Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam. A picture of French-colonial mansions, ornate traditional temples and rows of narrow houses, Hanoi is a vibrant, bustling city filled with small boutiques, Vietnamese coffee houses and lively street vendors built around an Old Quarter with scenic lakes and meandering streets. Explore the city at your own pace. Your guide accompanies you on the transfer from the airport to your hotel and is happy to help with suggestions and recommendations.  

Overnight: Hanoi

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Hanoi

Uncover Hanoi's history and heritage with your private guide. Learn about the life and times of former President Ho Chi Minh, who played a key role in the nation's journey towards independence. Visit the mausoleum where his body is embalmed and see his humble stilted house, which was built in the style of an ethnic village home. See the 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda and learn the history behind the "Hanoi Hilton".

In the afternoon, explore the Red River countryside on two wheels. Cycle through narrow streets and riverside villages, take a ferry across the Duong River and pedal past village houses, pagodas, temples and a local market. Chat with villagers at a local house, witness a traditional len dong ceremony at a local temple and taste a bowl of bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli) and nem (spring rolls). The cycling route follows gentle, mostly flat, paved roads and the distance is between 15-30 kilometers (10-20 miles), depending on your personal preference. 

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Hanoi

Discover the cultural and culinary side of Hanoi, exploring iconic landmarks and tasting some of the city's specialty street food. Start at the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and learn the story behind Ngoc Son, or The Jade Mountain Temple, which is built in the middle of the lake. Savor a bowl of pho noodles at a popular local place and explore the colorful array of fruits and vegetables at Hang Be market. Pass by a temple dedicated to merchants of silver, walk to a local eatery known for its banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and later experience the bustling "International Crossroad," an intersection lined with bustling bars and stalls serving delicious snacks and fresh bia hoi, (locally brewed beer). Enjoy a bowl of bun cha, a Hanoian specialty of grilled pork and vermicelli before heading back to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Hanoi

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 4 - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Depart Hanoi to experience one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural wonders - the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. After a private transfer to the port, board your Vietnamese cruise vessel and begin cruising through surreal scenes of rugged limestone karsts, tree-topped islands, caves and sparkling emerald waters. Lunch is served on board and you can enjoy more stunning views from the sundeck.

In the afternoon, discover how pearls are harvested at a floating pearl farming village. You can venture out in a kayak to discover more of the surrounding area (supplementary fee) or stay on board the cruise for a leisurely afternoon tea. Later, visit Sung Sot cave, a surprising cavern that has become part of local legend. The cave has three large chambers and impressive stalagmites and stalactites. In the late afternoon, enjoy a cooking demonstration by the chef. Then savor the cool sea breeze and warm glow of twilight as the boat anchors for the night. After dinner on board, enjoy an evening at leisure. You may wish to try your hand at squid fishing, watch a movie, stargaze from the sundeck or simply spend a quiet evening in your cabin.

Overnight: Ha Long Bay Cruise

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Ha Long Bay - Mai Chau

Start the morning with tea, coffee and pastries in the dining room. Early risers can head to the sundeck for an optional tai chi session. The cruise continues to Ti Top island. Here, you can stroll along the sandy beach and climb to the top of the hill for a spectacular view over the bay. Savor a leisurely breakfast while cruising back to the pier. Check out of your cabin at 09:30 and disembark at 10:30. You are met at the pier by your driver who assists you with a private transfer to Mai Chau, approximately six hours' drive.

Please note: Check out time from the cruise is one hour before disembarkation, at 09:30. After this time you will not be able to access your room but you can continue enjoying the views from the sundeck. The cruise itinerary is dependent on tide and weather conditions and is subject to change without prior notice. If weather conditions are deemed unsafe, the harbor master may deny departures. 

Overnight: Mai Chau

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Mai Chau

Discover a patchwork of rice paddy fields and ethnic communities in the peaceful Mai Chau valley. Here, the hustle and bustle of the city is replaced with meandering country roads that open up to picturesque fields and mountains. This is your opportunity to reconnect with the simple life and experience hill tribe culture in the rolling hills of northern Vietnam. Hop on a bike to explore scenic villages, rice fields and farmland. Each village has its own traditions and you can see the difference in their tribal architecture, costumes and domestic lifestyles. Visit a village house with a private collection of tribal antiques, hunting equipment, musical instruments and jewelry. 

Overnight: Mai Chau

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 7 - Mai Chau - Hue

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your lodge before departing Mai Chau. Travel by private vehicle to the airport in Hanoi, approximately three and half hours, and board your domestic flight to Hue, a historical city in central Vietnam. Nestled on the picturesque Perfume River, Hue is a captivating city with an illustrious history. Once the center of imperial Vietnam, the city was the seat of the Nguyen dynasty emperors during their reign from 1802 until 1945. Today, the city still retains much of its majestic charm with the elaborate royal tombs and imposing citadel revealing the extravagant lifestyles of its former emperors. The evening is yours at leisure. Your guide is happy to assist with dinner recommendations or reservations.  

Overnight: Hue

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Hue

Walk in the footsteps of Vietnamese emperors and trace their rise and fall in the central city of Hue. Begin at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The citadel still contains over 100 buildings, including the emperor´s living quarters in the Forbidden Purple City. Take a short drive to the tomb of Tu Duc, the ``Poet Emperor.´´ A lover of romance and eastern philosophies, the Emperor designed his own tomb within an enchanting garden of pine trees and frangipanis overlooking a lake. Stop by an incense-making village before continuing to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh whose burial place reflects the European influences at play during his reign. Take a scenic boat ride along the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story structure that is one of the oldest religious monuments in Hue. Then stop by Dong Ba Market for a chance to peruse the local products, including clothing, kitchenware, handicrafts and souvenirs. 

Overnight: Hue

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Hue - Hoi An

Transfer to Hoi An, a three-and-a-half-hour drive along the scenic Hai Van Pass, overlooking stunning views of the central Vietnamese coastline. UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An is a picturesque old town on the Thu Bon River with a rich cultural, culinary and creative heart. Take a stroll through winding streets of old Hoi An. Admire the Old House of Tan Ky, an 18th-century merchant's house, and see where the Chinese migrant community once gathered for meetings and social events at the Fukien Assembly Hall. Walk through a 400-year-old covered bridge built in Japanese style. Then get in touch with your creative side and make your own traditional Hoi An lantern at a studio led by skilled artisans.

Overnight: Hoi An

Meal Plan: B

Day 10 - Hoi An

Enjoy a day at leisure in Hoi An. Consult your guide for personalized recommendations. You may wish to explore more of the old town at your own pace or take this opportunity to enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Overnight: Hoi An

Meal Plan: B

Day 11 - Hoi An - Mekong Delta

Transfer to the airport in Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. You are met by your guide at the airport and transferred directly to Ben Tre, a scenic pastoral town in the Mekong Delta where your two-night river cruise departs. In Ben Tre, hop on a xe loi, a motorized trishaw, and travel through the village to the local pier. You are greeted on board your private river sampan with a welcome cocktail. Savor the cool breeze as the boat begins to drift along the scenic waterway and observe the simplicity of life in this remote part of the world. A simple local lunch is served on board. Later, visit a small village and explore narrow palm-lined canals in a smaller rowing sampan. Stop by a local house to meet the family and taste fresh fruits and tea in the garden. Continue cruising towards Mo Cay. Stop at a coconut workshop to see how the locals utilize every part of the coconut to make everything from food to furniture and household items. Back on board, enjoy a cooking demonstration by the chef before dinner. 

Overnight: Mekong Delta Cruise

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 12 - Mekong Delta

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before heading out to explore a local village. Start with a visit to the brick factory where bricks are made by hand using traditional methods. Stroll through green paddies, gardens and fields to explore the natural beauty of this region. Continue cruising to the town of Vung Liem to visit a Cao Dai temple and learn about this unique local religion, which combines elements of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Lunch is served on board and you pass by Tra On on the Mang Thit river. Stop at Cai Nhum village for a walk or bicycle ride through local villages and continue cruising towards Can Tho. Enjoy dinner on board and another laid-back evening where your private bar is always open. 

Overnight: Mekong Delta Cruise

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 13 - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy an early breakfast on board before heading out to experience the bustling Cai Rang floating market. Witness the region's traditional life and trading culture as you weave in and around the floating vendors who sell locally-grown fruits and fresh produce from their wooden boats. Feel free to practice your bargaining skills and choose some fruits or snacks for yourself. Head back to your cruise to check out and prepare for disembarkation. You are then transferred by private vehicle back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Full of contrasts, Ho Chi Minh City is known for its cosmopolitan vibe and energetic pace which is unlike any other city in Vietnam. Old French boulevards and colonial architecture stand beside traditional temples and modern skyscrapers, revealing a city of captivating diversity and charismatic charm. In the evening, enjoy an exhilarating night foodie adventure by Vespa. Weave in and out of Ho Chi Minh City's busy and chaotic streets, sip a drink beside an iconic city bridge, taste succulent crab claws and clams at a street-side seafood eatery and feast on banh xeo, a kind of Vietnamese pancake with savory fillings. End the night with a Vietnamese hot chocolate or cocktails and live music at a trendy acoustic bar.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 14 - Ho Chi Minh City

Witness the city slowly come to life in the early hours of the morning. Take a cyclo for a ride past Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, stroll through a city park and stop for a Vietnamese coffee. See the memorial dedicated to a Buddhist monk who famously committed an act of self-immolation in 1963. Then take a Vespa to a local street market to discover an underground weapons bunker beneath a typical house and admire colorful floral displays at the flower market before savoring a traditional bowl of pho for breakfast at one of the city's best noodle shops. Later, visit the Reunification Palace, where the official handover of power took place during the Fall of Saigon in 1975 and explore the History Museum or the War Remnants Museum. Discover southern Vietnam's unique spiritual culture at a colorful Cao Dai temple.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Meal Plan:

Day 15 - Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer about one and a half hours northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to explore one of the region's most well-known wartime landmarks - the Cu Chi tunnels. The intriguing network of underground tunnels provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Viet Cong during the later years of the Vietnam War. Catch a glimpse of life during the war as you experience crawling in tight, narrow passageways and through a series of caverns which consist of storage rooms, make-shift hospitals and sleeping quarters. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by private vehicle and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Please note: Crawling inside the Cu Chi Tunnels involves being in a confined space for about 15 minutes, or more, depending on how much you wish to explore. Guests who experience claustrophobia, fear of the dark, irregular cardiac conditions or have any other health concerns will have plenty to explore above ground without having to enter the tunnels.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B