
Embark on the journey through the whole length of Vietnam and experience the country’s rich culture and cuisine. Start in the booming city of Saigon where the old and new woven into each other, the city offers wonderful sights of contrasts and surprisingly rich cuisine. The journey then continues north to Hue, the old imperial city known for its heritage and royal delicacy. With its long history and tradition, Hue is charming in every step you take. The trip then take you further to Ha Noi and Ha Long Bay, through beautiful scenery and cuisine unique to the north that sure will not fail to impress any visitors.

Upon arrival at Saigon airport, transfer to your hotel on your private vehicle.
Formerly known as “Saigon” prior to 1975, today the city is Vietnam’s commercial center. The city’s dynamic energy is apparent in the bustling street scenes with thousands of people on motorbikes constantly on the move.
Start your day at one of the oldest wet market in Saigon. Take a walk around and learn about the most authentic ingredients used in Saigonese daily meals. Try some street food with the support of your guide, also a food expert. Stop at a small vintage coffee shop to try Vietnamese ice coffee and observe the relaxing morning life of the locals.
Transfer to Dong Khoi Street downtown to visit some of the beautiful French colonial-era buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Continue to Presidential Palace, the headquarter of the Southern Vietnamese Government during the American War. Drive to the War Remnants Museum to learn about story of Vietnam War
Notes:
- Suggested time: 08:00
- Duration: 6
This late afternoon, hop on the vintage vespa and weave through the alleyways and busy markets of Saigon to meet a young local graphic designer, photographer and chef at her cozy villa. Having a deep enthusiasm for Vietnamese food, she has been spending most of her time cooking and doing research on local culinary to create her own fusion recipes. Her culinary books are widely recognized by experienced culinary artisans of Vietnam. Have a chat with her about Vietnamese food stories, and enjoy a very sophisticated flower meal with different dishes created from typical Vietnamese flowers.
Notes
- Suggested time: 17:30
- Duration: 3.5 hours.
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic two-hour drive to Cho Gao situated in the Mekong River Delta.
Upon arrival, board a wooden boat for a fascinating river excursion to off the beaten tracks part of Mekong Delta, Stop at a small coconut factory to understand the traditional methods used to make coal from the coconut hard-shell.
Afterward, hop on bicycle for a relaxing ride through the peaceful village to observe the rustic lifestyle, riding among fruit plantations and friendly locals.
After lunch, wander on the rural village path to a honey bee farm to observe how to make honey straight from the source. Continue the cycling trip around the village and stop at a local farmer’s garden with a specialty of the region called “lá sâm.” The host will take you around his lush garden to pick some leaves and show you how to make the special herbal jelly.
Board a sampan for a ride along the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta before getting back on the ferry to cross the river and return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Notes:
- Suggested time: 08:00
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- The cycling distance can be 5 km, depending on your physical ability and length you desire
- The exploration can be done on foot, horse cart or tri-motorcycle instead of the cycling
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Hue.
Upon arrival at Hue airport to downtown by your private vehicle.
Buddhism is the main religion in Hue, and Hue people practice Buddhism with all their hearts and spirits for thousand years. Therefore, Hue is also recognized as the sacred place for vegetarian cuisine. Stop at another small pagoda where you will witness how local monks practice and make offering with vegetarian dishes. Enjoy a mindfulness lunch with pagoda cooked vegetarian food.
Drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda, perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable icons.
Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and its magnificent emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas, and the remains of the Citadel add to its undeniable royal charm. Explore the Imperial Citadel, which is located in the heart of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As your guide explains the events and intrigue surrounding the former royal court, enter through the towering main gate and take in the magnificent architecture and gardens. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, some sections are incredibly well-preserved and others are being carefully restored.
Notes;
- Suggested time: 13:30
- Duration: 5 hours
Reintroduced by Chef Madame Nhu Huy, Salt Rice is one of the most luxurious and emblematic delicacies of the old Imperial city of Hue. The dish can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as frying, steaming, or braising, and come with a variety of flavors such as sesame, lemongrass, galingale, and shrimp. We can talk with Madame Nhu Huy, who was born and grew up in a Royal family, to understand her effort to search and preserve ancient recipes. And of course, you will have the chance to appreciate this delicacy at Madame Nhu Huy’s home. It is necessary to enjoy these dishes slowly to enhance the fragrance of rice and the salty, peppery, sweet, and sour taste of different types of salt rice.
Notes:
- Availability: Evening
- Suggested time: 18:00
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Capacity: Max. 15 pax
Morning is free at leisure.
In the afternoon, take a short drive to Tam Giang Lagoon, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and unquestionably the most beautiful place to visit. Explore the ancient village. Visit a friendly fisherman’s home and watch him weave traditional fishing tools and a bamboo sampan before joining him on a boat ride across the beautiful lagoon. Admiring the authentic lifestyle of boat dwellers, learning how generations of families “eat, pray, love,” and survive on a house-boat, is an eye-opening experience. Paddle gently alongside the unique aqua-culture farm system before beginning the original fishing techniques. Continue your visit to a vegetable farm for a special “farm to table” dinner cooked with the host.
Notes:
- Suggested time: 14:00
- Duration: 6 hours
- Dinner at local house
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Hanoi.
Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined. As Hanoi is becoming more populated with people and automobiles, the city is experiencing more traffic congestion, particularly in the Old Quarter.
Spend half a day touring Hanoi’s colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and gorgeous lakes. Hanoi’s Old Quarter coffee shops offer a glimpse into local life. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a marble and granite structure built to preserve the body of Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, known as “Uncle Ho.”. The One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 from wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and supported by a single stone pillar, is Vietnam’s most famous pagoda and worth to stop at. Continue to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. Some of his belongings are displayed in his bedroom, up the stairs. Stop by the late-11th-century Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university. This well-preserved temple is featured at the back of the 100,000 dong Vietnamese note.
Notes:
- Availability: Morning only
- Suggested time: 13:30
- Duration: 3.5 hours
Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Depart your hotel in the early evening to take a walk with your tour guide to the Old Quarter. Try the typical local snacks such as Banh Goi (deep fried wheat flour cake stuffed with minced pork), Banh My Pate or Banh My Lan Ong (Hanoi baguette), Pho Ga or Bun Ca (chicken noodle soup or Fish noodle soup) or Oc (steamed Vietnamese snails with ginger fish sauce). Later head to Dong Xuan night market which is well known for all types of goods including souvenirs. Try your hand at bargaining for a good deal before heading off to Beer Corner in the old corner to try a cold glass of Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer) like a local.
Notes:
- Availability: Evening only
- Suggested time: 18:00
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Capacity: max. 8 pax
Spend your morning like a local Hanoian, read newspaper, sip a coffee, and wander around the markets to bargain for second hand goods.
Today’s tour guide will take you to the “standing newspaper“, where you may get an informative explanation from the guide about the Hanoians’ subsidiary period, when newspapers were a luxury. Then, stop at a local egg coffee shop to observe and listen to the sounds of daily life in the Old Quarter before proceeding to Gioi Market, a corner where thousands of trade goods are sold, from the smallest items such as nails and batteries to large items such as motors, electronic goods, and refrigeration equipment. You’ll be astonished at how many small shops are in the middle of the street, as well as how tough it is for motorcycles to navigate the narrow streets. Continue your exploration by driving to a rail station in a Hanoi suburb to board a local train returning to the city center. After 10 minutes, disembark from the train and walk down the tracks, crossing “cuisine street” where you can discover many wonderful street eats before stopping at “Zo Paper Project” – where young and active Vietnamese people create new values on traditional paper.
Notes:
- Availability: Morning only
- Duration: 5 hours
- Suggested time: 08:30
- Special note: Not available during Tet holidays
Afternoon is free at own leisure.
Depart for a journey to Ha Long Bay. On arrival in Ha Long Bay, let the vacation begin with a lunch as the boat cruises towards South East Ha Long Bay. Spend time to discover the mysterious caves, tranquil beaches along the bay, as well as take part in some cooking activities on board.
Wake up early and partake in a Tai Chi demonstration which is held on the upper deck. And then enjoy light breakfast is served onboard. The boat weighs anchor to sail to some fishing villages. You can choose either kayak or traditional rowing boat to go around discovering local life on the waters.
Check out in the afternoon, drive back to Hanoi. Make a stop on the way at a local village for stretching your legs or having a chance to witness the local life of Northern countryside.
Transfer to the airport to take the departure flight home or continue the extension to other destinations.