Day 1: Hanoi arrival – day at leisure
Upon arrival, the officer will welcome you at the airplane tub and assist you with getting through the passport checking via the fast track line, picking up your luggage, and going straight to the airport exit gate. Our guide will welcome you with the “Justravel Asia” sign, mentioning your name. Transfer to your selected hotel in Hanoi.
Time at leisure to recover after the long-haul flight.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Hanoi tales by cuisines – Hanoi Old Quarter (Breakfast/Lunch)
Hanoi, the origin of all traditions in Vietnam, is believed to have the most sophisticated food culture among all cities. 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 morning to take a walk with our tour guide to the Old Quarter. Our first stop is to taste Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) at a local restaurant located on a narrow street in the Old Quarter. Then keep moving to visit the wet market, where hundreds of kinds of food & vegetable are displayed along the street for sale. Continue to discover the little alleys with its numerous fascinating street food, including Banh Cuon (steamed rice paper), Bun Cha (fresh vermicelli with crab spring roll and grilled pork), and wrap up with some local beautiful desserts and Hanoi typical egg coffee.
In the afternoon, explore charming Hanoi, the “Paris of the East,” with its yellow-ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and gorgeous lakes. 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.
Continue to central Hanoi for a cyclo ride through the scenic Old Quarter, where each street is named for its original wares, from silk to silver. Stroll through the interesting network of back alleyways, fronted by narrow “tunnels” or “tube houses” built to escape taxes depending on their street frontage, for a truly eclectic view into Hanoi street life.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (Breakfast)
Set out from Hanoi on a picturesque four-hour drive to Mai Chau in the southwest. Situated in Hoa Binh Province, Mai Chau is renowned for its breathtaking mountain and valley views, verdant landscapes, and stilt dwellings that are home to the White Thai ethnic community.
Time to relax at the pool with a complimentary afternoon snack, admire the tranquil nature or participate in the wide range of on-site activities at the resort, workshops, yoga classes, meditation, and visit the local museum.
Overnight at Mai Chau.
Day 4: Mai Chau (Breakfast)
Local Village Walk
This lovely walk is suitable for explorers who are into a restful time while enjoying some of the most serene countryside scenery. Wander through different terrains and rural roads, a guide side by side to tell you about the mountain lifestyle and stunning nature features here.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Day 5: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh – Trang An – Hoa Lu (Breakfast)
From Mai Chau, drive two hours to Trang An Landscape Complex. In 2014, UNESCO listed Trang An’s limestone karst peaks with sheer vertical walls 200m (656ft) above the surrounding land and water. The terrain is a harmony of rice paddies, streams, and dense rain forest clinging to cliffs and mountains. Admire Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first centralized feudal state from the late 10th century, in the complex. Despite the fortress’s destruction, Dinh and Le dynasty temples remain amid the rice paddies. Continue to Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on Land”, where a skilled rower will take you on a 2hr slow journey on the winding river and canals. Enjoy the views of the beautiful karst formations as you enter three of the many natural caves formed under the hills. Visit Thai Vi temple on the way back
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
Depart Ninh Binh for a 3-hour drive to explore Lan Ha Bay on board Ginger, a luxurious floating home. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a welcome drink and a briefing on the facilities available on board. Our journey begins with a unique exploration of Lan Ha Bay, one of the new wonders of nature.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in Ginger’s dining room while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. As we make our way through the bay, we will pass an ancient lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. We will continue to navigate the karst maze of Lan Ha Bay, a recently opened part of Halong Bay. Take in the surreal seascape and relax on the sun deck during the cruise. You will have plenty of leisure time to enjoy our onboard activities, such as taking a dip in the pool or indulging in treatments and massages at Lady Ginger spa.
We will disembark at Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island and take a tour on bikes (or electric car) along small paved roads to a quiet village nestled in a valley. Here, you can meet and greet local villagers and observe their daily routines at home, school, and work. Back on board, our chef will lead an interactive cooking class in the open kitchen at the restaurant, where you can learn about delicious local ingredients and how to prepare traditional Vietnamese recipes to replicate at home. We will then anchor at a tranquil location for the night, where you can reminisce about the day’s adventures and enjoy cocktails under the stars. A delightful dinner is served in the dining room, followed by optional bar time or a visit to the evening cinema for a movie. You can also join the Ginger crew for squid fishing before retiring to your room for the evening.
Overnight on cruise.
Day 7: Ha Long Bay – seaplane to Hanoi – flight to Hue (Breakfast)
On day two, wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the sundeck to start your day with a relaxing exercise while watching the sunrise. Breakfast pastries, coffee, and tea are available in the dining room. Ginger will begin cruising towards Tra Bau, a secluded spot perfect for our morning excursion. You can paddle through the dreamlike landscape in kayaks or bamboo boats and get a closer look at the serene surroundings, including tree-topped islands. You will feel a sense of freedom and harmony with nature that you have never experienced before. Once back on board, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast in the dining room or request room service before we start our journey back to the pier. Finally, savor the last moments of this unique journey by relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.
Disembark around noon, enjoy 15 15-minute scenic flight over Halong Bay then flight back to back to Hanoi airport by seaplane for the flight to Hue.
Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your selected hotel in Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue – Imperial Citadel - Salt rice tasting with local artisan Ms. Nhu Huy – Home-hosted dinner (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
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.
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 various ways, such as frying, steaming, or braising, and come with various 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.
Drive to Ms. Nau’s local garden house. Her house showcases the most typical Hue family culture, in which 3 generations live together and open a business in their own house. Each family member has his/her own passion, typically in singing, cooking, and art. And, like other traditional Hue families, everyone in Ms. Nau’s family is carefully educated about royal Hue customs and spirits. Ms. Nau herself is an interior designer. She left Saigon and got back to Hue a few years ago, starting her business creating macrame artworks. Meet her and her friendly family members, and get to know a typical Hue family with generations living together. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner in the cozy garden with Hue local dishes.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue - Da Nang – Hoi An Ancient town (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to Hoi An ancient town via Da Nang.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An flourished as a trade harbor, attracting merchant vessels from China, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Well-preserved buildings, lanes dedicated for foot traffic, and unique regional cuisine give modern visitors a taste of this historic town’s storied past, which has earned it World Heritage status. On a guided walking tour through Hoi An’s winding streets, you can see old merchant houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to connect them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market, with stalls selling a wide variety of goods.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An – Farming life on herb garden (Breakfast)
Learn about organic farming from Hoi An’s villagers. Start your day with a ride to Tra Que vegetable village, named after the sweet-smelling herb grown there and used to flavor Hoi An dishes like Cao Lau noodles. Go around the fishponds and organic gardens to see how local farmers have cared for their land for centuries. Hoi An’s best veggies and herbs come from this village’s lush soil. If you don’t mind getting dirty, borrow work clothes from the locals and help the friendly farmers water and fertilize. Sit beside the water wheel and play regional instruments. Back to your hotel.
The rest of the day at leisure
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An – Day at leisure (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel, and time at leisure to explore the town independently.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An – Da Nang - flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vintage Vespa ride with local Micheline recommended food tasting (Breakfast/Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Tonight, prepare for a fascinating 1970s Vespa ride to discover the vibrant city of Saigon at night, as well as a delicious tasting of local dishes at the most authentic local restaurants selected by the Michelin guide. Let us tell you the story of Saigon, from its golden age in the 1960s to its modernity in the 21st century. Travel through time and taste the most typical local food and drinks in our authentic southern Vietnamese restaurants. We’ll take you to different neighborhoods out of the seedy city center, and weave into the alleyways to see the real local Saigon nightlife.
The tour features a special visit of a local home where three generations have lived together for over 50 years and a hidden bar where you will enjoy signature cocktails with stories behind each recipe.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 13: Saigon’s narrative unfolds through architecture - Private Dinner with a Vietnam MasterChef (Breakfast-Dinner)
Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant past through its architectural perspective. Meet Hieu, a young Saigonese who has spent all of his passion researching on Saigon historic buildings. He and his team are working on several projects to preserve and restore Saigon architecture, and especially to inspire the young people to appreciate such heritages. Hieu will share with you stories behind the iconic buildings during the tour. Visit Ho Chi Minh City Museum at the former Lieutenant Governor’s Palace. Uncover remnants of a colonial opium refinery within the bustling cityscape. Explore Madame Souchere’s mansion, a poignant reflection of Vietnam’s history shaped by the rubber industry. Experience the blend of tradition and modernity at the General Science Library, symbolizing Vietnam’s path to independence. Wrap up your tour at a revitalized 1960s bar, now a lively coffee haven and a cultural hotspot for local artists, concluding your exploration of the city’s architectural heritage.
This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a cozy restaurant of a famous MasterChef Vietnam contestant. The tasty traditional Vietnamese courses this chef prepared were a sufficient reason that helped him won MasterChef Vietnam 2013. Come and see the chef in action as he shows you how to make exquisite Vietnamese dishes and explains how he brought this cuisine to people all over the globe. The special menu he prepared will come together with a selection of wine pairing.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 14: Saigon departure (B)
After breakfast, time at leisure till departing for the airport for the flight back home.
