Flavors of Vietnam – 8 Days

Brief Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong – Hochiminh City – Mekong

Duration: 8 days

Start/End Destination: Hanoi / Hochiminh City

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – A Taste of Tradition

Day 2: Hanoi – A Culinary and Cultural Tapestry

Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Into the Heart of the Bay

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Morning Calm, Flight to Hue

Day 5: Hue – Palaces, Perfume River, and Royal Cuisine

Day 6: Hai Van Pass to Hoi An – Coastal Beauty and Ancient Streets

Day 7: Hoi An – Countryside Flavors and Artisan Crafts

Day 8: Depart Da Nang – Farewell Vietnam

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi – A Taste of Tradition

Arrive in Hanoi, a city where time flows between ancient temples and quiet lakes, past French colonial mansions and whispering banyan trees. Upon arrival, enjoy VIP assistance and a smooth private transfer to your boutique hotel tucked in the heart of the atmospheric Old Quarter. As twilight settles, join your local guide for an immersive walk through the city’s storied lanes. Sip on Hanoi’s famed silky egg coffee at a hidden café once frequented by scholars and poets. Later, indulge in a welcome dinner in a restored French villa, where classic northern Vietnamese flavors are reimagined with sophisticated flair.
Dinner

Day 2: Hanoi – A Culinary and Cultural Tapestry

Begin your day tracing Vietnam’s journey through time: admire the solemn majesty of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his tranquil stilt house, then move to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda — a symbol of purity and renewal. Continue to the Temple of Literature, where generations of scholars once passed through stone stelae under shady courtyards. Then, peel back the layers of Hanoi’s flavor-filled streets with a private food tour guided by a culinary expert. Sample steaming pho, sizzling bun cha, and delicate rice rolls tucked into alleyway kitchens where family recipes span generations. In the evening, choose between a traditional water puppet performance or an optional hands-on cooking experience with a celebrated chef.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Into the Heart of the Bay

Depart the city for the emerald embrace of Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival at the marina, board your elegant cruise ship designed for intimacy and comfort. As the sails unfurl, glide past thousands of limestone karsts rising from the water like ancient sentinels. Kayak into serene lagoons, explore hidden caves, or simply soak in the beauty from your sunbed. As golden light spreads across the bay, sip cocktails during a sunset happy hour before indulging in a candlelit seafood feast prepared with ingredients sourced from nearby fishing villages.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Morning Calm, Flight to Hue

Awake to the stillness of the bay and join an optional Tai Chi session as the horizon glows with soft morning hues. After a leisurely breakfast onboard, continue sailing through Lan Ha Bay’s quieter corners. Disembark late morning and transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue, once the imperial seat of the Nguyen dynasty. Upon arrival, breathe in the poetic charm of the Perfume River and settle in for a restful evening.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Hue – Palaces, Perfume River, and Royal Cuisine

Step into the grandeur of Vietnam’s imperial past as you explore the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Wander through ancient courtyards, majestic gates, and moss-draped ruins where emperors once ruled. Cruise along the Perfume River in a traditional dragon boat to the seven-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda — its silhouette rising serenely above pine-covered hills. In the afternoon, visit the private residence of a local chef and join a hands-on cooking class centered around Hue’s royal cuisine: refined, intricate, and bursting with historical significance.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Hai Van Pass to Hoi An – Coastal Beauty and Ancient Streets

Journey south via the spectacular Hai Van Pass, where clouds cling to verdant peaks and the ocean stretches endlessly below. Pause at panoramic viewpoints before descending to Hoi An, a time-stilled trading port once bustling with merchants from Japan, China, and Europe. This afternoon, meander through yellow-washed alleyways, visit ancient clan houses, and sip tea in riverside cafés. As dusk settles, join locals in the cherished tradition of releasing a floating lantern onto the Thu Bon River — a quiet moment of reflection and hope.
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Hoi An – Countryside Flavors and Artisan Crafts

Begin with a visit to a lively morning market accompanied by your chef-guide, selecting vibrant produce and fragrant herbs. Cycle past rice paddies and water buffalo into a peaceful farming village, where a private cooking class awaits. Learn to prepare dishes such as cao lau noodles and fresh herb salads, using techniques passed down for generations. After lunch, visit a traditional lantern workshop and craft your own silk lantern — a keepsake of Hoi An’s artistry. Spend your afternoon at leisure: unwind on An Bang beach, explore tailor shops, or enjoy a wellness treatment at your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Depart Da Nang – Farewell Vietnam

Enjoy a relaxed morning, with time for a final stroll along the river or a quiet coffee overlooking the tiled rooftops. A private transfer escorts you to Da Nang International Airport for your onward journey. As your plane lifts from the coast, carry with you the rich flavors, warm smiles, and gentle soul of Vietnam — a journey remembered long after the last taste has faded.
Breakfast