Tour guide in Hue Ngoc L.

From the royal city of Hue to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the beaches of Da Nang and the former DMZ, Central Vietnam holds centuries of stories along one short stretch of coast. I'd love to show you the people and history behind the sights, not just the sights themselves. I'm Ngoc (it sounds roughly like "Nop"), a licensed guide since 2013 with a degree in History from Hue University. I've led more than a thousand tours, and the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family, is the story I never tire of telling. A day with me is private and unhurried. I tell stories rather than recite dates, we walk at your pace, and no question is too small. If something catches your eye, we change the plan. Travelling with children or older parents? I'll plan around shade, steps and rest stops. Coming off a cruise ship? I plan the day backwards from your all-aboard time and always keep at least an hour in hand. Where we can go together: the Imperial City and the royal tombs, Hue's street food, the DMZ, Hoi An and the Hai Van Pass, and shore excursions from Chan May and Tien Sa ports. For longer days I travel with a professional driver in a private air-conditioned car. A few things I love to share: a bowl of bun hen, the baby-clam noodles that are my favourite dish; a quiet coffee in a little café tucked down an alley most visitors walk straight past; and, whenever I can, a visit to a family who still make Hue's traditional cakes by hand, or to one of the city's craftspeople at work. Send me a message and let's plan a day that fits you. Ngoc