Dynamic Vietnam Insights

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Welcome to Hanoi, Capital of Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Noi Bai International Airport; your private guide and driver will meet you OUTSIDE the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel downtown.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard. If you can’t find the tour guide, please feel free to call me via my cellphone at +84.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 14:00; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the city’s top attractions, sample Hanoi’s authentic local dishes away from the tourist trails, hunkering down with the locals on the street at a variety of atmospheric food stalls.

Morning

Begin with a tour of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country’s ‘Great Father’. Here you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern history’s greatest names. Nearside his house is the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural significance.

From HCM Complex, you will take a leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. Explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.

Lunch at Lan Ong Restaurant: Experience the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter through authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Lan Ong invites you to enjoy a warm, culturally rich meal where history and modern flavors meet. Whether you’re a local or a traveler, our intimate setting offers a true taste of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

Afternoon

After lunch, continue to visit the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple.

Embark on a fun cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride through the French colonial architecture of the precinct known as the French Quater, past the French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the heritage Metropole Legend Hotel and the Opera House, name to a few.

Finish the day with a guided foody walking tour through Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, where the energy of the streets comes alive. Explore hidden alleyways and soak in the local atmosphere as your guide shares insights into daily life and cultural traditions that make this area unique.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:30 – 09:00 – Our private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi.

12:00 – Arrive at our office at Halong International Cruise Port. You’ll have a short break while the captain completes registration. Then, transfer by tender to board the cruise.

12:30 – Embark on the cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink and take a few moments to listen to a brief introduction from your tour guide before exploring the boat.

13:00 – Savor a delicious Vietnamese lunch as we begin cruising deeper into the stunning Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00 – Arrive at Cap La Island, our kayaking area. Paddle through dramatic limestone karsts, swim in the clear waters, or relax on a secluded natural beach. You may also explore the area by tender boat. Towels and waterproof bags are provided. The cruise will anchor nearby.

17:00 – Return to the boat and unwind on deck.

18:00 – Join us for a sunset party with music and happy hour. Our chef will entertain you with a fun vegetable carving demonstration.

19:00 – Enjoy a sumptuous dinner served onboard.

20:30 – Spend your evening as you wish: challenge yourself with traditional Vietnamese puzzle games, gather for a board game with friends or family, try your hand at squid fishing, or simply relax with a cocktail and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the bay.

Overnight on cruise.

06:00 – Begin your day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck or simply enjoy the serene morning view of the bay’s breathtaking landscape. Fresh coffee and tea will be available from 06:30.

07:00 – A buffet breakfast will be served to energize you for the day ahead.

07:30 – Visit the beautifully hidden Thien Canh Son Cave, known for its impressive stalactites and panoramic views.

08:30 – Return to the cruise. Take this time to pack your belongings and freshen up.

09:15 – Check out. Please place your heavy luggage in the corridor and leave your key in the door.

09:45 – Join a short cooking demonstration where you’ll learn how to prepare fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, guided step-by-step by our chef.

10:15 – Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese brunch served onboard as we cruise back to the port.

10:45 – 11:30 – Settle your bill and disembark at Halong International Cruise Port. Wait comfortably for your return shuttle.

12:00 – From the habor, you will be transferred to the airport to catch the flight to Da Nang, in the central of Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Da Nang Airport; your private guide and driver will meet you OUTSIDE the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 14:00; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Your tour guide will pick you up and take you to 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.

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.

Now, it’s time for your Hoi An street food discovery tour. With your guide, you will weave in and out the tiny alleyways, get to chow down with the locals at stalls you’d never discover on your own. Every day at 4 pm, Hoi An’s streets filled with a myriad of street food carts, stalls, and vendors. The street food tour is a great introduction for you to enjoy a few of the Hoi An specialties cooked up by the locals, to introduce you to the faces behind the stock pots and to teach you how the Hoi An locals deal with those condiment trays!

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Da Nang at your own pace. This vibrant coastal city offers a perfect mix of modern charm, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.

Overnight in Da Nang.

After breakfast, you will be met by your private guide and transferred by private vehicle (approximately 4 hours) to the Royal City of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

Today’s journey over the spectacular Hai Van Pass promises to be one of the most scenic drives of your trip, offering breathtaking coastal panoramas, dramatic mountain landscapes, and beautiful views over the South China Sea.

Arrive in Hue around midday and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may wish to enjoy a relaxing stroll along the banks of the Perfume River or discover Hue’s refined culinary scene through its charming restaurants, cafés, and elegant bars.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning

Your day will start with the Hue Royal Complex, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last Monarchy of Vietnam from 1802 – 1945. You will explore the ancient and atmospheric walled Citadel which contains the former Imperial Palace and the Forbidden Purple City.

Wind your way to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, a captivating museum in Hue that displays a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty, providing a unique window into royal history and culture.

Today you will enjoy an excellent Vegetarian lunch at a local Buddhist Monastery, prepared and served by the nuns.

Afternoon

You will visit the final resting place – called the King tomb of Tu Duc, then head to Vong Canh Hill to watch the sunset over the Perfume River. On the way back to town, you will visit a local workshop where you can see how incense sticks and traditional conical hats are made.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Hue Airport for a short flight heading south 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.

A warm greeting awaits at Tan Son Nhat International Airport; your private guide and driver will meet you OUTSIDE the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel downtown.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 14:00; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred 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 Vietcong during the later years of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video from the period before exploring the tunnels, the most famous battlegrounds in the world. 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 originally very narrow, some parts have been widened for the tourists and you have the opportunity to explore parts of the system.

Please note that these tunnels will be hot and can get claustrophobic, so there is an option if you’d like to view from above ground. 

Try some of the main food of the Viet Cong Soldiers with a cassava tasting served with tangy tea. After experiencing the Cu Chi Tunnels, return to Ho Chi Minh City where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive in a charming village tucked beneath hundreds of coconut palm trees. You’ll be warmly welcomed at Mekong Home, a lovely family-run guesthouse featuring several cozy bungalows set within a lush tropical garden on the banks of the Mekong River. Enjoy a refreshing glass of fresh coconut juice before checking into your room. Take some time to rest, then savor a delicious lunch at Mekong Home’s open-air restaurant.

In the afternoon, embark on a peaceful cruise along the Ham Luong River, where you’ll visit small local workshops that offer insight into the area’s traditional economy. Stops include a coconut processing workshop, where you’ll sample fresh coconut and discover how every part of the nut is used to create food and products, and a broom-making family workshop, where brooms are crafted from coconut leaves—you’ll even have the chance to try weaving one yourself!

Next, stop in a quiet village for a short walk to observe daily life in the community. Then, travel by bicycle or xe lôi (a type of motorized rickshaw unique to the Delta), before switching to a rowing boat to glide through narrow, shaded canals back to the main boat.

Return to the restaurant in the late afternoon and join a hands-on cooking class to make Bánh xèo, a savory Vietnamese pancake made from rice milk. Dinner will be served afterward, featuring a variety of fresh, locally inspired dishes such as caramelized pork, fish soup, and spring rolls.

After dinner, unwind with a soothing lemongrass and ginger foot bath, a traditional local therapy to ease leg fatigue and promote relaxation.

Overnight in Ben Tre.

Enjoy the fresh morning air as breakfast is served. Afterward, begin a leisurely cycling trip (lasting approximately 2 to 2.5 hours) to Oc Island, following a scenic concrete path lined with fruit trees and coconut palms. Along the way, pass through a local market bustling with vendors selling fresh vegetables, meats, and tropical fruits.

Depending on availability, visit a coconut-stem basket workshop and a coconut processing facility, where you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the local artisans and learn different braiding techniques.

Continue cycling and board a local Mekong River ferry to cross over to Oc Island. There, ride along narrow, peaceful paths winding through lush greenery and traditional rural homes, witnessing the daily life of the Mekong Delta inhabitants, shaped by agricultural and artisanal work.

Make a stop at a fish farm, where you’ll learn about the cultivation of two major catfish species: cá tra (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and cá ba sa (Pangasius bocourti), both of which are key to Vietnam’s aquaculture industry.

Continue your bike ride through the serene countryside before returning to Mekong Home. Check out around 12:00 PM. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Afternoon (If Time Permit)

Spend the rest of the day visiting some of Ho Chi Minh City’s key highlights. We’ll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House, the historic Rex Hotel, the Central Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market. Later stop at the Reunification Palace (outsidevisiting) and the moving War Remnants Museum to for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnam’s military history and turbulent past.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Departure Flight: Guest’s own tickets

After check-out, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport where you board your flight to catch your flight home.