For those looking to get lost amongst unspoiled nature, to eat truly authentic Vietnamese fare and experience local living far from the crowds; this one’s for you.

From Hanoi to Saigon, this ten-day group adventure will see you coast between Ha Long Bay’s soaring limestone peaks on a luxury boat. Zip through Saigon traffic on the back of a Vespa for the most authentic street food, meander around the islands of the Mekong Delta and fill up your memory card with breathtaking landscapes on one of the world’s most scenic train ride. You’ll be invited into the homes of hospitable families and dine with Buddhist nuns in Hue’s Dong Thien Pagoda.

For those time poor, looking to experience authenticity, genuine connections far from the crowds; in style and comfort.

From Hanoi to Saigon, this 8-day group adventure will see you coast  between Ha Long Bay’s soaring limestone peaks on a luxury boat. Meander  around the islands of the Mekong Delta and fill up your memory card with  breathtaking landscapes. You’ll be invited into the homes of hospitable  families and enjoy the most authentic Vietnamese meals around.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Max 16 travellers per group

All activities mentioned on the itinerary

2 meals per day on average

Two domestic flights

Hand-picked 4 star hotels

Private minibus, train & two boats

Accommodation in twin rooms

Experienced Fun Genie at each city.

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.
The walk to the family home is about 20 minutes

Accommodation:

Hanoi The Q Hotel - https://theqhotel.com.vn/

Included meal: Dinner    

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.

You will depart from your hotel after an early breakfast. The drive take about 3 hours. You will embark by noon.

Accommodation

Cozy Bay Cruise https://cozybaycruise.com/

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch, 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. Tai Chi class on the top deck to salute the sun. Settle in for breakfast then depart for a short walk to explore Cat Ba Island, the most important in the bay, before heading onward to Hue. Enjoy a VIP treatment at the hotel's mineral baths to prepare yourself for more adventures.

The flight to Hue takes a little over an hour. You will be picked up at the airport and delivered to your hotel. Arrival time is around 8PM.

Accommodation

Spatel d'Anam Hotel - http://spatel-annam.com/

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Hue is a UNESCO city steeped in Imperial history. Travel back in time to the Imperial days and wander through the sprawling Citadel, with its vast network of temples and pavilions. Lunch will be a unique affair as you join Buddhist nuns in rituals and eat in silence to savour the flavours. The evening is yours to explore what this ancient town has to offer.

Accommodation

Spatel d'Anam Hotel - http://spatel-annam.com/

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you’ll reach Hoi An by taking one of the world’s best train rides (as voted by Conde Nast). The Hue-Danang train travels at a leisurely pace through Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery. Once you’ve arrived in charming Hoi An, spend the late afternoon to explore what this beautiful sleepy town has to offer.

You will be delivered to the train station which is about 15minutes drive. The train to Danang take 3 hours. On arrival in Danang Railway Station, you will be picked up and delivered to Hoi An hotel which is 45 minutes drive away.

Accommodation

Lantana Amina Hotel -  https://aminalantana.com/

Included meal: Breakfast

After a relaxing evening, you’ll be ready for a day of cycling through Hoi An’s scenic countryside. Pedal through rice fields and swaying palm trees before taking a boat ride across the Thu Bon River to Cam Kim, an isle known for its tranquil village life. Here you’ll take a break from cycling at a noodle workshop. Watch as local craftspeople prepare a noodle that’s unique to Hoi An and taste this key Vietnamese ingredient fresh from the pot. Enjoy the afternoon free at your own pace by the pool or head to the beach. For the fashionable, customize your wardrobe at a Hoi An tailor. Check with your trip leader for the show schedule this evening of Lune Production shows, a highly acclaimed music theatre about the life and culture of Vietnam.

The bike ride begins after breakfast. You will be taken to the bike shop to get fitted at around 8AM. The ride takes about 4.5 hours in total. You will finish by 12:30 back at the bike shop.

The show begins at 6:30 PM with pre-show canape from 6PM. THe show is 1.5 hour long.

Accommodation

Lantana Amina Hotel -  https://aminalantana.com/

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast savored, venture forth to embrace an indigo dyeing workshop led by the talented visual artist, Le Thuy. Immerse yourself in the ancient art of fermenting indigo, crafting your bespoke design with Le Thuy's guidance. Depart with a beautiful cotton scarf of your own creation. Whetted appetite beckons a cooking class, an epicurean adventure through Hoi An's historic streets. Stroll the Old Town's charm, mastering new recipes to delight family and friends and let the flavors linger in the hearts of those dear.

The indigo workshop takes approximately 2.5 hours and is 5 minutes walk from the Old Town.

Cooking class take about 2 hours in total.

Accommodation

Lantana Amina Hotel -  https://aminalantana.com/

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast and some last moments in town, you will be picked up at the hotel for a 45 minutes drive to Danang Airpor. The flight to Saigon is about 1.5 hour, followed by a 45 minutes drive to your hotel.

There’s perhaps nothing more Vietnamese than sitting atop a tiny stool on a busy city street and tucking into a bowl of something brimming with intoxicating flavours. For all the fancy restaurants you could book a table at in Saigon, the city’s street food is where you’ll really feel the pulse of Vietnam’s flavours and people. Almost just as thrilling as all the dishes you’re about to try tonight is the chance to zip around the city on the back of a restored vintage Vespa. The places you’ll stop at aren’t in any guide book. These are places that evoke special memories of childhoods in the city for the locals. The streetfood on Vespa experience take 4 hours and you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Accommodations:

Bach Suites - https://www.thebachsuites.com/    

Included meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Saigon’s breakneck pace gives way to a totally different cadence once you enter Bến Tre Province in the Mekong Delta, a fascinating region where the locals have learned to be self-sufficient and live in harmony with the river’s natural bounty. Join a local family in the home they built themselves and dig into another authentic feast. Post-lunch, travel deeper into the hidden waterways of the Mekong on a private sampan. Before your final night dinner of yet more delicious Vietnamese food on to the best rooftop bar in Saigon. Partake in a sunset cocktail and make a toast to your adventures as you overlook the sprawling cityscape.

Ben Tre is 3 hours by private bus.

Accommodation

Mekong du Jardine Lodge

Included meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Included meal: Breakfast