Located in Vietnam’s north, Hanoi is the country’s capital and second most populous city, with a population of approximately 11 million. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional, renowned for its thriving arts scene and beautiful French architecture. While it is rapidly developing, the city has retained many of its attractive architectural features and cultural traditions. As soon as you deplane, our Immigration Officer and guide will meet you at the end of the jet bridge, holding a signboard with your name(s) on it. Be escorted through the immigration/customs formalities and introduced to your guide, who will be waiting outside the terminal. Our representative will also collect your luggage from baggage reclaim and return it to you.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

This morning, be transferred from your hotel to our meeting point, where you and your tour guide will explore the little alleys and discover the daily lives of locals. First, visit a vintage coffee shop for a delicious caphe sua da (Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk) and watch the world go by, taking in the sights and sounds of modern day Hanoi. Invigorated by the coffee, take a stroll pass St. Josephs Cathedral, a towering neo-gothic structure dating back to 1886, making it the oldest church in Hanoi. Next, head to the bustling Nha Chung alley, a popular place for locals to come for breakfast with a multitude of vendors hawking food and vegetables. Nearby is an old French house, where we will ascend its rickety wooden staircase and meet a local who has a lived in this relic from the past for decades. Finish the tour by having lunch at a vintage Vietnamese restaurant decked out in 70s décor that will take you back in time to a recently liberated Hanoi. Walking distance: 3 km. This afternoon is at your leisure to explore the city on your own. In the evening, be transfered from your hotel to Cau Go, a restaurant hidden on the 5th floor of a small building overlooking Hanoi’s famed Hoan Kiem Lake. However, this hidden gem has more than just a pretty view. The décor, like Hanoi itself, is a mix of old meets new, its chic lines and modern furnishings juxtaposed against antique fans, distressed French shutters and vintage staff uniforms. The chef takes a contemporary approach to traditional Vietnamese cuisine, beautifully presenting every dish of Vietnam’s specialties. After a sumptuous meal, head to the Rooftop Lounge, just a few minutes walk away. From nightly DJ performances to special live performances, the ultra-modern lounge is a magnet for Hanoi’s booming middle class and offers up spectacular panoramic views of Hanoi from the 19th story. Transfer back to your hotel before 24:00 at the latest. Duration: 04 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

In the traditional culture of Vietnamese people, the process of making traditional sticky rice cake ‘Banh Chung’ is the opportunity for the family to come together, tell one another stories and get ready for Vietnamese New Year. Today, meet with a young chef - who is the daughter of one of the most prominent chefs of Hanoi, at Hang Be market. Stroll around the market and buy ingredients before heading to her house/restaurant in the old quarter for a hands-on experience making Banh Chung. While waiting for the Banh Chung to be well-cooked, learn how to make another specialty of Hanoi, Banh Goi. This crispy pillow dumpling can be found in many street food stalls around town. Banh Goi is not baked but deep-fried to create a charming yellow pastry skin, crispy and fragrant. Later, enjoy the rich pork, mung beans, and aromas from the leaves of the Banh Chung along with the sweet salty Banh Goi served with some fresh herbs and fish sauce for dipping. Duration: 4 hours.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Depart to Tuan Chau Harbor. Upon arrival, take the speedboat to Lan Ha Bay. After meeting at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina, we take a quick speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home before starting our unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba. The first highlight of the cruise is lunch, which we serve in Ginger’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Our live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy our unique facilities on board. As we reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, we hop on bicycles (electric cart transfers are also available) for a tour along small paved roads towards Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by working the farms, fishing, or collecting rain water for drinking. Here you have the unique and authentic opportunity to meet the local inhabitants, learn about the fruits and vegetables grown in the valley, have a glimpse of local households and try some homemade liquors. Back on board, our chef is prepared for an interactive cooking class in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Learn about local ingredients as well as the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes. As the sun sets, we arrive at a tranquil anchor spot for the night. In this hidden spot, you can revel in the memories of the day’s adventures with a cocktail under the stars. After a delicious dinner, you may like to unwind at our bar with a digestif or watch a movie in the evening cinema.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast while cruising back to our mid-bay anchoring spot, from where we will transfer you back to the welcome lounge at the pier. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck. Proceed to Hanoi airport by your private vehicle to take the flight to Hue. While imperial rule ended more than six decades ago, the central city of Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. From 1802 to 1945 Hue was home to 13 Nguyen emperors, whose palaces and tombs provide fascinating glimpses into the luxurious and secretive world of the court. During this period, the Imperial City was built according to the practices of Feng Shui that dictates the location and shape of spaces in harmony with both the physical and spiritual. Visitors may explore the red-lacquered pavilions of the Citadel, wander through ancient garden houses, or feast on delicacies once served in the royal palaces.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Ancient Hue Garden Houses

Once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hue’s splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm. Drive to the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. From there, hop on an electric cart to enter the Citadel through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Take a cyclo ride to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Explore the pagoda before returning to your hotel by car. Tour duration: 3.5 hours After relaxing time at the hotel, start your afternoon with Hue Traditional Culinary Tasting tour. Hue is famous not only for the thousand-year-old history, but also for its diverse traditional food culture. Today, emerge yourselves in this interesting culinary tasting tour around Hue city. Your first stop will be at “Me Xung” sweets workshop. Me xung is a perfect combination of sesame, crushed peanuts and handmade malt, and is one of Hue’s famous desserts. Then drive to Ba Do's house to learn how to make some other Hue’s specialties such as "banh beo" (small steamed rice cake), "banh nam"(steamed rice cake wrapped in banana leaves), "banh bot loc" (clear shrimp and pork dumpling). Enjoy the dishes you have made while chatting with the owner to understand more about Hue’s food culture. Complete your day by tasting Hue royal tea. The royal tea includes a variety of herbs such as: artichoke, chrysanthemum, sweet grass, kudzu, ginseng, apple, liquorice, jasmine, and more. Learn from the host who will explain the benefits of drinking royal tea, and learn how to make a cup of royal tea yourself before returning to your hotel. Duration: 3.5 hours.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Ancient Hue Garden Houses

This excursion was designed to take you off the beaten track and to see those lesser visited historical sites around Hue which are of great importance within the imperial city. Enjoy a Vespa ride along the Huong River then cross the river to the mausoleum of the first Nguyen King, Gia Long. Snaking through peaceful villages and lush pine woods to the house of Ngo Dinh Can. And nearby are 9 half- underground prison cells (Chín Hầm), continuing to Ba Don Temple (Three- Altar Temple) which was built to worship the souls of dead people buried in three huge mass graves surrounding it. Then proceed to the statue of King Quang Trung, a famous18th century national hero. Keep driving to the Temple of Heaven (Đàn Nam Giao) which was built by the first Nguyen king to worship the Heaven God. Have a picnic lunch (or home hosted). From here, we ride back to your hotel to finish the tour. Duration: 6 hours This afternoon is at your leisure to explore the city on your own. In the evening, take to the Perfume River for a royal cruise through the romantic ambiance of Hue city. As the royal boat, inspired by the gracious charm of the Queen Boat, glides along the river in the soft sunset glow, admire the Trang Tien Bridge, Thien Mu pagoda, Van Thanh Temple, and the Imperial Citadel, peaking above tree the lined river bank. Immerse yourself in the Perfume River’s serenity and take in the simple yet poetic landscapes. Tour duration: 1.5 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Ancient Hue Garden Houses

Free at your leisure until transfer from Hue hotel to Hoi An hotel by private transfer. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights. These include: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties, including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two. Tour duration: 03 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Anantara Hoi An Resort

Cam Thanh Village is now an urban ward of Hoi An city. It is known for dense water coconut jungles and immense rice fields. During the Vietnam War, Cam Thanh was a shelter for local people and soldiers. Nowadays, this place supplies seafood, vegetables and rice for the area. This morning, meet your guide and transfer to the picturesque Co Co river for a bamboo basket-boat ride to Thanh Dong village, which is the first and only organic farm in Hoi An. Get a glimpse about the history and customs of this charming village before venturing into the garden and getting your hands dirty – You may like to borrow the farmers’ clothing provided by the villagers and learn how to cultivate vegetables without chemicals. Continue a short bamboo basket-boat ride through the peaceful water coconut forest to a riverbank restaurant looking out to rice fields. On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink, take part in traditional Vietnamese folk games as balance Bamboo Bridge, pot smashing then join in a hands-on cooking class. After the cooking class, savor the dishes you have prepared. Bid farewell to the chef before transferring back to your hotel. Duration: 4.5 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Anantara Hoi An Resort

This morning, board a flight to Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam, is a sprawling metropolis of approximately 12 million people. Formerly known as “Saigon” prior to 1975, today the city is Vietnam’s commercial centre. The city’s dynamic energy is apparent in the bustling street scenes with thousands of people on motorbikes constantly on the move. Although Saigon has rapidly developed into a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping centres, there are still remnants of its past visible in the historic landmarks and beautiful French colonial buildings dotted throughout the city. Late this afternoon, depart from your hotel to see “A O Show” - a combination of arts highlighting the peaceful country life and poetic scenery of Vietnam. The show is special in the way it contains episodes of Vietnamese traditional folk games, dances and circus acts performed against the background of traditional and modern music combined with artistic lighting. Bamboo pipes and baskets are used throughout the performance as set decorations, and traditional daily activities of villagers and festive celebrations are demonstrated by performers and musicians in farmers’ clothing. After the show, enjoy beautifully decorated dishes of innovative Vietnamese cuisine in a different approach at Dining Room restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel. Duration: 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

Wake up early this morning and start your day like a real Saigonese does! Your guide will show you things that make Saigon so different compared to other parts of Vietnam, from the morning crowded street coffee places to the lively local outdoor markets where people shop for their daily needs. Your first stop is a Vietnamese bread stall, which is believed to be the first bread stall in Saigon. Sit down together with the local people inside a small alley to enjoy this simple, yet delicious breakfast. After breakfast, zigzag through the alleys and stop at a market for a cup of tea or coffee in Saigon’s oldest café. Meet the owner for a talk to learn how she makes coffee with such a special yet traditional method, a kind of “stocking coffee” which was originally the method of Chinese coffee vendors and involved a long, stocking-like fabric filter, a charcoal stove and traditional clay pots. Continue to wind your way through nearby street markets to see how people bargain for fresh vegetables, seafood and other local food. Carry on to the “flower alleys” - the biggest flower market in Saigon. Stop at some vendors to try some favourite Saigonese snacks and desserts such as sponge cakes and sweet soups before heading back to your hotel. Duration: 3 hours In the afternoon, be picked up at your hotel and head to Cu Chi tunnel complex – which was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages with a VC veteran who used to live there, to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the war. Listen to the veteran’s experiences of living in the subterranean hamlets where a lack of air, food and water made life incredibly hard. Your guide will be on hand to translate the veteran’s experiences. Duration: 5.5 h

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

Early morning departures leave from Saigon for a 1.5hr drive to Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Escape the high-energy city for a day of exploring sprawling rice paddies and colorful fruit farms. Mekong Delta area is the largest rice farming area in Vietnam and is covered with green rice paddies as well as lush fruit orchards. It is also the only region in Vietnam where riverboats and sampans are the main means of transportation due to low-lying, soft soil condition and condensed system of rivers and canals. The Mekong River is an integral part in the daily life and culture of local people. Sampan boats are an important mode of transportation and livelihood in the Mekong Delta, and yet some families are unable to afford one. Donating one to a family in need will ensure that they have a better future. The small sampan donation ceremony will take place with local authorities and villagers as witnesses. Spend some time to chat with the local people about their livelihood and future plans. Continue on this rural journey of discovery with a short drive to meet a local family in Quoi Son village. After wandering though the lush gardens of this village, visit a local ship building workshop and meet the owner who has perfected his craft, learning from the three generations of river boat-makers before him. Trade the boat for a bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and traditional cottages. Stop at a local orchard to sample exotic fresh fruits. Here you can also choose to ride on either a horse-drawn cart or tri-motorcycle through the lush surroundings of the fruit orchards, before boarding a sampan for a ride along the narrow canals of the Mekong. Finish your excursion at a local farmer's house, where a lunch of Mekong Delta specialties will be served, before driving back to Saigon. Duration: 8-9 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

Today, you’ll have a day free to discover Saigon. In the early evening, meet up with your guide at your hotel, after briefing about safety rules, hop on the vintage vespa and hit the road. Ride through some busy streets and landmarks to capture the lively pictures of Saigon after sunset. Stop at a boutique cocktail bar and kitchen tucked away in an old apartment, meet up with the passionate mixologists who have worked together to prepare a special menu with courses paired in flavors with some uniquely mixed cocktails. Enjoy dinner of local Vietnamese food while the head bartender performs his talents in blending the best ingredients for your signature drinks. After dinner, if time permits, continue to wander off downtown, ride through a bustling old apartment complex housing over 2,000 residents and hundreds of food stalls, to see how the local live. Return to your hotel. Duration: 2.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

None

Free until transfer to the airport for your departing flight to next destination. The regular check-out time is at 1200; late check-out is NOT included and subject to availability

Meals: Breakfast