 ways with sticky rice, grilled shrimp, beef and noodles, and other delicious local fare. Family style with plates coming and being shared down the table. Bring your sketch kit to add to the fun!

We explore the Imperial City, with a full tour and workshop.

Lunch is on Com Hen Island, a tiny district where the little mussel and rice dish is served in nearly every eatery.

We try the original Salt Coffee that comes from Hue (think salted chocolate - it is along the same lines, delicious!)

We take a workshop in the ancient art of Phap Lam, which involves covering laminated copper with ceramic enamel. It’s a unique opportunity to explore a traditional craft deeply connected to Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Dinner will be delicious Hue Streetfoods, and if we are lucky the private Jazz club of Anna's friend Phuong will have an artist playing. We will visit for a cocktail and some soulful sounds.

Market sketching the neighbourhood, and then Ahn Dinh Palace. This palace of King Khai Dinh bears the stamp of Western civilization and the hidden soul of Vietnamese culture.

Lunch is the famous dish of Hue- beef noodle soup with spicy broth scented with lemongrass, Bun Bo Hue.

Vintage cafe vibes in the afternoon before a sunset river cruise to Thein Mu Pagoda. The oldest pagoda in the city founded in 1601.

Today we check out of our hotel and head to the pomelo Village for a bicycle ride. We learn to make incenses and try our hand at traditional woodblock ink printing.

We also take a private tour of Le Ba Dang's art gallery and memory space. Be prepared to be impressed. Spectacular gardens and surround accompanied by exquisitely designed architecture showcasing the masters art.

We arrive in Danang and rest before a delicious seafood dinner Danang style. You will have time to visit the beach across the road too.

After dinner we take a fun ride to visit the Dragon Bridge on the other side of town on the river, and enjoy the modern city life of Vietnams 3rd largest city.

Our last day together so we rise early to catch the divine and HUGE lady buddha on the hillside for the beautiful sunrise light. Bring your sketchbooks, and we take a final sketch together. Enjoy the views over the city, watch the cheeky monkeys and enjoy the Buddhist scene before you.

We return you to the hotel for breakfast and checkout. Your onward transfers will be organised and waiting for you.