Luxurious Highlights of Vietnam Paradises

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Xin Chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where your private guide and driver will meet you outside the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel, Hotel Des Arts.

Please look for your tour guide holding a welcome signboard with your names. If you can’t locate your guide, please feel free to call me via my cellphone for immediate assistance.

While we make every effort to have your room ready upon arrival, please note that check-in at Hotel Des Arts is at 15:00. Your room may not be available before this time. Your tour guide will provide you with further details about your stay and is happy to answer any questions you may have.

The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your leisure.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Vietnam eVisa (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Vietnam eVisa must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Optional: Saigon Dinner Cruise

In the evening, experience the charm of Ho Chi Minh City from a different perspective with our Saigon Dinner Cruise at 18:00.

The cruise offers a delicious set menu or buffet of Vietnamese and international cuisines. As you dine, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city’s skyline, sparkling lights, and the peaceful rhythm of the water.

After finishing the dinner, your driver will pick you up from the hotel.

Today you will travel to the Legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, the most famous battlegrounds in the world, by luxury speedboat. Set out early to avoid large crowds, ensuring that your boats arrive before everyone else.

After an early breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred by to the Bach Dang pier to embark on a fun and relaxing speedboat ride to Cu Chi, a small community located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, known for its network of deep tunnels that provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Viet Cong (Vietnamese fighters) during the later years of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video from the period, followed by a walk through the reserve. The hidden network of Viet Cong tunnels is believed to stretch to “hundreds of miles,”  in total length, housed living quarters, storage rooms, makeshift hospitals, and kitchens…etc. Although initially very narrow, a section of the tunnels has been widened, so you will have the opportunity to explore parts of the system to get a feel for what the underground life must have been like.

Back to the pier, meet your guide and driver again, and start to explore the city in the afternoon.

Moving to visit the Reunification Palace. The war officially ended here on April 30th, 1975, when tank 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of the home of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Then you’ll go outside Notre Dame Cathedral, built by French colonists during their settlement. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical building considered one of the city’s main tourist attractions.

Overnight in HCM City.

After breakfast in the morning, begin your drive to Ben Tre in 2 hours’ drive.

Upon arrival at Ba Lai bridge in Ben Tre, get on Xe Loi (trishaw-motor) ride alongside the narrow village roads to our local pier.

You will board your Mango cruise boat at Ba Dung Pier in Ben Tre and head to An Hoa River. Enjoy coconut juice and peaceful scenery while crew members board your luggage.  The cruise will take you to Phong Nam village in Giong Trom, where you will take the cycling trip through the Village to explore more of the local daily life.

Stop at a local house to taste the tropical fruits and chat with the farmer. Visit a coconut spirits factory, which is a popular drink among the natives in Vietnam. It is a sweet, fresh or mildly fermented sap taken from tapping the young, expanded flowers of the coconut, good for the health.

Continue to take a rowing sampan boat through the small canals, which are covered green by the water coconut plants.

As you reach the big river, your sampan is waiting for you, and lunch will be served on board.

After lunch, your boat will take you to My Long village where you will meet with a local family, Mr Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Now he and his wife live on making rice paper, which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife, and observe the process of how it is made

Return to the boat and continue to cruise to Mo Cay canals. Stop for a visit at the coconut processing workshop where you can see how the locals utilize every bit of coconut.  Continue cruising to Vung Liem Canal where your sampan will dock for an overnight.

Relax and freshen up for your cooking demonstration and dinner on board.  The rest of the evening will be spent at your leisure.

Overnight on the cruise.

In the morning, breakfast will be served on board, and you will start to visit the brick factory where you will see how bricks are made in the traditional method and mostly by hand. Continue to take the bike ride through green paddies, garden settings and local villages to explore the untouched beauty of this region.

Head to the town of Vung Liem, continue on to visit the Cao Dai Temple in one of the most popular local religions, which is a combination of Taoism, Buddhism and Confusism.

The boat will then cruise to Tra On on the Mang Thit River, on the way you will stop at Cai Nhum village where you will have a walk or bike ride through local villages and this will offer a good chance to observe the local culture and interact with the local people.

Get back to your boat and continue cruising to Can Tho.

While on board, freshen up, and then head to the deck to observe the sun set, your private bar is always open and your dinner will be served afterwards. Enjoy fresh air while cruising on the tranquil water.  The rest of the evening is spent at your leisure.

Overnight onboard near Can Tho City.

Get up early in the morning and your breakfast will be ready out the Deck. Freshen up for the early boat trip to the spectacular Cai Rang floating market, where you will transfer to a smaller boat and mingle amongst the thousands of trading vessels. Feel free to buy yourself fruits or drinks from the local boats.

After your market visit, return to your Mango Cruise, and soak in your surroundings. Time to check out and you will be dropped off at Ninh Kieu quay in Can Tho, and transfer to the airport in Can Tho for your short domestic flight to Phu Quoc Island.

A warm greeting awaits upon arrival at Phu Quoc International Airport, where your private guide and driver will meet you outside the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel, the luxurious Regent Phu Quoc.

Please look for your tour guide holding a welcome signboard with your names. If you are unable to locate your guide, please feel free to call me via my cellphone for assistance.

Nestled along the pristine white sands of Long Beach, Regent Phu Quoc is a refined beachfront resort offering a seamless blend of contemporary luxury and Vietnamese charm. Featuring private pools, serene ocean views, and exceptional wellness and dining experiences, the resort is designed to be a sanctuary for relaxation and indulgence.

While every effort is made to have your room ready upon arrival, check-in time at Regent Phu Quoc is at 15:00, and early room availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour guide will share additional information about your stay and is happy to assist with any questions you may have.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure—unwind at the resort, stroll along the beach, or enjoy the first taste of island life.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast is at your hotel.

These days are completely free days for you to enjoy your leisure time. While taking the opportunity to get stuck into a good book or two, catch up on some sleep, and spend plenty of time soaking up the sun at the resort’s beautiful private sandy beach. You will find the softest sand that you have ever walked in. Otherwise, take your time to enjoy pampering yourself in the resort spa so that you leave feeling fully rejuvenated.

When the sun sets, the night begins to fall, and your thoughts turn to the evening ahead, there’s a place to take a moment’s respite, reflect on the day’s fun, and plan for another sun-filled tomorrow. Not far from the ocean’s quietly lapping waves you’ll find a casual chair or a comfy sofa to sit with your beloved wife, watch the sun sink over the horizon and sip on a signature cocktail, down an ice-cold beer or enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie. And it’s the perfect place to think about what to have for dinner.

Overnight on Phu Quoc Island.

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Phu Quoc International Airport for a short flight heading south to Hanoi Capital.

A warm greeting awaits at Noi Bai International Airport, where your private guide and driver will meet you outside the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel, the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Please look for your tour guide holding a welcome signboard with your names. If you can’t locate your guide, please feel free to call me via my cellphone for immediate assistance.

Your accommodation, the Sofitel Legend Metropole, is a historic French colonial landmark located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Since 1901, the Metropole has hosted royalty, dignitaries, and celebrated authors. With its blend of old-world charm, luxurious amenities, and exceptional service, the hotel offers an elegant and atmospheric introduction to Vietnam’s capital.

While every effort is made to have your room ready upon arrival, check-in time at the Sofitel Metropole is at 15:00, and early access is subject to availability. Your tour guide will provide further details about your stay and answer any questions you may have.

The rest of the day is at your leisure—feel free to relax at the hotel, enjoy a walk around the nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, or simply take in the ambiance of this historic city.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, with the help of your private guide and driver, you’ll uncover Hanoi’s top attractions and savor authentic local dishes, dining streetside alongside the locals.

Morning

Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, where Vietnam honors its ‘Great Father.’ Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed afternoons, Fridays, and Mondays) to see his embalmed body, his House on Stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic 11th-century Buddhist temple.

Next, explore the millennia-old Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and a tribute to Confucian values.

Enjoy lunch at Lan Ong Restaurant, where history, culture, and modern Vietnamese dining come together in an intimate and immersive experience.

Afternoon

After lunch, visit the historic Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton), once used by French colonists and later for U.S. prisoners of war.

Take a fun cyclo ride through the French Quarter, admiring its colonial architecture, including the Vietnam History Museum, Metropole Legend Hotel, and Opera House.

Attend a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique northern Vietnamese art form, at a nearby theater.

Enjoy a cup of Hanoi’s famous Egg Coffee at Pho Co Café, offering stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

Wrap up the day with a walking tour through the vibrant Old Quarter, discovering Hanoi’s dynamic street food scene. Sample dishes like Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (Vietnamese sandwich), and Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles) while seated on tiny plastic stools in a lively back alley.

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 the Ginger Cruise which is your home for a lovely night.

Embark on a unique journey, meeting at Heritage Line’s lounge at Tuan Chau Marina. A short speedboat transfer takes you to your luxurious floating home, the starting point for exploring the wonders of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Lunch is served in the almost 360-, light-flooded, elegant dining room during we sail deeper into the bay.

Unwind on the terrace deck or private balcony, soaking in the surreal seascape.

Mooring close to Cat Ba Island, we step on land heading to Viet Hai Village, nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by jungle-cladded mountains. Cycling through this valley offers wonderful insights into the isolated life of the local inhabitants. The community, surrounded by thick forests and mountains, and only accessible by sea, is self-sufficient, cultivating vegetables, fruits, and fishing on the bay. Returning to the ship, we sail to our overnight anchorage spot in Lan Ha Bay. The ship’s chef invites you to a hands-on cooking class in the dining room, showcasing local ingredients and the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes.

Extend the evening by unwinding at the bar with a digestif or joining the team for some funny squid fishing before retiring to your suite.

Overnight on board in Lan Ha Bay.

Wake up early for a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. Traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room for a first bite. The ship sails to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for an energetic morning excursion by kayak. Explore this captivating marine landscape with cliffs stretching vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through a labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks and vivid tree-topped islets.

Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast or brunch while cruising back to the disembarkation spot, from where we transfer you back to the pier by speedboat. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on the terrace deck.

Meet your driver and tour guide again, get back to Hanoi at the afternoon. Spending your remaining day to explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Departure Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Free at the hotel until our private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Noi Bai International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.