Luxury Tour of Vietnam

Your local tour of Hanoi begins at the ‘standing newspaper’ where you’ll hear about a time when newspapers were considered a luxury in Hanoi. After a stop at a local coffee shop you’ll head to Gioi Market where thousands of trade goods are sold. Drive to a local rail station and catch a train back to the city centre, crossing the first French bridge built on the Red River, and then enjoy lunch at a vintage Vietnamese restaurant decked out in 1970s decor.

Spend an evening at the home of a local chef who will guide you through the wonders of Vietnamese cuisine. You’ll start with a stroll through a nearby culinary market, exploring a variety of diverse products and learning about their traditional use in Vietnamese cooking. Back at the chef’s house, you’ll get to see the three-generation family whip up a delicious meal for you all to enjoy together.

As you reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, hop on bicycles and go pedalling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The self-sufficient community  provides for itself by cultivating vegetables and fruits, growing rice in the valley and fishing. See how the villagers make medicine from tree bark and try various homemade liquors.

Set sail for an exclusive parking spot in the midst of southern Lan Ha Bay for an overnight mooring. Join a tea tasting lesson to learn about Vietnam’s traditional herbal teas and gain insight into their health benefits. Enjoy a spa treatment or sauna session. After dinner there will be a guided singing bowl meditation in the wellness studio. This is an ancient Tibetan ritual which intends to invoke a deep state of relaxation – it alleviates stress and promotes a better night of sleep. 

Sail towards the very southern tip of Cat Ba Island. Here, you’ll take the tender and visit a floating fishing village, not far from the town of Ben Beo on the main island. This fishing village is home to about 300 families making their living from fishing and aquaculture, much like their ancestors did. Get a close view of how the villagers live and work on the water. Continue towards Ben Beo Pier, go ashore and into the Cat Ba National Park. Enjoy a mindful walk through this lush, jungle-like forest. The biosphere reserve has over 1,500 plant species, 78 avian, 20 reptilian and 32 mammalian species including deer, macaques and civets. 

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port. Today, this World Heritage town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. On a walking tour you’ll see old merchant houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties. Enjoy an hour-long boat trip on the Thu Bon River for up close views of fishing boats and country villages.

Take a leisurely 5km cycling journey through the charming village landscapes. Enjoy stunning views of the peaceful countryside, including green water coconut forests, prawn and red snapper farms, and rustic rice fields. Immerse yourself in the essence of sustainable Vietnamese farming. Here, you’ll discover how villagers have long used medicinal plants for health and healing, long before the advent of modern pharmacies. Explore the less-travelled rural areas around Hoi An, and dive into a local medicinal garden, learning about the diverse array of plants and their traditional uses in medicine and wellness. Participate in the hands-on harvesting and preparation of these plants, and savour a meal that emphasizes the importance of sustainable eating and the integral role these plants play in the local diet.

One of Hoi An’s most celebrated chefs, Chef Duc has had the honour of cooking for many notable guests, including Anthony Bourdain and Mick Jagger, and now you’ll have the chance to sample his dishes. Enjoy a modern Vietnamese culinary feast in the chef’s open-air residence, which adds an immersive layer of Vietnamese design to your experience. Gain insight into his methods as he prepares each dish, savouring each exceptional flavour as it’s presented to you.

Enamel (phap lam) plays a huge part in Vietnamese history, particularly in Hue where enamelware was used for imperial structures and royal families during the Nguyen Dynasty. After nearly 200 years, Hue people are starting to revive this traditional fine art. Meet with the artisan Triet Do, an expert at Enamel Hue and learn about his endeavor to restore this way of art by combining industries of many sectors of handicrafts. Create your own stunning Phap Lam product or buy one.

Embark on an enriching 10km journey, beginning with a leisurely bike ride along serene roads, winding through picturesque rice paddies and charming villages. Immerse yourself in the traditions of a weaving village, where locals skillfully weave sedge plants into mats, handbags and hats. Next, visit My Xuyen village, renowned for its centuries-old wood carving artistry. Artisans from this village were instrumental in constructing the Hue Royal Court during the Nguyen dynasty. Try your hand at carpentry, before heading to Phuoc Tich ancient village, dating back to 1470, and the private museum of Le Trong Dien, showcasing a remarkable collection of ancient pottery.

Experience the magic of Ho Chi Minh at dusk with a sunset tour aboard a wooden boat. Glide along the Saigon River, where the city’s skyline transforms into a breathtaking canvas of shimmering lights. This serene journey offers more than just stunning views; it’s an opportunity to delve into the city’s urban planning and architectural evolution. As the boat gently cruises, your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about the city’s urban development, from its historical roots to modern-day innovations. Marvel at iconic landmarks such as Saigon Harbour, Vinhomes Central Park, and upscale riverside villas, all illuminated by the setting sun.

Step into Jo Ngo’s contemporary multi-media art show. Fabric installations move gently through the space while projection mapping shifts light and shadow across the room and around you. It’s immersive, and encourages you to slow down and look properly.

You’ll explore the pieces up close, champagne in hand, in an intimate setting great for conversation as much as observation. We especially recommend spending time with the layered fabric works, where texture and projection come together in a subtle, considered way. Jo’s art leans into reflection with space to understand the ideas behind each piece and engage directly with the creative process.

Passing several colonial era mansions, you’ll soon reach the former home of the US ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Henry Cabot Lodge. The house has been restored to its former glory and is the setting for a lavish Vietnamese dinner. You’ll enjoy a cocktail reception with traditional dance performances before enjoying your sophisticated meal in the magnificent dining room, accompanied by live music

After leaving Ho Chi Minh you’ll drive for an hour and a half to Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Spend some time exploring sprawling rice paddies and colourful fruit farms. Arrive at the quaint An Khanh hamlet, where you’ll visit a small home factory that makes the traditional dish of sticky rice covered by coconut leaves. Meet with the owner and her team who will teach you about how they use century-old methods to make this tasty cake. You will also meet a local family in Quoi Son village, where you can sample exotic fresh fruits in an orchard. Then take a peaceful thirty-minute boat trip, followed by a bicycle ride along narrow village lanes. Next, board a sampan and cruise along the narrow canals of the Mekong to a farmer’s house where a lunch of Mekong Delta specialties will be served.

Take a motorboat trip to Cai Rang, the biggest floating market in Can Tho, which is considered a legacy of Mekong Delta. Although it is not as busy as it used to be in the past, at Cai Rang Floating market you can still witness boats laden with vibrant fruits and vegetables.

Get out and explore your surroundings by embarking on a carefully selected hiking or trekking route. Each trail is adapted to your level of ability, but blends active adventure with the tranquility of Con Dao’s natural landscapes, including towering peaks and picturesque beaches.

Explore Con Dao’s irresistibly blue waters with a choice of watersports. Try snorkelling surrounded by brightly coloured marine life – there are over 1,400 documented species in these waters, as well as a vibrant collection of coral varieties. You can also enjoy the soothing rhythm of the waves by stand up paddle boarding or kayaking.