Good morning! 

Today we’re setting off on a 3-day cruise of Lan Ha Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the new seven natural wonders of the world! 

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll have a private transfer to the Tuan Chau marina and set sail to this gem in the north of Vietnam. 

Lying to the South of Halong Bay off the North-Eastern coast of Vietnam, the 300-or-so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as beautiful as those of its superstar neighbor, but feel more isolated and untouched. Lan Ha also has the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches, which aren't found at Halong.

Visiting the bay, you will experience the magic of this new world wonder as you gaze up at the stunning limestone karsts rising up from the emerald water. We’ll make a stop en route to visit a grotto of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, and enjoy the rest of our time today relaxing on board the boat in this stunning place.

Enjoy all meals + overnight on the cruise.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Rosy Cruise

This morning, wake up feeling refreshed, and enjoy a Tai Chi session on the sundeck paired with a light breakfast of tea, coffee and pastries. 

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to a day boat and start cruising along to further explore Lan Ha Bay.

Hop on a bicycle (or opt for the electric car!) for a short 5km trip to Viet Hai village – a small village in the midst of the jungle, tucked into the high mountain ranges of Cat Ba National Park. The area has become popular with foreign tourists, but not so popular that it’s lost its rustic charm.

We’ll have lunch on the day boat, followed by kayaking to discover more of the bay. Then, jump in the water for a refreshing swim at Three Peaches beach area. We’ll join back up with the main cruise to enjoy the beautiful sunset and have dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Rosy Cruise

After a lovely breakfast, enjoy the morning sunbathing and relaxing with the stunning backdrop of the bay. 

You can also choose to take a traditional bamboo sampan or kayak through the light cave area – a perfect destination for the adventurous visitor who would love to row or kayak on a calm water surface while enjoying the cave’s impressive stone walls.

We’ll enjoy brunch on board the cruise around 11.30am, and then transfer back to Hanoi to check into our hotel. 

Later, we’ll celebrate Vietnamese tea culture with a passionate tea master at a peaceful communal apartment – a charming and serene destination for tea lovers. This quaint tea house offers a wide variety of high-quality teas sourced from different regions, providing you with an authentic and relaxing tea-drinking experience. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a moment of tranquility amidst the bustling city. 

After a short rest, your expert local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture, including details on the ingredients and history of popular northern dishes. You will eat as you go and immerse yourself in the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter. Wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes, where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1,000 years ago. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Rex Hotel

This morning, we’ll head to Noi Bai airport to take a short domestic flight (1.5 hours) to Da Nang city. From there we’ll transfer (30 mins) to Hoi An and check in to our hotel.

Freshen up and then enjoy some “chicken rice” – a very special dish of Hoi An. From the available rice and chicken, different spices must be combined and processed properly to create a beautiful and delicious plate of rice. The golden color from the rice grain, the light yellow color from the freshly cooked chicken, and a unique sour and spicy salad with sweet and salty dipping sauce all blend together to create this wonderfully popular dish.

After a short rest, we’ll head out on a (2-hour) walking tour to see the historic and cultural ruins of the 16th century, and experience the glorious world of the ancient Champa civilization. Once the national trading center, Hoi An is home to the diversity of ancient streets and homes. We’ll stroll around the unusual cobblestone streets and admire the centuries-old houses built in Chinese, Japanese, and French architectural styles. We’ll stop at some must-see places, including the hundred-year old Japanese Bridge, and Phuc Kien Hall. We’ll even visit a cute tailor-made shop, if you’re up for a little shopping!

Tonight, enjoy another walking tour – but this time for some delicious street food! Our Hoi An food tour starts around sunset and will take you through local cafes, food stalls, markets, and restaurants, giving you a vibrant food adventure for the memory books. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort

This morning after breakfast, we’ll be taking a hands-on soap-making workshop! Learn the unique art of recycling used cooking oil into hand soap, in order to reduce pollution caused by household waste.

Adding cooking oil into the sewage system clogs the system, adds harmful bacteria and other organisms into the water stream, and is expensive to remove. This process is a simple method that any family or neighborhood community can use to convert oil waste into hand soap instead. It is especially significant in a tourist location like Hoi An, where a number of hotels and restaurants cook and serve food every day. You’ll also understand the importance of the project in training local women and youth to do this and help them earn extra income while protecting the natural environment. 

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy lunch including Hoi An’s specialty dish: Cao Lau noodle. The noodles are meticulously made, starting with soaking rice in the ash water from the Cham Islands, which is then ground into powder. This process gives the noodles their characteristic yellow color and chewy texture.

Later on, we’ll visit Champa Amaravati House Hoi An – a Cham experience center – in the tourism hub of Hoi An. Enjoy a traditional Champa performance dance, passed down from mothers to their baby daughters, and listen to stories of Cham.

This evening, you’re in for a culinary treat! We’ll head with our local guide to Tra Que, to tour a local chef's garden and select fresh herbs and vegetables for our exclusive group dinner. Relax in the peaceful surroundings while our private chef prepares a delicious spread that celebrates his garden's seasonal best. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort

Today is a free day to relax and explore the city on your own!  

We might recommend taking a bike-ride around the Hoi An countryside for an exciting way to experience the real life of farmers in central Vietnam. About 4km outside Hoi An is Tra Que vegetable village, so you can have a wonderful time visiting this ancient town and enjoying its tranquil atmosphere.

Meals: B

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort

Enjoy a free morning at your leisure before we transfer to the airport for our short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

We’ll stop at the hotel for check-in (2pm), and then enjoy some local Saigonese food for lunch.

Get yourself dolled up, because tonight we’re going out on the town! 

First, we’ll head to the Saigon Opera House (at 5:20pm) and enjoy the A O Show - (AAH! class) – that depicts Vietnamese life in the most original way. Full of charm, humor and poignancy, it tells the tale of the changes in Vietnam from village life to big-city life. Great acrobatics and haunting melodies make this a very memorable experience. 

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and a cocktail at the rooftop bar. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Mai House Saigon Hotel

This morning we’re headed out on a day-long boat trip to explore the Mekong Delta!

Board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens, and stop at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. 

Afterwards, paddle in sampans (small rowing boats) past coconut trees along the Mekong Delta. Take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages and learn about rural life and the industry created around coconut products like coconut candies, coconut oil, coconut shell bowls, and more.

Eat lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the Delta, sampling regional specialties such as the famous elephant ear fish. 

Cruise the major waterways to Ben Tre boat pier, then return by bus to Ho Chi Minh City. 

This evening (if you’re up for it!), we’ll head out to sample some more local specialties with our guide.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Mai House Saigon Hotel

This morning you’ll take part in a cooking class where you'll learn about vegetarian Vietnamese dishes with a passionate chef – Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van who has made great contributions to glorifying Vietnamese culinary culture. 

Enjoy the delicious feast you've prepared over lunch, and then enjoy a free afternoon to rest or explore Ho Chi Minh at your leisure.

In the evening, we’ll meet up for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Mai House Saigon Hotel

It’s departure day, and we’re bummed to say goodbye, but we know you’re leaving with memories, photos, and stories to last a lifetime, and we’ll be sure to stay in touch!

Choose your international flight home anytime today from the Ho Chi Minh airport (SGN) – we’ll be conducting airport transfers today as needed.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Mai House Saigon Hotel