A Luxury Vietnam Tour & Romantic Escape – HCM City, Hoi An, Danang, Hanoi, Halong Bay

Day 1 Arrive Ho Chin Minh City  (Welcome to Vietnam!): Upon arrival, be met by your private guide and transferred to your luxury hotel in the heart of the city. The evening is yours to relax or take in the electric pulse of Saigon at your doorstep.

Day 2 HCM City (City Icons & Cu Chi Tunnels): This morning, venture beyond the city to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels — a remarkable 200-kilometer labyrinth once vital to the Vietcong resistance. Walking through this underground world offers a powerful window into Vietnam’s resilience and resourcefulness. Return to the city for lunch followed by a guided exploration of its storied landmarks. Marvel at the neo-Romanesque grandeur of Notre Dame Cathedral, step through history at the Reunification Palace, and admire the ornate French colonial elegance of Hotel de Ville and the Central Post Office. Conclude your morning at the lively Ben Thanh Market, where tradition mingles with modern rhythm.

As evening falls, delight in a curated dining experience: savor refined Vietnamese gastronomy at the elegant Mandarine Restaurant, or opt for riverside sophistication at The Deck, where contemporary cuisine meets chic Saigon ambiance. (B,L,D)

Day 3 HCM City (Cruise The Mekong): The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s fertile “rice bowl,” unfolds as a tapestry of winding rivers, coconut groves, and timeless traditions. From Saigon, journey into a world where daily life flows on water. Step aboard the Cai Be Princess, your private sampan, and drift between islands where villagers craft rice paper, weave hyacinth mats, and tend lush orchards much as their ancestors did. Pause to cycle shaded village paths or glide by sampan along quiet canals, waving to children on the banks. By midday, an elegant lunch awaits in a colonial-style villa surrounded by tropical gardens. Upon disembarkation, and before returning to modern Vietnam, wander through a bustling fish market, where locals haggle over the day’s freshest catch in a lively, colorful scene. (B,L)

Day 4 HCM City / Hoi An (From Bright Lights to Small Town Charm): Fly to Danang and meet your private guide for the scenic drive to Hoi An. Along the way, glimpse the golden sands of China Beach, once a wartime haven and now one of Vietnam’s most beautiful coastlines. For those wishing to stretch their legs, a short hike through the Marble Mountains reveals ancient pagodas, atmospheric grottoes, and sweeping coastal views. Arrive at your riverside resort and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, savor Hoi An’s culinary heritage on a guided food tour, sampling local favorites and a romantic stroll through the lantern-lit town. End the night with a tranquil boat ride on the Hoai River, releasing flower garlands like a local beneath the glow of lanterns. (B)

Day 5 Hoi An (A Living Museum): This morning, take a guided walking tour of Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Free of most motorized traffic, the town invites you to stroll along lantern-draped lanes lined with merchant houses, temples, and bustling markets. Visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the colorful waterfront where fishing boats bob gently on the Thu Bon River. Along the way, sample local specialties such as green leaf cakes, and pause at a local tea house before returning to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to relax, dine, or continue exploring at leisure. (B)

Day 6 Hoi An (Cooking Fun in the Countryside): Today, choose your epicurean adventure from two immersive journeys into Vietnam’s culinary heart.

Option 1: Culinary Fun at Red Bridge Cooking School – Begin with a sensory stroll through Hoi An’s bustling market before a gentle cruise along the Thu Bon River. At the celebrated Red Bridge Cooking School, fragrant gardens set the stage for a hands-on class with master chefs, culminating in a countryside lunch of your own creations. 

Option 2: Farm-to-Table at an Organic Farm – Awaken your senses with traditional Vietnamese coffee, then journey by boat to Tra Que vegetable village. Amid flourishing herb gardens, experience light farming, a soothing herbal foot soak, and a guided cooking session before gathering for a refined farm-to-table feast. 

The afternoon is yours to relax by the pool, sip a cocktail by the river or explore Hoi An town.  This evening, enjoy the acclaimed Teh Dar Show, a spellbinding cirque performance of tribal dance, acrobatics, and live music. (B,L)

Day 7 Hoi An / Danang (From Ancient Town to Seaside Indulgence): After checkout, your private driver whisks you north along the coast to the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, an award-winning retreat where jungle-clad hills meet the turquoise South China Sea. Designed by famed architect Bill Bensley, the resort is a sanctuary of indulgence, artistry, and privacy. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind — lounge by the infinity pool, stroll the pristine private beach, or retreat into the elegance of your villa. (B)

Day 8 Danang (Leisure in Paradise): Enjoy a full day at leisure, free to savor the resort’s exceptional offerings: relax on the beach, explore hidden jungle trails, indulge in the spa, or retreat to your terrace for sweeping ocean views. (B)

Day 9 Danang / Hanoi (From Seaside Serenity to Street Food Fun): Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, where you’ll be greeted by your private guide and transferred to your luxury hotel for a two-night stay. Settle in and soak up the city’s vibrant energy just beyond your doorstep.

This evening, immerse yourself in Hanoi’s legendary culinary scene — birthplace of many iconic Vietnamese dishes and celebrated as one of the world’s great food capitals. Guided by a top Master Chef, wander through narrow alleyways and bustling markets, discovering how local ingredients reflect centuries of culture and tradition. Pause on a tiny plastic chair for a frothy Vietnamese cappuccino, then sample a dozen seasonal street foods before ending the night with a cold beer at a hidden café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. (B,D)

Day 10 Hanoi (History, Culture & Flavor): This morning, delve into Hanoi’s layered heritage at the Temple of Literature, pause at the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, and reflect on poignant wartime history at Hoa Lo Prison, where the late John McCain was held captive for 5 years during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, shift from history to flavor. Stroll through Tay Ho district, where steaming bowls of phở, delicate bánh cuốn (rice rolls), and rich Vietnamese coffee await. A simple but delicious lunch will be served at Bún Chả Hương Liên, a.k.a. Bún Chả Obama, forever remembered as the place where President Obama and Anthony Bourdain shared a casual Hanoi meal.

Later this afternoon, step into the past with Sofitel Legend Metropole’s exclusive The Path of History Tour, which reveals the hotel’s storied heritage and its secret underground bomb shelter, rediscovered in 2011. The evening culminates with a set dinner at Le Beaulieu, the Metropole’s celebrated French restaurant, where timeless elegance and exquisite cuisine create a truly memorable dining experience. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Hanoi / Halong Bay (From City Lights to Dreamy Seascape): This morning, set out on a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Halong Bay.  Upon arrival, board your intimate luxury vessel and begin a tranquil voyage through the emerald waters of Halong and Lan Ha Bay, where nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rise in dramatic, sculptural forms. Each turn reveals new vistas of misty cliffs, hidden lagoons, and quiet coves.

Enjoy curated shore excursions to picturesque islands and ancient caverns, with opportunities to kayak or swim in calm, sheltered waters. Onboard, savor freshly prepared lunch and dinner inspired by regional flavors, paired with sweeping views of the bay. As evening falls, the gentle motion of the ship and the stillness of the water create an atmosphere of romance and deep relaxation. A gourmet dinner  is served on board. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Lan Ha Bay (Serenity & Indulgence in The Bay): Begin your morning with a calming Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast, explore the famed Sung Sot Cave—an expansive grotto shaped by millions of years of natural artistry. Return to the cruise and continue gliding through the bay’s quiet waterways before enjoying a leisurely kayaking session in sheltered inlets. Later, visit a floating pearl farm to learn about the intricate craft of cultivating and harvesting Vietnam’s celebrated pearls.

Back onboard, savor dinner while the sun dips behind the limestone peaks. This evening, try your hand at squid fishing under the starlit sky, or simply unwind before retiring for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Halong Bay / Hanoi (From Emerald Waters to Ancient Capital): Begin your final morning on the bay with a visit to Ti Top Island. Enjoy a refreshing swim along its crescent beach or, for something more active, ascend the 400 steps to the summit for sweeping panoramic views over the karst-studded seascape. Return to your vessel to freshen up and savor the last tranquil stretch of cruising as you make your way back to the harbor. After disembarkation, transfer to Hanoi, arriving by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is yours to relax, dine or further explore Hanoi on your own. (B)

Day 14 Depart Hanoi (Farewell Vietnam): Your private transfer brings you to Noi Bai airport, where your guide ensures a seamless departure for your flight—concluding a Vietnam journey of comfort, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. (B)

• LS (Low Season) : May – September
• HS (High Season): October – April
• Price is per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic airport taxes & fuel surcharges
• Holiday Surcharge and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels may apply for travel between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• Price excludes Trans-pacific airfares.  Discount Economy and Business Class Fares available upon request.
• Economy Seats will be used for internal flights without Business Class cabin
• Price excludes personal expenses, beverages,  gratuities to guides and drivers
• A visa is required to enter Vietnam. Not included in package.