Vietnam Splendor: 14 Days of 5-Star Indulgence

Hanoi, where streets blare with the horns of innumerable scooters, colonial architecture provides a visual feast and the smell of street food accents the air at every turn. You are invited into the home of a Hanoian family for a traditional Cha Ca meal. Sitting in their living room alongside three generations, you’ll get to feast upon a traditional fish or vegetarian dish that’s near-impossible to find outside of a family kitchen. Get to know your generous hosts and fellow travellers.

Once known as Thang Long and the capital of several successive dynasties, the food culture of this city is unique, representing the quintessence of northern flavors. Embark on a street food adventure in Hanoi to uncover the secret eats known only to local food lovers and explore the layered history of this ancient city.

Don't miss a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, built to train the scions of great houses for court positions. The stone stelae on the backs of stone tortoises still bear the names of the highest ranking graduates of each Imperial Exam, who have gone on to important posts and left their mark on the history of this country. Each year, students still come here to light incense and touch the tortoises for luck in their exams.

After your wander at the Temple of Literature, consider enjoying some refreshments nearby at a quaint tea house run by a master tea maker who has spent years rediscovering the secrets of tea that were largely forgotten during the years of the cultural revolution.

Ninh Binh, considered to be the birth place of Vietnam. Drift along tranquil riverways, nestled between towering limestone cliffs and lush rice paddies, aboard traditional bamboo boats. Explore ancient caves, adorned with mystique and history, and ascend to panoramic viewpoints for breathtaking vistas.

Your guide will pick up the group from your hotel lobby after breakfast and depart for Ninh Binh. We will stop at Hoa Lu, the capital of Dinh and Le dynasties and visit the temples to these early kings. Have lunch with a local family then on to your hotel.

This afternoon, we head to Bich Dong, a gorgeous temple complex and ride on sampan to soak in the beautiful scenery of this area.

Cycling through Ninh Binh offers an unforgettable experience, especially when visiting the photogenic Hang Múa. Pedal along scenic paths framed by towering limestone karsts and lush rice paddies, capturing the serene beauty of the countryside. The ride to Hang Múa is a gentle challenge, rewarded by the breathtaking climb to the mountaintop. As you ascend the 500 stone steps, you'll be greeted by panoramic views of the Tam Cốc River winding through the valley below. It's a photographer's haven, especially at sunrise or sunset, where the golden light makes every shot postcard-perfect. Cycling here is the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.

Ha Long Bay or the Bay of the Descending Dragon. Legend has it that a dragon created these thousand little islands. Board your luxury cruise boat and cruise amongst the 2,000 islands that dot this UNESCO world heritage site until you reach the isolated and lesser-explored Lan Ha Bay.
After lunch on deck, kayak the emerald water and may be explore one of the caves. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery on deck, cocktails and a sunset dinner.

When was the last time you saw the sunrise? Sunrise on Ha Long Bay is a singular beauty that will continue to move you after it has passed. Wake up with the sun and enjoy the quietness of the bay, obverse the activities of the small sampans on which the local fishermen have made their lives.

After breakfast, enjoy the last moments on the bay. You will return to port at noon. Lunch is served on board as you make your way back to port. Your driver will be waiting to transport you to Noi Bai airport for a short flight to Hue. Your private transfer await at Hue Airport to deliver you to your hotel.
It would be around 7:30PM when you get to Hue. No activities are planned
this evening. Enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Your adventure continues tomorrow.

Huế is an absolute delight to explore by bicycle, which is exactly how many Vietnamese get around these pretty streets. Today, take to pedaling to explore the peaceful city that served as the Imperial Capital of Vietnam from the early 19th to the mid-20th century.

You'll learn about the last Imperial Dynasty while exploring Huế 's spectacular Forbidden City and head to a Buddhist monastery, too, to hear the nuns share about their rituals and daily life. Sit down with the nuns for a vegetarian lunch they've prepared just for your group at the monastery.

It's all aboard a local train today as you ride the rails on one of the most beautiful train routes in Southeast Asia. The destination? Hoi An.

The joy is truly in the journey, as scenes of rural life and coastal beauty play out through the train windows as you roll along. Be curious and open during the three- hour ride; you might find that locals are willing to chat about their daily lives in this part of Vietnam. Someone might even offer to share a snack with you. This coastal train ride was voted as one of the 10 most beautiful train rides in the world by Conde Naste.

After checking in at your hotel, your Fun Genie will take you for a wander around the Old Town. Discover the street food tradition of this ancient trading port where you will find influences from southern China, Malay, India, Japan. Graceful, historic Hoi An is Vietnam's most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage, and he 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents, and a glut of tailor shops are very much part of the scene here. And yet, down by the market and over on Cam Nam Island, you'll find life has changed little. Travel a few kilometers further, you'll find some superb bicycle, motorbike, and boat trips, and some of central Vietnam's most enticingly laid-back scenery and beaches are within easy reach.

After breakfast at the hotel. You will meet with our Fun Genie for a guided tour of Hoi An village life by bicycle. Catch an electric car to the bike shop to set up. Then make your way through scenic rice paddies and village lanes. Try your hands at river reed mat weaving and learn to make rice noodles. Enjoy a simple lunch of traditional Hoi An noodles from what you've just made. The freshly hand made noodles is the best noodles you will ever have. Then wander through a boat making village before catching a boat ride back into town.

There are 4 must try dishes in Hoi An: cao lầu, mỳ Quảng, bánh mỳ, cơm gà. There are numerous street vendors and market stalls that serve up these delectable treats. Within the Old Town are upmarket restaurants that serve up westernised versions or modern fusion re-interpretations. Some have even gone down the path of “deconstruction”. If you prefer the authentic version then we recommend any street vendors or the market stalls. Cheap and wonderful and putting the money in the hands of those who need it. Price should be 30-50,000 VND or USD1.50-2.50.

Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel. Then head over to Hoi An's best kept secret to learn the art of brewing egg-coffee, a quintessentially way to enjoy Vietnamese coffee. It's both coffee and breakfast at the same time.

This afternoon, take a stroll over to the private artist studio for a fun hands on experience. The 2 hours workshop include an introduction to natural indigo dyes following the ancient fermentation process. You will try your hands at dyeing a cotton scarf or shirt that you can take with you as a self-made souvenir.

The rest of the day is left free for your to explore on your own. Chilling around town or head to the beach or enjoy your beautiful hotel.

This evening, enjoy a fantastic theatre telling the story of the highlands through dance and traditional music.

After breakfast, you will be transported to Danang airport for a short flight to Saigon.
Welcome to Saigon, a city that truly embodies the vibrant spirit of Vietnam. As the country's most dynamic city and a melting pot of cultures, it promises a captivating experience. From early morning until late at night, the streets of Saigon come alive with an enchanting mix of life, aromas, and sounds. Prepare to indulge your senses on this epic culinary tour. But before we delve into the food, let's uncover a little history. Formerly known as Gia Dinh, Saigon spent 100 years under French control until after World War II. During this period, the city gained recognition as the "Pearl of the Orient."

Enjoy the finest hotel breakfast in Saigon and head out to explore the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. The Mekong Delta is carpeted in a dizzying variety of greens. It's a water world that moves to the rhythms of the mighty Mekong, where boats, houses, and markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals, and streams that criss-cross the landscape like arteries. The bustling commerce of its towns contrasts sharply with the languid, almost-soporific pace of life in the countryside. Here buffalo wallow in rice paddies, coconut- and fruit-laden boats float slowly along the mud-brown waters, and two-wheeled exploration of the narrow lanes is amply rewarded with a true taste of rural hospitality (and delicious river fish).
A journey of three hours will drive you to the heart of the peaceful countryside. Discover the daily life enrolling right in front of you on a river-cruise. Stop by the different sites, observe in detail the different artisanal workshops.
On your way to Ben Tre province, the farmer life will disclose to you around the charming villages. Enjoy a local lunch prepared by an experienced cook before hopping on a sampan to the small canals to feel the peace of the countryside.

After breakfast in the garden, enjoy a few moments of peace and tranquility before heading back into the frenetic energy of Saigon.
You'll have a blast this morning, cycling through the fruit orchards surrounding your farmstay in Bến Tre. You'll also get an introduction to the tropical fruits that grow here, which you may or may not recognize from your supermarket back home.

This evening, enjoy a marvellous, internationally acclaimed show at the Opera that combines traditional music and dance, telling the stories of village life in the south of Vietnam.

It's the end of your adventure. Enjoy your last shopping spree of travel gifts. Let your trip leader know of your travel plan so your transfer can be organised.
If you plan to spend more time in Vietnam, we'd love to help.
Hope to see you soon on another adventure with us.