Taste of Vietnam

Arrive Hanoi. You will receive a warm welcome from your guide. Private transfer to hotel.

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Today we spend a full day exploring Hanoi and the city’s cultural heart that bears traces of centuries’ old dynasties. We visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. Driving through Hanoi’s French Quarter we pass by the Opera house and Hoan Kiem Lake. Visit Van Mieu, known as the Temple of Literature containing historical artifacts and Vietnam’s first university. Then enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. There are many varieties of flower arrangements for sale. Many delicious confections are on display along the street. Lunch will be served at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. After lunch, visit “Hoa Lo” Prison also called “Hanoi Hilton”. To observe the daily lives of the locals, we stop at a popular local coffee shop and enjoy Vietnamese coffee dripping from the filter. Return to the hotel and the rest of the evening is free at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you will take a scenic drive to Halong and transfer by tender to the deluxe junk at Tuan Chau (Halong). Discover treasures such as fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and dramatic rock formations rising up out of emerald water as we sail across the Bay of the Descending Dragon. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on board. Dinner is onboard.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There is a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck for early risers. Enjoy the buffet breakfast while sailing across thousands of islets. The cruise ends at Tuan Chau (Halong) in late morning. Transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Danang.
Arrive in Danang. Receive a warm welcome from your guide and private transfer to Hoi An check in hotel.

Breakfast

Take a biking tour to Cam Thanh Village, passing rice paddy fields and enjoy learning about methods of rice production. You will be amazed by the characteristic coconut houses and furniture handcrafted from water coconut and bamboo. You will experience the friendliness of the local people as they greet you along the way. Later you will engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on traditional net fishing experience. You will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats. It will be an unforgettable experience. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, we take a walking tour along Hoi An’s waterfront from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the main market. Stop at the ancient house Tan Ky, the ornate Fu Kien Chinese Temple and continue down to the Hoi An local market.

Breakfast, Lunch

Today we leaving Hoi An to Hue. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. Visit the Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village before check-in the hotel.

Breakfast

In the morning, drive to the countryside passing peaceful streams and verdant rice paddies and arrive at the small village of Thanh Toan with its legendary market. Here you observe the residents’ humble lifestyle and tradition. Visit local family learn about the role of agriculture, and discover the ins and outs of rice farming or spend time wandering the village. See the charming Thanh Toan Covered Bridge with a rare squared timber arch speckled with ancient ceramics is well-preserved 18th-century. Stop for a refreshing drink or sip Vietnamese coffee at the village café. Leaving the village, we head to the iconic seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda “Heaven Fairy Lady”, a symbol of Hue.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the former Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the evening, we visit the Tuyet Nguyen family and enjoy an authentic Vietnamese dinner while learning more about the culture and traditional customs. Transfer back to your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private transfer to airport for flight to Saigon.
Arrive in Saigon and receive a warm welcome from your guide and private transfer to hotel.

Breakfast

In the morning, we have a tour of the city’s colonial legacy; the Colonial Quarter Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral (façade only), the Central Post Office, and Hotel de Ville (City Hall). Visit the Reunification Palace, then explore the surrounding area of ChoLon and visit Thien Hau Pagoda. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, take time to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee arranged at an old colonial style building & garden. Continue the drive along a man-made canal that was an important waterway linking Saigon and the Mekong Delta for over 200 years. Nowadays, with the quick development of roads, goods and produce are mostly shipped by truck. However, we can still see boats from the Mekong Delta arriving loaded with agricultural products and returning with consumer goods. Return to the city center and stop at Ben Thanh Market where you can find a myriad of produce and goods inspired by centuries old traditions as well as a multitude of ingredients used in various authentic dishes. The contrast of past and present creates a remarkable image.

Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we will be driving to the rural town of Cai Be, where we will take a small boat to visit local villages and gain an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to stop at local workshops that produce some of the region’s most exquisite products. We’ll witness the fascinating process of making pop-rice, rice paper, and coconut candy and learn about the traditional techniques used to craft these delicacies. As we venture deeper into the countryside via smaller canals, our destination will be the charming Tan Phong Island. Here, we are fully immersed in the local culture and marvel at the impressive craftsmanship of those who make stunning country cottage roofs from coconut palm leaves and export various products, including baskets, bags, hats, and wallets made from water hyacinth. We get the chance to explore the island on foot or by bike. 

Furthermore, we will be delighted with Southern Vietnamese folk music and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local house. After lunch, we can walk around the village or have some leisure time before returning to Saigon.

Breakfast, Lunch

Private transfer to airport for flight departure.

Breakfast