After you arrive by flight, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Check in hotel then enjoy a short rest at noon.

Approximate Schedule: 10:30 am – 9:00 pm. Your Ho Chi Minh City tour begins at 10:30 AM, and the first stop is the iconic Central Post Office. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this architectural marvel reflects a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial styles. Admire the intricate detailing of the interior and perhaps send a postcard to commemorate your trip. Just a short walk away is the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in the late 19th century by French colonists, this red-brick cathedral, with its twin bell towers reaching skyward, is one of the city's most important religious and architectural landmarks. Take some time to explore its peaceful surroundings and enjoy the quiet contrast to Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant streets. Next, head to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, where you will delve into the city's rich past, from the prehistoric period to the last Vietnamese dynasties. The museum features impressive exhibits, including ancient artifacts, traditional costumes, and historical relics that give insight into Vietnam's culture and heritage. Afterward, make your way to the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a grand colonial building. Here, you'll explore a vast collection of contemporary and classical Vietnamese artwork, from traditional lacquerware to modern sculpture and paintings. The museum beautifully captures Vietnam's evolving art scene. Around 2:00 PM, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Ben Thanh Market, one of the city's oldest and most bustling markets. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as you browse through colorful stalls selling everything from traditional Vietnamese clothing to fresh produce and local handicrafts. You may even wish to sample some street food or buy souvenirs. After the market, return to your hotel for some rest and relaxation. At 6:00 PM, get to the Saigon Opera House for the captivating AO Show, a must-see performance that blends traditional Vietnamese music, acrobatics, and modern dance, telling the story of rural and urban life in Vietnam. This visually stunning show is the perfect way to end your day in Ho Chi Minh City. Seating category: Ground Floor Zone A

Meal: None

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Approximate Schedule: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life. You'll transfer to the remote My Tho.

This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First, you'll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens packed with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Next, you'll take a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. After lunch, you'll visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island. Then enjoy seasonal fruit, honey tea, and delicious coconut candies all to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals. After the tour is finished, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening, enjoy your leisure time at Bui Vien Street.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Check out hotel in the morning, your guide and driver will escort you to airport for your onward flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An Ancient Town for check in.

Approximate Schedule: 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm. In the afternoon, you'll continue to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. After the visit, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

In the morning, you'll transfer to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lie the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, you will return back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Approximate Schedule: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. In the morning, you'll learn about the unique cooking style and rich heritage of Hoi An cuisine. This morning, you'll transfer to the Red Bridge Restaurant to join in a cooking class. You'll learn about the various influences of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese in the culinary traditions that have developed over centuries in Hoi An. You'll also learn about various herbs, spices, and ingredients used in Central Vietnam. Then, under the guidance of your chef, you'll prepare several dishes. After the cooking class is finished, you'll enjoy what you've prepared for lunch. After the cooking class, return to hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Our guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then transfer by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding alongside the beaches of Danang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Then you'll approach a steep and narrow ascent where you'll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait. You'll continue your climb to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as "Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean". You'll continue onward through mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. As you enter Hue, you'll see many imperial signs and impressive houses and buildings which are only a deluge of what's to come. Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 6 miles long. You'll be able to view its vast gardens and structure relics. Then you'll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you'll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you'll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you'll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

In the evening, take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese. Explore the nearby simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his humble beginnings as a revolutionary. Then visit the highlight of the tour includes exploring the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. From now on, you will eat what was appealed to Anthony Bourdain, visit the sites where he was and meet the people he was impressed with. Time for your delicious lunch at the rustic restaurant where Bourdain broke bread with Barack Obama — a meal that includes bun cha, a Hanoian noodle specialty. Then, stroll down the streets and try café Trung. Vietnam is famous for its Robusta coffee, and café Trung is a charming Vietnamese version of cappuccino. Hot café Trung, with its rich taste of coffee, creamy egg yolk, and sweet condensed milk, will leave you smiling. Down time with one-hour cyclo ride around the French Quarter in the heart of Hanoi. A cyclo is a bicycle cab with a roof, pedaled by a driver who sits behind you, allowing for immersing yourself in an old atmosphere of an area that perfectly captures the timelessness and nostalgia of Vietnam. The Old Quarter consists of 36 old streets named after the kind of goods or crafts that used to be made or sold on those streets, such as Hang Dao (Silk Street), Hang Bac (Silver Street), Hang Duong (Sugar Street), and Hang Muoi (Salt Street). Disembarkation at the historic Pho Cuon restaurant by Truc Bach Lake for a quick snack. Do it as the locals do! Take your plastic seat and dip Pho Cuon into the tasty Nuoc Mam sauce and enjoy this specialty of Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and escorted to Ha Long Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Your heavenly journey across Ha Long Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard our luxury facilities in the stunning surroundings. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking. Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Ha Long Bay

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colorful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Ha Long Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your Paradise Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30am and 11.00am. Return to Hanoi and re-check in. Afternoon is at your leisure. The evening will start with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world-renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You'll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood. After the show, you'll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Moc Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine. Once you finish your dinner, you'll transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Check out hotel in the morning, then you will be transferred to airport for your homeward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by our English-speaking guide with a sign board and then accompanied to the hotel for check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Ho Chi Minh City (as known as Saigon) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Ho Chi Minh city will certainly be an interesting visit.

Approximate Schedule: 1:00pm – 5:00pm. In the afternoon, you'll see the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and learn of the history of these iconic landmarks. Go to see some of the most important places in Ho Chi Minh. You'll start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, you'll learn of its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building which is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Your next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market. To finish the tour you'll visit the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Ho Chi Minh City's finest. Once the tour is completed, you'll return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Start/Finish: 8:00am – 12:00 pm. Take your adventures underground today for an adventure in history you won't forget. Wake up early to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels. Your private tour guide and chauffeur will meet you in the morning and escort you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then you'll be taken to see the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. See how they built an impressive underground system as your tour guide tells of the stories and history of the Vietnam War. You'll also have an opportunity to shoot the various guns used in the war at a firing range near the tunnels (extra charges apply).

Then you'll have the chance to see rice paper and coconut candy being made. After, you'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack that was a common food eaten by guerrillas during the war. You'll return back to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, your private tour guide will pick you up from hotel then start a cyclo tour to get real experience on busy life of local people. Then enjoy a dinner with Vietnam's cuisines at Indochine Saigon Hotel. After dinner, travel (walking) to Ben Thanh market to see how bustling the market is at night. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Ho Chi Minh City and one of symbols of the City, popular with tourists seeking for local handicrafts, textiles, Ao dai (Vietnam's traditional long dress), and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. After finished the tour, you will escort back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:30pm. Discover the Mekong River, essential to life in the heart of Vietnam. After you've finished breakfast at the hotel, your private guide and car will greet you and escort you to Vinh Long where you'll embark on a boat cruise to the vibrant Cai Be floating market. Be prepared to see fresh spices, mints, and local fruits. If you're adventurous, you can take of one of the many colorful fruits in season. The next stop is the Hoa Binh Phuoc islet, full of local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics. You'll visit the rice-paper kiln and coconut candy kiln where you can walk around and observe daily country life. You can have the opportunity to taste fresh made coconut candy which has a soft and chewy consistency. When the tour is finished, you'll return to Ho Chi Minh.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Today, you'll take a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in. At the end of a long lane of sandy beaches, palms and blue sea turns the Thu Bon River. Take a step back in time 300 years to cobblestone alleys and aged wooden and stone homes. Time stands still in this quiet part of the world where ornate doorways and bridges could keep the curious passerby entranced in amusement. The setting - a Far Eastern port that was forgotten in time. Japanese, French, Chinese and Vietnamese designs and styles melt together along every street.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:30pm. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 11:30am. Today you'll explore the My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam's most important Cham site. In the morning, your tour guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lie the 1,100-year-old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.

Approximate Schedule: 1:00pm – 4:00pm. In the afternoon, visit the traditional house in Quang Nam and listen to the fascinating story of craft sericulture. Next, explore the ancient mulberry gardens and the silkworm-breeding house, learning how to feed the silkworms. At the Unraveling House, understand how to extract silk thread from the cocoon to weave silk fabric. Next, visit the Hoi An Silk Village exhibition to understand the difference between pure silk and fake silk fabric. The variety of silk products here will cater to all your shopping and tailoring needs.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then you'll be escorted by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding alongside the beaches of Danang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Then you'll approach a steep and narrow ascent where you'll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait. You'll continue your climb to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. You'll continue onward through mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. As you enter Hue, you'll see many imperial signs and impressive houses and buildings which are only a deluge of what's to come.

Approximate Schedule: 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the evening, transfer to Royal Park restaurant to enjoy a Hue Royal Cuisine experience: guests can enjoy a fine dining experience with specialties such as nem công (peacock spring rolls), chả phụng (phoenix-shaped patties), royal-style sticky rice, and a variety of soups and desserts once reserved only for royalty. The atmosphere is often enhanced by traditional music, royal costumes, and elegant decoration, giving visitors the feeling of dining like kings and queens.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, start riding a bike to Khai Dinh Tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos of the countryside scenery. When you reach Khai Dinh Tomb, explore the building, which is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. The tomb houses an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards. Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh's grave, an altar to him, and a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh Tomb, continue to ride to Tu Duc Tomb. The road is rough, but it will surely bring you fun experiences and a chance to mix with local life and nature. After 15 minutes of biking, you will arrive at Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh's Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc's tomb showcases a traditional elegance and many view it as the most beautiful of Hue's royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, he is said to have preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace. Lunch at a local restaurant before riding to another famous imperial tomb of Hue - Minh Mang Tomb. It is about 4.66 miles from Tu Duc Tomb. Minh Mang Tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.) designed on a symmetrical axis running from Dai Hong Gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor's tomb. End the tour and return to Hue.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 12:30pm. In the morning, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You'll be able to view its vast gardens and structure relics. Then you'll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you'll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you'll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and could only be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you'll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale. Continue to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant. After the tour, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After check in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 12:00pm

In the morning, you'll be escorted to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. Embark on an exciting half-day afternoon tour starting with a visit to Nguyen Art Gallery, one of Hanoi's finest, where you'll admire contemporary Vietnamese art and learn about the country's rich artistic heritage. Next, head to the Vietnamese Women's Museum, which showcases the significant contributions of Vietnamese women throughout history, including their roles in family, fashion, and society. Continue visit to Huu Tiep Lake where what remains of a felled B-52 Bomber protrudes out of the calm water. Finally, explore the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 11th century and offers a glimpse into Vietnam's imperial past with its ancient architecture and archaeological treasures.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Spend this full day at your own leisure. You can walk around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your hotel offers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Start the morning with a road trip up in the mountains to the northwest region of Vietnam - Nghia Lo (Yen Bai province) approx. 4h. Along the way, you will visit tea fields in Thanh Son. Then stop at Thu Cuc to visit villages of the Muong living by the roadside. Visit a village of the Thai ethnic group, meet local people and find more about customs and culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Nghia Lo.

After breakfast, take a road trip for 2.5 hours through winding mountain roads with the beautiful natural scenery of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range to Mu Cang Chai - considered an untouched paradise and one of the best places in Vietnam to take stunning landscape photos. Stop at the valley of Tu Le to begin trekking. You will cross rice terraces and suspension bridges to reach villages of the Thai and Mong. In traditional clothes, they will welcome you with enthusiasm. Have lunch at Tu Le. After lunch, continue the tour to Khau Pha Pass (celestial horn). It is an ideal place to take the most beautiful photos of the terraced rice fields. Then take a 2 to 3-hour trekking to visit the most beautiful terraced rice fields like La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and Che Xu Phinh. Continue to the Homestay in Mu Cang Chai for check-in. Enjoy dinner. Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Mu Cang Chai

After breakfast, our guide will transfer you back to Hanoi (approx. 6.5h). On the way, you will admire beautiful mountainous landscapes and rice terraces, and quiet villages under the trees. Arrive in Hanoi around 05:00 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, our guide will meet and greet you and then transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. Then you will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy.

Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity). After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or giving night squid fishing a try with the staff (subject to seasonal availability).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Lan Ha Bay

Rise early for one of the best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer back to Hanoi for overnight.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the “36 Old Streets and Guilds”. Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Ninh Binh by car. Then, you will travel to Hoa Lu (2 hour transfer), the ancient capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for only 41 years. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now two temples dedicated to two Vietnamese kings, which have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace.

The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history. In the afternoon, you'll take an amazing boat trip through Trang An Grottoes. A gathering of 31 valleys and 50 cross-water caves is home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna many of which are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. Rowing through the Trang An Grottoes is a peaceful trip of serenity. The highland air is a respite from modern living and the sounds are only that of birds and the oars stirring the clear water. Towering overhead are magnificent forested mountains upon which you might catch a glimpse of grazing white-bearded goats. In the valleys, you'll see cultivated rice fields. After the tour is finished, you will transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Hanoi

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

Meal: Breakfast

Pick-up: 2.5 hours before the flight

Welcome to Vietnam! After you exit the aircraft, an airport representative will greet you with a signboard showing your name. Our guide and chauffeur will greet you and transfer you to the hotel to check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Saigon will certainly be an interesting visit.

Meal: None

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:30pm. Morning, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Cai Be. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we'll come to Tân Phong Island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music. Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less). Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Travel on the handmade canal to Ut Trinh home & have lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of Vinh Long city! Then, you transfer back to Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:00pm. Experience a historical adventure underground as you explore the Cu Chi Tunnels today. After breakfast at the hotel, your private tour guide and chauffeur will pick you up and take you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh. There, you'll discover the amazing tunnel systems that the guerrillas used to fight in the Vietnam War. You'll see the various weapons on display and learn how the guerrillas survived and resisted the enemy in the war. You'll also get to see how they built an impressive underground network that stretched for more than 200 kilometers, and hear stories and facts about the Vietnam War from your tour guide. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try shooting some of the guns used in the war at a nearby firing range (extra charges apply). Then, you'll have the opportunity to see how rice paper and coconut candy are made, and taste some of the local delicacies. You'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack, which was a common food for the guerrillas during the war. You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh for your second stop on the Bourdain Trail - to experience traditional Cơm Niêu (regular rice) and Com Dap (red rice). It's a crisp rice pilaf baked in clay pots, which must be broken open to serve. Lunch will include a Corn and Crab Soup, Thit Kho - a classic braised pork dish in a caramelized sauce, Ga Xao Gung - a simple stir-fried chicken dish with ginger, and Bo Sot Tieu Den - a tender beef dish with black pepper sauce. In the afternoon, you'll visit the War Remnants Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. The War Remnants Museum showcases the impact and consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people, with exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and weapons. You'll see the effects of Agent Orange, napalm, and other chemical weapons, as well as the atrocities committed by the US and South Vietnamese forces. The Fine Arts Museum displays the works of Vietnamese artists, from ancient to contemporary times. You'll see sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and textiles that reflect the culture and history of Vietnam. You'll also learn about the challenges and opportunities that the Vietnamese art sector faces in the present and future.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

In the late morning, you will transfer by flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport.

Approximate Schedule: 1:30pm – 6:00pm. Then our guide will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You'll be able to view its vast gardens and structure relics. Then you'll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you'll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you'll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and could only be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you'll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Approximate Schedule: 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the evening, transfer to Royal Park restaurant to enjoy a Hue Royal Cuisine experience: guests can enjoy a fine dining experience with specialties such as nem công (peacock spring rolls), chả phụng (phoenix-shaped patties), royal-style sticky rice, and a variety of soups and desserts once reserved only for royalty. The atmosphere is often enhanced by traditional music, royal costumes, and elegant decoration, giving visitors the feeling of dining like kings and queens.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm. Morning, after breakfast at your hotel, start riding a bike to Khai Dinh tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos on countryside scenery. When reaching Khai Dinh Tomb, start exploring the building which itself is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is of a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. The tomb is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards. Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh's grave, an altar to him as well as a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh tomb, continue to ride to Tu Duc tomb, road is rough, but surely it will bring you fun experiences and mix with local life and nature. After 15 minutes, biking you will arrive at Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh's Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc's tomb showcases a traditional elegance and many view it to be the most beautiful of Hue's royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, he is said to have preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace. Lunch at local restaurant before riding to another famous imperial tomb of Hue - Minh Mang tomb. It is about 5km from Tu Duc tomb. Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.) designed on a symmetric axis running from Dai Hong gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor's tomb. End the tour and return to Hue.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue

Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel, and then you'll be transferred by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. This will take approximately 2.5 hours to arrive at your hotel in Danang. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breathtaking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you'll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as 'Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean.' After you cross the summit, you'll approach a steep and narrow descent where you'll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

As you reach the base, you'll travel alongside the beaches of Da Nang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:30pm. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Rise early to visit a local hospital in Da Nang dedicated to the victims of Agent Orange, where we will donate some soup for the survivors on your behalf. Feel free to pack some second-hand paperback children's books, which can be donated to their library. Then stop for breakfast at a local restaurant to try out Cao Lau. Cao Lau is a noodle dish that features thick and chewy rice noodles, sliced pork, fresh herbs and a thin gravy. The noodles are made by one family in Hoi An with a secret recipe passed down through many generations – requiring water from a specific well, lye solution from the ash of trees that come from a certain island nearby, and rice flower, which gives them a very distinct texture and flavor. Continue to My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam's most important Cham site. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lay the 1,100 years old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while our guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the ruins they left behind. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes. Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

Stop for lunch with the guide to stop at a Bourdain favorite - Banh Mi Phuong is a famous sandwich shop in Hoi An, Vietnam, that serves crispy and delicious banh mi with various fillings. You can choose from pork, chicken, beef, cheese, egg, or vegetarian options, and enjoy the fresh and flavorful combination of meat, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs in a soft and crunchy baguette.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the resort facilities or explore on your own. Feel free to take the hotel shuttle to explore Hoi An Ancient Town for some custom lanterns which are famed in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

In the early morning, you will transfer by flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport. Then you will transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. You will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next-door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy. Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity). After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or giving night squid fishing a try with the staff (subject to seasonal availability).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Lan Ha Bay

Rise early for one of the best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called "Frog Lake", a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer to Hanoi.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the "36 Old Streets and Guilds". Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Approximate Schedule: 8:30am – 12:30pm. In the morning, you'll be transferred to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top.

Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. After the tour, you will return to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Today, you'll transfer by flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon to catch your flight back home and bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

Meal: Breakfast