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.

In the morning, follow your tour guide through the city’s bustling streets to the “standing newspaper” and discover how Hanoian citizens would get their daily news when newspapers where considered an expensive luxury. Continue on to a local coffee shop to experience the vibrant sights and sounds of daily life in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Visit the home of the last Hang Trong artisan, one of seven children in a family with three generations of history painting in the art style. Meet with this passionate artist and discover how he keeps the craft alive with ancient wooden carving blocks and remarkable artistic skill. Afterwards, drive past Hang Trong Street to see where this art form once flourished. Continue on with your exploration and drive to a rail station in Hanoi’s suburbs to catch a local train back to its center. After a 10-minute train ride that passes over the first French bridge built on the Red River, follow your guide and walk through "cuisine street" where you can find many tasty dishes and discover a life beat of the Old Town in these modern days. Afternoon, explore the charming city of Hanoi, Visit Hanoi’s most iconic site, the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake named after a magical sword once used by a legendary Vietnamese emperor to defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty. On an island in the middle of the lake sits “Temple of the Jade Mountain”, Hanoi's most visited temple. Dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao (who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century), La To (patron saint of physicians) and the scholar Van Xuong, the temple is accessible by the classical, bright red The Huc (“Rising Sun”) Bridge. Continue on to the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. Explore the fascinating maze of back streets, fronted by narrow houses known as “tunnel” or “tube houses”, a wonderfully eclectic glimpse into Hanoi street life.

Duong Lam Ancient Village is a traditional Vietnamese town, known as “the hometown of two kings.” It has an extensive history dating back almost 1,200 years and is well-known as the first ancient village in Vietnam, and for its surviving customary laterite brick houses (a red clay formed from weathered basalt found in northern Vietnam). An educational day learning about Vietnamese heritage starts with an hour (65km) drive from Hanoi to Son Tay province. On arrival, enjoy a leisure walk through the hidden alleyways and paths, admiring the ancient buildings that have been standing in the village for centuries. While in Duong Lam, visitors will also have the chance to visit Mong Phu Temple, King Ngo Quyen Temple, and King Phung Hung Temple. Duong Lam is a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta. For a taste of the local harvest, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in the ancient home of a welcoming local family. Lend a hand in the production of specialties, such as soft green-lentil cake and rice cake filled with brown onion (depending on the season). After lunch, the adventure comes to an end at Mia Pagoda, home to 287 statues of all shapes and sizes. Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi is included in this tour.

Depart Hanoi for a 2hr drive to the Trang An Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Trang An is famed for its spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by vertical cliffs. Within the complex, visit Vietnam’s ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the country’s first centralized feudal state from the end of the 10th century. While the ancient citadel has largely disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties still stand surrounded by rice paddies. After lunch at a local restaurant in Ninh Binh, continue to the 3,500ha (13.5 sq mi) Van Long Nature Reserve, the largest wetland natural reserve in the Red River Delta. Enjoy a 2hr boat trip taking in stunning scenes of local villages dotted among the limestone karsts and caves. Bring along binoculars as you may encounter some rare langurs (monkeys) or birds. Return to Hanoi. NOTES: • Suggested departure time: 08:00. • Tour duration: 09 hours

This morning, you will be transferred by your private vehicle to take a shared seaplane to visit Ha Long bay. Your luxurious floating home, Ginger, sets sail around noontime. 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. 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. 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 which is set up in the dining area later on. Or join our team and have some fun fishing for squid before retiring to your room.

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.

Tam Giang lagoon is the largest fresh water lagoon in South East Asia and is considered the richest in flora and fauna. Around 5.00 AM, drive to this picturesque langoon great moments for photos and opportunities to visit some local families along the river banks. On the way back, capture nice photos along the way. Then take a short walk around local fish market to witness daily life of locals. Transfer back to your hotel at 9:00 AM. Afternoon, 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.

Located only 7km from Hue’s center, Thanh Toan village is located in the peaceful countryside where the scenes of an ancient 16th century village are still very much visible through the landscape, temples and way of life. Today take a drive to this village and be prepared to get yourself involved in some hands-on experiences to get a taste of rural life. Meet the farmers, and depending on the season, you will be instructed on some processes of rice farming. Continue by rickshaw to explore the countryside, the village and clans’ shrine house, and some typical local workshops. Visit the informative agriculture museum to understand more about rice production before hoping on a sampan to go fishing using ancient techniques. Pass by the intriguing17th century tiled roof bridge, listen to local chitchatting, chanting folklore verse. These are just a few relaxing moments which offer insights into rural life that you cannot get on any average tourist trail. 12.00: Have lunch at former home of Princess Ngoc Son who was a daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh - when she married, her father granted her the land to build a home. Today, it is one of the best garden houses and has been maintained largely in its original form. The house is a classic structure with three bays and two wings. The highlight is a small artificial rock garden. The present owner also has a fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Hue specialties prepared by the family at their historical home while you unearth Hue’s fascinating past.

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. Notes: • Availability: Afternoon • Suggested departure time: 14:00 • 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

My Son is one of the original Hindu temple sites in South East Asia. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important religious site and place of worship. A one and a half-hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to My Son, where there are 20 ancient monuments still standing today. The temples are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by the impressive Cat Tooth Mountain. Stroll around this UNESCO listed temple complex to learn about the Cham culture, architecture, and civilization with Mr. Nguyen Thuong Hy who has dedicated 35 years to the restoration and preservation of Southeast Asia’s most significant architecture and relics. Before returning to Hoi An, enjoy a traditional lunch at Mr. Hy’s nearby home. NOTES: • Suggested time: 09:00. • Duration: 5 hours. After lunch, you’ll have a chance to learn more about this lost Kingdom and the flourishing Champa culture and lifestyle through a 30 minutes Champa dance performance. Admire their shimmering costumes from a forgotten era and art of movement with a grace and allure. NOTES: • Performance start: 14.30 • Duration: 30 minutes.

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. The ingenious Cu Chi tunnel complex is an immense network of connecting underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong as hiding spots during combat. Originally dug in 1948 as refuge from French air and ground sweeps, the tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches throughout the American War. Visit the underground villages with a VC veteran who once lived there, for a better understanding of the tunnels’ history, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. With the help of your translator-guide, listen as the veteran recalls how he survived the living conditions of the subterranean hamlets where lack of air, food and water made conditions almost unbearable.

Start your tour into historical wartime Saigon sights with a visit to the shrine outside of the US Consulate followed by the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated remaining US citizens in 1975. Then head to the rooftop café of the iconic Rex Hotel, for a drink and a spectacular view of downtown Saigon as your guide explains the hotel’s place in history. Visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and presidential residence. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min documentary film about Saigon during that time. Next on the tour is a secret weapons chamber used by the Viet Cong. Enjoy a late lunch of pho (noodle soup) at the historic Pho Binh Restaurant, the wartime headquarters where Viet Cong commanders gathered to plan the 1968 Tet Offensive. View the upstairs photo collection before returning to your hotel. This afternoon is at your leisure to explore the city on your own. Follow a lane dotted with colonial-era mansions until you reach a gate, behind which lies a truly enchanting villa. Home to Henry Cabot Lodge, the US Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, the villa is now a private residence and has been fully restored to its former glory, a beautiful mix of Vietnamese, French and American architecture. Perfectly suited to social gatherings for up to 40 persons, enjoy a welcome reception complete with traditional Vietnamese dance performances in the intimate courtyard. A fusion of traditional Vietnamese and western cuisine will be served in the magnificent dining room accompanied by live music, creating a uniquely memorable atmosphere.

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. Arrive at the quaint An Khanh hamlet, where travelers will visit a small home factory that makes the traditional dish of sticky rice covered by coconut leaves. Meet with the owner and her hard-working team who will show you how they use century-old traditional methods to make this special and tasty cake. 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. With passion, he is devoted to preserving the traditional craft and supporting the local community. 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. NOTES: • Suggested starting time: 08:00 • Duration: 7-8 hours • Maximum: 8-10 pax per group per boat • The cycling distance can be 3, 5, or 7 km, depending on your physical ability and length you desire • The exploration can be done on foot, horse cart or tri-motorcycle instead of the cycling

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