LUXTRAVEL THAILAND
13 NIGHTS: VIETNAM IN STYLE
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho
DAY 1 HANOI
Arrival in Hanoi
Meet with your guide on arrival at Hanoi Airport and transfer to the legendary Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi located in the heart of Hanoi's old quarter. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the fine dining Vietnamese restaruant Ly Club.
DAY 2 HANOI
Hanoi Through the Lens
Explore interesting locations and hidden corners of Vietnam’s capital on foot while learning how to take great travel photos. Discover the fundamentals and gain a unique insight into the real Hanoi. Explore Long Bien Historic Bridge, Long Bien market and Dong Xuan market which was built by the French in 1889. Stroll past old apartments and the 36-street Old Quarter. Walk along the rail tracks and see how locals live close to the railway. Continue to explore new Hanoi with modern buildings. View the city from the observation deck at one of the highest buildings in the bustling area of Hanoi and enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar.
DAY 3 HANOI
Culinary Experience and Nom Village
In the morning, meet with a local chef for a local market tour. The professional chef with a decades of experience will show you how to select the freshest ingredients for local foods. Continue to the chefs home for a private hands-on cooking class and share the meal for lunch. This afternoon visit Nom Village, a traditional rural village located in the northern delta. Spend time with the villagers and learn about their personal stories and way of life and visit some of the village houses and places of worship.
DAY 4 HA LONG BAY
Ha Long Bay Cruise
This morning we transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a scenic 60-minute seaplane flight to Ha Long Bay with a spectacular birdseye view of the bays and karst limestone formations. Then board the luxury Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan for a leisure cruise through Halong Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago. We will stop at the Tra Bau area or Ba Trai Dao Beach for swimming and kayaking. In the evening, a chef will demonstrate preparing traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight onboard.
DAY 5 HUE
Ha Long Bay to Hue
This morning on board, experience Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art then take a bamboo boat to visit a cave. We cruise back to the marina then transfer to the airport in Hanoi for the flight to Hue. Meet with your guide on arrival and check in to Ancient Hue Garden Houses, elegant French Colonial accommodation located in an area adjacent to Hue’s Imperial Citadel where traditions have been preserved over time. This evening enjoy dinner with royal costume wearing, a royal ceremony and a Hue Folk music performance.
DAY 6 HUE
Ancient Hue and Traditional Lunch
Begin todays tour of the ancient city at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Hop on a cyclo for a tour through the Imperial City. Visit Tran Dinh Son private museum with a collection of Royal items then continue to the Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, which represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. In the grounds of the pagoda is the car which was driven in 1963 by a resident monk, who in a protest against the southern regime, died by self-immolation and is a well-known photo from the war. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Hue cuisine prepared by the family at their home. The historic home is the former residence of Princess Ngoc Son, a daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh. The owner has a fascinating collection of artifacts from the former Royal Empire.
DAY 7 HUE
Thahn Toan Village
This morning we bike to Thanh Toan Village and the Thanh Toan Tiled Roof Bridge. On the way, pass bustling local markets, rice fields and local temples. Arrive at the ancient Thanh Toan Tile roof Bridge and visit the Thanh Toan Museum for an insight into traditional Vietnamese life and culture. Take a row boat with the villager on Nhu Y River and learn how they catch the fish by using a fishing trap and try to catch your own fish. Explore a local vegetable garden with Malabar spinach, gourd, fiber melon, winter melon and figs. Join a cooking class to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Hue local dishes such as fig salad with shrimp and meat, pancake or spring rolls and share the dishes for lunch. Later we ride back into the city and return to the hotel..
DAY 8 HOI AN
Hoi An
After breakfast we drive to Hoi An along a scenic coastal route. This evening enjoy dinner at a small bamboo house built on a rice field next to the Coco River bank. Take a short basket boat trip on the river to enjoy the sunset over Hoi An. During the boat trip, local fishermen will teach how to catch fish using traditional fishing methods.
DAY 9 HOI AN
Cam Kim by Vestpa
Explore the countryside on the back of a Vespa scooter gaining an insight into the lesser seen areas surrounding the city. Cross over the bridge to Cam Kim Island and ride along the riverbank. Our first stop is a traditional Vietnamese house and a traditional boat builders’ yard. Then learn the art of mat weaving and making a Bánh Đập. Next we explore the Noi Rang market. We cross the Cua Dai Bridge with views of the coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh. Lunch is at a local restaurant then return to the hotel.
DAY 10 HO CHI MIHN CITY
Historical and Cultural Highlights
This morning we trasfer to the Danang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, transfer to the luxury hotel in the city. In the afternoon, we head out to explore historic landmarks and some hidden gems. Visit the Central Post Office built between 1886 and 1891 and walk along Dong Khoi Street. Visit Gialong Palac, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum for an insight into the history of Vietnam.. Continue to Le Loi Street to learn about traditional engravings. We explore the old central market, pass an old colonial-era apartment and enjoy a streetside Vietnamese-style coffee. Visit the historic Banque de l’Indochine, a fine example of Indochinois architecture before returning to the hotel.
DAY 11 HO CHI MINH CITY
Cu Chi Tunnels
After breakfast we take a private speedboat for a journey to the Cu Chi tunnels, with a glimpse of local life along the Saigon River. The Cu Chi tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages with a VC veteran for an insight into the history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats. Return to the hotel by boat. This evening, enjoy modern French cuisine at Le Corto Wine Dining. After dinner, make your way to the Social Club and Pool Rooftop bar for a cocktail with a stunning view of the city.
DAY 12 CAN THO
Ben Tre and Can Tho
This morning head south to Ben Tre province. We take a xe loi ride through the local village of Huu Dinh then hop on a boat for a ride along small canals. Stop and learn about coconut processing at a family-owned business then continue to a brick making factory where the locals traditional methods. Enjoy a bicycle trip to visit a local rice noodle factory producing Hu Tieu noodles. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant serving local cuisine. Continue the bicycle trip to visit the home of a former Vietcong soldier who makes rice paper, a specality of My Long village. Return to Ben Tre by boat where we continue the journey to Can Tho and check in to the luxuxry Azerai Can Tho.
DAY 13 CAN THO
Cai Rang Floating Market
From the resort, board a wooden boat for a 45-minute river cruise along the Hau River, passing Ninh Kieu Quay, and fishing villages before reaching the Cai Rang floating market. Discover the local life as you navigate between the boats of local traders selling products such as tropical fruits and vegetables. Return to the hotel by boat. Later at the resort, indulge in a Spa and Yoga Meditation of your choice. This evening, enjoy a Vietnamese private dining experience by the river.
DAY 14 HO CHI MINH CITY
Departure
Spend the morning at your leisure before we head back to Ho Chi Minh City for your onward journey.