Welcome to Ha Noi and Vietnam. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is made up of 36 market streets that were once the ancient trading center of Thang Long, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Not much remains of old Thang Long, but you can wander down alleys where old temples and ancient trees still stand amidst the modern chaos. Each street is named after the businesses that once filled them. “Hàng Bạc,” for example, is where silversmiths once traded their wares and, to some extent, still do today. The Old Quarter wasn’t always so stylish, but today, it houses the most expensive real estate in Vietnam. It’s a gorgeous place to explore.   Tonight, a special welcome dinner together with a Hanoi family. You’ll get to enjoy chả cá a freshwater fish marinated in a slew of fragrant spices that’s a specialty of the city. After, head to a local bar to sample specialty cocktails inspired by Vietnamese foods that will surprise you, and raise a glass to the start of an excellent, and most tasty, trip.   

Meal: Dinner 

Accommodation: The Q Hotel

Located in the heart of Hanoi city, with a luxurious and cozy French architecture, The Q Hotel is truly one of the top boutique hotels in this beautiful city. Bringing in the ancient beauty and the unique cultural features of the old town, The Q Hotel is an ideal destination for travelers to have a relaxing holiday, comfortable with the highest level of service.   

https://theqhotel.com.vn/

Highlight

Chả cá is a quintessential Hà Nội dish that was created the Đòan family at a famous restaurant on Hàng Cá street more than a century ago. The dish has been enjoyed by emperors, revolutionaries, and regular Joes alike, and it’s become so famous that there are lots of copycat restaurants but only one original. You’ll be served the fish the way it was meant to be enjoyed the way it was prepared for Emperor Bảo Đại, the last Emperor. Settle in for a singular culinary experience complemented by conversation with three generations of a Hà Nội family that has mastered the dish. They’ll share their stories of local traditions and how their city is evolving before their eyes.

Get ready to lay eyes on some of Vietnam’s most incredible views today. After breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi, you’ll depart for the legendary UNESCO World Heritage landscapes of Ha Long Bay. Instead of joining the cruising masses, however, you’ll make your way to a less-visited and more isolated part of the bay, Lan Ha Bay.   The day is yours to soak in the spectacular scenery as your boat drifts around the bay. Sunset will surely be a highlight, as it paints the towering karst limestone formations with a golden glow that even a screensaver can’t capture. And you’ll take time to step off the boat, too, and slip into a kayak for a paddling adventure into a spectacular sea cave. You’ll sleep and dine aboard the ship tonight for a truly immersive experience in what’s surely one of the world’s most legendary locations to be afloat.   

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

Cozy Boutique Cruise – This charming 11-cabin boat is perfect for cruising with friends and family. The cabins may either be double or twin cabins with an en-suite bathroom. All cabins have either large windows or a balcony allowing guests to enjoy the views. The wooden boat is traditionally decorated and gives off a cozy, serene vibe. The boat also offers luxury dining both indoors and outdoors. While sailing, guests can relax on the spacious wooden floor sundeck. The cruise gives guests an intimate view of the magnificent scenery and natural beauty that Lan Ha Bay has to offer.

Highlight:

You and your group will kayak on the most remote parts of Halong Bay, quiet locations removed from the masses. As your paddle cuts through the water, soak in the sounds of silence and the sight of the impressive karst formations that rise like spires from the placid waters. 

You may want to rise early today to take in the sunrise on Halong Bay. Ready to exercise? Take part in an optional tai-chi class that plays out right on the boat’s sundeck, with views at every turn. After breakfast, depart for a short walk on Cat Ba Island, the most important island in the bay, before heading back to Hanoi. You will catch a flight to Huế  this afternoon.  Huế has its own pace and, being the imperial seat, is famed for the food enjoyed by emperors. For a truly local Hue meal, check out our favorite restaurant, Chan, at 1 Nguyen Thai Hoc in Hue downtown. This place is a local institution popular with both locals and tourists alike.  How do you judge a great restaurant? The ratio of locals to tourists should be more than 60:40. The more locals, the better and cheaper the food. However, if there are no tourists, then prepare for a food adventure that may be the best in your life or one you’d rather forget. Such are life’s adventures.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

Spatel d’Annam – Transformed from the former Royal Hospital and situated within grounds of the outer citadel this hotel embodies a unique blend of history and comforts. Echoes of its past resonate in the architectural details, seamlessly integrating with modern comforts.

Hue is an absolute delight to explore by bicycle, which is exactly how many Vietnamese get around these pretty streets. Today, take to pedaling to explore the peaceful city that served as the Imperial Capital of Vietnam from the early 19th to the mid-20th century. You’ll learn about the last Imperial Dynasty while exploring Huế ‘s spectacular Forbidden City and head to a Buddhist monastery, too, to hear the nuns share about their rituals and daily life. Sit down with the nuns for a vegetarian lunch they’ve prepared just for your group at the monastery.   This evening, we will drive out Tam Giang Lagoon, about 30 mins away. This is home to several fishing villages who still make this lagoon their home. Enjoy a spectacular seafood feast watching the sunset over the marvelous landscape.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Spatel d’Annam – Transformed from the former Royal Hospital and situated within grounds of the outer citadel this hotel embodies a unique blend of history and comforts. Echoes of its past resonate in the architectural details, seamlessly integrating with modern comforts.

It’s all aboard a local train today as you ride the rails on one of the most beautiful train routes in Southeast Asia. The destination? Hoi An. The joy is truly in the journey, as scenes of rural life and coastal beauty play out through the train windows as you roll along. Be curious and open during the three-hour ride; you might find that locals are willing to chat about their daily lives in this part of Vietnam. Someone might even offer to share a snack with you.  Check into your boutique hotel in Hoi An and get ready to explore a totally distinct Vietnamese city. Formerly known as Faifo, Hoi An once belonged to the ancient Champa Kingdom and was an important trading port for commerce between Japan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Europe.   You’ll have some time to explore on your own today and it’s a good opportunity to visit the thousand-year-old Champa Ba Le Well, Japanese Covered Bridge, and other sites. It’s hungry work, and happily there are seemingly endless street food stalls hawking must-try dishes like cao lầu, mỳ Quảng, bánh mỳ, and cơm gà  for lunch on your own. (If you prefer a fancier, sit-down lunch, Lim is a great option). In the evening, reconvene with your fellow travelers and trip leader to head out on small fishing boats onto the Thu Bon river where you can attempt to catch fish for dinner. A sunset barbecue ashore follows, with lots of cold drinks and delicious new foods to try with new friends.   

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation

Silk Village Resort Hoi An – Located only about a kilometer away from Hoi An Ancient Town’s bustling center, the Hoi An Silk Village breathes new life into the 300 year-old history of the Maritime Silk Road. The Village is surrounded by verdant mulberry gardens, lotus ponds and horticulture farms. Paths wind through the gardens and ancient houses, built in typical Quang Nam architecture, providing a serene atmosphere that carries you to the days of old.  The Village employs a dozen artisans that manufacture and weave silk into various garments and tapestries using ancient looms.  https://silkvillage.mulberrycollectionvn.com/vi/

After a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel, we’re off to explore the stunning countryside of Hoi An on bicycle. Picture cycling through lush fields, making pit stops to join farmers in their work (yep, you get to play farmer!). We’ll swing by a river reed weaver and watch how this handicraft is still being done with very rudimentary tools. Try your hands at fresh noodle making and enjoy a delicious noodle lunch. After lunch, we’ll glide back to Hoi An by boat.   In the afternoon, you’ll  explore the Old Town of Hội An and get a local’s perspective on its timeless traditions and interesting past. Learn about Hoi An’s layered history and hear stories of the persecuted Champa people while immersing in their culture and tasting their exquisite cuisine alongside a Vietnamese legend, Kieu Maily, a revered Champa poet, cultural custodian, and cookbook author.   There will be time today, too, to pop into one of the city’s famous tailor shops to get yourself fitted for some new clothing or shoes that will be custom-made in no time at all and promptly delivered to you at your hotel before you head onward.   

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Silk Village Resort Hoi An – Located only about a kilometer away from Hoi An Ancient Town’s bustling center, the Hoi An Silk Village breathes new life into the 300 year-old history of the Maritime Silk Road. The Village is surrounded by verdant mulberry gardens, lotus ponds and horticulture farms. Paths wind through the gardens and ancient houses, built in typical Quang Nam architecture, providing a serene atmosphere that carries you to the days of old.  The Village employs a dozen artisans that manufacture and weave silk into various garments and tapestries using ancient looms.  

About Us

Highlights

Champa culinary experience with Kieu Maily: Influenced by Indian culture and developed into its own unique take on local produce, Champa cuisine has ancient roots. Today, you’ll learn all about its rich traditions with Kieu Maily, a Champa cultural custodian, poet, journalist, and cookbook author. Join her in the kitchen for a cooking experience that will guide you through the use and healing properties of medicinal herbs and introduce you to the Cham language, spoken by only about 400,000 people. Maily may even bring out her drums and dance the aspara, an exceptional treat.

After breakfast, enjoy your last moments in Hoi An before your transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Saigon.  Welcome to Vietnam and Saigon, the country’s most dynamic city and Vietnam’s biggest and boldest melting pot. The streets here swirl with life, smells, and sounds from early morning until late at night. It’s a feast for all your senses, so get ready to drink it all in on this epic culinary tour. But first, a little history. Formerly known as Gia Dinh, Saigon was under French control for a period of 100 years that lasted until after World War II. During that time the city became known both by its popular name, Saigon, and as the “Pearl of the Orient.”   Check into your hotel and relax, then meet up with your trip leader  at 5 p.m. to head out on one seriously awesome tasting tour. You’ll hop on the back of a vintage Vespa and drive straight out into Saigon’s frenetic urban fray to taste street foods in the city’s secret corners at addresses only local connoisseurs know and cherish that are now yours to taste and discover, too. 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation 

Bach Suites Saigon (or similar) – French design traditions mix with modern international and Vietnamese decor at this stylish new-build boutique hotel. The property’s prime location puts you right near Turtle Lake, the neo-Roman and Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, and other key Saigon sites. This hidden gem tucked in the center of Saigon has a welcoming, upscale feel. The 36 rooms and suites are carefully decorated in a French colonial style featuring marble floors, paneled walls, and handcrafted furniture.

Highlight

A vintage Vespa and a street-food feast: There’s perhaps no better way to be introduced to Vietnam than by sitting atop a tiny stool on a busy street and tucking into a bowl of something brimming with intoxicating flavors. For all the fancy restaurants in Saigon, the city’s street food scene is where you’ll really feel the pulse of the country. Almost as thrilling as the dishes you’ll sample is the chance to zip around the city on the back of a restored vintage Vespa, guided by an experienced driver who puts safety first (and intrepid, local eating at a close second). The places you’ll stop on this tour aren’t the ones you’d find in any guide book; they’re closely guarded, local secrets.

Wake up to a delicious, European- and Vietnamese-inspired breakfast before heading south into the heart of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll be immersed in Southern Vietnam’s version of island life in the stunning province of Bến Tre. The Mekong River has nine different branches, and was once called “Cửu Long,” or Nine Dragons. You’ll be island-hopping your way through the delta today on a small-boat tour, which includes a stop at an artisan workshop and lunch with a local farmer family. You’ll see the Mekong Delta at water level, too, entering the narrow canals aboard a low, traditional boat called a “sampan.” Later, you’ll arrive at the evening’s accommodation, Le Jardin du Mekong, a farmstay lodge surrounded by orchards. Check into your bungalow and relax in the garden before heading to the kitchen with the house chefs to learn how to transform local ingredients into a mind-blowingly delicious dinner.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

Le Jardin du Mekong Lodge – Your lodging tonight is a comfortable, rural farmstay set among orchards of fruit trees. Rooms in the thatched-roof cabins are rustic but comfortable, with mosquito nets covering the beds and lush gardens to explore all around. The natural surroundings are beautiful and well worth exploring. At this homestay, you’ll experience a welcoming family atmosphere while also getting to participate in the local culture.

Awake surrounded by the Mekong Delta’s sublime nature before enjoying a delicious farm breakfast. Then, hop on a bicycle and pedal along the small pathways that criss-cross the farm’s gardens and orchards. After a relaxing morning, board your group’s private bus for the drive back to Saigon, where more exciting city explorations await. Before heading back out in the city’s frenetic fray, you’ll have time to enjoy a dip in the rooftop swimming pool of your hotel.  The afternoon’s fun starts with a visit to Saigon’s municipal Opera House to take in a spectacular performance by Lune Production inspired by Vietnam’s traditional local life. Then, head to a Saigon institution, Hum, for an incredible take on vegetarian cuisine. After dinner, we will cruise over to a hotspot that draws Vietnamese celebrities and VIPs to meet mixologist Pham Minh Tân, who’s shaking up some magic. Over a dinner of delicious share plates, Tân will guide you through some of his favorite cocktail creations and their interesting ingredients. You’ll be tempted to linger all night, but you do have a flight to catch tomorrow. (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Accommodation 

Bach Suites Saigon (or similar) – French design traditions mix with modern international and Vietnamese decor at this stylish new-build boutique hotel. The property’s prime location puts you right near Turtle Lake, the neo-Roman and Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, and other key Saigon sites. This hidden gem tucked in the center of Saigon has a welcoming, upscale feel. The 36 rooms and suites are carefully decorated in a French colonial style featuring marble floors, paneled walls, and handcrafted furniture.

Highlights:

A spectacular show at the Opera House: Modern dance, impressive acrobatics, and traditional music all star in the show by Lune Production, which you’ll get to see performed live today at Saigon’s municipal Opera House. The award-winning show is a coveted ticket and shares aspects of Vietnamese culture and life through dance and music.

Your unforgettable culinary tour through Vietnam, from south to north, comes to an end today. You’ve sampled street food at hidden-away spots, traveled by train along one of the most spectacular coastal routes in all of Southeast Asia, dined with local families on specialties most tourists miss, and plied the waters of Ha Long Bay aboard a luxury boat. We hope your visit to Vietnam has been memorable and just a taste of all that this incredible and hospitable country has to offer.