DAY 1: HANOI - ARRIVAL WITH FAST TRACK SERVICE

Upon touchdown at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met right at the arrival gate by friendly Fast Track Service staff. You will be whisked through immigration via the diplomatic lane, have your luggage retrieved and carried, and be escorted to your Hanoi host waiting for you in the Arrival Hall. A private vehicle will be ready to take you on an adventure back to the Hanoi center.

Note: It takes about 45 minutes to travel from the airport to Hanoi city center.

Evening: Dinner table reservation at the hotel's celebrated signature Vietnamese restaurant, chosen for its refined take on authentic Hanoi flavors within a legendary heritage setting. The guest will settle the payment directly with the restaurant.

DAY 2: HANOI - HANOI INSIDE OUT BY VINTAGE SIDECAR

Duration: 6 hours

Hanoi has been the Vietnamese capital since 1010 A.D., so there are endless stories to be told from within the city's bustling alleyways and diverse quarters. Today, we'll delve deep into Hanoi as we immerse ourselves in these tales.

Let's explore Hanoi in style today, using multiple modes of transportation. We'll start with a vintage sidecar ride, drifting through the must-see sights of the Old Quarter, then head to the West Lake area to visit some beautiful gardens and some of Vietnam's oldest Buddhist monasteries. We suggest visiting the Temple of Literature, strolling along the Parisian boulevards of the French Quarter, and, if you're up for it, exploring Ho Chi Minh's Museum complex and the historic Ba Dinh Square.

The sightseeing will be complemented by two essential Vietnamese experiences: slurping on a bowl of Noodle Soup (Pho) and sipping traditional Vietnamese iced coffee (Cafe Sua Da), or even trying egg coffee (Ca phe trung) - a unique and delicious drink that originated in Hanoi.

Time: time is flexible

Evening: Dinner table reservation at an acclaimed chef-driven contemporary Vietnamese fine-dining restaurant, selected for elevating Northern Vietnamese heritage cuisine to tasting-menu standards worthy of the most demanding travellers. The guest will settle the payment directly with the restaurant.

DAY 3: HANOI - HANOI BACKSTREETS BY VINTAGE JEEP

Duration: 3 hours

We'll head into the narrow maze of winding, zigzagging back streets and alleyways where you'll have the opportunity to experience authentic, behind-the-scenes Hanoi. Suddenly, we'll find ourselves in the middle of the biggest second-hand electronics and mechanics market in Vietnam, where you can buy anything from a spare tire for a US Army Jeep to a Chinese bicycle pedal.

Leaving this "black market" behind, we'll visit a Hanoian family home to see close up how the locals live and understand more about how Hanoi has changed over the last few decades. The adventure continues with the short journey to West Lake, which most visitors don't have the chance to see. This is a high-end area with botanical gardens, cafes, restaurants, and nightlife venues edging Hanoi's largest freshwater lake.

Discover a hidden village where you'll find mouthwatering food stalls run by local families. This is a perfect time to treat ourselves to the most authentic local cuisine. We'll sample a few morsels before heading to a coffeeshop to find out why locals call their unique 'egg coffee' the cappuccino of Vietnam.

HANOI - EVENING HANOI EAT, DRINK

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Grilled meats, fresh seafood, tangy salads, and a cornucopia of sesame, garlic, cilantro, chilli, and lime are just the starting point for one of Asia's darling cuisines. Today we'll enjoy an introduction to Vietnamese food and drink, the basic ingredients, various styles, and of course lots of sampling. Starting out on foot from our hotel in the old quarter, we'll make our way to the fresh market for a visual and sensory overload of produce. Sampling is key, and we'll make a couple of stops at cafes to experience a few bedrock culinary experiences: spring rolls, salad wraps, and, of course, Vietnamese coffee.

We'll stretch out the walk, even peek into the Hanoi Hilton, and then let loose on simply outstanding local cuisine. Dinner is a treat of local specialties: vermicelli noodles with tender grilled pork, broth and herbs, fresh garlic and chilies.

DAY 4: NINH BINH - HANOI OVERLAND DRIVE TO NINH BINH - HIDDEN CHARM WETLAND

Duration: 9 hours

This morning, we will drive south from Hanoi for a full-day adventure to Ninh Binh, often referred to as Vietnam's hidden gem and the "Inland Halong Bay" due to its stunning natural beauty. Towering limestone formations rise dramatically from the lush valley floors, creating a breathtaking landscape.

A must-see attraction is the Trang An Grottoes, where you can enjoy a peaceful rowboat excursion through serene lakes, winding canals, and mesmerizing caves. After lunch, a short drive will take us to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties during the 10th and 11th centuries. Here, we'll explore well-preserved palaces, pagodas, tombs, and pavilions, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's rich history.

We will also visit the Hang Mua viewpoint, where a short but rewarding hike will lead us to an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, with lush rice paddies and towering limestone peaks stretching out before us.

It's sure to be an unforgettable day of adventure, culture, and natural beauty!

Evening: Dinner table reservation at the retreat's signature restaurant, chosen so the family can dine on refined local cuisine without leaving the sanctuary of the resort after a full day of touring. To be paid by guests locally.

DAY 5: NINH BINH - HIDDEN LIVES OF NINH BINH & EXPLORE THE VILLAGE

Duration: 5 hours

Today's journey takes you beyond Ninh Binh's postcard-perfect scenery and into the soul of its countryside - a world rarely seen by travelers. Traveling by open-air jeep, you'll leave the main roads behind and venture into Dam Khe Village, where life unfolds at an unhurried rhythm. A gentle walk through the village reveals scenes of authentic rural beauty: farmers tending their fields, the earthy scent of fermenting rice whiskey drifting from backyard distilleries, and locals drying and preserving produce under the golden morning sun. Each encounter tells a story of quiet perseverance - of families whose livelihoods are deeply tied to this land.

From here, the trail winds deeper into the countryside toward Van Lam Embroidery Village, a hidden gem where age-old artistry still flourishes. Inside humble homes turned ateliers, elderly craftswomen bend gracefully over hand-sewn lace, their needles dancing with patience and devotion. These artisans not only create beauty - they safeguard heritage, passing down techniques that risk fading in the rush of modernity. Their reflections on love, art, and endurance offer a rare glimpse into the human side of Vietnam's evolving cultural landscape. You'll even be invited to try your hand at traditional embroidery - a delicate and meditative practice guided by the very hands that have preserved it for generations.

A home-cooked lunch awaits in a serene 300-year-old three-bay house, where the architecture and hospitality mirror the quiet elegance of the region.

The afternoon unfolds at your own pace - perhaps a private sampan boat ride through hidden canals fringed with greenery, a traditional tea ceremony by the water's edge, or simply a peaceful return to your countryside retreat, surrounded by the timeless rhythm of Ninh Binh's natural beauty.

DAY 6: NINH BINH - CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK (NATURE & RELAXATION)

Duration: 5 hours

This morning, we head south towards Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival in the national park, we visit the Primate Rescue Centre, which is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, breeding, research, and conservation of the endangered primates of Vietnam. Next, pay a visit to The Turtle Conservation Centre, which is home to over 1000 turtles, and learn about the conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Southeast Asia. After a short drive to the heart of the park, enjoy a 3-hour hike before having a delicious lunch at the ranger's restaurant.

Afternoon at leisure: relax and enjoy the hotel's amenities.

DAY 7: NINH BINH - NINH BINH TO HANOI OVERLAND DRIVE & DEPARTURE FROM VIETNAM

Duration: 3 hours

This morning, we will begin the journey back to the urban jungle of Hanoi, and to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight.

Note: The drive from Ninh Binh to Hanoi takes approximately 2 hours.

(The following days of the journey take place outside Vietnam and are therefore not included in this Vietnam-only overview.)

DAY 8: HOI AN - ARRIVAL IN DA NANG, TRANSFER TO HOI AN

Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport, your host and private vehicle will be waiting and taking you to your hotel in Hoi An. The drive usually takes around 45 minutes. Sit back, relax, enjoy a swim, and get ready for the next adventure in Vietnam.

Evening: Dinner table reservation at the resort's signature restaurant, celebrated for its contemporary twists on Vietnamese cuisine in a stunning beachfront setting - the ideal arrival dinner for discerning travellers. The guest will settle the payment directly with the restaurant.

DAY 9: HOI AN - PRIVATE COOKING CLASS WITH A CELEBRATED LOCAL CHEF & MARKET VISIT

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Enjoy a morning tour of one of the most colourful local marketplaces in all of Southeast Asia, Hoi An Market. The chef and proprietor of one of Hoi An's most celebrated culinary institutions creates eclectic and innovative flavours reflective of her culinary journey. A passionate and extremely talented chef with an in-depth knowledge of the Hoi An food scene, she will take you on a culinary journey embracing a combination of refreshing flavours, beautiful presentations as well as a visit to Hoi An Markets to meet the vendors who supply her daily with some of the finest and freshest ingredients in Vietnam. Join in an intimate hands-on learning experience at her boutique restaurant and reward yourself with a wonderful lunch at the end of the class.

HOI AN - BBQ DINNER ON BAMBOO RAFT - WOW MOMENTS

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

There is no better way to warm up the together-journey with your beloved ones than enjoying the unique dinner on a boat trip to Cua Dai estuary while exploring the magnificent scenery of the countryside and the vast water coconut forest along Hoian River.

The schedule: You will be picked up at the hotel and travel to Cua Dai by private van. A BBQ dinner will then be served on a private bamboo raft on the river over approximately two and a half hours (if it rains, dinner will be served in a nice bamboo house on the paddy field), before returning to your hotel.

Meal: BBQ Family Dinner

DAY 10: HOI AN - DAY AT LEISURE & NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA DINNER

Day at Leisure in Four Seasons Nam Hai.

New Year's Eve Gala Dinner: The New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner at Four Seasons The Nam Hai Resort is included tonight!

DAY 11: HOI AN - MASSAGE TREATMENT FOR THE PARENTS

Four Seasons Nam Hai - Massage Treatment for the parents (Nam Hai Vietnamese massage, 60 minutes, for the parents once per stay). Remainder of the day at leisure at the resort.

DAY 12: HOI AN - DAY AT LEISURE

Day at Leisure in Four Seasons Nam Hai.

DAY 13: HOI AN - DEPARTURE - HOI AN TO DA NANG AND INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Time to say goodbye to Hoi An! You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Da Nang airport for your International Departure flight home.

Note: It takes approximately 45 minutes from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport.