Vietnam in Handpicked Addresses: Hanoi to the Mekong — 15 Days

Your morning begins with a private guided tour of the venerable Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), founded in 1070 as Vietnam's first royal university, admiring its Confucian courtyards and doctoral turtle steles.

In the afternoon, discover the rich heritage of the country's 54 ethnic groups at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, before attending a traditional water puppet performance accompanied by live Vietnamese folk music.

Overnight at boutique hotel in Hanoi. Breakfast included.

Depart Hanoi in your private vehicle toward the Gulf of Tonkin. Around noon, step aboard a high-end traditional wooden junk, greeted warmly with a welcome drink by the crew.

Sail among thousands of sculpted karst towers while enjoying a fresh seafood lunch. In the afternoon, explore a secret grotto, kayak through quiet lagoons, or relax on the sundeck. Anchor in a serene cove for a gourmet dinner under the stars.

Overnight aboard the junk in Halong Bay. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Greet dawn with a gentle Tai Chi session on the upper deck as mist hovers over the limestone peaks. Explore a quiet floating fishing village by rowing boat before returning for brunch while sailing to port.

Disembark at midday and transfer directly to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. Settle into your charming riverside boutique hotel along the Perfume River.

Domestic flight: approx. 1h15. Overnight at boutique hotel in Hue. Breakfast and brunch included.

Dedicate this day to Hue's historical grandeur. In the morning, your private guide leads you through the monumental gates of the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City.

In the afternoon, visit the poetic forest-fringed Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. Conclude with an exquisite dinner highlighting the refined flavors of Hue royal court cuisine.

Full-day heritage tour and royal dinner. Overnight in Hue. Breakfast and dinner included.

Drive south along the scenic central coast. Stop along the pristine waters of Lang Co Lagoon before winding up the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), looking down upon Da Nang Bay.

Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and check into your boutique heritage resort. Spend the evening wandering lantern-lit pedestrian streets reflected in the Thu Bon River.

Travel distance: approx. 130 km (3.5 hours). Overnight at boutique resort in Hoi An. Breakfast included.

Morning walking tour through the UNESCO ancient quarter of Hoi An: visit the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien assembly hall, and old wooden merchant houses.

Later, visit the organic village of Tra Que for a private cooking workshop with a local chef, learning to make local specialties followed by a delicious lunch with fresh garden herbs.

Walking tour and cooking workshop. Overnight in Hoi An. Breakfast and lunch included.

A full day at leisure to savor Hoi An's gentle pace of life without any fixed schedule. Rent bicycles to ride to An Bang Beach, relax by the pool, explore artisan workshops, or order custom tailoring.

Free day in Hoi An. Overnight at boutique resort in Hoi An. Breakfast included.

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your scheduled flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Meet your private southern guide and transfer to your luxury hotel in the historic center.

In the afternoon, tour French colonial landmarks: the Central Post Office designed with Eiffel ironwork, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the incense-scented Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon.

Domestic flight: approx. 1h20. Overnight at luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast included.

Deepen your cultural discovery of Saigon. Visit the remarkable Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a magnificent colonial mansion, showcasing lacquer paintings and contemporary Vietnamese art.

Stroll through the lively stalls of Ben Thanh Market and enjoy an evening gourmet dinner in a secret, refined heritage address in the heart of the city.

City tour and gourmet dinner. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast and dinner included.

Depart in the morning toward the green realm of Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat to cruise under water coconut canopies and visit family craft workshops.

Glide quietly down secluded arroyos on a hand-rowed wooden sampan, then check into a charming riverside eco-lodge. Enjoy the tranquility of twilight over the river.

Travel distance: approx. 90 km (2.5 hours). Overnight at riverside ecolodge in the Mekong. Breakfast and lunch included.

Early morning private boat ride to witness the colorful spectacle of the Cai Rang Floating Market at dawn, admiring hundreds of boats selling tropical produce.

Visit a tropical fruit orchard, then tour the magnificent 19th-century French-Vietnamese mansion of Binh Thuy, featured in Jean-Jacques Annaud's film The Lover. Settle into your boutique hotel in Can Tho.

Boat excursions and heritage visits. Overnight in Can Tho. Breakfast included.

Travel to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec. Tour the historic Chinese merchant residence of Huynh Thuy Le, immortalized by Marguerite Duras in The Lover, and explore the town's renowned flower nurseries.

Return in your private vehicle along the expressway to Ho Chi Minh City for a relaxed final evening.

Travel distance: approx. 170 km (3.5 hours). Overnight at luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast included.

Enjoy your final free morning in Saigon for last-minute shopping on Dong Khoi Boulevard, selecting fine Vietnamese teas, single-origin coffees, or lacquerware.

At the appointed hour, your private driver transfers you punctually to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your return flight.

Breakfast included. Private airport transfer.

Arrive at your home destination airport, carrying unforgettable memories and heartfelt impressions of Vietnam's finest handpicked addresses, cultural gems, and gracious hospitality.