An Enchanting Honeymoon in Vietnam

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

With a long flight (or flights) under your belt, a hostess will be waiting for you with a beaming smile, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it who will help you through the fast-tracked (VIP) process to get your visa stamped. Once you have obtained a stamp for your visa and collected your luggage, your hostess will happily take you to your waiting guide and driver, who will transfer you directly to the hotel.

Your knowledgeable guide will be happy to answer any questions along the way regarding your 18-day honeymoon trip in Vietnam.

After some rest in the afternoon, your first evening in Vietnam will begin with a special welcome dinner at Lan Ong Restaurant, located on one of Hanoi’s most well-preserved ancient streets. Beautifully presented and rich in Vietnamese culture, their dishes, complemented by the ‘secret’ sauce, provide an authentic culinary experience.

Overnight in Hanoi.

While there are many ways to explore Hanoi, none compare to the thrill and nostalgia of discovering the city from the seat of an open-air war-time Jeep. Buckle up for an unforgettable adventure that blends history, culture, and culinary delights. With the wind in your hair and a local expert by your side, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and let Hanoi reveal its vibrant soul.

Before setting off, your experienced guide will provide a brief orientation and safety overview. From there, your immersive journey begins, covering three fascinating layers of Hanoi:

1. Hidden Alleyways & Backstreets

Dive into the city’s lesser-known corners as we navigate a labyrinth of narrow alleys known only to locals. Connect with residents and uncover the untold stories of Hanoi’s backstreets—its real pulse and personality.

2. The French Quarter & Old Quarter

Feel the charm of “Little Paris” as we cruise past tree-lined boulevards, colonial-era architecture, and iconic landmarks such as the Hanoi Opera House, Long Bien Bridge, and historic villas in the embassy district. Learn how French influence has shaped the face of modern Hanoi.

3. The Great West Lake & Beyond

Discover Hanoi’s largest and most scenic lake, West Lake, considered the city’s “air conditioner.” Surrounded by ancient pagodas, quiet neighborhoods, and upscale cafés, it’s a place where tranquility and tradition meet. Zip through Truc Bach Lake, local villages, and even glimpse Hanoi’s new skyline rising beyond the water.

* Bonus Highlight: Hanoi Street Food

No Hanoi tour is complete without a culinary experience! Along the way, enjoy a curated sampling of authentic Hanoi cuisine—from savory street snacks to sweet surprises. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

 Tip: Come hungry. We’ll take care of the rest.

 Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning

After breakfast, you will meet your private guide and driver at your hotel and embark on a four-hour scenic drive through the picturesque countryside of green paddy fields and spectacular mountains to Mai Chau; home to many of Vietnam’s 54 indigenous minority tribes. Set in an idyllic valley, hemmed in by hills, Mai Chau is a world away from the bustling Hanoi.

Arrive at Mai Chau around midday, you will first visit a local family where you’ll get to experience a taste of local life as you sit down for a home-hosted lunch served by the family.

 Afternoon

Following lunch, pay a short visit to the surrounding village before heading to Avana Retreat for your overnight stay. Nestled quietly in a pristine scenery of forests, rice fields, waterfalls, hills, and valleys, Avana is truly a hideaway in luxurious nature.

Today’s Highlights: You have a natural waterfall, in the middle of a forest, all to yourself. 

Enjoy a variety of complimentary activities offered by the resort, such as a scented candle workshop, Thai or rattan weaving sessions, and traditional live performances.

This villa includes the Avana Exclusive package, featuring:

• A dedicated Retreat Host
• One complimentary bottle of sparkling wine per stay
• A 60-minute massage for up to 4 adults
• Complimentary laundry and ironing for 4 pieces
• Afternoon snack service, either in-room or by the private pool

Overnight at Avana Retreat.

Morning

Leave the buzz of modern life behind and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Mai Chau with a peaceful nature trek through the hills and valleys.

Your journey begins from Avana Retreat, where you’ll walk into the nearby forest and follow a gentle mountain trail. From the top, you’ll enjoy wide views of nearby Thai ethnic villages, a quiet and scenic spot to take in your surroundings.

Continue trekking along narrow dirt paths, passing through cornfields, cassava gardens, bamboo groves, and rice terraces. You might see local farmers at work or hear the distant sound of buffalo bells — small moments that reflect the calm pace of rural life.

One of the highlights is visiting a local ethnic house, where the host will share about daily life, customs, and traditions that have been kept for generations.

Enjoy a flavorful BBQ picnic lunch, prepared with ingredients from the area and served in an open-air setting — a great way to experience local cuisine in its natural surroundings.

After this immersive experience, return to Avana Retreat by shuttle van, your spirit refreshed and your heart filled with the simple wonders of Mai Chau.

Afternoon

Take the afternoon to unwind and explore at your leisure within the peaceful grounds of Avana Retreat.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Morning

After breakfast and a peaceful morning at Avana Retreat, say goodbye to the tranquil mountains of Mai Chau as you journey back to Hanoi.

Afternoon

Upon arrival in the capital, check in the hotel and get ready to dive into the city’s vibrant culinary scene with a Local Food Discovery experience.

Evening

First, we take a short walk to continue to Train Street to see the train drive through the cafe street, sip on Vietnamese coffee or other beverages while taking in the surroundings.

Then, embark on a walking tour of Hanoi’s best culinary spots. Start with a short walk to Thanh Ha market, a busy, eclectic market alive with the sounds and smells of Hanoi. Here you will capture the essence of Vietnamese culture while browsing the food stalls, hearing about local culinary culture, and sampling unusual Hanoi delicacies.

Sample delicious dishes like Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (a sandwich that reflects Vietnam’s culinary heritage), and the famous Hanoi dish Bun Cha (grilled pork and noodles). Continue to see ceremonial cake stalls and taste a special Vietnamese dessert.

After the tour, head back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, our private tour guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Tuan Chau Marina where you board Peony Cruise which is your home for a lovely night.

You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. The itinerary briefing is announced during this time.

Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels, and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn’t get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay – A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

Enjoy the delicious lunch of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha Bay with the breathtaking scenery.

15:30 Visiting Tra Bau area which has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands. Immerse yourself in the emerald, green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises.

17:30 – 18:30 Joining us for a cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of the cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19.30 Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.

21:00 – 22.00 Relax and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with a surcharge). Indulge yourself with spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck just under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky.

Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck.

 Overnight on board.

6:00   Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sunrise over the bay.

6:45 – 7.15   Breakfast is served at the restaurant.

8:00 – 8:30   The guests are transferred to a day trip boat and set sail for Lan Ha Bay, cruising along the peaceful and quiet nature of the bay. Or you are free to relax on cruise if you do not like to move for a day trip.

10:30 – 11:00   After reaching Viet Hai jetty, the guest will have a great experience in cycling or having a ride on an e-cart to Viet Hai village through the tropical rainforest canopy and towering limestone mountains, also surrounded by the green.

Learn about the villager’s daily life and how people built and lived in the bamboo thatched houses; the earthen walls are made of straw and mud covered with trellis, forming walls to block rain and wind.

12:15 – 13:30   Return to the day trip boat and enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the boat is cruising to the kayaking and swimming spot.

13:30   Explore the secluded and quiet lagoon by kayaks or having a swim off the boat is a great fun.

16:30   Head back to the Peony Cruises to relax. Have a soak in the Jacuzzi pool. Enjoy the music and your favorite drinks by the pool.

17:30 – 18:30   Enjoy “happy hour” on the deck and BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. Watch the sunset falling on the bay.

Attend the cooking demonstration to learn the different types of Vietnamese spring rolls.

19:30   Dinner is served at the Peony Cruises ‘s restaurant.

21:00 – 22:00   Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the deck. Immerse yourself in music. Taste some cocktail at the bar. Otherwise, you can go for the squid fishing with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch Halong Bay from the balcony.

Overnight on Board.

Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.

6:45 – 7:15 Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted and follow the real itinerary)

7:30 – 9:00 You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

9:30   Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin.

Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any)

10:30 – 11:00 Disembark the Peony Cruises and transfer back to Block #34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage.

Your private driver takes you back to Hanoi and head directly to Noi Bai International Airport to board your Da Nang, in the central of Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Danang Airport, your private tour guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel near Hoi An Ancient Town for check-in. The former prosperous trading port of Hoi An, dating to the 16th-17th century, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is, without doubt, one of Vietnam’s gems. These days it is a delightful small market town, known throughout the region for its boasting well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets and world-class cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Morning
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the resort, embracing relaxation amidst tranquil surroundings.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, our tour guide will assist you to visit the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes.

The highlight of the day is the visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here you will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style.

Move on to the house of a lantern craftsman. There, you can observe the lantern craftsman’s technique before hands-on work through each stage of lantern-making under the guidance of the enthusiastic craftsmen: from bending it into the frame, cutting cloth, gluing, to completing lanterns. Before this trip concludes, you will have your own lantern created by your own hands.

When the sun is going down, the adventure starts in a bamboo basket boat, floating for about 25 minutes on Coco River to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the river before reaching the restaurant located in Hoi An’s peaceful countryside.

After a nice welcome at the restaurant, it is time to sit comfortably on a bamboo raft placed on the surface of the riverbank. Fresh produce and the daily catch from the river are cooked and served right in this lovely setting. The dinner finishes with some private time and a delicious dessert.

Overnight in Hoi An.

If you’re looking for a way to explore Hoi An that doesn’t involve just walking around, then this trip is worth considering. Just a short ride out of the Old Town the stunning countryside leaves you spell bound: endless rice paddies, conical hats and water buffalo. Journey further still and discover the local people performing ancient arts and trades using skills handed down through the generations.

At 8:00 AM, our guide will pick you up from your hotel with bicycles and you will set off directly from here towards Duy Vinh Commune. The picturesque cycling route is highlighted with rice fields, local gardens and markets. Stop as often as you wish for taking photographs or some easy chat with locals (using our guide as a translator). There is also time to pay a visit to a local family who are still practicing the craft of weaving sedge mattresses using traditional techniques.

After around 1.5 hours cycling it is time to hop into a kayak for some time on the river. You will paddle towards Cam Thanh coco palm forest. The area is a unique mangrove ecosystem to Hoi An and the scenery is spectacular.

To end an active morning, your lunch will be served at a local house with tasty Vietnamese food.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend your full day to relax at your leisure in this UNESCO heritage town, which has some of the best food, architecture, and shopping in all of Vietnam. Hoi An is the perfect place to potter around, shop at the many tailor stores, and dine at the town’s fabulous restaurants. In this town, you can get a suit/ tuxedo made within 24 hours at a reasonable price. You can also take an opportunity to join a cooking class to learn about the arts of Vietnam culinary; visiting the local market, choosing ingredients and preparing and cooking Hoi An special dishes. This is great fun.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning in Hoi An before your driver transfer you to Da Nang International Airport for your short flight to Nha Trang.

Upon arrival at Cam Ranh Airport, our guide and driver will warmly welcome you and escort you to the Ninh Van Bay Pier, where a scenic speedboat transfer awaits. Glide across the calm turquoise waters as you make your way to your resort, tucked away in one of Vietnam’s most secluded and breathtaking coastal bays.

Check-in at your luxury resort in Ninh Van Bay, where the rest of your day is at leisure. Whether you choose to unwind by the private beach, explore the natural surroundings, or indulge in a spa treatment, this peaceful retreat promises rest, rejuvenation, and pure serenity.

Overnight at An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay.

Spend the next three nights enjoying a peaceful seaside escape at your resort in Ninh Van Bay — a hidden gem just across the water from Nha Trang, surrounded by lush jungle and calm, turquoise seas.

Overnight in Ninh Van Bay.

Morning

After a final leisurely morning at your resort in Ninh Van Bay, a boat and driver will transfer you back to the mainland where our guide and driver are waiting for you to transfer you to Cam Ranh Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. It is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, you will be met by a new private driver and English-speaking guide who will drive you to your hotel in the city center.

Afternoon

At 16:00 PM, you will be picked up by our professional tour guide to discover the vibrant pulse of Saigon with our thrilling Vespa scooter tour for an unforgettable adventure through the bustling streets, where you’ll uncover the city’s highlights, secrets, and hidden gems.

As your professional guides, we’ll whisk you away to visiting the famous and thought invoking Burning Monk Memorial Statue. Our adventurous mix of historic landmarks and hidden treasures continues as we soak up the local culture at a fresh flower market and then a bright and vibrant fabric market. We zoom through Saigon traffic on the back of our comfortable Vespas to the captivating Chinese district, visiting a traditional medicine street with traditional medical herb shops, an ancient Buddhist temple and a hidden Chinese pagoda.

Throughout the night, we will travel around the city to learn, discover, and enjoy a variety of authentic local street food that Saigon has to offer, including the famous Banh mi, Vietnamese pizza-like, pork BBQ, and more. A brief stop at the back-alley area will bring you a more local travel experience.

The tour also includes visits to the most popular eat-out snacks area, allowing you to be a local, enjoy the food, and mingle in the local life atmosphere.

As Vietnamese food gains international recognition, this food tour is perfect for those who love to explore local cuisine while catching a glimpse of city life. Let’s roll and make our day filled with appetite and joy. Just make sure to come with an empty stomach but a full adventurous spirit!

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you out of Ho Chi Minh City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Cai Be.

Meet us at Cai Be jetty at 10:00 am. Your crew is set to welcome you aboard with cold towels and a refreshing drink while the Cai Be Princess sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise toward Tan Phong Islet.

From the boat’s unique vantage point, observe life as it is lived along the river – endless boats both big and small, people working the and brilliant landscapes in every shade of green.

Once at Tan Phong Islet, take a short cycling trip through the villages and fruit gardens, looking out in particular for the red, spiky rambutan with its deliciously sweet flesh, the specialty of the islet. Make stops along the way to visit local cottage industries where families make everything from rice paper and rice flour cakes to roof panels from water coconut fronds and homewares from water hyacinths. From the islet, travel via rowing sampan through the peaceful, narrow canals, back to the Cai Be Princess where you’ll continue to the village of Phu An.

Your cruise ends. Lunch is served in this elegant colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river surrounded by fruit trees, giving you a sense of how the privileged class lived in Indochina times.

After lunch at approximately 2:30 pm, take a short walk along the canal towards Ba Bon Bridge where your personal vehicle awaits to drive you back to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure.

Departure Flight: Guest’s own tickets

After breakfast, dedicate your day to relaxation before your private transfer takes you from the hotel to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight back home.