Flavours of Vietnam

📍 Noi Bai International Airport - Central Hanoi (35 km): 50 mins

Hanoi, a city of contrasts, defies easy categorization. It's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: it's a place that’s captivating, to all the senses. 

Be greeted upon arrival then transfer approx. 50 mins (35km) from Noi Bai Airport to central Hanoi in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide.

Notes: 
- If you’re unable to find the guide in the arrivals area, call the 24-hrs customer care number +84 917332246
- The standard check-in time at hotels is 14:00.
- The itinerary can be flexible based on the arrival flight schedule; some sites can be visited today to have more time at sites or adding some other sites in the next day (with small surcharge).                                                               

In the evening, savour a welcome dinner at Tam Vi, a Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurant with a cosy ambiance.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Today’s tour begins at 08:30. Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. A city of contrasts, defies easy categorization, it's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. 

Dive right in with a visit to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years.

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour):  

Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum. Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.  

Option 2: Hoa Lo Museum: Step back in time to the days of the Vietnam War at the "Hanoi Hilton." Once home to POWs, the exhibits include photographs, artefacts, and displays.

Conclude the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 

Transfer back to your hotel for a short rest. 

Afternoon tour starts from 17:00, from the historical Sofitel Metropole Hotel. Begin the walk toward the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, passing by the Tonkin Palace and Hanoi Post Office. 

At a bakery in front of the church, wake up the taste buds with a cup of coffee and a pastry.  Once caffeine fueled, continue on foot past monuments: the National Library of Vietnam, the infamous Maison Centrale and the Supreme People's Court.   

Stop under the shade of a native tree to sample some noodles and get to know how this tasty countryside dish was brought to the city. Then stroll through a backstreet to a hidden away community to meet a former ‘cell secretary’ of the Communist Party at his family home.  

After this interesting encounter, continue south to a peaceful neighbourhood to sample the ‘king of street foods’ – the Vietnamese ‘banh mi’. From here, walk through residential areas on hidden passages to reach a local resident wet market (until 1800).  

Stop by the famous Bun Cha Huong Lien, where the US president Barack Obama ate grilled pork and rice noodles with the celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. Then comes one of the most loved beef noodle restaurants in Hanoi - Pho Thin, which dates back to 1979. 

Continue on the food trail by tasting fresh spring rolls and lotus stem salad before crossing the yard of a university designed by a famous French architect. 

Finish up the exploration of this area with a stroll past the Opera House to taste Hanoi’s most famous ice cream, named after the street Trang Tien, which dates back to 1958. Once seated, head back to the hotel.  

Notes: 
- Order of visits and types of food eaten subject to change 
- The tour may be subject to change due to weather conditions etc. 
- The tour is primarily conducted on foot so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. 
- Street food options for vegetarians are limited. Not recommended for vegans 
- The experience offered while vetted as visiting popular and well-frequented local establishments, either street stalls or local family run establishments, standards might not be comparable with international standards. While we check the standards of these local vendors, please be aware that consuming street food involves some risk.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Hanoi to Halong Bay (160 km): 2.5 hrs

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wondrous shapes covered in lush flora is truly breathtaking.   

Following breakfast, leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon, the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 

Enjoy sunset on the deck followed by dinner, then retiring for the evening. 

Please note: Subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Overnight on Halong / Lan Ha Bay.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Halong City - Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (190 km): approx. 3,5hrs / Da Nang Airport - Central Hoi An (30 km): 50 mins

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the islands of the bay for breakfast (brunch on some boats) while enjoying the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. 

Mid-morning, proceed to checkout as the cruise cruises towards port.  Disembark and transfer 3 hours to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for the 1.5 hour flight south to Danang City. 

On arrival at Danang airport, the gateway to Hoi An, your private guide and driver will assist with the transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Be greeted upon arrival then transfer approx. 50 mins (30 km) from Da Nang Airport to Central Hoi An in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide.  

Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns and UNESCO-heritage listed, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries now draws international visitors to its streets, for both the history and the surrounding scenes.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Note: 
- The cruise’s itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
- Over the past years Halong Bay has been experiencing increasing environmental problems such as pollution, overfishing and impairment of its natural habitats. We encourage you to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay, but also to help protect and preserve it so that future generations can experience its beauty with responsible tourism behaviour which is crucial to reducing issues on Halong Bay and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
- To ensure we can effectively manage guest dietary needs during the cruise, please provide a list of any specific food restrictions or preferences at least 7 days prior to arrival. Please note that accommodating last-minute dietary changes may not be feasible and could incur additional costs  
- A surcharge applies between the following hours: 18:00-07:00
- If you’re unable to find the guide in the arrivals area, call the 24-hrs customer care number +84 917332246.
- Please note the standard check-in time at hotels is 14:00

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Be enchanted by the historic wonders and charm of UNESCO-heritage Hoi An. Spend a half day with a local guide, exploring the ancient town. Explore former merchants’ homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge.

Today’s tour will begin at 08:30. Be charmed by Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns. 

Meet a knowledgeable local guide for this introductory, half day Hoi An city tour, learning all about its illustrious past as a trading port. Take a walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood hundreds of years of weather and war. 

Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. The bridge spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colourful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

Explore smaller laneways and local neighbourhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An, return to the hotel or your next destination.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Escape to an organic farm set up by a passionate team of locals to learn all about Vietnamese cuisine. Try local produce and unique ingredients to cook a meal that perfectly balances the flavours of yin and yang.   

Today, leave the hotel at 08:30 for a short transfer to the organic farm. Located about 3km from the central Hoi An, this tucked away farm was established by an expert in nutrition based out of the love of food and local cuisine. Be greeted by the passionate team at the farm and start the experience.

Just like the varied landscape of Vietnam, the cuisine contains a brilliant balance of aromatics, heat, sweetness, sourness, and umami flavour from the use of fish-sauce. The cuisine is all about the balance between yin and yang; the sweet and the salty, the cool and the warmth, the fresh and the fermented. Follow the expert in nutrition and explore the farm while listening to inspiring stories about how to use food and vegetables for healthy living. Pick-up some ingredients before heading to the lovely kitchen to make dishes.  

There will be multiple dishes to create, during the hands-on experience using rice flour with an old stone grinder to make rice paper in a traditional way. Once complete, sit down and feast on a delicious meal of authentic local cuisine. 

After filling up on these home-cooked delights, return to Hoi An. 

This afternoon, come hungry and think of the experience as ‘snacking your way’ through the experience. Pick up from your hotel with the trusted lead of your expert guide, gain an introduction of Hoi An specialities cooked by old family friends. Your guide grew up on these streets, eating at these same food stalls as a child. 

The exclusive access to the faces behind the stock pots will teach you how the Hoi An locals live and eat, and how in fact many people graze, due to the portion size, people can eat all day! 

Once you skirt the old town, wander into the outskirts, weaving in and out the small alleyways where you'll chow down with the locals at stalls you'd never discover on your own. End the adventure with a tummy full of great food and a heart full of joy.

Note: limited vegetarian options, not suitable for vegans, maximum 6 persons per group based on availability.
 

Overnight in Hoi An

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hoi An to Hue (150 km): 3hrs

Enjoy this morning at leisure before the departure from Hoi An to Hue City, the former royal capital of the Nguyen Dynasty.  

Just over an hour from Hoi An, drive over the Hai Van mountain pass, one of the world’s greatest coastal stretches. Jungle-topped mountains slope down into the sea, shaping uninhabited bays, forging gushing waterfalls, and even influencing the weather. The whole pass is 20 km in length — so time to enjoy the view. 

Cruise down the pass north, with sweeping views, over a railway track then along the beautiful Lang Co Lagoon before continuing north to Hue City to the hotel for check in.

Enjoy a private dinner at the lovely Tha Om garden house. 

A Hue “nha vuon” usually consists of a main and back entrance, and a small wall, rockwork and plants in the front yard and in the house itself. In the middle of the garden, a binh phong (brick wall) rises in front of the house, serving as a defence and protection of the altar in the main room of the house. The path leading around the wall from the entrance gate is lined with tea bushes or apricot trees. The typical house is made with a timber frame and roofed with brick tiles. The whole house stands on big pillars placed on a round or square stone base, which is sometimes decorated. The altar of the family’s ancestors occupies the central room. 

Overnight in Hue.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00 08:30 (or alternatively at 13:30). Take a short, but insightful, tour through historic Hue. With hundreds of years of history, it would be impossible to see everything in a day but this tour gives a fabulous overview of the city’s culture and history.

Kick off this half-day tour in Hue with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Roam the expansive grounds, admiring buildings that reflect the pomp and ceremony of the once-mighty Nguyen Dynasty. Hear the stories of the majestic buildings and intriguing former emperors. Take a look at areas damaged by conflicts, both ancient and modern, and learn of Hue’s role in Vietnam’s military history. Stop at Kien Trung Palace, once the residence of Vietnam's last emperors, which has been superbly renovated by the local conservation department in recent years.

Continue by cyclo to get a closer look at the tranquil gardens and traditional buildings of the areas. Arrive at Tinh Tam Lake, a lake filled with lotus flowers (season dependent). Meaning ‘Peace of Mind’ the emperors used to relax along the water's edge and is still a popular place for Hue residents to wind down.  

Then leave the city centre and travel through Hue’s beautiful countryside. Arrive at Khai Dinh’s tomb for a stroll. One of the Nguyen Dynasty’s former emperors, this remarkable complex blends traditional Vietnamese in design with European touches, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Return to the hotel or next destination after this last visit.

This delicious Hue evening experience begins with a 17:30 pickup from the hotel in Hue by vintage Vespa motorbike. Once acquainted with your bike and driver, drive to the first stop for a refreshing drink at a bar located in the centre of Hue. 

Continue to a nearby local restaurant to sample some of the city’s favourite specialities such as Banh Beo, Banh Nam and other Banh Uot (literally wet cakes).  

Continue through the streets to the Imperial Citadel, draped in light. Take a short stroll around the grounds of the historic Citadel and the Flag Tower to see the transformation between night and day. See how food stalls and pop up games for children are set up to entertain the many locals who gather here on a nightly basis. Taste some delicious local ‘pizza’ banh trang accompanied by pork skewers. 

Ride around the Citadel and reach the centre of Hue to try the renowned ‘bun bo Hue’, the signature dish of the city. Top off this tasty evening discovery with a delicious local dessert in a small backstreet, before returning to the hotel around 21:30.
 

Overnight in Hue

Notes:
- Limited choice for vegetarians, not suitable for vegans
- The experience offered while vetted as visiting popular and well-frequented local establishments, either street stalls or local family run establishments, standards might not be comparable with international standards. While we check the standards of these local vendors, please be aware that consuming street food involves some risk.
- We suggest comfortable clothing (trousers, leggins, shorts or long skirts) in order to hop on and off the motorbike easily.
- Motorbike/Vespa tours are not recommended for young children and only suitable for children 6-years+ (seating pillion alone with the driver). Helmets for kids are available.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Discover Hue's renowned vegetarian cuisine with a cooking class that provides a unique insight into the city's cultural heritage. The class will take place in a traditional garden house for a tranquil outdoor cooking experience and gain a deeper understanding of the connections between food, culture, and spirituality in Vietnamese society.

As the nation’s capital for roughly 200 years, Hue is the cradle of quintessential Vietnamese cuisine. Even though there is so much food to try, vegetarian cuisine finds its own fame through the effect of Buddhism on locals’ life, when most locals have at least two meat free days per month.

Today’s tour will begin at 09:00 with a short transfer to the An Cuu Market, one of the biggest markets in Hue, where locals shop daily. Meet our chef and follow him to explore the fresh ingredients while discovering different veggies used in our dishes today. A 15 mins transfer away from the city centre will take you to the garden of one of the oldest families who founded Ngoc Anh village in 1558, where your cooking class places. Take your time to explore the garden before starting your cooking lesson.

Following, it is time to start cooking. Learn about the balance of Hue vegetarian cuisine, the cultural and spiritual traditions that have influenced Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine, including the principles of Buddhism that advocate for a meat-free diet. During the six dish course (two cooked by you and 4 by the chef), be surprised by how Hue’s people turn veggies into delicious dishes and understand how cuisine evolved to adapt to the change of modern life but still keep the soul of traditional food.

Return to the hotel by 14:00 and be fulfilled with delicious memories and a deeper understanding of the connections between food, culture, and spirituality through vegetarian cuisine.

Overnight in Hue.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Central Hue to Phu Bai Airport (17 km): 30 mins / From Tan Son Nhat Airport - Central HCMC (8 km): 30 mins

Transfer approx. 30 mins (17km) from Hue Hotel to Phu Bai Airport in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. Once known as the ‘Pearl of Indochina’, Saigon boasts an enormous architectural wealth, mirroring its colourful history. From the pagodas, museums and European architecture of the city’s recent past to the growing number of skyscrapers, Saigon is like a trip through time. 

In the evening at 18:00, get picked up from the hotel by your driver for an exciting scooter ride through the rush of Vietnam’s busiest city. Ride pillion through unassuming streets and alleys to witness an insider’s view of the Saigonese and their famed cuisine. 

Begin your culinary adventure with a visit to the go-to spot for sizzling ‘Banh Xeo’, a Vietnamese pancake, and bite-sized ‘Banh Khot’. Not only will you savour the crispy, flavorful dish that’s beloved by locals, but you’ll also have the opportunity to witness firsthand the culinary expertise of the skilled cook who prepares it with care. 

Continue through the backstreets and venture to a vibrant residential complex to witness the daily lives of locals. You’ll observe small apartments where three generations may reside under one roof, while neighbours converse and share stories of their day. Lively, colourful and vibrant, sit down for a seafood dinner, a well-loved meal among Saigonese. If fortunate, catch a glimpse of the charismatic owner. 

Once sated, take the lesser-known paths of the city to reach the bustling flower market that remains open round the clock. From there, make your way to a bustling night market nestled in a nearby residential complex, where the city's young and adventurous come to congregate. Join the locals sampling delectable savoury bites or indulgent desserts if your taste buds are feeling tempted.

Finish up this two wheeled culinary adventure with a local equivalent of beef bourguignon soaked up with banh mi at an establishment that’s been in operation since 1975. To finish, and if the stomach allows, sample some of the Saigon’s best coconut ice cream.  Your scooter will then transport you back to your hotel where the tour ends.

Note: 
- Scooter tours are not recommended for children under 5-years old and only suitable for children 6-years+.
- The experience offered while vetted as visiting popular and well-frequented local establishments, either street stalls or local family run establishments, standards might not be comparable with international standards. While we check the standards of these local vendors, please be aware that consuming street food involves some risk.

Overnight in Saigon 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Today’s half day tour begins at 08:30 to learn all about this southern city with a walking tour (depending on the season, this order might be changed) through the historic city centre and CBD. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House. 

Then step off the main road into a historic building revolutionised by the city’s youth. Here, locally owned retail stores, coffee shops and art spaces offer a glimpse into the city’s creative generation. If time allows, sit for a coffee at one of the building’s cafe’s. 

Continue on foot to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975. 
  
Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.  

Finish up the tour at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighbourhood market, the central location also welcomes travellers with a variety of stalls. 

This afternoon, experience a different discovery of Saigon; the caffeine habits of the locals and the significance of coffee drinking in Vietnamese culture.

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the late 19th century with the country quickly becoming a leading exporter as vast areas of the highlands were given over to this important new cash crop. Today, the Vietnamese have taken coffee to new gastronomical levels, which continues to evolve. 

Start with a stroll through a buzzing local residential area and delve right into local life while browsing the street, watch people enjoying their coffee, reading their newspapers or chatting with each other.  

Here, visit a 90-year-old coffee shop, the oldest in Saigon. Get to know the unique way of making coffee while listening to tales related to this trade.

As part of the tour, you will have a chance to visit a charmingly restored ‘shophouse’ located in the historic part of the city, which still operates as a trading area. Once there, discover the exquisite flavours of Vietnamese specialty coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee. 

Caffeine fueled, conclude the tour with a drive back to your hotel. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Central HCMC - Tan Son Nhat Airport (8 km): 30 mins

Spend the day at leisure until the time for transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast