Day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Min 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 right outside your door.

Day 2 HCM City (Cu Chi Tunnels & City Icons): This morning, journey outside the city to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. First dug in 1948, this 200km labyrinth once sheltered guerrillas during air raids and evolved into a hidden underground city with storerooms, hospitals, and living quarters. You’ll have the option to descend into the tunnels—whether just a short stretch or deeper exploration—always with your guide’s care.

Return to the city for lunch at a local restaurant, then explore Saigon’s highlights: the former Presidential Palace, Book Street, Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only), the Gothic–colonial Post Office, and the Fine Arts Museum. Conclude at colorful Ben Thanh Market, sampling street food and browsing handicrafts, before returning to your hotel for leisure. (B,L)

Day 3 HCM City (The Mekong Delta – Where Life Flows with the River): This morning, escape the city for a journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta, where winding waterways weave through lush villages and daily life follows the river’s timeless rhythm. After a scenic 1.5-hour drive to My Tho, cruise past floating communities and visit a family-run fish farm to see how aquaculture has been sustained for generations. Step ashore on a tranquil island for a beeswax workshop, a tradition lovingly passed down by local artisans.

Glide by hand-rowed sampan along coconut-shaded creeks as your guide shares stories of how these waterways once sheltered resistance fighters. Savor a garden-house lunch of Mekong delicacies, then continue your adventure by bicycle or buggy past rice paddies, fruit orchards, and mushroom farms, meeting growers and sampling seasonal produce along the way. Return to Saigon enriched with a deeper appreciation for the Delta’s enduring traditions and way of life. (B,L)

Day 4 HCM City / Nha Trang (From Bright Lights to Tropical Bliss): This morning, leave the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind and take a short flight to Nha Trang/Cam Ranh, renowned for its turquoise waters, sweeping bays, and pristine beaches. The rest of the day is yours to unwind — stroll golden sands, bask by the pool, or simply relax in the comfort of your beachfront retreat. (B)

Day 5 Nha Trang (Beach by Day, Night Market Fun by Night): Spend the day at leisure, basking on golden sands or enjoying the amenities of your beachfront retreat. As twilight falls, set out by cyclo for a gentle ride through Nha Trang’s lively streets, where the coastal city comes alive with lights and energy. Pause at Beach Square for photos before continuing your culinary adventure from the front seat of your three-wheeler. Mingle with locals and savor authentic flavors at bustling food stalls — from bánh căn (grilled rice cakes) and nem nướng (grilled pork rolls) to smoky grilled seashells and sizzling BBQ beef. The evening concludes with a refreshing Vietnamese coffee or fresh fruit juice enjoyed on the sidewalk, soaking in the city’s vibrant night atmosphere. (B,D)

Day 6 Nha Trang / Hoi An (From Seaside Serenity to Heritage 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. After check-in, 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-lit 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 7 Nha Trang / Hoi An (Biking, Farming & Fishing Fun): Step beyond the city into the heart of Vietnam’s countryside, where farming and fishing traditions shape daily life as they have for centuries. Cycle along quiet country roads framed by rice paddies and village homes, capturing timeless scenes of rural life. At Tra Que, wander fragrant herb gardens and learn how age-old techniques, recipes, and customs continue to thrive in this vibrant farming community.

By the river, the pace slows as fishermen welcome you into their world. Try your hand at casting nets or paddling a round coracle boat — skills passed down through generations and mastered only with patience and rhythm. The water glimmers, nets arc gracefully through the air, and laughter carries on the breeze as villagers share their craft. This journey offers more than an excursion; it is an intimate connection to the enduring spirit of Vietnam’s land and people. Return to your hotel and the balance of the day is yours to relax, dine or explore Hoi An’s Old Town. (B)

Day 8 Hoi An / Hue (The Path to History): Travel north this morning across the dramatic Hai Van Pass, where misty peaks tumble into the sea and the road itself feels like a passage between worlds. Arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital, you’ll drift along the Perfume River, its tranquil waters leading to the elegant Thien Mu Pagoda — a seven-story icon rising above the banks with centuries of history etched in its walls.

As dusk settles, Hue reveals its soul through flavor. Often called Vietnam’s culinary capital, the city is a tapestry of imperial refinement and humble tradition. Savor vegetarian dishes once created for monks, then follow your cyclo into lively neighborhoods where the air shimmers with the smoke of open grills. Here, each bite — from delicate snacks to sweet local desserts — carries whispers of Hue’s regal past and enduring cultural legacy. Return to your hotel with the taste of the city lingering like a memory. (B,D)

Day 9 Hue / Hanoi: (From Old to New Capital): This morning, step inside the Imperial Citadel, the walled fortress of the Nguyen emperors built between 1804 and 1833. Continue to Long An Palace, now the Royal Fine Arts Museum, where treasures of the dynasty—porcelain, silverware, and paintings—are beautifully displayed. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, your private driver will escort you to your hotel. The evening is yours at leisure. (B)

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 five 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.

Cap off the day with a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the city’s oldest continuously inhabited district and once its bustling hub of guild traders. Each narrow street still echoes with its past, from silk to spice. Pause at a humble roadside café, where the aroma of strong Vietnamese coffee mingles with the hum of scooters and local chatter. Sip slowly and watch the rhythm of daily life unfold before you. (B,L)

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, renowned for its emerald waters and nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands rising dramatically from the sea. Upon arrival, step aboard your intimate luxury vessel and ease into a day of serenity and discovery through Halong Bay. Cruise through enchanting waterways framed by soaring cliffs and secluded coves, each turn unveiling new vistas of breathtaking beauty.

Enjoy shore excursions to picturesque islands and ancient caverns, with opportunities to kayak or swim in tranquil lagoons. Onboard, savor freshly prepared lunch and dinner featuring regional flavors, accompanied by sweeping views of the bay. As evening falls, the calm waters and gentle rhythm of the ship set the stage for romance and quiet relaxation. (B,L,D)

**Note: Cruise routing and shore excursions vary slightly by vessel, though experiences remain equally captivating.

Day 12 Halong Bay / Hanoi (From Emerald Waters to Colonial Elegance): For the early riser, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee and light pastries are served. Later, enjoy a final chance to kayak or simply relax on deck before savoring brunch on board. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is yours to relax, dine, or further explore Hanoi on your own. (B)

Day 13 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)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Prices include all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotels taxes & service charges
• Price excludes transpacific air (i.e. flights to/from Vietnam), personal expenses, beverages and gratuities to guides and drivers.
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• A visas is required for Vietnam. Not included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation