Hanoi Arrival With Airport Assistance (Own ticket) 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. Your guide will come to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The regular check-in time is at 1400; early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability.

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

If you and your kids are willing to get your hands dirty, it's a fantastic way to learn about rural life as well as to lend a hand to the farmers. Drive 15 km southwest of Hanoi to a small village where farmers mainly grow flowers and deliver to the wholesale markets in Hanoi. Follow the canal road along the Red River to the village, you can see vast flower fields. Stop at a rustic house nested right in the middle of a flower field and talk to the local family. Roll up your sleeves and share the daily tasks with them, from clearing grass, watering flowers, cutting flowers and loading up the motorbike. It will be a fun educational trip for the family, and you can take with you the farmers’ appreciation for your assistance. Duration: 4 hours This tour is not recommended on Lunar New Year in Vietnam This evening, embark on a foodie tour of Hanoi by jeep. Observe the vibrant local night-life before transferring to a coffee shop on a busy corner of the Old Quarter, where HRH Prince William once stopped for a cup of coffee on his visit to Vietnam. Then, drive on to Bun Cha Huong Lien, where Barack Obama enjoyed a dinner of savory grilled pork in fish sauce served with noodles. After trying both the coffee and the bun cha, continue on to a 35-year-old Banh Cuon shop which appeared in Anthony Bourdain’s TV show called “Parts Unknown”. Banh cuon is Vietnamese rice pancakes stuffed with pork and mushrooms. Before returning to your hotel, stop at a local bar to sample a variety of locally inspired cocktails, such as: Pho (noodle soup); o mai (sugar dried fruit); and com (young rice cake). Remember to bring your appetite on this flavoursome food tour! Duration: 4 hours Not available during Tet holiday in Vietnam and Bun Cha shop opens until 19:00 every day so if the tour starts later, maybe the vendors will be out of food to serve

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Heritage Line - Ginger Cruise

Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await you in the dining room to start the new day. It is time for Ginger to lift her anchors and cruise to Frog Lake, a secluded spot which is perfect for our morning excursion. Go for a refreshing “bay swim” or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water, and you feel a sense of freedom while meandering through this green medley of water and tree-topped islets. 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

Truc Chi which is a type of paper made from bamboo, is a new art form of Hue, exquisitely created by a young talented artist and his colleagues after many years of research, study and practice. Made only with bamboo materials, the Truc Chi are typically very detailed and truly unique, one of a kind pieces. Visit Truc Chi workshop, chat with the artist to understand more about the art works process, promotion and exhibitions. Try creating your own Truc Chi drawing and take it home as a souvenir. Duration: 4 hours 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. Despite being bombed heavily during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored. After leaving the citadel, there’s time for a short visit to the Royal Antique Museum. Take a cyclo ride to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River is one of Vietnam’s most recognisable icons. Explore the pagoda before returning to your hotel by car. Tour duration: 3.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Ancient Hue Garden Houses

Free at your leisure until transfer from Hue hotel to Hoi An hotel. 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: 3 hours The Hoi An entrance ticket is valid for entry to 5 sightseeing spots in Hoi An including merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, museums, pagodas and assembly halls for 24 hours. It also provides entry into Hoi An Ancient Town for as long as you are in Hoi An. Please keep the entrance ticket with you at all times, should you independently visit Hoi An later in the evening or on another day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Anantara Hoi An Resort

To discover the culture and lifestyle of a country, there is nothing more interesting than visiting a local family. Spend some time-sharing cultures, join the family activities and have a meal with the host. Located on the outskirts of ancient Hoi An, there are 3 generations in this family living under the same roof. Learn from the family how to make and eat traditional rice crackers, which are a local specialty. Selling rice crackers is also part of this family’s livelihood. Savor a simple yet tasty lunch of traditional Hoi An specialties prepared by the family members. Later, bid farewell to your new friends. Approximate duration: 2 hours The flat, quiet roads around Hoi An’s countryside are ideal for exploring by traditional buffalo cart. In Vietnam, farmers and buffalo working the fields have become a symbol of countryside life, with the buffalo being the most valuable possession of poor farmers, and therefore treated almost as a member of the family. Enjoy a scenic buffalo cart ride passing by rice paddies, shrimp ponds, and vegetable farms with excellent photo opportunities. At the dock, board a local river boat and start cruising down the Hoi An River. The boat will stop along the shore where you can try your hand at casting traditional fishing nets, a common fishing method still practiced today. Also learn the art of paddling the unique Vietnamese round basket boats. Return to your river boat and enjoy light seafood dishes and a refreshing drink as you head back up the river and return to town. Tour duration: 4.5 hours This trip is not recommended from October - January due to weather conditions

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Anantara Hoi An Resort

Free at leisure till transfer to airport for 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. Saigon is known for its orderly chaos all throughout the day, but the city particularly comes alive at night. Experience an evening strolling its vibrant streets while sampling some of its legendary street food. This evening, meet up with your foodie guide at a local coffee shop for a tour briefing before setting out to discover some of the best street food gems you can imagine. Join the queue at a local banh mi shop for some of the best bread in Saigon. Drive or walk to a banh cuon eatery (steamed rice flour crepe filled with pork), a dish originally from Northern Vietnam, but now popular throughout the country. Next, sample banh trang nuong, a pizza-like snack from Dalat loaded with interesting toppings. Indulge your sweet tooth at a nearby dessert stall, selling delicious chuoi nep nuong (grilled banana with coconut milk). Your final stop will be at a busy eatery famous for its fresh grilled seafood, best washed down with a cold local beer. Return to your hotel in the late evening. Tour duration: 04 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Tan Cang jetty and board a chartered speedboat to the Cu Chi tunnels. This river journey provides a glimpse of the changing faces of Vietnam - from the glittering skyscrapers and busy commercial centers to green paddy fields and pottery villages dotted along the Saigon River. The tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches, as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. A visit to the underground villages will provide a better understanding of how the tunnels were constructed, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. On the way back to Saigon, stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant. It takes about 1.5 hours one way by speed boat (it would be slower between March and May due to the water hyacinth season). In a developing country such as Vietnam, children with disabilities often do not have access to the many services common in the West. Bung Sang is a small private home and school for over a hundred blind orphans in Saigon. The school was founded by blind musician Mr. Dao Khanh Truong who spent most of his life caring for and teaching the children. After he passed away, Bung Sang was handed over to the sisters of the congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross. This afternoon, visit Bung Sang and talk with the care-takers to learn about the school. Meet the children and listen as they sing and play music. Afterwards, transfer to Noir Restaurant for a unique dining in the dark experience. The pitch black experience may at first be disconcerting, but aims to encourage diners to use their other senses of taste, touch, smell and sound to identify flavours, textures and ingredients in the gourmet meal. Return to your hotel. Tour duration: 04 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

The Mekong Delta is the heart of the rice production in South Vietnam, where water, boats, houses and markets coexist to produce a generous harvest. Escape the high-energy city for a day of exploring the sprawling rice paddies and getting your hands dirty with the local farmers in Ben Tre—the gateway to the Mekong. A local wooden boat is your chariot down the delta, passing peaceful scenes of countryside living. Trade boat for bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and cottages. Stop along the way at the home of a farmer to chat and roll up your sleeves to share the daily farming tasks with his family. This family-fun activity is suitable for all to join in and there are great photo opportunities. Your hard work will be rewarded with a traditional packed lunch and friendly conversation. Duration: 7-8 hours Comfortable and easily washable clothing is recommended NOTES: The farming activity is confirmed 1 month prior to travel date: + May, August, and December: land preparation + Mid-May, Mid-August and Mid December: Crop establishment + June, September, and January: Nutrient management + Mid-June, Mid-September and Mid-January: Crop health management + Mid-July, Mid-October and Mid-February: Crop health management + End of July, October-November, End of March: harvest

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Luxury Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

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