Vietnam Farm to Folk, Private Tour (14 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 learn the history behind Hoa Lo Prison which became known as "Hanoi Hilton" by U.S. prisoners of war. Hear the untold stories of the lives affected by these prison walls from a former Vietnamese battlefield communicator who was stationed here at Hoa Lo Prison.

After lunch at a local restaurant, gain a fresh perspective on the nation’s history through art. Explore a wide and varied collection of traditional artifacts, folk art, lacquerware and modern sculptures at the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts and visit the gallery of a Vietnamese artist who is known for her bold and colorful images of the natural world, women, children and flowers. View some of her work and learn about her “Spring Flowers” silk painting which became a source of national pride and was selected as a diplomatic gift for the Swedish Embassy.

Please note: Your visit to the artist’s gallery is subject to confirmation and may depend on availability.

Later, make your way to a charming café facing St. Joseph’s Cathedral, then jump on the back of a Vespa scooter to discover Hanoi’s hidden charms. Weave through the city’s busy streets and narrow passageways to catch a glimpse of the vibrant lives of the locals whose homes are just a meter away from the rail track. Continue to a spot for a gastronomic experience of the quintessential Hanoian dish and other local food along West Lake. Finally, stop at a Jazz Club to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the unique blend of 1930s jazz fused with traditional Vietnamese music.

Embark on a 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 luxurious floating home. Go onboard the Capella Cruise and start your journey with breathtaking views of surreal limestone cliffs and jungle-topped islets. Capture picture-perfect moments and watch the dramatic beauty of the bay unfold while enjoying your lunch of classic Vietnamese flavors. In the afternoon, explore the Ao Ech area of the bay, access Capella’s high-grade entertainment facilities for loads of fun-filled activities. You can choose to relax in the infinity oasis pool and jacuzzi, experience the thrills of the inflatable water slide, swim and kayak around the crystal-clear waters of Lan Ha Bay or try a mini golf on the top deck.After all the fun and recreation, return to Capella Cruise and prepare for a Vietnamese cooking demonstration by the chef. Your elegantly designed boat anchors in the middle of the bay overnight and dinner is served on board. For your evening feast, indulge your taste buds with a mouth-watering array of dishes, made from the freshest local ingredients. After your filling meal, enjoy night-time activities such as catching squid in the bay, watching a movie with free popcorn, singing karaoke or playing board games. Retire to your luxurious suite and spend the night on board.

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. Head out to explore the “Dark & Bright Cave” aboard a traditional rowing bamboo boat. Also known as “Day & Night Grotto,” it is actually a system made up of two separate caves. As you make your way toward the cave’s entrance, you will be welcomed by an angled passageway and a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and precipitous stone cliffs. Return to the cruise and check out of your cabin at 09:30 and enjoy a leisurely brunch before disembarking at 11:00 and heading back to Hanoi.

Please note: Check out time is two hours 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 above itinerary is subject to change at short notice and is dependent on weather and tide conditions. If weather conditions are deemed unsafe, the harbor master may deny departures. In that case, you will be re-accommodated with the best alternative ground services available.

After breakfast, check out and head to Mai Chau. Rich in natural beauty, Mai Chau is home to several hill tribe communities including the Dzao, Muong and Thai hill tribes. Discover a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries as you explore the rich, verdant landscapes and visit the local hill tribe villages. Arrive in Mai Chau and check in your retreat. Just an hour drive from Mai Chau center, the retreat covers 150,000 square meters (15 hectares) and contains 36 villas perched on the mountainside, with waterfall, rice field and dense forest as a backdrop. You are free to explore the retreat’s facilities or on-site activities.

Following breakfast, begin your journey at the retreat and trek through the neighboring forest until you reach the top of a peaceful mountain with spectacular views of Thai villages. To see additional communities, continue walking on narrow dirt trails through local cornfields, cassava farms, bamboo forests and paddy rice fields. During your journey, you may observe farmers and hear buffalo bells ringing in the air. In an ethnic hamlet, visit a local house and listen to stories about traditional daily customs. With an intermediate difficulty level, the total trek distance is six kilometers (3.7 miles) and duration is approximately three hours, depending on your speed.

In the late afternoon, enjoy afternoon tea at the resort. This experience is a great way to enjoy a few leisurely hours. Relax and savor a traditional afternoon tea that includes premium Ronnefeldt tea, fruit lemonade, flavorsome savory bites and delightful, sweet delicacies.

Following a leisurely morning at your rustic countryside lodge, check out and depart Mai Chau.

Fly to Hue, the former imperial city in Central Vietnam. Set along the picturesque Perfume River, Hue is a captivating city with an illustrious history as the center of power for Vietnam’s former imperial rulers. The Nguyen dynasty emperors enjoyed a 143-year reign, from 1802 until 1945, when Emperor Bao Dai conceded to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The city still maintains much of its majestic charm, where elaborate royal tombs and an imposing Imperial Citadel reveal the extravagant lifestyles of former emperors.

Walk in the footsteps of Vietnamese emperors and trace their rise and fall in the central city of Hue. Begin at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The citadel still contains over 100 buildings, including the emperor’s living quarters in the Forbidden Purple City. Take a short drive to the tomb of Tu Duc, the “Poet Emperor.” A lover of romance and eastern philosophies, the Emperor designed his own tomb within an enchanting garden of pine trees and frangipanis overlooking a lake. Drop by an incense-making village to see how thin sticks of bamboo are dyed and dried in a mixture of sandalwood, cinnamon or pine-scented powder. These ceremonial items are used at temples and shrines all over Vietnam.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh whose burial place reflects the European influences at play during his reign. Take a scenic boat ride along the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story structure that is one of the oldest religious monuments in Hue.

In the morning, make a visit to Dong Ba Market for a chance to peruse the local products, including clothing, kitchenware, handicrafts and souvenirs. Return to your hotel where you can stay at leisure until check out.

Later, depart from Hue and take the scenic route along the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. The three-hour drive takes you through picturesque landscapes with spectacular coastal views. Nestled on the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is UNESCO World Heritage-listed town 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, from the Japanese bridge to the old Chinese assembly hall, grand merchants' houses and French colonial villas.

Rice farming and fishing are two of the most important industries in Hoi An and in the morning, you have the option to choose between a farming or a fishing adventure:

Farming: Gain hands-on farming experience at local farms and villages on the outskirts of Hoi An. First, join the farmers in the field and learn the traditional ways of plowing and harvesting. Try harrowing soil, transplanting rice and scooping water. Then take a break, enjoying a refreshing glass of rice tea before learning how to separate the grains of white rice from the husk. The rice is now ready for cooking, and you are shown how to make rice milk and local rice cakes.

Fishing: Head over to the wharf and take a boat along the Hoi An river, stopping at a spot that is perfect for fishing. Hop into a round basket boat, typically used by fishermen in this region, and learn how to keep your balance while trying to catch fish using a net. Return to the main boat for a local lunch.

In the afternoon, 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. Walk across the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and stop by a local studio that makes traditional lanterns.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Still lovingly referred to as 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. Explore some of the city's landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, a well-preserved 19th-century French colonial building with large vaulted ceilings.

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.

Learn more about the city's history 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.

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 and stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way. Consider enhancing your visit with an optional visit to a cricket farm to learn about a local culinary delicacy and taste a local-style cricket roll (supplementary fees apply).

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

Taste Ho Chi Minh City’s best craft beers on a brewery-hopping adventure through town in a part-craft beer tour, part-walking tour. Craft beer has become popular in Vietnam in recent years and the city is dotted with several small-scale taprooms, each serving their own versions of locally brewed craft beers. Discover our favorite spots for a local pour, including an introduction at one of the taprooms to learn more about the distinct features of typical craft beers, followed by a beer tasting paired with local food (subject to availability). Continue your adventure with a classic tavern housed in a heritage colonial building that serves locally brewed craft beer in Belgian style. Your last stop is a trendy brewery which serves specialty ales flavored with jasmine, passion fruit and other flavors. At the end of the evening, enjoy a leisurely xe loi (rickshaw) ride back to your hotel.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.