DAY 1 | HANOI
Arrive in the capital city of Hanoi. This northern city was settled in prehistoric times, was once the capital of French Indochina, and became the capital of unified Vietnam after the northern forces won the war. Today, it is a largely modern and compact city that still retains its idyllic charm. You will be met at the plane and escorted to receive your visa on arrival and through immigration. A private vehicle awaits curbside to take you to your hotel. Settle in and freshen up before this evening’s exciting introduction to the city – a street food tour on the back of a scooter. Do as the locals do: pull up a plastic chair and tuck into savory and fresh dishes before zipping off to the next restaurant.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

DAY 2 | HANOI 
Many of Hanoi’s centuries-old monuments and palaces have been destroyed. Still, several historical and scenic sites remain, such as the peaceful Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake and the ancient Tran Quoc pagoda. Take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter in the heart of the city, evocative of its French-colonial past, and explore a fresh market on foot. Next up, see what life would have been like for prisoners of war at the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, which exhibits former US senator John McCain’s parachute from when he landed in the lake as a soldier. Wrap up the day with a visit to Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the nearby Temple of Literature.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

DAY 3 | HANOI 
This morning, take a short trip to one of Vietnam’s local communities just outside the city. Bat Trang village is located on the left bank of the Red River and is known for its ceramics. It is tradition for small villages in the area, such as Bat Trang, to specialize in silk, water puppets, bronze casting, fans, and hats. In this way, generations of artisans hone their crafts to create high-quality products that are circulated all over the country. At Bat Trang village, founded over 500 years ago, meet the community and witness their expertise in molding clay into cups, plates, and decorative items. In the afternoon, return to the city for lunch and more insight into Vietnam’s arts at the National Museum of Fine Arts, followed by a traditional water puppet show at the local theatre. Those interested in this unique variation of the ancient Asian puppet tradition can opt to meet a top artist and be welcomed to his home for a private show.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

DAY 4 | HALONG BAY 
Today, you’re setting off to see one of the world’s greatest sights, the panoramas of which adorn the pages of coffee table books and National Geographic magazines: Halong Bay, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, around a 3-hour drive from Hanoi. Make the most of this experience and opt to take a scenic seaplane flight from Hanoi to Halong Bay. It not only shortens travel time but also offers an unforgettable view of the entire bay from above. Explore this spectacular seascape in style on your own private cruising junk. Get up close to the limestone karsts by kayaking through the area. After a visit to a traditional fishing village and swimming in a secret lagoon, you’ll cap your night off with a gourmet BBQ beach dinner under the stars.
Orchid Classic Cruise

DAY 5 | HOIAN 
Return to shore, then drive to Haiphong for a flight to Da Nang. You are now in central Vietnam; Danang is a large coastal city known for its sandy beaches. Have a quaint seaside lunch before continuing along the coastal road to your hotel. After checking in and freshening up, head out again to explore the Marble Mountains. This cluster of marble and limestone hills is home to numerous caves and tunnels, many of which were converted into Buddhist grottoes containing carvings, statues, and rockface reliefs.
Four Season The Nam Hai Hoian

DAY 6 | HOIAN 
Take in the central region’s serene vibe as you start the day relaxing on the expansive China Beach, just outside your resort. After breakfast, it is time to head to nearby Hoi An, a charming historical city. Explore its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with exceptionally preserved architecture and street planning that reflects the foreign and indigenous influences that together create its unique identity. Admire the charming pale yellow buildings that house restaurants, art galleries, cafes, and particularly tailor shops, which are a specialty of the town. Have a special visit with a local family famed for their cao lau noodles, the specialty dish of Hoi An. It is said that the noodles are best made in Hoi An because of the local water source, which gives them a finer texture. In the afternoon, wind down with a relaxing cruise on the Thu Bon River. Disembark at a local village before heading back to your hotel. We recommend returning to town in the evening when its famous colorful lanterns are lit and the night market comes to life.
Four Season The Nam Hai Hoian

DAY 7 | HOIAN  
Go for a peaceful bicycle ride through the charming countryside, past bucolic villages and farmlands. Stop at a village where you can get hands-on experience of a farmer’s life by helping water crops, plant rice, and, if you’re adventurous, drive a water buffalo. Share a meal with a local family and enjoy the garden-fresh vegetables and herbs. After lunch, set off for the jungles to explore My Son temple and the surrounding ancient ruins from the Cham empire, dating back to the 4th century. These mystical Hindu grounds were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Four Season The Nam Hai Hoian

DAY 8 | SAIGON 
Head south to Saigon via flight from Danang in the morning. In the afternoon, experience the bustle of this exciting city, which used to be the capital of the South. While Hanoi feels more quintessentially Vietnamese with tradition dictating the way of life, Saigon more eagerly embraces modernity, innovation, and foreign influence, making it a dynamic international metropolis. Take a stroll around a downtown boulevard lined with impressive and historically significant French colonial buildings, including the Opera House, the Continental Hotel, the General Post Office, and City Hall. Then head to Cholon, the city’s Chinatown, which dates back to 1778 and is home to a few temples, pagodas, a mosque, and a small Catholic cathedral. While in Chinatown, explore the main market, Binh Tay, which is flanked by an outer wet market and a food court at the back, where shoppers stop for snacks and takeout.
The Reverie Saigon

DAY 9 | SAIGON
Your last day is dedicated to the history of modern Vietnam and the war that formed it. Start with a visit to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a short speedboat ride away. This network of underground tunnels was once used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat. Here, you will meet a veteran who will take you through the tunnels and tell you his side of the story of the ‘American War.’ In the afternoon, you will visit the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, emotionally powerful and historically significant sites that are must-sees for anyone visiting this country.
The Reverie Saigon

DAY 10 | DEPARTURE  
Enjoy your breakfast, whether at the hotel or with a last bowl of pho or banh mi on the street, and spend your morning at leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.