Iconic Vietnam

Welcome to the land of dragons, Vietnam. Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to the city center to the Pan Pacific. Set between the charming Truc Bach and West Lakes to offer you a respite from the chaos, the atmosphere of the Old Quarter is just minutes away, transporting you to a place somewhere between ‪‎Hanoi’s glamourous past and new modernity.

Enjoy the day free at leisure to acquaint yourself with the capital, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of your surrounding area. The Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda and Quan Thanh Taoist Temple are just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, while the Summit rooftop bar on the Pan Pacific’s 20^th floor offers some of the best sunset views in the entire city.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Dive into the history of Hanoi by visiting the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a blooming lotus flower, commissioned by the legendary King Ly Thai To in 1049. Just a stone’s throw away lies the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a monument and tribute to Ho Chi Minh, the “uncle” of modern Vietnam, as well as his preserved stilt house and a small museum dedicated to his life. The mausoleum is closed every October and November, as well as every Monday and Friday throughout the year.

Pass by Vietnam’s first university, Quoc Tu Giam, otherwise known as the Temple of Literature. The grounds offer a quiet oasis in the center of Hanoi and will show you an interesting glimpse into the cultural elite’s past, dating back from 1076.

Have lunch at Koto Training Restaurant, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty faced by many youths in the city, empowering them by training them in the culinary arts and hospitality training.

After lunch, brave the labyrinth of streets dubbed the “Old Quarter”, famous to international guests and locals alike due to its chaotic but photogenic and charming nature. Visit the 36 streets by cyclo as you meander past bamboo, silver, silk, gold, and fruit sellers. Pause at the heart of it all, the magical Hoan Kiem Lake, to visit Ngọc Sơn Temple and admire views of the “Turtle Tower”.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to discover Hanoi on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa

Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and journey 2 hours south to the charming countryside town of Ninh Binh. You may recognize some of the backdrop of the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster hit “Kong: Skull Island” as it was filmed here.

Start with an unusual row-boat ride in Van Long and enjoy the view of the romantic countryside as water buffalo graze, farmers work and children play. Don’t forget to watch your head as you are gently propelled along the crystal-clear river through small caves in this otherworldly scenery.

Lunch at a local restaurant before joining in optional afternoon activities such as a bicycle ride to Hang Mua, a picturesque mountainside spot with a cave and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, dotted with karst mountains and sparkling rice fields.

The tour ends by continuing eastward to our stop for the night, the jewel of Vietnam’s crown, Halong Bay. Check in to the Novotel hotel and enjoy a quiet rest in this small provincial town.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Ha Long Bay

Following breakfast, hotel pick-up will be arranged to bring you to the moment you have all been waiting for, a cruise on Halong Bay. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 and newly nominated as one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world, Halong Bay’s otherworldly atmosphere and landscape of emerald green waters, sandy beaches, and thousands of towering limestone karst islands are sure to leave you speechless.

Check into your cabin as we embark on an overnight cruise to experience the bay in all her glory. Activities include cooking demonstrations, a visit to a floating fishing village, kayaking and swimming, depending on the boat’s itinerary and weather.

At the end of the day, the boat will anchor while guests enjoy the cocktail happy hour and fresh seafood dinner. Try your hand at squid fishing in the evening or perhaps watch a film or stargaze before retiring to your cabin for a restful sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bhaya Premium Cruises

Good Morning Vietnam from Halong Bay! Start the morning with some tai chi on the sundeck as the sun rises, and munch on a light breakfast before participating in a cave visit.

Brunch will be served after the cave tour, which gives you time to savor the views as the boat gently glides through the incredible rock formations towards the dock.

Disembark from the cruise and return to Hanoi, enjoying an afternoon at the carefully curated collections of tribal art, clothing, jewelry, and full-size replica houses at The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. All displays are clearly labeled in English, French, and Vietnamese, with guides available at the main entrance for those who want to hear more in-depth information.

Board an evening overnight train headed for the craggy mountains and steep rice terraces of Lao Cai Province from the Hanoi Railway Station. Find your cabin and get cozy in your comfortable soft sleeper berth as the train gently lulls you to sleep.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: BB Sapa Hotel

Upon arrival to Lao Cai station, make the final 30-minute drive by car to the hill-side station of Sapa. Rejuvenate your body with an early morning breakfast at a local restaurant before beginning our tour today, which focuses on the Black Hmong ethnic minority’s traditional art and handicraft forms.

Our local guide comes from the Sapa O’Chau social enterprise, a company devoted to responsible tourism, ethical employment and community empowerment, and can give us unique insight into the local people’s culture and everyday life.

Take in the beautiful views of Ta Phin Village, surrounded by beautiful rice terraces and sweeping valleys.  Try your hand at indigo dyeing, bamboo and hemp weaving, batik art, and embroidery.  Then, test your culinary skills with a Hmong/Vietnamese cooking class and feast on your creations before heading back to the BB Sapa hotel for check in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: BB Sapa Hotel

Trek through Sapa Valley, known for some of the most impressive scenery in all of Vietnam. As your guide leads you along the Muong Hoa River, the blanket of morning mist will start to disappear, leaving us a breathtaking view of gleaming rice terraces. The walk will take us through the Black Hmong Lao Chai Village before leading us to Ta Van Village with its mixture of Hmong, Giay, and Red Dao residents, the latter well-known for their knowledge of herbs and natural medicines.

End the trek in Giang Ta Chai Village, home to the Red Dao, where you will not only get a chance to see a bamboo forest and waterfall, but also an opportunity to try a Red Dao herbal medicinal bath to rest your weary feet before the vehicle takes us back to Sapa and then Lao Cai to catch the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: BB Sapa Hotel

Arrive to Hanoi while the city is still asleep in the morning and wake up with a cà phê sữa (Vietnamese traditional coffee with milk) and breakfast in a local restaurant.

The morning flight lasts just over one hour to reach the central region of Vietnam to the beachside getaway of Da Nang and charming ancient town of Hoi An. Check into the lovely Lasenta Boutique Hotel and enjoy the day at leisure to rest after your trekking activities in Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An

Start your day with a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town. The very well-preserved town is filled with quirky shops, antique teahouses, and amazing restaurants. Enjoy views of the Thu Bon River and the many canals found in the city as you learn about the history of the town and admire the interesting mix of Vietnamese, French, Chinese, and Japanese architecture. Pause for a tea at the Reaching Out Teahouse, a lovely old-fashioned teahouse providing work for the hard of hearing, serving up delicious tea samplers and home-made snacks.

The rest of your day is free at leisure to discover the city on your own by foot or on bicycle. Hoi An is not only famous for its ambiance as it is for its tailors. Here tourists can get any manner of clothing made in 24 hours for a fraction of a price that it would cost back home. For those interested in tailoring, we can arrange a visit to one of the best tailors in the city to design your own outfits, bags, and shoes.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An

Drive up the sun-drenched coastline of Vietnam along one of the country’s most famous roads, the Hải Vân – Ocean Cloud Pass to the ancient imperial capital of Hue, stopping along the way at Linh Ung Pagoda to admire the impressive panoramic views of cliffs, beaches, lagoons, and the sea.

Upon arrival to Hue, enjoy a delicious lunch and check into the hotel before visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of Emperor Ming Mang, closely resembling that of Chinese architecture, sporting impressive buildings surrounded by picturesque landscape including lakes, gardens, flowers and trees.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Dive further into the history of Vietnam by visiting the ancient citadel plus two addition tombs of emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last family to rule Vietnam before the French colonial takeover. Although the ancient citadel was badly damaged by the Vietnamese-American War, it is still possible to catch a glimpse of what used to exist here hundreds of years ago in the Forbidden Purple City.

Compare and contrast the tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Emperor Khai Dinh, one constructed from 1864-1867 with a landscape dominated by a large lake and rustic architecture while the other designed as a hybrid of European and Vietnamese beauty standards.

Transfer to Hue Airport for a short evening flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes to the modern, cosmopolitan city of Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel

Drive 1.5 hours north of Ho Chi Minh City to experience one of the most powerful symbols of the city and its recent history, the Cu Chi Tunnels. Squeeze through this extensive network of underground tunnels built by the Viet Cong to combat the better-supplied American and South Vietnamese forces, remembering the recent tragedy of war in Vietnam and the hardships many locals faced in this time period.

After lunch, browse the exhibits of the War Remnants Museum and view the former Presidential Palace, which can be viewed from the outside only on certain days.
End the day by visiting colonial Saigon with stops at the photogenic Old Saigon Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Dong Khoi Street (formerly known as Rue Catinat), the Continental House, City Hall, and of course, the Opera House.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel

Settle in for a 2-hour car ride this morning to the small town of Ben Tre where we will board our day- cruise to explore the Mekong River Delta, the rice bowl of Asia. Enjoy the landscapes of fertile fields showcasing Vietnam’s natural riches and resources of lush, bright green rice paddies on board the boat while snapping photos of the maze of rivers, mangroves, islands, and swamps.

The final activity of the day will involve a mini-trip on a sampan, a smaller traditional rowing boat, to better explore the narrow waterways of the Mekong tributaries.

The excursion will conclude in the late afternoon, where upon completion, the driver will transfer you back to Saigon where the evening is free to snatch up those last-minute souvenirs, perhaps from the famous Ben Thanh Market.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel

Breakfast and discover the city at leisure until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward booked transportation.

Meals: Breakfast