Day
1 -
Hanoi
ARRIVAL IN HANOI
Welcome to Noi Bai International Airport. Meet our tour guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight: Hanoi
Day
2 -
Hanoi
HANOI CITY TOUR (B, L, D)
After breakfast head into the Hanoi City to visit the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 streets”. Take a walking tour through the charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, stopping off at Ngoc Son Temple in between. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleyways is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Continue on to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Your next stop is the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam. Visit the former president’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Continue on to the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda before heading back to the hotel. Dine at La Verticale this evening, located in a charming villa dating back to the 1930’s. The cuisine is considered artistic, uncluttered and extremely diverse in flavour. Much acclaimed chef and owner Didier Corlou has lived in Vietnam for 15 years and obviously has a “love affair” with Vietnamese food.
Overnight: Hanoi
Day
3 -
Hanoi
HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR (B, L)
After breakfast depart for an insider street food tour. Meet the local guide, one of Hanoi’s well-known food bloggers, at your hotel around 9h30 and discover some of the capital’s top street food dishes combined with a unique cultural experience. Transfer to the center of Hanoi where the tour commences on foot (make sure you wear comfortable shoes!). Stroll through the Old Quarter passing the old East Gate to Thanh Ha Market. Along the way, sample delicious foods and learn about traditional Vietnamese cooking styles and eating customs. Continue through the Old Quarter to the Dong Xuan Market and have some local treats while doing so. Explore the food market with its many products on offer ranging from dried goods to aromatics which are both essentials in the Vietnamese cuisine. Later on, walk down Hang Than Street to see the ceremonial cake stalls and try some of the by French pastry inspired desserts. Then head back into the Old Quarter via Hang Cot Street where an array of fruit is on display. Next to Phung Hung Street makeshift market stalls reflect Hanoi’s clash of tradition and modernity. At the end of the tour, stop at one of the Old Quarter’s busiest, yet smallest coffee shops for a well-deserved coffee break. Enjoy the remainder of the day browsing through the city yourself or at the hotel.
Overnight: Hanoi
Day
4 -
Ship
HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT BOAT TRIP (B, L, D)
After breakfast leave Hanoi for an overnight boat trip through Halong Bay. On your journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe the everyday life of Vietnamese villagers. Arrive to Halong City late morning and board the boat for the overnight trip into the bay. Lunch will be served en route, whilst cruising along the bay’s iconic limestone formations. Towards the end of the day set the anchor for the night. As the sun sets over the bay, dinner is served on board including fresh seafood, salads, and fruits.
Overnight: Ship
Day
5 -
Hue
HALONG BAY - FLIGHT TO HUE (B, L)
For early risers, complimentary tea and coffee is served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. On the cruise back to Halong City, enjoy a wholesome brunch as the boat is weaving its way to the port through extraordinarily shaped limestone rock formations. Upon disembarkation, pick-up by our guide and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, meet our local guide and then transfer to the hotel for check in.
Overnight: Hue
Day
6 -
Hue
HUE DAY TOUR (B, L, D)
A culinary tour of Vietnam would not be complete without a visit to Hue. Considered the best in the country, the “royal cuisine” of Hue originated during the days of the Nguyen Dynasty, when the rulers were served lavish meals meeting specific culinary demands. Although the emphasis is on presentation these days, the delicious flavours of the royal cuisine continue to tempt modern palettes. Lunch at an ancient Hue restaurant. Head to dai noi ‘Old City’ of Tinh Tam Lake (a former emperor holiday spot) in a cyclo, a three-wheel bicycle taxi. Continue by cyclo to Tay Loc Market, located in the northwest part of dai noi. This market is mostly used by locals and rarely visited by tourists. From here transfer to the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil. The Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the late stages of the Vietnam War. This evening dinner is held at the “garden house” known locally as “nha vuon”. This house in a traditional Vietnamese style is set in a large and attractive formal garden and connected to the ancient Hue Royal Imperial Court. A typical Vietnamese greeting will await its guests, followed by an extraordinary meal prepared by the lady of the house. Food is served traditionally in the private gardens of the home.
Overnight: Hue
Day
7 -
Hue
HUE CITY TOUR (B, L)
The morning starts with a visit to the Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. It was constructed in 1601 and a 21-meter high tower is the centrepiece of the pagoda, representing the seven reincarnations of Buddha. Also located within the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made known to the world by the 1963 self-immolation of a resident monk. It became one of the most famous images from the American War. Next station of your visit is the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. For lunch, sample some of Hue’s specialty foods at Huynh Anh Kim Long. Only frequented by locals, this restaurant serves banh uot, a steamed rice pancake stuffed with delicate, finely chopped pork and bun thit nuong which is a rice noodle dish served with grilled meat. In the afternoon, proceed to the 500 year old weaving village of Bao La, on the road to Thanh Toan Bridge. Bao La villagers work hard to meet the demands of the foreign and domestic markets and are proud of their dexterity, creativity and passionate work. After visiting Thanh Toan, one of two covered bridges in Vietnam, take a drive north to the 500-year-old village of Phuoc Tich. The place once was famous and prosperous for its pottery. It contains dozens of 100 - 200 years old homes and several old temples, pagodas, worship halls and communal houses. Learn about the families’ religious culture reflected by individual ancestor worship halls. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight: Hue
Day
8 -
Hoi An
DRIVE HUE TO HOI AN (B, L)
The day starts with a 3-hour drive from Hue to Hoi An and leads along a scenic route, passing through Danang, where you stop to visit Cham Museum. Continue the drive over the Pass of Ocean Clouds, down to the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Despite being 200 years old and the traces that the war and nature left, the centre of Hoi An remains looking close to what it used to in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to explore this marvelous town including stops at the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old covered Japanese Bridge and the colorful market.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day
9 -
Hoi An
HOI AN COOKING CLASS (B, L)
Meet at Hai Café and enjoy a welcome drink before travelling by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village. Take a walk through the gardens where local farmers work the fields using traditional methods. Pick fresh, saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint which will be used later on in the cooking class. Head to the local village market to buy the ingredients such as star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. Go to the Red Bridge Cooking School where you have time to freshen up before the class starts. Learn how to prepare a Vietnamese dish with fresh ingredients from scratch while working together with the resident chef. When all the preparations are done, enjoy the homemade meal down by the tranquil riverside of Thu Bon River of Hoi An. After lunch there is time for a dip into the Red Bridge’s swimming pool. Transfer back to Hoi An and time to spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hoi An
Day
10 -
Ho Chi Ming City
HOI AN - SAIGON FOOD TOUR (B, D)
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Saigon in South Vietnam. Upon arrival pick up by our guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Experience the nightlife of Saigon the way the locals do - on the back of a scooter. The Saigon Food Tour begins at 18h00 with a pick up from the hotel. At the first stop taste a variety of light evening snacks before heading on to a traditional quan for dinner and drinks. Complete the evening out with a typical visit to a Vietnamese-style sweet soup shop.
Overnight: Ho Chi Ming City
Day
11 -
Ho Chi Ming City
CU CHI COOKING CLASS - CU CHI TUNNELS (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Cu Chi Agricultural to visit the Vietnamese Medicine Garden with its different herbs, spices and vegetables. Learn which of them can be used for cooking as well as for medical cures. Pick herbs and vegetables from the garden and cook healthy meals under guidance of the professional chef of the cooking school. After lunch head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Before going underground, a short introductory video of how the tunnels were built is shown. Then spend time exploring the maze of tunnels including the secret cellar door, the museum of self-made weapons, the shooting range, the garment factory and the ammunition.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day
12 -
Ho Chi Minh City
SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA/ CAI BE (B, L)
Head out of the city in the morning on a 2.5 hour drive to the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be. Upon arrival board the Victoria boat. Based on the traditional sampans, these boats are the perfect way to explore the delta. The tour starts with the visit of Cai Be’s colourful floating market. Proceed to visit local factories producing rice popcorn and coconut candy. The day continues with an excursion to the islands of Dong Phu, Binh Hoa Phuong and Anh Binh. These evergreen islands in the middle of the Mekong River cause it to spread out into a large network of countless, meandering arroyos. Stop for lunch at a superb colonial-style villa located in a quaint village. The specialty of the Mekong, “elephant ear fish”, will be served, grilled and wrapped in rice paper together with fresh herbs. Following the meal, board the boat again to discover the beautiful landscape along the river. The boat docks after crossing the Co Chien River and you return to Ho Chi Minh City via road. The evening is free to discover the vibrant southern city on your own.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day
13 -
Ho Chi Minh City
SAIGON DEPARTURE (B)
Today is departure day. A private car and guide is available up to the departure to the airport.
Hanoi
