Journey through Vietnam (2023)

Board your overnight flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Your first day in Vietnam promises a feast for the senses. From the airport, you’ll be taken for lunch before heading to the hotel where you’ll stay for three nights. That evening, a guided tour of Hanoi’s street food scene will give you a taste of Vietnamese food culture. In the maze of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, watch skilled chefs prepare the city’s famous banh cuon (steamed rice rolls). Join locals at outdoor barbeque stalls to sample meat, vegetables and breads that have been grilled over hot coals. Finish with a cup of fresh fruit smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk.

Accommodation: Silk Path Luxury Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Begin with an introduction to Ho Chi Minh, considered the father of the nation. See “Uncle Ho’s” modest bungalow, visit the marble mausoleum where he lies in state and learn about the evolution of Vietnamese independence at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long , a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 11th century. Marvel at Hanoi’s French colonial architecture, such as the exquisite Opera House, and enjoy the peacefulness of the serene Temple of Literature. On a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learn about the labyrinthine alleyways that were once an important centre of commerce.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Vietnamese cuisine has five fundamental taste elements that you’ll learn about during a cooking class and shopping trip with the chef. At a local market, learn about tropical fruits, vegetables, herbs and unusual items like silkworms that are for sale. Back in the kitchen, you’ll prepare a range of mouth-watering dishes. The afternoon will be devoted to one of Vietnam’s favourite pastimes: coffee! Try an “egg coffee” at Giang Cafe in the Old Quarter, and then visit other quirky cafes such as the atmospheric Cafe Lam, with its walls covered in artwork collected over the decades in exchange for coffee.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a 3-hour drive to Halong Bay, board a Bhaya Classic cruise ship and embark on an adventure to discover its emerald waters, hidden pools and mystical islands. Off-boat excursions offer an opportunity to get closer to the region’s beautiful landscapes and sandy beaches. Explore Trinh Nu cave, a sunlight-filled, 2,000m²  grotto filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, or remain on board and take in the glorious vista from the sundeck. As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Sip a drink and watch the sunset over Halong Bay, then enjoy dinner and overnight on board.

Accommodation: Onboard the Bhaya Classic (on join-in-cruise basis – 1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early risers can take in sunrise during a morning tai chi lesson on the deck before heading out on kayaks to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay and its incredible ecosystem. After breakfast, the boat will return to port, passing several fishing villages along the way. Disembark at Tuan Chau marina and head to Hanoi’s airport for a short flight to the central Vietnam city of Hue. Check in to the hotel where you’ll spend two nights. Remainder of the day is free.

Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa or similar (2 nights)
Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch

Start at the Imperial Citadel, a fortress built in the early 1800s that is still very much the centerpiece of modern-day Hue. Cruise along the Perfume River to the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam. Visit the magnificent riverbank tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, as well as the eclectic European and Vietnamese tomb of the “Puppet Emperor” Khai Dinh. A cyclo foodie tour includes a stop at Hen Island for mussels before exploring the back streets of Old Hue to sample regional specialties like banh uot thit nuong (spring rolls with grilled pork) and khoai cake (Hue-style Vietnamese pancakes).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

A scenic drive takes you to Ba Na Hills via the Hai Van Pass. Experience an amazing view over the primitive forest as you ride on one of the longest cable cars in the world from the foot of the hills to the peak. Overnight in Ba Na Hills.

Accommodation: Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Arise early to catch a glimpse of the morning’s first light hitting the distant Golden Bridge before boarding a cable car to visit the structure, famous for its giant, outstretched Buddha hands. Breakfast back at the hotel, then take the cable car back to the bottom where your driver will transfer you to Hoi An, a riverside town 30 kilometres south of Da Nang. During the evening’s secret cocktail tour, sample five unique beverages in unexpected locations as a knowledgeable host explains the history of the Vietnamese relationship with French, Japanese and Chinese merchants. Spend two nights in Hoi An.

Accommodation:  Boutique Resort (Superior Room) or similar (2 nights)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

A visit to the village of Tra Que, renowned for its organic herb and vegetable gardens, includes a hands-on opportunity to help farmers prepare the land. Using traditional implements, fertilize with seaweed from the nearby river, then water using cans supported on a bamboo pole across the shoulders. An herbal foot massage and scrumptious lunch will reward your efforts. During an afternoon walking tour, see Hoi An’s Chinese communal houses, its iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, and the beautifully preserved merchant houses from traders of a bygone era. Devoid of most motorized transport, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is ideal to explore on foot.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning flight followed by a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Stop at Reunification Palace, which earned its place in history in April 1975 when the arrival of North Vietnamese tanks signalled the end of the Vietnam War. Explore nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, the French colonial-era Central Post Office and the Hotel de Ville de Saigon. The day’s final stop is the unforgettable Jade Emperor Pagoda. With incense, ornate carvings and fierce-looking statues, this Taoist temple is one of the most atmospheric places of worship in the city. Spend four nights in the city many still call Saigon.

Accommodation: Amena Residences and Suites or similar (4 nights)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

A half-day tour to the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground network of passages that are a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese people. Work on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940s. They were expanded to create an underground city almost 200 kilometres long over the next 25 years as the conflict with America escalated. Adventurous travellers may choose to explore inside the tunnels but there is a lot to see aboveground as well. In the afternoon, savour a tasting experience at an artisan chocolate shop in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

All five senses will enjoy this two-wheeled tour of Ho Chi Minh City. This Vespa adventure begins in busy, historic District 1. In Chinatown, see century-old shops nestled amid modern buildings. Listen for the chirping of the bird street market, where locals shop for their singing pets. Appreciate the aroma of coffee beans at a roasting workshop, then savour a sample of Vietnamese coffee, iced or hot. Zigzag through District 4, and then go souvenir shopping at Ben Thanh Market. In the evening, see a performance of the acclaimed A O Show (pronounced Ahhh! Ohhh!) at the Saigon Opera House.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free day to rest, enjoy the hotel’s facilities or continue to explore the city on your own. Farewell dinner at Hoa Tuc restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast