Vietnam Alive

DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. In the evening, visit the house of a musician couple for a home-cooked dinner. Enjoy the meal hosted in the cosy dining room, share with your host their life experiences. After the meal, enjoy a performance of flute and piano by the talented duo.

 

DAY 2: HANOI

Visit the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and ancient Vietnamese architecture. Interact with the Director of the Institute for Family & Gender Studies who will share with you the current way of life for people in modern Vietnamese society. Continue to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum that offers a broad insight to 54 ethnic groups through a lens of women’s topics. Continue to end the day with a visit to an artist’s studio for a n afternoon of face & body painting.

 

DAY 3: HANOI

This morning, enjoy a lively water puppet show in a lotus pond, a unique northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life in a colourful and entertaining manner. Upon arrival to Dao Thuc village, drop by a puppet making workshop and enjoy a real performance at the home of water puppetry. Afterward scenic drives through surrounding villages outside Hanoi, arrive to Xuan La ‘Tohe’ Village to meet a well-known artisan and witness the full process of making ‘Tohe’ sculptures. In the evening back in Hanoi, visit the Children Palace (5-12 years) where the kids are taught how to draw, sing and play musical instruments.

 

DAY 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY

Drive to Halong Bay and board a private deluxe junk to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the magical Halong Bay. Later in the afternoon, visit a fishing village and learn about the fishermen who have been living in the bay for generations. At sunset, join a bamboo boat to explore a limestone cave with coral reefs leading into a scenic lagoon. Get back on board the Junk and enjoy dinner on board.

 

DAY 5: HALONG BAY – HANOI

Rise early to witness the dramatic sunrise over the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. Relax with a cup of hot coffee or tea before departing for the splendid Sung Sot grotto where stalactites hanging from the high ceiling take on numerous shapes and forms. Enjoy a late buffet brunch on board while cruising back to shore. Drive back to Hanoi with a short stop at a pottery workshop.

 

DAY 6: HANOI – HUE (FLIGHT)

With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, the city retains its royal charm. Start with an excursion in the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site. Despite being bombed heavily, there are some incredibly well preserved sections still intact and others which are being lovingly restored.

 

DAY 7: HUE

After breakfast, visit to a local primary school to get an overview of the local education system and play some games with the pupils. Then head to the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb which showcases elements of eastern art and western design in its design. Among many places in the country, Hue is regarded as the most ideal venue for kite flying, we continue to visit the private home of a kite craftsman, to gain insight to the history of this traditional pastime. Tonight, enjoy a home-hosted meal at a chef’s home famed for her Imperial style of food preparation after years working for the former Royal households.

 

DAY 8: HUE – HOI AN

Drive 3 hours from Hue over Hai Van Pass to the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is well-preserved where some streets are off-limits to motorbikes and building alterations are well enforced. Enjoy a walking tour around the ancient town centre and take in the former merchants’ house, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market with its stalls brimming with local specialties. You can get measured and fitted this afternoon and your new garments will be ready for collection tomorrow. Lantern, the simple yet colorful item is now an essential part of Hoi An culture. The lantern is inspired and hand-made by local artisans and is meant to bring good fortune. It is really made a comeback by an experienced descendant – Mr. Huynh Van Trung who was born in the traditional lantern making family for generations. Trung inherits valuable skills in making lantern from his father – the well-known artisan Huynh Van Ba. Chat with him for a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the stages of production. Try creating your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir.

 

DAY 9: HOI AN

Chef and proprietor Duc Tran from Mango Mango restaurant creates eclectic and innovative flavors reflective of his worldwide culinary journey. Join Duc in an intimate hands-on learning from the market to his boutique restaurant, and reward yourself with a wonderful meal at the end of the class.

 

DAY 10: DANANG – HO CHI MINH CITY (FORMERLY SAIGON) BY FLIGHT

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for an onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon). On arrival in Saigon, transfer to your hotel with an orientation city tour along the way. In the afternoon, enjoy the fun with local kids at Dam Sen Water Park.

 

DAY 11: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA (BEN TRE)

Depart for a drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, one of the country's southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Get on a tri-motor cycle ride to enjoy the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside the narrow village roads. At the waterfront, board the charming Mango Cruise for a glimpse at the Delta scenery while enjoying coconut juice. Throughout the day enjoy sampling and witnessing the creation of local cottage industries as you cycle, walk and sampan cruise through the Mekong. Drive back to Saigon in the afternoon. 

 

DAY 12: SAIGON DEPARTURE

Free at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for the departure flight.

 

*This is sample itinerary with no selected accommodation suggested unless otherwise stated. International airfares are not included unless otherwise specified within the detailed proposal – please contact our team to tailor this itinerary to your personal specifications.