VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS – 12 DAYS

Where ancient charm meets modern spirit

Hanoi, Vietnam’s ancient capital, welcomes you on day one. A traditional welcome awaits, initiating your exploration of a city where history and modernity intertwine. The city’s rich heritage is felt immediately. A captivating water puppet show, a centuries-old art form, is experienced as evening descends, showcasing Vietnamese folklore through skillful puppetry and musical accompaniment. Your journey concludes with a refined welcome dinner, expertly prepared, in a beautifully restored French colonial residence. Each dish is a testament to Vietnam’s culinary excellence. The exquisite meal is served. The cultural immersion is complete.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hanoi’s historic district

• Near water puppet theater and Old Quarter

Meals

• Welcome dinner in French colonial villa

Optional Activities

• Early check-in (subject to availability)

• Additional water puppet performances

• Walking tour of Old Quarter

• Visit to Hoan Kiem Lake area

Special Information

• Welcome meeting is essential for trip briefing and cultural orientation. Smart casual dress recommended for colonial dinner venue.

Where history whispers through ancient stones

Begin your cultural immersion at the Temple of Literature, where ancient stone stelae tell tales of Vietnam’s first scholars. Watch in awe as students make offerings for academic success, a tradition spanning centuries. Visit the tranquil One Pillar Pagoda, built to embody the Buddha rising from a lotus flower. Experience the art of Vietnamese tea appreciation in a traditional merchant’s house, learning about its role in local culture. Your afternoon features a cyclo ride through the 36 guild streets, each historically dedicated to a specific craft. As dusk falls, witness the mesmerizing ancient art of water puppetry, accompanied by traditional musicians playing instruments like the dan bau and dan tranh. 

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hanoi

• Central location near cultural sites

Meals

• Breakfast at hotel

• Traditional lunch

• Street food dinner experience

Optional Activities

• Extended cyclo tour

• Additional temple visits

• Traditional music performance

• Photography sessions

• Evening street food exploration

Special Information 

• Temple visits require modest dress and early morning starts are recommended for optimal cultural experiences.

Where dragons left their jade jewels 

Discover the enchanting Halong Bay, a realm of myth and wonder. Aboard a luxurious junk, reminiscent of Indochina’s opulent past, exploration begins. The bay’s geological formations and captivating folklore are unveiled during a scenic cruise among majestic limestone karsts. A visit to a traditional fishing village, where generations have lived in harmony with the marine environment, is offered. Skillful net-casting techniques may be attempted. Optional kayaking adventures through concealed caves and secluded lagoons are available. As twilight descends, a Vietnamese tea ceremony is enjoyed on deck, followed by a delectable seafood dinner showcasing regional specialties and time-honored culinary practices.

Accommodation

• Luxury junk boat
• Ocean view cabin with private facilities

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch onboard
• Seafood dinner
• Traditional tea ceremony

Optional Activities

• Kayaking adventures
• Fishing village visits
• Cave exploration
• Vietnamese tea ceremony
• Sunset photography session

Special Information

• Activities may be adjusted based on weather conditions. Pack light overnight bag with essential items for cruise.

Where dawn awakens ancient waters

A traditional Tai Chi session awaits you on deck at dawn, a time-honored practice uniting body and soul. The awe-inspiring Sung Sot Cave, home to centuries of captivating lore and breathtaking formations, is ready to be explored. Following a sumptuous brunch, departure from Halong Bay is scheduled, with your flight taking you to Hue, Vietnam’s historic imperial city. A regal culinary journey awaits in the evening; a royal dinner, featuring dishes once enjoyed by emperors, will be presented, each a testament to culinary artistry.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hue
• Near Perfume River

Meals

• Breakfast
• Brunch
• Royal-style dinner

Optional Activities

• Sunrise Tai Chi
• Additional cave visits
• Evening Perfume River cruise
• Traditional music show

Special Information

• Flight schedule may vary depending on weather conditions. Morning activities are subject to timing of departure.

Where dragons guarded emperor’s dreams 

Experience Vietnam’s imperial majesty. The Purple Forbidden City’s imposing gates welcome you; royal architecture’s Feng Shui principles are explored. A UNESCO-recognized Nha Nhac court music performance is presented. A dragon boat voyage along the Perfume River leads to Thien Mu Pagoda; Buddhist traditions and interactions with young monks are facilitated. Emperor Tu Duc’s magnificent tomb awaits, revealing royal burial practices. Conclude your day with a distinctive experience—a traditional imperial tea ceremony, complete with royal attire.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hue
• Near Imperial City

Meals

• Breakfast
• Imperial dinner

Optional Activities

• Extended citadel tour
• Royal costume photo session
• Additional temple visits
• Evening cultural show
• Traditional tea ceremony

Special Information

• Imperial City visit involves walking on historic surfaces and modest dress is required for all palace and temple visits.

Where heaven meets the sea 

Explore the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, pausing at picturesque viewpoints to uncover the rich history of this ancient borderland. The Cham Museum in Da Nang awaits, its sculptures narrating tales of a powerful empire. A guided tour of Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed streets is provided, revealing Chinese temples, Japanese trading posts, and the famed covered bridge. Participation in a traditional lantern-making class with local craftspeople offers insights into the cultural significance of light. Finally, experience the enchanting spectacle of releasing water lanterns on the Thu Bon River under the evening sky, accompanied by wishes for prosperity.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hoi An
• Ancient Town location

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Optional Activities

• Extended museum visit
• Photography at Hai Van Pass
• Additional craft workshops
• Sunset lantern release
• Beach visit

Special Information

• Hai Van Pass journey times and photo stops may vary based on weather visibility. Ancient town tickets included in the tour.

Where time flows like silk on the breeze 

A vibrant local market’s sights and sounds will greet you as you begin your day, sourcing ingredients for an interactive cooking class. Expert instruction will allow you to master Vietnamese culinary techniques, crafting dishes reflecting this historic port’s rich heritage. Traditional craft villages, where time-honored skills are preserved by generations of artisans, are explored in the afternoon. A culinary expedition by vintage Vespa awaits as evening descends, revealing the city’s hidden gastronomic gems.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hoi An

• Near Ancient Town

Meals

• Breakfast

• Cooking class lunch

• Theatrical dinner

Optional Activities

• Market photography tour

• Additional cooking lessons

• Craft village visits

• Evening food tour

• Tailoring services

Special Information

• Market visit and cooking class timing may be adjusted based on seasonal produce availability and local conditions.

Where spirituality touches earth

Explore My Son Sanctuary’s ancient Cham civilization, a spiritual center. A traditional Cham dance is witnessed amidst millennia-old temples. Afterwards, Hoi An’s traditional arts are experienced: Vietnamese calligraphy’s elegant strokes are learned and understood. Finally, a sunset cruise offers enchanting folk songs from local musicians, showcasing picturesque fishing villages.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Hoi An

• Ancient Town vicinity

Meals

• Breakfast

• Lunch

Optional Activities

• Extended My Son tour

• Traditional dance workshop

• Calligraphy class

• Sunset photography

• Evening boat trip

Special Information

• My Son Sanctuary visit requires early morning departure and comfortable walking shoes. Weather conditions may affect timing.

Where tradition meets modernity 

Saigon’s vibrant atmosphere awaits your arrival. A veteran’s narrative illuminates the ingenuity and resilience found within the Cu Chi Tunnels. Colonial architectural marvels, showcasing diverse cultural impacts, are discovered upon your return. The Reunification Palace, unchanged since 1975, is open for exploration. A sophisticated cocktail, expertly crafted from traditional and modern elements, is enjoyed atop a landmark building as evening descends.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Saigon
• City center location

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Farewell dinner

Optional Activities

• Extended tunnel tour
• War Remnants Museum
• Architecture tour
• Rooftop experiences
• Evening cultural show

Special Information

• Cu Chi Tunnels visit is optional and can be adjusted according to individual comfort levels. Flight times subject to change.

Where life flows with the river 

Discover the Mekong Delta’s intricate waterways. Cai Be’s vibrant floating market, with its age-old commerce, awaits exploration. Ancient homes and fruit groves offer insights into southern Vietnam’s distinctive heritage. Traditional Don Ca Tai Tu music is enjoyed alongside delectable tropical fruits. Local artisans’ expertise in coconut candy and rice paper creation is showcased. A contemporary Vietnamese fusion dinner concludes the day in Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Saigon

• Central district

Meals

• Breakfast

• Local lunch

• Fusion dinner

Optional Activities

• Extended market visit

• Cooking demonstrations

• Traditional music shows

• Fruit garden tours

• Local craft workshops

Special Information

• Delta activities and routes may be modified based on water levels and market timing. Early departure required for optimal experience.

Where past meets future

Explore Cholon (Chinatown) and its historic temples, learning about Chinese influence in Vietnamese culture. Visit contemporary art spaces showcasing Vietnam’s modern cultural evolution. Join a traditional ao dai fitting, learning about this elegant national dress. Your farewell dinner is a magnificent feast in a colonial mansion, featuring dishes from all three regions of Vietnam, accompanied by traditional music.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Saigon

• Downtown location

Meals

• Breakfast

• Farewell dinner

Optional Activities

• Extended Chinatown tour

• Art gallery visits

• Additional ao dai fitting

• Market exploration

• Evening cultural show

Special Information

• Temple visits require modest dress

• Fitting session needs advance booking

• Dinner venue is traditional setting

Where memories become treasures 

Final morning at leisure to soak in the atmosphere of Saigon. Perhaps visit the War Remnants Museum or enjoy last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market before your departure.

Meals

• Breakfast

Optional Activities

• Late check-out

• Museum visits

• Market shopping

• City tours

• Spa treatments

Special Information

• Standard check-out time applies unless late check-out is arranged. Airport transfer timing flexible based on departure flight.