A Refined Culinary Passage Through Vietnam

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met by your private driver and guide and then enjoy a comfortable transfer to your centrally located five-star hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to rest from your journey. Guests may relax at the hotel, enjoy its facilities, or take a gentle walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or Hanoi's Old Quarter at their own pace.

In the early evening, gather for a refined welcome dinner at a carefully selected Vietnamese restaurant. This dining experience offers an elegant introduction to Northern Vietnamese cuisine, highlighting fresh local ingredients, balanced flavors, and traditional recipes presented in a contemporary setting. (D)

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the cooking venue where the experience begins with a gentle chauffeured cyclo ride to a nearby local market. This slow-paced and atmospheric journey offers an authentic glimpse into daily life in Hanoi. At the market, meet your chef instructor and enjoy an immersive yet relaxed walk through the fresh food sections. Guests experience a "day in the life" of a local chef, learning how ingredients are selected, how quality is assessed, and which small details matter most when choosing produce, herbs, meats, and spices. Together, select all ingredients needed for the cooking lesson. Along the way, guests may sample a small selection of local street food (optional), offering additional insight into Hanoi's everyday culinary culture. During the cooking class, the chef demonstrates essential techniques, including basic knife skills and simple methods for food presentation and garnish, helping guests understand how Vietnamese dishes achieve harmony in both flavor and appearance. The experience concludes with enjoying the freshly prepared meal in a comfortable setting.

In the afternoon, enjoy a brief and light cultural visit to the Temple of Literature, one of Hanoi's most tranquil and meaningful historical landmarks. The pace is relaxed and designed for easy exploration. Afterwards, settle into a classic local café to enjoy Vietnamese egg coffee, accompanied by a short introduction to Hanoi's café culture. The evening is at leisure, with no scheduled activities. Guests may choose to dine independently at a recommended Vietnamese restaurant, with suggestions focusing on Northern specialties such as crispy duck with garlic (ngan cháy tỏi), cha ca, bun thang, or seasonal Hanoi-style dishes in a refined setting. (B, L)

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

Guests are met at their hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter and transferred comfortably by private vehicle toward the coast. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed at a comfortable waiting lounge, where they may relax and enjoy light refreshments before boarding. Transfer to the harbor is arranged by electric cart, ensuring a smooth and eco-friendly experience. Once on board the Dragon Legend, guests are greeted with a welcome drink and introduced to the cruise team, followed by a brief safety orientation. The cruise then begins its journey into the serene waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, known for its dramatic limestone formations and tranquil atmosphere. Relax in your luxurious cabin, decorated with traditional Vietnamese decor for an immersive and comfortable experience. A freshly prepared lunch is served on board as the cruise glides through the bay, offering panoramic views of karst islands and emerald waters, with around 2,000 islands in the bay to bask at. Enjoy the tranquility the cruise provides as you indulge in some of the best cuisine Vietnam has to offer.

In the afternoon, guests visit the secluded Thien Canh Son Cave, one of the bay's hidden natural treasures, featuring impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The visit is gentle and unhurried. Later in the afternoon, return to the vessel for refreshment and leisure time while enjoying the changing colors of the bay at sunset. Before dinner, guests are invited to join a light Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board, featuring the preparation of Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savory pancake.

Dinner is served in the elegant onboard dining area, offering a peaceful and refined dining experience surrounded by the quiet beauty of the bay. In the evening, guests may enjoy leisure time on board. Optional activities include squid fishing or simply relaxing under the night sky. Overnight on board in Bai Tu Long Bay. (B, L, D)

Begin the morning with a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck, allowing guests to start the day calmly while taking in the fresh sea air and tranquil surroundings. Breakfast is served on board as the cruise continues through the bay.

Guests then visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village by traditional rowboat. This authentic experience offers insight into the daily life of local fishermen, passing floating homes, fish farms, and the village's floating school. The visit is peaceful and culturally enriching. After returning to the vessel, guests enjoy time at leisure before checking out of their cabins. The cruise then slowly makes its way back toward the harbor. A final buffet brunch is served on board as the vessel cruises through the last scenic stretches of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Upon disembarkation, our driver will take you back to Hanoi. From there, we continue to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The evening is free for you to enjoy dinner on your own. (B, L)

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

This morning you will meet your guide and transfer to Ben Thanh Market. Accompanied by our chef, enjoy a guided market visit exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Saigon's most iconic market while learning about ingredients and seasonings commonly used in Southern Vietnamese (Nam Bộ) cuisine. The visit focuses on fresh herbs, tropical fruits, seafood, and other staples that are essential to southern home cooking. The visit is concise and paced comfortably to ensure ease for all travelers. After your tour, take part in an immersive hands-on Vietnamese cooking class emphasizing Southern culinary traditions. Working at individual cooking stations, guests will prepare a carefully curated three-course meal inspired by Nam Bộ cuisine under the guidance of an experienced chef. The class highlights the region's characteristic sweet-savory balance, tropical flavors, and fresh ingredients, while introducing traditional cooking techniques and cultural significance. Enjoy the dishes you have prepared together as a relaxed and rewarding lunch.

The afternoon is entirely free for guests. They can relax at the hotel or choose to visit the War Remnants Museum, attend the À Ố Show, or enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River, according to their preference. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B, L) Optional: For an extra charge, guests may choose to indulge in an elegant evening on the Saigon River aboard the Saigon Princess Cruise, where refined Vietnamese cuisine meets the illuminated skyline of Ho Chi Minh City by night. Guests are transferred from their hotel in the early evening and embark the cruise at approximately 18:00. After boarding and settling in, the cruise departs at around 19:30, offering a relaxed journey along the Saigon River as the city lights begin to glow. During the cruise, enjoy a thoughtfully curated Vietnamese 5-course set menu, showcasing traditional flavors presented in a contemporary style, while taking in panoramic river views and attentive onboard service. The cruise returns to the pier at approximately 21:30, followed by transfer back to the hotel. This experience offers a well-balanced combination of local culture, comfort, and atmosphere—ideal for travelers seeking a memorable evening in Saigon.

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

We depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 7:45 AM for a scenic drive to Cai Be, a quiet river town in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival around 10:00 AM, board a private boat and begin a leisurely exploration of the Mekong Delta's peaceful canals. The experience focuses on observing daily life along the river rather than rushing through multiple stops.

After the boat ride, visit small family-run workshops, where guests can see firsthand how traditional local products such as rice paper and coconut candy are made by hand, gaining an authentic insight into local craftsmanship. Continue exploring with a gentle sampan ride through narrow waterways. Guests will enjoy seasonal tropical fruits and a relaxed Vietnamese lunch at a tranquil riverside setting on a nearby island. After lunch, take some time to unwind, stroll through a fruit garden, or simply enjoy the quiet rural atmosphere before returning by boat. On the way back, make a brief stop at A Thai village to observe the traditional drying of manioc chips, then return to Ho Chi Minh City. (B, L)

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

Depart from your hotel at 8:00 AM by comfortable private vehicle to the Cu Chi area, home to the historic tunnel system used during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, guests may explore the site at their own pace. Those who wish can enter a short, safe section of the tunnels, while others may remain above ground, walking along tunnel entrances, viewing exhibits, and learning about daily life during wartime. This flexible approach ensures a comfortable experience for all. Optional: After exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, guests may choose (for an additional charge) to enhance their journey with an optional visit to a local family home, offering a deeper and more personal connection to the region beyond its historical sites. Guests are warmly welcomed into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sau, whose family has lived in Cu Chi for generations. Their household represents the second and third generations connected to Cu Chi's wartime history, creating a meaningful link between past and present. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed, informal setting. Over the meal, guests have the opportunity to interact with members of the Sau family, learning about daily life during and after the war through the personal stories of children and grandchildren of former resistance fighters. This intimate exchange offers insight into how Cu Chi has transformed from a former battlefield into a peaceful rural community. Following lunch, take a 1.5-hour guided countryside walk at a gentle pace through the surrounding village. Walk through green rice fields and alongside Saigon's longest irrigation system, which continues to support local agriculture today. Depending on the time of visit and farming schedule, guests may encounter local residents working in the fields, tending livestock, or going about everyday village activities, while at other times the village may feel quieter and more tranquil.

Enjoy a lunch at local restaurant. Following lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, guests may rest at the hotel, enjoy a light afternoon refreshment, or relax before continuing to explore the city independently. Afternoon at leisure. Guests may relax at the hotel, enjoy spa or wellness treatments, or take a short walk to nearby landmarks and shopping areas at their own pace.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant, savoring the distinctive flavors and specialties of Southern Vietnam before returning to the hotel. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast including warm, savory and hearty options of beef or chicken noodle soup, baguettes, sticky rice and steamed rice rolls, frequently accompanied by a crafted coffee.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy free time at leisure depending on your flight schedule. Guests may choose to relax at the hotel, enjoy its facilities, or take a gentle stroll nearby to browse Vietnamese coffee, tea, and small local specialties for last-minute souvenirs. At the appropriate time, meet your private driver and transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your return flight. (B)