We'll begin our day with a visit to a master water puppet artisan, who welcomes us into his home for an intimate look at this uniquely Vietnamese art form. Over tea, we'll watch a private performance that brings both traditional stories and everyday life to the stage and then try our hand at guiding the puppets ourselves.

We'll continue onward to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, where powerful stories, textiles, and artifacts offer a deeper understanding of the women who have shaped the country’s history and culture. Finally, we'll pay a visit to the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university) where peaceful courtyards and centuries-old architecture provide a quiet, reflective close to the day.

We'll have the afternoon at leisure before meeting back up in the evening for a stroll through the lively Old Quarter to experience Hanoi's legendary street food scene. We'll seek out local favorites like fresh papaya beef salad, delicate steamed rice rolls, and bun cha, all while soaking in the energy and rhythm of the city.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Grand Mercure Hanoi

Today we'll be embarking 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! 

Our private transfer will usher us to the marina after breakfast where we'll board our 5-star luxury ship and start our journey through the over 300 karst islands and limestone outcrops that dot this less-traveled bay.

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: Indochine Cruise

We'll start our morning feeling refreshed and ready to explore. Enjoy a early Tai Chi session on the roof of the cruise, with stunning landscapes as your backdrop before a light breakfast. 

Afterwards, we'll 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: Indochine Cruise

Savor a final slow morning aboard our boat in Lan Ha Bay, coffee in hand with limestone karsts drifting past on glassy water. After brunch, we’ll disembark and transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a short domestic flight to Hue (approximately 1.5 hours).

Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and ease into the city’s softer rhythm after a full travel day. The evening is yours to unwind. Take a self-guided stroll along the Perfume River as the sun sets, wander across Trang Tien Bridge as it lights up, or settle into a quiet café and watch the city pass by.

Dinner is at your leisure tonight, whether that’s a casual riverside bite or your first taste of Hue’s imperial cuisine.

Meals: B

Hotel: Pilgrimage Village

We'll step into Vietnam’s imperial past with a morning visit to Hue’s Imperial Citadel, a grand 19th-century fortress that remains the cultural heart of the city. We’ll wander its storied gates and quiet courtyards, bringing centuries of history to life.

From there, we’ll venture off the typical path to a peaceful stretch of water nestled between sea and mountains. Together, we’ll meet a local fishing family and take a scenic boat ride framed by the Annamite Mountains. During our ride, we'll learn traditional fishing techniques before visiting a family-run oyster farm and enjoying a fresh seafood lunch in a stilted home set right on the lagoon.

After this relaxing pause, we'll continue along the scenic Hai Van Pass with sweeping coastal views before arriving in Hoi An in the early evening.

Dinner is intentionally left at your leisure as Hoi An’s food scene is one of the best in Vietnam, blending street food and elevated dining in a charming, walkable setting. A must-try is cao lầu, a regional noodle dish with tender pork, fresh herbs, and crispy croutons, unique to the city. You’ll also find local favorites like white rose dumplings and banh mi tucked into lantern-lit streets, making it easy to follow your appetite wherever it leads.

Meals: B, L

Hotel: Hotel Royal Hoi An

We'll take a morning heritage walk through lantern-lined streets, weaving past historic merchant homes, temples, and the lively central market. We’ll visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and stroll along the Thu Bon River, where colorful fishing boats drift by. Along the way, we’ll sample local green leaf cakes and stop at a meaningful tea house that supports hearing-impaired staff, offering a unique and memorable way to connect.

Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for time to relax before an afternoon dedicated to Hoi An’s incredible food culture.

We'll begin our experience in a bustling local market, where we'll peruse fresh produce, sample exotic fruit and immerse ourselves in the buzz of the market, before stepping into the kitchen ourselves. With guidance from a local chef, we’ll prepare classic Vietnamese dishes, then sit down to enjoy the meal we’ve created together, paired with local drinks and sweet treats. You’ll leave with recipes and a few tools to bring a taste of Vietnam home with you.

Meals: B, D

Hotel: Hotel Royal Hoi An

We'll spend the morning venturing into the Hoi An countryside as we immerse ourselves into the rhythms of rural, local life.

We'll start with a leisurely bike ride along peaceful village roads, passing rice paddies and scenes of everyday life that feel unchanged for generations before arriving at a local village where we'll wander through fragrant herb gardens, learning how locals have cultivated the land using time-honored techniques and traditions.

We'll continue onward to a nearby fishing village, where we'll try our hand at traditional net fishing alongside local families and then climb into a round bamboo coracle boat and learning how to glide (and spin) across the water.

After our time on the river, we'll return to our hotel with the afternoon free to relax or explore at your own pace.

Meals: B, L

Hotel: Hotel Royal Hoi An

We'll check out from our hotel in the morning and catch a quick domestic flight to our final stop, Saigon.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring the city, visiting museums, or just relaxing. We'll reconvene in the evening to explore Saigon the way locals do: from the back of a vintage Vespa! Our drivers will take us through Saigon's lively streets, weaving past neon lights and hidden alleyways as we taste our way through iconic street foods. We'll end the evening at a hidden speakeasy for a final toast to the night before heading back to our hotel.

Meals: B, D

Hotel: Caravelle Saigon

Today we'll be headed on a day-long boat trip to explore the Mekong Delta!

We'll journey from Saigon to Cai Be and board a private sampan, cruising past coconut palms and fruit orchards. On Tan Phong islet, we'll continue exploring by bike (or rowboat) through narrow village paths, where everyday moments like garden tending, cooking, and crafting help offer a window into local life.

Along the way, we'll pause at family-run workshops to see how rice paper and handmade goods are created using techniques passed down for generations.

We'll end at a serene riverside villa, enjoying a relaxed lunch surrounded by tropical gardens before a peaceful return to Saigon.

In the evening, we'll gather for a final farewell dinner at a rooftop bar in the city.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Caravelle Saigon

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