Welcome to Vietnam!
Meet & greet: Upon arrival at airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. Early check-in at your hotel is subject to availability on arrival.

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Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Morning tour of Hanoi & cyclo tour of the Old Quarter: Start the tour of Hanoi with a visit to a very beautiful Museum of Ethnology to enhance your understanding of Vietnam’s diverse culture through its unique presentation of objects & dress from daily life. Following we will pass by the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1945. Afterwards you will visit the ancient Temple of Literature which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam. End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by “cyclo” (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the “36 Streets District”, it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds.  This is still reflected in the names of certain streets:  like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street.  Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops.

Afternoon at leisure: Afternoon you have time at leisure to explore the city independently.

Breakfast
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Private transfer to Hai Phong: This morning (at approximate 09.30am to 10.00am) you will be picked up from the hotel by your driver & guide. You will then drive to Hai Phong via Ha Noi- Hai Phong new highway, drive takes approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. The road is in good condition but no Rest Stops are available currently.

Overnight Lan Ha Bay Cruise:  Lan Ha Bay is a tranquil part of the famous Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. This cruise runs through very less touristy’s areas in Lan Ha Bay so guests will feel very great when seeing the bay, taking photos or relaxing on the sundeck. You will arrive in Hai Phong around midday, where you will board your deluxe junk. Enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding while being acquainted with the facilities on board during the welcome briefing. We enjoy lunch on board in dining room offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. We start our unique journey of exploring one of the new wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay. Depends on itinerary of each cruise, guests will have chance to visit bright cave or trekking/cycling (electric car available) at Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island or swimming and kayaking in the private emerald water on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck.  Back on board, relax with Massage and Spa treatment, always available upon request. Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner on the top deck of your boat, all while floating in the center of serene Lan Ha Bay. After dinner, socialize with new friends and crew members, and join some nighttime squid fishing. Overnight onboard. Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.

 Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight on your selected boat in Lan Ha bay

Morning’s Cruise: Enjoy an early start with Tai Chi on the sundeck, otherwise sleep in until breakfast is served. This morning, you will experience kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area. Back on board a hearty breakfast is served in the dining room. Pack your luggage and check out of your cabin while cruising towards the port. Disembark the junk late this morning.

Road journey from Hai Phong back to Hanoi: On arrival at the quay you will be met by your guide and transferred back to Hanoi, approximately 2 hours drive. Check in your hotel upon arrival and relaxation.

 Brunch
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Road journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau: Depart Hanoi after breakfast for the scenic drive to Mai Chau taking around three hours passing fields of tapioca, sugar and rice paddies. Arrive in Mai Chau in time for lunch on the terrace of the Lodge overlooking the rice paddies. Mai Chau is an idyllic valley home to many hill tribes including the Dzao, Muong and Thai.

Guided tour of Mai Chau valley: this afternoon, we will enjoy a leisurely two hours cycling tour on local bikes through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. Through your guide, engage in a chat with local hill tribe people to learn about their daily lives such as planting rice, herding buffalos and building traditional houses. Dinner is at the lodge. Dinner is accompanied by a traditional dance performance by the Thai villagers.

 Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight in Mai Chau at your selected hotel

Guided trekking around Mai Chau: Today you have a guide at your disposal to do some trekking. There are many great trekking routes possible in the hills around Mai Chau and you can discuss what the right length and difficulty is for you with your guide, strolling through local villages and evergreen rice paddies. This nature works out will allow you to experience all that is going on in the fields as you pass by – from buffaloes ploughing to locals planting or harvesting the latest rice crop. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Lunch and dinner are taken at your lodge.

 Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight in Mai Chau at your selected hotel

Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Guided tour of Hue city: This morning, stroll around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence. Following, we will visit one of the Royal Mausoleums in Hue, the final resting places of the Nguyen Emperors, which are dotted around the hills surrounding the south bank of the Perfume River. End the day with stop by Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is time at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore Hue city and surrounding area independently.

Breakfast
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: This afternoon, you will be driven south, along highway 1, to Hoi An, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass. There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en-route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam’s turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Danang Bay. Arrive in Da Nang, we will continue drive to Hoi An and check in your hotel upon arrival.

Mid afternoon Hoi An walking tour: After some time at leisure in the afternoon, you will enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center including temples, old houses, pagodas and the Japanese-covered Bridge to introduce an insight of Hoi An architecture/ history as well as the restoration plan being implemented by UNESCO. Free on your own to explore this ancient town and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made upon into fine garments, all within a day. End the day with a drink at a river café after which you will return to your hotel.

Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Morning private cooking class with visit Organic Farm – Tra Que Village: This morning, meet up with your chef at the cooking school in the old town for a brief introduction and a welcome drink. Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village, and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home.  To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. Arriving at the cooking school, we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our chef, we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’. After the class we sit down and a chance to savour the dishes we have prepared. Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

Afternoon at leisure:  This afternoon is at leisure at your hotel to enjoy the facility of the hotel or explore Hoi An town independently, or relax at the nearby beach.

Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport for your flight to Saigon.

Private transfer: On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.

Afternoon guided tour of Saigon city: This afternoon visit Saigon’s historic landmark including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.

 Breakfast
Overnight in Sai Gon at your selected hotel

Full day tour to the Mekong Delta/Cai Lay: The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’ – a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong, known locally as Cuu Long, the river of Nine Dragons. The delta’s waters are interspersed with rice fields and isolated villages accessible only by boat. This morning you will be met at your hotel and head two hours southwest of Saigon and along the way notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway. Upon arrival in Cai Lay, board a charming wooden boat to enjoy countryside scenery and river life. Stretch your legs a bit and hop on a local bicycle for a pleasant ride of about 7km on easy, level terrain along narrow, shaded village lanes.  Locals will often greet you with a hello or ‘Xin Chao’ as you pedal by. Arrive at the home of a tropical fruit farmer and have a walk with him around his orchard, enjoying the opportunity to taste fresh fruits picked right from the trees. Then relax and enjoy the view from a small sampan boat as you are paddled slowly along idyllic canals. Disembark and continue your ride to a local home for a home-hosted lunch of Mekong Delta specialities. After lunch, you will be driven back to Saigon for the rest day at leisure.

Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Sai Gon at your selected hotel

Morning at leisure: This morning is at leisure in Saigon to explore independently and hunt for souvenirs. You will have to check out of your room at noon time and then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home. **note: check out time at your hotel is at 12:00pm

Breakfast
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