Surprising Vietnam

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, our colleague will take you to immigration and to your driver. You will stay at a Caractère hotel of your choice in downtown Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi

After breakfast, your day begins with a visit to Hanoi where you will discover the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the iconic One Column Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, among others. End the tour with a stroll through the winding alleys of the Old Quarter. Be sure to stop at a coffee shop along the street where you'll enjoy the local life and bustle passing by. In the late afternoon, go on a street food tour tasting an array of seasonal street food. Stroll through narrow streets, sit on small plastic chairs and taste a Vietnamese cappuccino like the locals do. Visit a traditional market and discover through your chef what ingredients give these dishes their unique flavor and what they mean in the local culture.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong - Lan Ha Bay

Today you depart for Tuan Chau for an overnight cruise through Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a flood of limestone islands, caves and breathtaking views. Explore the tranquil Lan Ha Bay by boat and enjoy activities such as kayaking, cooking demonstration and a Vietnamese dinner on board.

Day 4: Ha Long - Ninh Binh

Wake up this morning with a Tai Chi session on the sun deck or quietly enjoy the beautiful surroundings on board. Then continue with your private driver to Ninh Binh where you will stay at a charming hotel. In the afternoon, visit the remains of the impressive citadel of Hoa Lu, which was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Sports enthusiasts can make the climb of some 200 steps for stunning views and a visit to the temple of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang.

Day 5: Ninh Binh

Today you will enjoy a day trip to lesser-known Ninh Binh. After a drive through the city center, leave the hustle and bustle behind and continue to the quiet village of Tho Ha where you will spend a full day among rural life. Enjoy a relaxing bike ride through the rice fields and farming countryside. Afterwards, get to work yourself and try your hand at catching crabs and mudfish in the traditional way with cane tools and plant rice in the fields. After a simple cooking class to learn about the flavors of the region, enjoy a traditional lunch at a rustic restaurant. In the afternoon, you will take the rowboat to Galaxy Cave where you will explore stalactites and stalagmites in both dry and wet caves.

Day 6: Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Hue

After a free morning, take a domestic flight to Hue. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, ancient Hue was once the political center of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty. Here you will stay in a Caractère hotel of your choice.

Day 7: Hue

This morning you will explore the historical sights of Hue. You begin with a drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story octagonal building. Take a leisurely stroll to a private museum housed in a beautiful ancestral temple dedicated to ancient artifacts from the Perfume River. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel that gives you incredible insight into ancient Vietnam. Around 5 p.m., you will depart for a local boat ride on the Perfume River to an impressive private theater set in a lush garden. After a personal welcome, you will enjoy a private performance by the hostess, who will take you through East-West variations of Hue royal tunes, original Vietnamese folk melodies and Western classical music. This is followed by dinner, carefully prepared by the hostess herself.

Day 8: Hue - Hoi An

Today discover the life of fishermen and visit a friendly family, located in a unique spot between sea and mountains on the beautiful Lang Co Lagoon. Board a fishing boat and enjoy the view of the lagoon surrounded by the jungle of the Annamite Mountains and Bach Ma National Park. This clean brackish water lagoon is home to a variety of marine life such as crabs, snapper, red gurnard, grouper, shrimp and squid. After a demonstration of local fishing techniques, you'll sail on to the family's oyster farm. You conclude with a fresh seafood lunch in a house on stilts prepared by the family in the middle of the lagoon and surrounded by the impressive landscape. After lunch, travel on to Hoi An via the spectacular Hai Van Pass, where you stay overnight at a boutique hotel.

Day 9: Hoi An

Start the day with a stroll through historic Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage city full of atmospheric temples, colorful lanterns and well-preserved merchant houses. Visit the iconic Japanese Bridge and enjoy local delicacies at the market. Then head to a lantern workshop where you'll make your own folding lantern. After lunch, immerse yourself in local gastronomy with a visit to the market, followed by a boat ride down the Thu Bon River to the cooking school. Here you will learn to prepare Vietnamese specialties under the guidance of a local chef. End the day with a dinner of your own creations.

Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh

After a morning flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh, you will be transferred to your hotel in the lively city center of Vietnam's largest city. In the evening, discover Saigon's best craft cocktails on a private walking tour of hidden bars, accompanied by an experienced guide who will introduce you to unique locations and exotic flavors. The evening continues at a boutique restaurant where a celebrated Master Chef serves a fusion of Vietnamese and Western flavors in surprising dishes.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City

Start the day with a visit to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive network that housed thousands of fighters during the Vietnam War and was complete with sleeping quarters, kitchens and hospitals. Travel back to Saigon by private express boat, enjoying tropical fruit and lunch along the way at the luxurious riverfront An Lam resort. In the afternoon, dive into Saigon's history with a visit to the former presidential palace, stroll past Notre Dame Cathedral, the colonial post office, and make a stop at BOARC's innovative bamboo art. Optionally, end the day with an evening street food tour by vintage Vespa.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Can Tho

Today you explore the Mekong Delta, a fertile area of coconut palms and winding waterways. You will start in Huu Dinh, where you will ride a traditional motor-tricycle through the green landscape. Then board a Mango boat and visit local workshops for coconut processing and optionally a traditional brick business. You bike through Phong Nam village, pause for fresh fruit and honey tea with a local family and glide by rowboat through the narrow canals. After lunch, you will meet a former Vietcong soldier for a personal interview, after which the Mango boat will take you back for the transfer to Can Tho. Upon arrival in Can Tho, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day as you wish.

Day 13: Can Tho

After an early breakfast at your hotel, board a local motorized boat for a trip to the small-scale floating market of Cai Rang. Afterwards, you will visit the old house of Binh Thuy. The rest of the day is free to spend, ideal for relaxing by the pool of your hotel.

Day 14: Return home or Phu Quoc

After breakfast, get ready for your return trip home. Need a few more days of vacation? Extend your trip to the beach. You take a domestic flight to Duong Dong Airport where a transfer takes you to a luxury beachfront hotel.

Day 15 - 16: Phu Quoc

You enjoy a few days of rest at the beach. Various activities are also available such as a bike tour, cooking class, snorkeling, sea fishing, scooter tour, market visit ...

Day 17: Return home

At the appointed time, the hotel representative will meet you and transfer you to Duong Dong Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, from where you will take the flight home.