Immerse yourself in this 12-day escape to Vietnam. Designed for the discerning travelers seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences, this journey blends Vietnam’s rich tapestry of history and culture. Stroll through vibrant streets, savoring generations-old street foods and engaging with friendly locals. 

The charm lies in the details—hidden cafes, tranquil pagodas, and the rhythm of daily life. The lantern-lit streets invite you to discover its timeless beauty. Participate in private cooking classes and craft sessions at a local artist’s studio, where tradition and creativity blend seamlessly. 

Each day ends in accommodations that epitomize comfort and understated elegance, chosen for their subtle sophistication, commitment to sustainability and exceptional service.

This Vietnam adventure offers an immersive and intimate experience for those who value authenticity and and appreciate luxury.

Welcome to Hanoi — a city that has lived a thousand lives. Once the ancient capital of Thang Long, its soul still lingers in the 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter. Not much of old Thang Long stands today, yet wander a little and you’ll find centuries-old temples tucked behind cafés, banyan trees gripping the edges of alleyways, and shopfronts carrying stories passed down through generations. Each street still whispers its past: Hàng Bạc, once home to silversmiths, still glints with traces of its heritage; other lanes hum with tailors, herbalists, or craftsmen whose trades shaped the city long before it became Vietnam’s priciest real estate.

After checking in and taking a moment to freshen up, meet your local guide and storyteller for this first taste of Hanoi. Begin with a slow wander through the Old Quarter, where every corner reveals another legend, another sizzling wok, another family recipe that has survived dynasties and wars. Hanoi’s street-food culture is a treasure hunt, hidden in tiny alleys and lively stalls, where each dish carries a piece of the city’s memory.

Your adventure begins the moment you step out of the airport and into the rhythm of this remarkable city.

Included Activities

Dinner in a courtyard home of a Hanoian family: Step into a three-generation Hanoi courtyard home, where the air hums with childhood memories and the aroma of heirloom recipes. Around a shared table, you’ll savour dishes passed down quietly through the years—flavours no restaurant could ever replicate. Between stories, laughter, and the gentle rhythm of family life, you’ll feel the rare warmth of true connection and glimpse a Hanoi that still lives behind ancient wooden doors.

Accommodation:

Hanoi The Q Hotel or similar

Meals included: Welcome dinner

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 8:30 AM and set off into the lively rhythm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your first stop is Dong Xuan Market (9:00 AM), the city’s largest and busiest trading hall. Wander through aisles stacked with spices, colorful fabrics, toys, snacks, and all the beautiful chaos of daily life.

From here, stroll to O Quan Chuong Gate (9:45 AM), one of the last surviving ancient gateways of old Thang Long. Weathered by centuries of history, it marks the entrance to Hanoi’s oldest neighborhood.

Continue on foot to Bach Ma Temple (10:15 AM), one of Hanoi’s oldest temples, said to be founded in the 9th century. Incense, legends, and the hum of city life blend beautifully here.

Next, wind your way toward the soft Gothic arches of St. Joseph’s Cathedral (11:00 AM). Its French colonial façade stands in striking contrast to the buzzing streets around it. Just nearby, settle into a tiny café to try Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee (11:30 AM) — creamy, sweet, and surprisingly light.

Afterward, head to Van Mieu – the Temple of Literature (12:15 PM), Vietnam’s first university and a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to Confucius. Wander through courtyards once used to educate the country’s brightest scholars.

By 1:00 PM, lunch awaits at a charming local restaurant, serving northern Vietnamese dishes packed with flavor and tradition.

You’ll return to your hotel around 2:30–3:00 PM, full of stories, steps, and the unforgettable spirit of Hanoi

Accommodation

Hanoi The Q Hotel or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your day begins with a 7:00 AM pickup from your hotel lobby for the scenic drive east toward Ha Long. As the city fades behind you, the landscape opens into rolling countryside and quiet fishing towns — a gentle prelude to the wonders ahead. After roughly 3.5 hours, you arrive at the port, where your luxury vessel awaits.

Step aboard and settle in as the boat glides toward the legendary seascapes known as Hạ Long Bay — the Bay of the Descending Dragon. According to myth, a celestial dragon carved these thousands of limestone towers, leaving a maze of jade-green waterways behind.

By late morning, the cruise continues southward into Lan Ha Bay, a quieter, less-traveled corner of the archipelago. Here, the water turns glassier, the coves more secluded, and the sense of serenity deepens.

After a freshly prepared lunch on deck, spend the afternoon kayaking across emerald water, slipping into hidden lagoons or exploring one of the region’s fascinating sea caves.

As the sun begins its slow descent, return to the boat for cocktails on the sundeck. A golden glow settles over the limestone peaks — the perfect backdrop for a peaceful sunset dinner, far from the crowds and deep in the magic of Lan Ha Bay.

Included Activities

kayak

squid fishing

bioluminescence

cooking demonstration

Accommodation

Sena Cruise - https://senacruises.com/

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake early to the gentle stillness of the bay and watch the first light spill across the limestone peaks. From the deck, you can observe local fishermen paddling small sampans — a quiet, unchanged rhythm of life in Lan Ha Bay. After a relaxed breakfast around 7:30 AM, enjoy your final moments on the water as the boat begins its serene journey back toward shore.

Around 12:00 PM, the cruise returns to port. Lunch will be served on board as you approach the harbor, giving you one last panoramic sweep of this extraordinary seascape. Your driver will be waiting for you at the pier for the 2.5-hour drive back to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport.

In the late afternoon, you’ll take a short flight south to Hue, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM. A private transfer will greet you at the airport and deliver you to your hotel, located in the heart of this former imperial capital.

No activities are planned for the evening. Settle in, enjoy the hotel facilities, and take a quiet moment to unwind. Tomorrow, your journey through Vietnam’s imperial history truly begins.

Accommodation

Hue Spatel D'Annam (formerly the Imperial Medical Dispensary)

Transport:

Air conditioned vehicle to Noi Bai Airport

Flight to Hue Airport

Transfer from Hue Airport to Hue Hotel

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Helmets on at 8:30 AM — today Hue is best experienced from the back of a motorbike. Your first stop is the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, where your guide leads you through 2.5 hours inside the walled heart of Vietnam's last dynasty: throne halls, ceremonial gates, and pavilions where emperors once composed poetry between audiences.

Back on the bikes, you zip south to the tomb of Emperor Tự Đức — set among lotus lakes and whispering pines, it's the most poetic of all imperial resting places. A short detour brings you to the Thủy Xuân incense village, where family workshops produce the vivid pink and purple sticks that perfume temples across Vietnam.

Lunch is at Đông Thuyền Pagoda — a simple, unhurried vegetarian meal prepared by the resident nuns. The motorbikes then deliver you back to your hotel by 1:30 PM.

The afternoon is free. Wander the nearby village of Kim Long, steeped in Hue legend — including tales of Emperor Thành Thái slipping from the palace to secretly train a resistance force against the French.

Included Activities

Emperor Tu Duc Tomb

Vegetarian lunch at Buddhist Pagoda

Forbidden City

Accommodation

Hue Spatel D'Annam (formerly the Imperial Medical Dispensary)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch (vegetarian)

Your day begins with a 7:30 AM pickup from your hotel and a short transfer to the station for one of Southeast Asia’s most scenic rail journeys. Settle into your seat as the train pulls out around 8:15 AM, tracing a coastal route so striking it was named one of the world’s top 10 train rides by Condé Nast. For the next three hours, enjoy a slow, soul-soothing glide past fishing villages, emerald bays, rice paddies, and mist-draped mountains. This is Vietnam at its unfiltered best. Stay open and curious — locals may strike up a conversation, share stories of daily life, or even offer you a homemade snack.

You’ll arrive in Da Nang late morning and transfer 40 minutes to Hoi An, checking into your hotel around 12:30 PM.

After a short rest, meet your guide at 3:00 PM for a wander through Hoi An’s lantern-lit Old Town. Once a thriving international port, Hoi An blends Chinese merchant halls, Japanese bridges, Indian spices, Malay influences, and Vietnamese charm into one impossibly atmospheric whole. Sample street-side bites, duck into hidden alleys, and soak in riverside scenes where life has barely changed for generations.

Beyond the Old Town lie beaches, cycling routes, and peaceful islands — but today, just let Hoi An’s magic ease into your bones.

Included Activities

Hoi An city tour

Accommodation

Lantana Riverside or similar

Transport:

Transfer to Hue train station (20 minutes)

Train to Da Nang (3 hours)

Transfer to Hoi An Hotel (45 minutes)

Included meals: Breakfast

Your cycling adventure begins around 8:00 AM, when your guide picks you up from the hotel for a quick bike fitting and safety briefing. Once you’re comfortable, pedal across the river and into the charming villages just beyond Hoi An’s Old Town.

As you meander through narrow village lanes and rice paddies—dodging the occasional, slow-moving buffalo—you’ll feel the pace of life gently shift. Your first stop is at a mat-weaving family home, where you can watch this age-old craft in action and even try your hand at the loom.

Continue your ride deeper into the countryside to explore more village life before hopping into a basket boat. Once the most versatile mode of transport in this watery landscape, these round bamboo boats now offer a fun, leisurely spin through the coconut groves.

Back on your bike, cycle to a noodle-making home enterprise that supplies many of the restaurants across the river in Hoi An. Enjoy a divine fresh-noodle lunch—simple, local, and unbelievably good.

In the early afternoon, pedal onward to a boat-building village, where you’ll have a few moments to wander through the workshops and observe traditional craftsmanship. When your boat is ready, load your bikes aboard and cruise back across the river toward the Old Town, arriving refreshed and full of stories from Hoi An’s countryside.

The evening is free for you to explore on your own. Consider taking a cooking class for dinner and learn some new recipe to impress friends and family.

Included Activity:

Explore Hoi An Villages by bicycle

OPTIONAL: Cooking class (dinner)- Cooking class with one of Vietnam’s leading chef Hai, who paved the way for the new wave of modern Vietnamese re-interpretation. Old tradition meets new techniques. Phở bò, the northern style, which for many is the original true phở. Or, duck breast smoked with green tea is a recipe that will wow many dinner guests at your future parties. 

Accommodation

Lantana Riverside or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Start your morning with a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel before setting off on a delightful Hoi An experience. Around mid-morning (10AM), head to an artist’s studio for a two-hour creative workshop. Discover the secrets of natural indigo dyes, fermented using techniques passed down through generations. Try your hand at dyeing a cotton scarf or shirt, creating a unique, self-made souvenir to bring home. Your guide will introduce you to the history and traditions behind each process, making the experience as immersive as it is fun.

The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Wander Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, relax at your hotel, or take a short trip to the nearby beach.

In the evening, wander the lantern lit streets or spend time exploring the food scene.

Include activity:

Shibori dye workshop at artist's studio - Prepare for a special and intimate experience with one of Vietnam’s most celebrated contemporary artists, Le Thuy (www.lethuy.asia). Le Thuy’s private studio offers more than just a chance to learn art; it’s an invitation to step inside the creative world of an internationally acclaimed artist whose works can be found in prestigious museums and galleries in Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong. Le Thuy will guide you through the hands-on workshop, explaining the careful process of folding, binding, and dyeing, with each step unveiling more about the subtle art of indigo. You’ll learn how to manipulate the fabric in unique ways to create beautiful patterns, all while soaking in the artist’s insights on her personal journey and her creative philosophy. As you work, you'll feel connected not just to the materials, but to the broader cultural landscape of Vietnam. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your very own indigo-dyed creation—a truly personalized souvenir. More than just a piece of fabric, it’s a tangible connection to the tradition, creativity, and passion of one of Vietnam’s leading contemporary artists.

Accommodation

Lantana Riverside or similar

Included meals: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you for a morning coffee workshop with an award-winning barista. Learn the secrets behind Vietnam’s famous coffee, from traditional drip brewing to creative twists, and enjoy tasting your very own expertly crafted cup. This immersive experience is the perfect start to your day in Saigon.

Around 11:30 AM, your private transfer will take you to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Saigon. Arrive in the bustling southern city by mid-afternoon, where your guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Welcome to Saigon, a city that pulses with energy, a fascinating blend of old and new. Streets are alive with scooters weaving like a river in motion, vendors calling out fresh wares, and the aroma of pho, grilled meats, and sweet pastries filling the air. Once known as Gia Dinh, Saigon spent a century under French colonial rule, earning its nickname, the “Pearl of the Orient.”

This afternoon, take your first steps into the city on a curated culinary and cultural exploration. Discover hidden street-food corners, sample classic Vietnamese dishes, and soak in the rhythms of daily life — a delicious and sensory welcome to southern Vietnam.

Included Activity:

Coffee experience with award winning barista - Coffee enthusiasts are in for a delightful experience like no other. As you step inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, enticing your senses. The skilled baristas craft each cup with precision, using only the finest beans sourced from exotic regions worldwide. Tuan, the owner, who traded in his architecture degree to learn how to brew coffee. He is now a multi-award winning highly respected barista and will go through the ins and outs of what actually works and what is just hipster hype. Finally, enjoy a Vietnamese drip coffee, the way coffee is meant to be brewed.

Accommodations:

Silverland Ben Thanh or similar 

Transport:

Transfer to Da Nang Airport

Domestic flight to Saigon

Transfer to Saigon Hotel

Included meals: Breakfast

Breakfast in Saigon, then a 7:30am departure for Ben Tre province. Three hours southwest through traffic that thins as the city gives way to rice paddies and fruit orchards. The Mekong Delta earned its "rice bowl" nickname honestly – this region feeds the nation.

Around 10:30am you're boarding a boat to cruise Ben Tre's network of canals. Water buffalo stand knee-deep in paddies. Boats loaded impossibly high with coconuts and dragon fruit drift past. Stop at workshops where coconut candy's still made by hand, rice paper dries on bamboo racks in the sun.

Lunch happens at a local home – river fish, vegetables picked that morning, rice that tastes nothing like what comes from a bag. Simple food, properly done.

After lunch, either cycle through village lanes or take a sampan into the narrow canals where palms overhang the water and the only sounds are paddles and birds. It's Vietnam at its most unhurried.

You're back on the road by 3:30pm, hitting Saigon around 7-8pm depending on traffic. Long day, but the delta rewards the effort – it's a different Vietnam than the cities show you.

Included Activities

Mekong Delta tour

Accommodation

Silverland Ben Thanh or similar

Transport:

Air-conditioned private transfer to Ben Tre and return

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning pickup for the hour-plus drive northwest out of Saigon. The landscape shifts from urban sprawl to rubber plantations and rice paddies. Cu Chi district looks peaceful now – hard to imagine it was one of the war's most contested areas.

The tunnel complex extends for over 250 kilometers underground. What you'll see is a small section enlarged for tourists (the original tunnels were built for people averaging 5'3", not Western frames). Still claustrophobic. Still effective at conveying what living underground for years actually meant.

You're back in Saigon by early afternoon. The rest of the day's free – recover at your hotel, explore on your own, whatever sounds right after spending a morning thinking about war.

Included Activities

Cu Chi Tunnels

Accommodation

Silverland Ben Thanh or similar 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Vietnam has a way of getting under your skin. The chaos of Hanoi's Old Quarter that felt overwhelming on Day 1 now makes a strange kind of sense. The stillness of Lan Ha Bay at dawn. The weight of history inside the Citadel walls. The blue stain of indigo on your hands in Hoi An. The unhurried rhythm of a sampan moving through the delta.

You leave with a bag full of laundry and a head full of stories — and probably a list of things you meant to do but didn't, which is exactly how it should be. That's what brings people back.

Check out at your leisure. Your departure transfer is included — we'll confirm timing the day before.

Included Activities

N/A

Accommodation

N/A

Included meals: Breakfast