Vietnam Sampler

On arrival, our VIP Fast Track Immigration Service expedites your arrival formalities. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to your city-center hotel. 

After breakfast, your full-day sightseeing begins at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an impressive monument constructed of marble, granite and precious woods. After, visit the tranquil Temple of Literature, an ancient collection of courtyards and gardens, built in homage to Confucious.

After lunch, A tour of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American POW’s during the war, offers a sobering and thought-provoking look into history. Next, explore Hanoi’s colorful Old Quarter, where ancient byways like Tin Street and Bamboo Street are named for the goods that have long been sold there. Continuing along labyrinthine streets explored by few tourists, you’ll have a chance to peer into old temples and homes, meeting residents as your in-the-know guide shares insight. Take a break with a refreshing cup of Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake and then visit Ngoc Son Temple, built in the 18th century on a tiny island in the lake. End your sightseeing with a Water Puppet performance, a traditional and uniquely Vietnamese art form which started centuries ago – possibly in the nation’s flooded rice fields. Meals B+L

Your journey from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay begins with a comfortable, chauffeured drive—just a few hours in distance, but a world apart in atmosphere. As you leave the capital behind, the urban landscape gives way to open countryside and distant karst-studded horizons. Upon arrival at the marina, a short speedboat ride delivers you to our elegant cruise vessel, your home for the next leg of the adventure through the tranquil waters of Lan Ha Bay. 

Once aboard, settle in as lunch is served, with panoramic views unfolding around you—towering limestone formations rising from emerald waters, a shifting seascape that feels almost otherworldly. In the afternoon, we disembark on Cát Bà Island to visit Viet Hai, a quiet hamlet tucked within a lush valley and accessible only by sea. A pleasant bicycle ride through the surrounding greenery reveals a way of life untouched by the fast pace of the outside world. Here, villagers live in close connection to the land and sea, growing their own fruits and vegetables and fishing in the bay.  

Back on board, the ship continues deeper into the quieter reaches of Lan Ha Bay, where we’ll anchor for the night. Before dinner, join the chef for an interactive cooking session featuring classic Vietnamese recipes made with locally sourced ingredients. As dusk settles over the bay, enjoy a nightcap at the bar or unwind on your private balcony, watching the moonlight shimmer across the water.  Meals B+L+D 

Early risers can join a Tai Chi session on deck as the sun is rising over the magnificent landscapes. Go on an optional early morning adventure in the bay: enjoy a refreshing swim or a climb to the peak of Titov Island for breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay. Return to ship where you’ll find a lavish breakfast buffet awaiting you in the restaurant. As we cruise back toward the marina, take these last moments to enjoy the passing vistas from your private balcony or the Sun Deck. Upon disembarking, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Danang. On arrival, a scenic overland journey brings you to Hoi An, a historic coastal town missed by many other travelers.   Meals B

Join your engaging guide this morning for a walking tour in town. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, Hoi An was one of the wealthiest ports in all of Asia – home to Dutch, French, Portuguese, Arab, Japanese and Chinese merchants. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site  famous for its splendidly preserved architecture and ancient seafaring heritage. Your tour includes Chua Ong Pagoda, built in 1653, and Jinshang Temple – dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and the protector of seafaring merchants. You’ll also visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky Ancestral House and the oft-photographed covered bridge, built by Japanese craftsmen in the 17th century. A pleasant cruise on the Thu Bon River is a wonderful way to conclude your exploration of this ancient and lively port.  Meals B+L

Enjoying leisure time in Hoi An means riverside cafés, lantern-lit strolls, gentle bicycle rides, peaceful beaches, artisan shops, and timeless, slow-paced charm.

If you prefer guided touring, we offer a wide variety of additional privately guided sightseeing tours to complement your stay. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours.

Return to Danang for your included flight to Saigon. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to your choice of city-center hotel.   Meals B

Begin your sightseeing with the graceful, Colonial-era landmarks of the city including the Central Post Office, built in the late 1800’s with its creamy yellow façade, and the Opera House - designed by French architect Eugene Ferret in the flamboyant style of the French Third Republic. Next up is a guided tour of Reunification Hall, from its landscaped gardens to its stately interior; formerly known as the Presidential Palace, it was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. Nearby, the War Remnants Museum offers a penetrating look into the ravages of the war as seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese people.

After lunch, enjoy a coffee coffee tasting journey, learning about the roasting and brewing process from a professional barista. Next, explore a local market filled with exotic tropical fruits and embark on our Cyclo adventure through the colorful streets of Chinatown. A guided walk down one particular street reveals small shops specializing in traditional herbal remedies; meet some of the merchants as our guide offers insight into Vietnam’s ancient healing practices. Meals B+L+D

If you prefer guided touring, we offer a wide variety of additional privately guided sightseeing tours to complement your stay. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours.

With its rich history and lively cultural scene, this metropolis offers so much to enjoy. Take the day to explore as you wish. Meals B
 
If you prefer guided touring, we offer a wide variety of additional privately guided sightseeing tours to complement your stay. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our sightseeing tours.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home or extend your stay to Angkor Wat. Meals B.