Best of Vietnam: North to South, Private Tour (8 days)

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Welcome to Vietnam! You are greeted with Fast Track service on arrival at the airport where you are assisted with express clearance through immigration. Hanoi, the cultural heart and capital of Vietnam, is home to centuries-old traditional architecture that stand alongside elegant French-colonial mansions as well as traditional temples. The life of the city can be seen in the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, where small boutiques, Vietnamese coffee shops and lively street vendors create a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Delve into Hanoi’s colorful history. Learn about the life and times of former President Ho Chi Minh, who played a key role in the nation’s journey towards independence. Visit his mausoleum and his humble stilted house. Stop by to see the 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda. Then meet a Vietnamese war veteran who earned the Order of Ho Chi Minh after being the first to shoot down a U.S. fighter jet. Explore the former fighter pilot’s collection of wartime memorabilia and hear his personal account of the war. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Temple of Literature, where Vietnam’s royal family and elite society were educated for almost 700 years. Take a cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) into the Old Quarter to explore a network of narrow, 15th century streets which are named after the business once conducted there, such as Silk Street, Rice Street, Paper Street and Jeweler’s Street. Walk towards Long Bien Bridge, built by the French at the turn of the 20th century.

Embark on an overnight cruise in beautiful Lan Ha Bay, the quieter and more remote neighbor to the famous, UNESCO Heritage listed Ha Long Bay. After a three-hour drive from Hanoi, you arrive at the port where a speedboat is waiting to transport you to your Vietnamese sailing vessel. You are greeted on board with a welcome drink followed by a quick safety briefing as the boat sets sail. Enjoy a leisurely lunch as the dramatic beauty of the bay unfolds around you. Take in majestic views of limestone karsts rising out of emerald waters and pass by a 100-year-old lighthouse built by the French. In the afternoon, explore Cat Ba island and visit Viet Hai village. Hop on a bike and cycle along quiet paved roads to discover a small village nestled in a valley (an electric car can be arranged upon request). Return to the cruise boat in the late afternoon and head to the open kitchen for a cooking demonstration by the chef. Learn how to make a classic Vietnamese dish. Then savor dinner on board followed by an evening at leisure, where you can try your hand at squid fishing, watch a movie or stargaze on the sundeck.

Wake up to the peaceful sounds and gentle breeze of Lan Ha Bay in the early morning. Get an early start to the day with an optional tai chi session on the sundeck followed by light refreshments, including tea, coffee and pastries. Then head out to explore Frog Lake and immerse in the wild beauty of the bay. Take a kayak, or ride a bamboo boat or sampan, for a closer look at the dream-like landscapes and tree-topped islands. Return to the cruise and check out of your cabin at 09:30 and enjoy a leisurely brunch before disembarking at 11:00.

Please note: Check out time is 90 minutes prior to disembarkation. After this time, you will not be able to access your room, but you can continue enjoying the beautiful bay views from the sundeck. The cruise itinerary is dependent on weather conditions and is subject to change without prior notice. If weather conditions are deemed unsafe, the harbor master may deny departures.

Your guide is waiting at the pier to assist you with the transfer to the airport. Fly to Da Nang in Central Vietnam and continue by private vehicle to Hoi An. A picturesque old town on the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage with a rich cultural, culinary and creative heart. Standing out with its rows of bright yellow traditional houses, the town flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries as one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous port towns. The diverse influence of Chinese, Japanese and European traders can still be seen today in the town's eclectic mix of architecture.

Head to a small farming village on the outskirts of Hoi An to meet a local vegetable farmer who continues to work the land using organic and traditional methods. After a refreshing welcome drink of freshly squeezed fruits, roll up your sleeves to experience a typical day on the farm. First, you are introduced to various farming equipment and learn about their uses. Then join the farmers in the field, preparing the land for sewing or crop cultivation and help to fertilize the soil using seaweed from the nearby river. Next, pick some vegetables and herbs from the garden and head to the kitchen to begin preparing a typical local meal using the freshly harvested ingredients before sitting down to taste the dishes of your own creation.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the charms of Hoi An’s old town on foot. Stroll through winding streets and past rows of traditional houses and admire the well-preserved architecture, from an 18th-century merchant's house known as the Old House of Tan Ky to the old Fukien Assembly Hall, and walk across the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge.

Transfer to the airport in Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known a Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrant economic center of the south. Full of contrasts, the city is known for its cosmopolitan vibe and energetic pace which is unlike any other city in Vietnam. Old French boulevards and colonial architecture stand beside traditional temples and modern skyscrapers, revealing a city of captivating diversity and charismatic charm. Upon arrival, you are met by your guide for a cultural excursion around the city. Pass by Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, a 19th-century French colonial building with vaulted ceilings.

Take a drive about one and a half hours northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to explore one of the region’s most well-known wartime landmarks – the Cu Chi tunnels. The intriguing network of underground tunnels provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Viet Cong during the later years of the Vietnam War. Catch a glimpse of life during the war as you experience crawling in tight, narrow passageways and through a series of caverns which consist of storage rooms, make-shift hospitals and sleeping quarters. Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City by private vehicle.

Please note: The Cu Chi Tunnels are very narrow, confined spaces which may cause discomfort, particularly for those who experience claustrophobia, fear of the dark, irregular cardiac conditions or similar health conditions. However, crawling inside the tunnels is entirely optional and you can spend more time exploring above ground if you prefer.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore more of Ho Chi Minh City, from past to present. Start at the Reunification Palace, where the official handover of power took place during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Then visit your choice of the History Museum or the War Remnants Museum. Built in 1929, the History Museum houses a collection of artefacts illustrating the evolution of Vietnamese culture since ancient times, while the War Remnants Museum displays wartime photographs and relics including an American tank, an original 20th century French guillotine and a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter. Later, visit a colorful Cao Dai temple to learn about a religious sect that originated here in southern Vietnam and takes influences from Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Vietnamese spiritism, Christianity and Islam.

Start early to see the city slowly come to life in the morning. Begin with a leisurely ride by cyclo (a pedal-powered rickshaw) past Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Stroll through a city park where locals gather for their daily tai chi practice or a game of badminton and taste Vietnamese coffee at a scenic spot behind the Reunification Palace. Stop by to see a memorial dedicated to a Buddhist monk who famously committed an act of self-immolation in 1963. Then hop on the back of a Vespa with a local driver at the helm. Stop to explore a local street market and a secret weapons bunker hidden in a narrow house. Continue to the colorful flower market and enjoy a traditional bowl of pho at one of the city’s best noodle shops for breakfast. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before transferring to the airport in time for your departure flight.