Vietnam Panorama Multi City Vacation

Upon arrival, meet your guide for a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the morning is at your leisure to rest from your travels. In the afternoon, meet your guide at your hotel for an introduction to Ha Noi and a private sightseeing tour, observing French colonial architecture, the Opera House, and Ha Noi’s Old Quarter. Your evening will continue with a water puppetry performance where this ancient and unique art form is re-enacted. The ‘stage’ is a pool of water in which the puppeteers stand waist deep, hidden by a screen from behind which they skillfully manoeuvre the lacquered wooden puppets. After the show, enjoy a home-style Vietnamese restaurant set within a former French residence. The interior space befits the exterior majesty with a modern, yet cozy arrangement inspired by traditional and historic tastes. (D)

Your private touring today begins with an introduction to the local food scene over a hearty bowl of pho (noodle soup), then it’s off to a bustling local market where your guide will demystify the local produce and encourage you to taste some of their exotic ingredients. Visiting several venues, your chef guide will share their favorite spots, ending with a typical Vietnamese ca phe or che (coffee or tea) and the opportunity to sample local sweets. After lunch, continue exploring the city by Jeep. Your guide, driver and jeep will meet you in the afternoon at your hotel to take you on an historical and cultural tour encompassing many areas, sights and experiences, including a visit to the Museum of Ethnology. In the evening, enjoy a performance of “My Village” at the Ha Noi Opera House, an authentic Vietnamese cultural show boasting a live band of five seasoned and renowned local artists, honored by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture. Dinner this evening will be served in Duongs’ Restaurant in the Old Quarter, featuring a mixture of traditional Vietnamese and French fusion recipes with stylish, understated and elegant surroundings. (B,L,D)

Early this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to Noi Bai Airport at for a memorable seaplane flight (ticket not included) to Ha Long Bay, enjoying a unique perspective of this historic UNESCO Site as it passes below. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your cruise on Ha Long Bay. A delicious lunch will be served on board as you sail through the emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands. As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy a refreshing drink and the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner, which will either be served on deck or inside the dining room, depending on the vessel and local weather conditions. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, disembark the boat for a private transfer to Tuan Chau Marina where you will board a seaplane to fly back to Ha Noi, connecting with your flight to Danang (ticket not included). Upon arrival, transfer by private vehicle to your resort hotel in Hoi An and take the remainder of the day at your leisure. This evening, your guide will meet you at your resort for a private transfer to the Cargo Club in downtown Hoi An for dinner and your first look at the Old Town. (B,D)

After an early breakfast, meet your guide at your hotel and depart to visit Hoi An’s vibrant marketplace. Here you will have the chance to interact with the local vendors and also purchase the necessary ingredients to be used in your cooking lesson later this morning. Walk the short distance to the jetty and board a small boat before enjoying a leisurely cruise along the Thu Bon River to the cooking school. You will tour the school’s vegetable and herb garden before following the example of the local chef and preparing some of the dishes yourself. After your cooking class, explore Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, on foot. Visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, where colorful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. During the walk you will visit a local home, located in a hidden alleyway, where you will have chance to try one of best known cakes in Hoi An – Banh It la Gai. This evening, you will transfer by private vehicle to the Thu Bon River for a romantic, private dinner. Experience the beauty and serenity of Hoi An’s elegant waterfront at night onboard a traditional Vietnamese barge. Your five-course meal is freshly prepared by the onboard chef and served to you by his team of dedicated waiters. (B,L,D)

Today is yours to enjoy a full day at leisure; relax on the beach, explore the city at your own pace, or enjoy the resort facilities. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (ticket not included). Upon arrival, meet your driver for a private transfer to your selected hotel and rest at leisure. This afternoon, meet your assistant at your hotel for lunch at Hoi An Restaurant. Hoi An is located in Ho Chi Minh City and was created and designed with the architectural themes of the ancient towns of Hoi An and Imperial Hue. Following lunch, your guide will lead you on a private city highlights tour of Saigon. Visit the Reunification Palace, walk the short distance to Notre Dame Cathedral, cross the street to the city’s striking French colonial-era post office, view Hotel de Ville de Saigon, officially Ho Chi Minh City Hall and visit the Museum of Vietnamese History and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner on your own. (B,L)

Meet your guide at your hotel and get ready to explore real Saigon – District 4. Once home to hoodlums and gangsters, this triangular district is much friendlier nowadays and a superb place to witness regular Saigonese going about their daily business. You will almost immediately be in the heart of the community’s street market, real Saigon, where few tourists care to venture, so expect a few curious stares and a bit of friendly banter with the locals along the way! Conclude your tour with a visit to one of the city’s lesser-known districts for a well-earned Vietnamese coffee. Enjoy lunch in Cuc Gach Quan, a little a piece of Saigon’s past, serving authentic Vietnamese dishes in a uniquely designed colonial-era villa. In the afternoon, you will visit the Cu Chi tunnels, synonymous with the Vietnam War and a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese. Visiting this area at Ben Dinh, there is an option to go below the surface and visit sections of the tunnels first hand. The more adventurous may go deeper and your guide will be on hand to give advice on the degree of expected difficulty. In the evening, you will be transferred to Saigon Opera House for “The Mist Show,” utilizing minimum props as symbolic daily working tools in the countryside. Dinner will be served in Hoa Tuc Restaurant, a lovely setting tucked away in a very picturesque and lively courtyard right in the heart of Saigon. After dinner, you will be transferred back to your hotel by private vehicle. (B,L,D)

Meet your guide at your hotel to spend the day on the beautiful Cai Be Princess, exploring life on the Mekong River. The tour starts with a visit to Cai Be, a colorful floating market, after which you will visit some local home factories producing local goods such as rice paste, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying process. The trip continues along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During this cruise, you will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. Enjoy your lunch in a superb Indochine style resort, at Le Longanier Restaurant along the river. After lunch, you will return to your hotel by private transfer. In the evening, you will be transferred to Chill Skybar by private vehicle, followed by dinner at Chill 27 Grill.The restaurant, 27 Grill, has an impressive open charcoal grill kitchen that is run by two Danish chefs. The focus is on steak and grilled meats as well as other western dishes. (B,L,D)

Today, meet your guide at your hotel lobby for a private transfer back to the airport to continue on to your next destination. (B)