Wonders of Vietnam: Culture, Coastlines, and Cuisine

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, we were greeted and transferred to our hotel by car.

Check-in time: 2:00 PM

Note: Early check-in is subject to availability or guaranteed with a surcharge.

Time permitting, as dictated by our arrival time, we embark on a city tour of this exciting hub to get to grips with Hanoi’s history and heritage. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city, and it is steeped in culture. We include the best the city has to offer, including the Fine Arts Museum (closed on Mondays, so arrivals on this day will visit an alternative site) and Quan Thanh Temple.

In the evening, we enjoy a performance of a traditional water puppet show where the art of puppetry is performed in water accompanied by music.

Overnight in Hanoi | Meals: N/A

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departing from Hanoi, we head to Ha Long (Tuan Chau Marina) via highway (approximately 2.5 hours). Here, our romantic escape steps up a notch as we board a join-in boat to enhance the experience in this magical place. Cruising through the Gulf of Tonkin in style, we absorb the sublime scenery that has made this a must-see global destination. We will pass rugged limestone islands clad in jungle. Our journey includes stops at the Tra Bau area, which is known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. There is the possibility of kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands, or immersing yourself in the emerald green water of the bay. Enjoying sundowners back on deck, a gourmet fresh seafood dinner is then served.

Overnight on board.

Please note: The cruise itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions, operational decisions by the cruise operator, or regulations issued by port authorities. We will confirm the final itinerary at the time of booking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start the day with a traditional Tai Chi class on the sundeck, set against the serene backdrop of the bay. Afterward, we continue our cruise through the breathtaking scenery, with the opportunity to explore Trung Trang Cave—one of the most impressive natural wonders on Cat Ba Island. Breakfast is enjoyed on board, followed by disembarkation at Ha Long Wharf.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, guests will do a city tour starting with Hoa Lo Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” to learn about its layered history from colonial times to the Vietnam War. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070, where tranquil courtyards and ancient pavilions offer a glimpse into the country’s scholarly traditions.

Arrive at the hotel in the early evening.

Meals are on own arrangement.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast

We transfer to Hanoi Airport after breakfast for our domestic flight to Hue. (Book on your own)

Upon arrival, we head to ancient Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This destination was once home to princes, princesses, high-ranking mandarins, and rich families who occupied private residences across the city and shaped Hue’s elegant way of life – traces of which can be seen today. Our guided tour takes us to Emperor Tu Duc’s Tomb, before continuing to King Khai Dinh Tomb, which took 11 years to complete and incorporates a blend of both Eastern and Western architectural styles. We also visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda, which is positioned in a tranquil area among trees.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Dinner is on own arrangement

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Hue.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, our morning is spent rounding up our Hue exploration.

We hop on a dragon boat to cruise along the poetic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which is one of the most ancient places of religious worship in Hue.

Next, we head to the nearby Imperial City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we depart for Da Nang and travel on the winding Hai Van Pass, which offers spectacular ocean views and a journey through picturesque villages. On the way, we stop at the Cham Museum, which houses an extensive collection of sculptures dating from the 7th to 15th centuries, before proceeding to the pretty and tranquil ancient seaport of Hoi An.

Dinner is on own arrangement.

Overnight is in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on our walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An.

This ancient town oozes romance, and it was once a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Here we visit Tan Ky Old House, Fukien Assembly Hall, and the ancient Japanese Covered Bridge. We also observe locals who raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

We then transfer to Da Nang Airport for our domestic evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (Book on your own)

Upon arrival at this buzzing southern metropolis, we are transferred to our hotel for check-in.

Dinner is on own arrangement.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Cai Be by coach, which is 130 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 2.5 hours travel time). This world of water and lush vegetation is the country’s most important agricultural region and is known as the ‘rice basket of Vietnam’.

We hop on a wooden boat to travel to Vinh Long and cruise through the colourful Cai Be boat gathering point to observe a plethora of delicious goods for sale. In the afternoon, we continue our cruise along fruit orchards created next to narrow canals to the town of Vinh Long, which is located on the bank of the Mekong River.

Once we have completed our waterway adventure, we drive to Can Tho and check into the hotel.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Dinner is on own arrangement.

Overnight is at a hotel in Can Tho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

An early morning start takes us to Cai Rang Floating Market. This bustling wholesale market gives us a real taste of local life, and we experience it on the water to get as close to the trading action as possible. It is the biggest such facility in the Mekong Delta and is best enjoyed early to observe a unique way of conducting business. Next we head to a local fruit orchard to taste some of the tropical fruits this region is famed for, including mango, rambutan, durian, guava and longan.

In the afternoon, we leave rural life behind and head back to the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Dinner is on own arrangement, and Overnight is at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel.

Absorb history and heritage on a tour that combines diverse experiences. Departing our hotel at around 7 am, we embark on a two-hour journey from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network – originally built in 1948 and later expanded to more than 250 km – offers a powerful insight into the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people during conflict. It served as a strategic base for Viet Cong guerrilla fighters during the Vietnam War and features living quarters, medical facilities and ammunition storage. Led by an expert guide, we take a short walk through a section of the tunnels, where we see wartime exhibits and trap displays. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Reunification Palace, the former presidential residence that is central to the country’s history. We then proceed to the Central Post Office, a striking example of French colonial architecture, where we can send a postcard home. Our immersive exploration concludes with a relaxing drink at a local cafe before we head back to the hotel, concluding an excursion that reveals renowned history and the city’s cultural heritage.

Dinner is on own arrangement.

Overnight is at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we have free time to spend at leisure until we transfer to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport for our departure flight.

End of our services

Meals: Breakfast