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

Day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in HCM City.

Day 2  Ho Chi Minh City (Cu Chi Tunnels)
City sightseeing tour includes the Notre Dame cathedral, Reunification palace, Hotel de Ville (City Hall), Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels, the Vietcong built, 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. This evening, enjoy dinner at the acclaimed Mandarine Restaurant or The Deck. (B,L,D).

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City (Mekong Delta)
Today enjoy an excursion to the Mekong Delta at Cai Be, a small town with an elegant Neo-Romanesque Cathedral at the town center recalling the presence of the French colonialists back in the 19th century. Board the Cai Be Princess to cruise down the Mekong River. Observe river life along the banks and explore a local village in which local families are running age-old cottage industries making traditional treats such as dried longans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies. Here, mingle with the locals with a chance to sample these local delicacies. Continue the trip across a main flow of the mighty Mekong then follow narrow waterways through peaceful lush green orchards as well as lively scenes well inhabited sections of canals. Disembark at Vinh Long and return to Saigon by vehicle. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 4 HCM City / Hoi An
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to the charming town of Hoi An steeped in history in a beautiful setting lined with color shops, art galleries and eclectic cafes. Enroute, visit Marble Mountains and China Beach before checking in to your hotel in Hoi An. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon to relax, eat and explore Hoi An on your own. (B)

Day 5 Hoi An
This morning, enjoy a tour of the Old Town by Cylco (rickshaw) visiting local markets and various landmarks for which Hoi An is famous. Enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure to relax and soak up Hoi An’s unsurpassed charm. Later this afternoon, enjoy a culinary experience by Red Bridge restaurant. Visit the colourful Hoi An market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy marketplace. Here take the opportunity to interact with the local vendors and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Following the market board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure to have a camera ready. On arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dishes preparation is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before guests are given a chance to prepare the very same dish. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, sit down and savour the Vietnamese cooking from the class. (B,D)

Day 6 Hoi An
This morning,  embark on a boat trip along the Thu Bon river to observe river life including visits to a local village. Return to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)

Day 7 Hoi An / Danang 
Upon hotel checkout, take a short 1 hour drive to one of Vietnam most luxurious resorts, the InterContentinal Danang Sun Peninsula Resort boasting stunning views of the South China Sea. Balance of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy the variety of resort facilities The Continental has to offer. (B)

Day 8 Danang 
Full day free at leisure in Paradise. (B)

Day 9 Danang / Hanoi
Transfer for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a Hanoi “Foodies Tour”. This evening’s culinary adventure starts with an introduction to Ms Anh Tuyet, a famous chef in Hanoi who Anthony Bourdain visited and had the Grilled Honey Chicken – “the best Vietnamese dish he had ever tasted”. Together with Ms Anh Tuyet take a walk through the narrow streets for an introduction to the street food culture of Hanoi. Pass by steaming noodle stalls and aromatic outdoor grills. Stop to sample some mouthwatering local delicacies such as bun cha which is rice vermicelli with grilled pork patties. Also try the famous Vietnamese Pho made with chicken or beef, fresh green papaya salad, and a decadently sweet dessert. Overnight at the beautiful and charismatic  Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel. (B,D)

Day 10 Hanoi
Today, tour the city of Hanoi with visits to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum*, his House on Stilt where he lived and ruled the country, One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature, the Opera House and Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. “Hanoi Hilton”). Lunch is served at the exclusive Press Club. This evening, enjoy diner at Hanoi’s highly acclaimed Le Beaulieu French Cuisine. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)

**Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closed on Mondays & Fridays and from October thru November.**

Day 11 Hanoi / Halong Bay
This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Halong Bay, passing the Red River and small local towns en-route. Upon arrival, board the very exclusive Halong Violet Cruise and set sail for a fantastic cruise around Halong and Bai Tu Long Bay. While on board, feast your eyes on the azure waters of this magical bay where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. Visit Luon cave to discover the lagoon by bamboo raft through the water tunnel with a chance to observe wild monkeys and various wildlife and bird species. Continue cruising passing through local fishing villages and enjoy a cooking and fruit carving demonstration. Lunch and dinner are served on board. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Halong Bay /  Hanoi
This morning, join a Tai Chi class on the open deck for some morning exercise. Afterward, board a  smaller boat for the natural white sandy stretch of beach with crystal clear water. Climb to a hill top for a last view over Halong Bay before returning to the boat for the slow cruise back to Halong City, passing picturesque areas including Titov Island, the Tam Cung Cave and Poem Mountain. Disembark cruise followed by transfer to Hanoi Airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

***Note: departure flight from Hanoi must be 4pm or later. For earlier departures, we can re-arrange the itinerary to insert the Halong Cruise between days 10 and 11. 

***END OF PROGRAM***

• 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.