DAY 1: HANOI - ARRIVAL WITH FAST TRACK SERVICE

Upon touchdown at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met right at the airplane's 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 Hanoi center.

Hanoi is hot for a variety of reasons: a vibrant, youthful economy, fabulous colonial French-Vietnamese architecture, Vietnamese food (a reason to go all on its own), and a glimpse of a culture in transition at the political seat of Vietnam.

Sit back, relax and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

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 (Café Sua Da), or even trying egg coffee (Ca phe trung) — a unique and delicious drink that originated in Hanoi.

Time: Full-day, time is flexible

HANOI - PRIVATE WATER PUPPETS

Water puppetry is uniquely Vietnamese but has recently been limited to large theaters. However, there's a local family of skilled artisans who've honed the craft for three generations. They've transformed a house floor into a mini theater where we can witness a private 30-minute puppet performance. It's an authentic and memorable way to support local artists preserving this traditional art. This family, with three generations of expertise, even has a water puppet showcased at the Louvre Museum.

Join us for a private 30-minute puppet performance, followed by a hands-on experience of puppet manipulation and an exploration of the intricate craftsmanship rarely seen in larger venues. Enjoy the intimate ambiance of their home while savoring warm tea and conversing with our friendly hosts. To reach the artist's residence, you'll stroll through narrow alleyways, delving into the authentic daily life of a Hanoian.

DAY 3: HANOI - EAT, DRINK VIETNAM

Duration: 5 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 one of the many fresh markets of Hanoi for a visual and sensory overload of produce. Sampling is key, and we'll make a couple of stops at cafés 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. Lunch is a treat of local specialties – vermicelli noodles with tender grilled pork, broth and herbs, fresh garlic and chilies. We then top today's experience with a meeting with Hanoian artists renowned for their extraordinary Vietnamese lacquer paintings.

Late afternoon is open, though we have several suggestions such as an art gallery stroll in the cathedral district, shopping, spa, or a nap. There is plenty of food still to find in the capital.

DAY 4: LEAVING HANOI FOR HOI AN - ARRIVAL IN DA NANG

Upon touchdown at Da Nang International Airport, you will go through visa and immigration formalities. After retrieving your luggage, you will be met by your friendly Hoi An host who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall. A transfer vehicle will be ready to take you to your hotel.

DAY 5: HOI AN - HOI AN MONASTERY AND VILLAGE ADVENTURE

Duration: 5 hours

Hoi An is one of Vietnam's most elegant and historic towns. A major maritime trading center for centuries, Hoi An hosts beautifully preserved and diverse architecture, delicious food, and lots of opportunities for exploration. Today, we will bask in a little bit of everything that gives Hoi An its charm.

Located near the town's lesser visited environs, we'll soak in the stories and history of one of Buddhist monasteries before visiting communities nestled along the mangrove forest of the coast. In these villages, the ubiquitous form of watercraft is the traditional Vietnamese coracle boat, also known as basket-boat. We'll even hop in one ourselves and give it a try! For history buffs, it is in these dense canals that the Viet Cong evaded US Forces by hiding underwater and relocating en masse while cavalry approached. We'll head back to Hoi An town for a delicious lunch.

For the remainder of the early afternoon we will set out on a walking exploration of Hoi An town to discover some of its many interesting nooks and crannies.

DAY 6: HOI AN - DA NANG BEACH BLISS!

Duration: 2 Days

Here comes your days of extreme relaxation and leisure. Take all the time you need to indulge in wondrous facilities and immerse yourself in various enjoyable activities at the resort. Become an explorer if you fancy it, and don't forget to have a blast!

HOI AN - HOI AN LANTERN MAKING (COMPLIMENTARY EXPERIENCE)

Advance booking is recommended

The colourful lanterns in the streets of Hoi An are well known all over the world. Spend some time this afternoon making your own and taking home a memento of your time in Vietnam.

Availability: Twice weekly
Duration: 60 minutes

HOI AN - COCOONING MEDITATION (COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITY)

Advance booking is recommended

Enveloped in a hammock, surrender to the present as you are guided through a beautiful sequence of breathwork, mental imagery, body-mind awareness and deep relaxation.

Availability: Twice weekly
Duration: 30 minutes

After that, you may continue your morning with one of the resort's signature spa experiences (additional cost applied)

DAY 7: HOI AN - HOI AN ALL OR NOTHING!

Advance booking is recommended

Today, enjoy hotel's facilities at your leisure from relaxing by the pool, having a spa treatment, or joining one or two of the resort's activities. A couple of our recommendations includes:

Wet Rice Farm Culture (Additional price applied)

Duration: 4 hours

Cycle past rice paddies and take tea with a farmer. Don traditional clothing and learn the art of rice cultivation, from ploughing and transplanting to harvesting. Enjoy warm Vietnamese hospitality as you share a meal with the farmer and his family.

Kayaking (Complimentary)

Duration: 60 minutes

Our kayaks provide an alternative to experience the beauty of the Central Coast. Invite a friend, family member or partner to embark on a kayaking adventure together.
Note: Guests must be 10 years or older. All experience levels are welcome. This experience is subject to sea and weather conditions.

HOI AN - ELEVATED BAMBOO RAFT BBQ DINNER (WOW MOMENTS)

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Set in Hoi An's scenic Cua Dai estuary, this evening's enchanting experience takes you on a short sunset cruise through the mangroves in an iconic hand-woven reed conical boat. You'll experience local riverside life and watch fishermen cast nets one last time for the day as the sun sets.

Around a bend in the river, you'll discover your private candle-lit dining experience waiting for you. Here, you'll be seated atop a sturdy bamboo raft, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled romance and charm. As you settle in, a sumptuous feast of fresh river delicacies awaits, featuring the day's catch and an array of crisp, locally sourced vegetables served as delectable appetizers.

The highlight, undoubtedly, is the opportunity to witness one of the most awe-inspiring sunsets that graces this charming town. This sensory spectacle is sure to leave an indelible mark on your memory.

DAY 8: SAIGON - ARRIVE IN SAIGON, CU CHI TUNNELS

Duration: 6 hours

Welcome to Southern Vietnam and to the country's energetic commercial heart! Upon touchdown in Saigon (officially known as Ho Chi Minh City) collect your luggage and make your way to the arrivals hall where your friendly Saigon host will be waiting for you.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Vietcong dug 250 kilometers of passageways from the Cambodian border towards Saigon, eventually capturing the city. While heavily visited, we will organise a meeting with a Veteran who will provide more insight and create a more heartfelt and private experience. It's astounding what they constructed and you'll have the opportunity to squeeze through most of these very narrow passageways. This visit gives an enduring appreciation for the tenacity and sacrifices of the Vietnamese people.

A private speedboat with a picnic snack and drinks on board is a fun way to make your return journey from Cu Chi to Saigon with great views to be had from the river along the way.

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as most locals call it, moves at a pace that may be a shock to the system at first. Though it won't be long until you catch up with Saigon's pulse where endless streams of motorcycles, a unique mix of historical architecture, diverse neighbourhoods and a metropolitan vibe coalesce to form one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant and dynamic cities.

DAY 9: SAIGON - SAIGON'S CHINATOWN AND HISTORICAL DISTRICT

Duration: 6 hours

Today we'll hit the town by three-wheeled cyclo. A vintage and slow-paced way of getting around we'll head to Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown, where we can roam around the old spice district as well as the colorful and sensory Binh Tay Market. We will also get pedaled to Giac Lam Pagoda, one of the city's oldest Buddhist temples.

The morning ride through markets will no doubt leave us building up an appetite. Lunch will be one of the most classic and ubiquitous of Vietnamese dishes: pho noodle soup. Saigon is considered by many to have the best pho in Vietnam. We'll let you be the judge before enjoying a coffee in the park and continuing our exploration of Saigon's historical district on foot in the afternoon.

DAY 10: SAIGON - VIETNAM'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH COFFEE & CACAO BEANS

Duration: 4 hours

Ask any Vietnamese and they will brim with pride about how they are the second largest coffee producer and exporter in the world. To be a barista is a coveted role in Vietnamese culture, and so have arranged some one-on-one personal tutelage with one of our favorite baristas to share bean to cup knowledge.

Did you know that Vietnam also is a cacao bean producer? We'll stop by a pioneering bean-to-bar chocolatier team who will lovingly show you all about the bean to bar experience and answer all your questions around their crafted regional chocolate confectionery.

DAY 10: SAIGON - SAIGON EVENING FOODIES ADVENTURE

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

As the sun sets, immerse yourself in an exhilarating nocturnal foodie extravaganza in Saigon. Embark on a vibrant exploration of the southern capital, seamlessly weaving through the city's lively streets on a thrilling combination of driving and walking. Delve into the heart of this bustling metropolis, commencing from the historic district, and absorb the enchanting sights, sounds, and scents that define the city's post-work relaxation.

Venture into a culinary odyssey along the street-side, where every bite becomes a delectable adventure, offering a tantalizing glimpse of Saigon, often hailed as the "Paris of the East." And for those who crave a perfect finale to the night, ascend to one of Saigon's rooftop bars. From this elevated vantage point, witness the city's electrifying energy unfold beneath you, creating a mesmerizing nocturnal spectacle.

Time: Evening
Exploration: walking and private vehicle

DAY 11: SAIGON - DEPARTURE - TAM BIET VIET NAM!

It's time to say goodbye to the charming and rich culture of Vietnam as we depart via Saigon International Airport for our onward flight home. Take one last look at the memory piece of the city's bustling streets and colorful markets before boarding your plane, knowing that you've experienced the best of what Vietnam has to offer. Though the journey may be over, the memories of this incredible trip will last a lifetime. Until next time...