Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, transfer to your hotel on your private vehicle.
The capital Hanoi is best known for its thriving contemporary arts scene and French architecture, visible by many colonial villas scattered throughout the city. 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.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi sightseeing – Hanoi street eats (Breakfast)
After breakfast, 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. Then enjoy 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.
In the late afternoon, enjoy the small food tour with your guide. 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 to take a walk with our LGBTQ 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 an LGBTQ bar to wrap up the night.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (~ 210 km driving per way ~ 3 hours) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Depart Hanoi for a 3-hour drive to Ha Long Bay by the new highway. A UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, Halong Bay covers an area of 43,400 ha (168 sq mi) including over 1,600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and untouched. Board your cruise ship to admire the stunning islets that soar from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest along with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes add to the enchantment of this breathtakingly beautiful region. Stop to visit the caves, and islets, and enjoy kayaking and swimming over the turquoise water of the bay. Optional to join in a cooking demonstration and cocktails. Overnight on board the ship docks in the quiet bay overlooking to the starry night.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Da Nang – Hoi An (Brunch)
Wake up early in the sound of waves and breeze. Join a Tai-chi class to refresh your soul and body under the sunshine as the ship continues to cruise around the bay, where you can witness life of a local fisherman on the floating fishing villages. Enjoy brunch with sip of tea or coffee over the magnificent view of the limestones. Stay relaxing until disembarkation in the afternoon and drive back to Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang.
Pick up at the airport, and transfer to your selected hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An - Walk around ancient town – Insider’s fashion tour (Breakfast)
After breakfast, walking around Hoi An Ancient town. 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.
Today, Hoi An is a shopper’s paradise. Hoi An is famous as Vietnam’s number-one tailoring town and is also home to several well-known designers. Meet a local shopping expert, stroll through the town, and stop at the hidden gems – fashion and fabric shops run by local designers and tailors to learn about different types of fashion in Hoi An throughout history, from past to present, from ethnic minority groups forms to contemporary couture.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An - Da Nang – flight to Saigon - Saigon sightseeing and local food by Vespa (Breakfast/Dinner)
After breakfast, leave for the airport for the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, welcome and drive to your selected hotel.
With nearly 9 million citizens, Saigon is a dynamic city filled with culture and different lifestyles and enriched by its strong links to the past through its colonial landmarks. Visit 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, walk across to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Continue to Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Southern Vietnamese Government during the American War. Drive to the War Remnants Museum to learn about story of the Vietnam War. Be a part of Saigon’s daily life by experiencing Saigon’s street coffee before returning to your hotel.
The darker the night gets, the more vivid Saigon becomes! Get ready for a fascinating ride by vintage Vespa tonight to discover busy Saigon after dark, together with fun street food tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Make your first stop at a small yet popular Vietnamese bread stall, line up to get a fresh bread roll before heading to a historic coffee shop, used to be a secreat weapon chamber during American war for a briefing. Then continue to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the streets and explore an old apartment complex that comes to life at night with hundreds of food and drinks stalls. Continue riding to a hidden boutique local restaurant owned by a lady from Central Vietnam, to taste the freshest Southern Vietnamese courses. Take a break at a 30-year-old street dessert shop. Conclude your night at a speakeasy LGBTQ bar tucked away in a quiet alley to taste their signature cocktails and have a chat with people here. Hop back on the vespa and ride back to your hotel.
Overnight at Saigon.
Day 7: Saigon – Shopping with local fashionista (Breakfast/Lunch)
After breakfast, time at leisure at your hotel.
In the afternoon, enjoy the shopping tour with local fashionista. Let’s tailor–make the shopping stops and draw the route based on your special interests. Our friend – a young local fashionista who has shown her strong passion and amazing taste on fashion, accessories and healthy products since she was 8, will accompany and advise you the most appropriate local shops of Saigon. You might choose to pick 4 fashion items from our shopping catalogue list including Ao Dai, clothes, bags and wallets, shoes, fabric, silk or tailoring, accessories, handicrafts or organic skincare. Opportunity to stop at a shop where you will engage in an interactive casual talk with a passionate designer for an overview about the diversity of the Vietnamese fashion concept (subject to availability). End your journey at a local coffee shop located in an old French colonial apartment block to review what you have in hand after the journey with your fashionista.
Overnight at Saigon.
Day 8: Saigon flight to Phu Quoc Island – relaxing on the beach (Breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer the airport for the flight to Phu Quoc island.
Upon arrival, transfer to your selected hotel in Phu Quoc.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 9: Phu Quoc Island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel, and time at leisure to enjoy the beach.
Only breakfast and accommodation are provided.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 10: Phu Quoc Island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel, and time at leisure to enjoy the beach.
Only breakfast and accommodation are provided.
Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 11: Phu Quoc Island departure (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel, time at leisure to enjoy the beach till leave for the airport for departing flight.
