17 Days Of Luxury Travel In Vietnam From Hanoi To Hoi An

Arrival in Hanoi with a fast track service at airport. 

Meet your local guide, transfer to hotel, check in and take a rest. 

18.30: Your tour guide will pick you up for the Vietnamese Michellin Fine Dining. A conceptual dining in the heart of Hanoi. GIA celebrates Vietnamese cuisine, culture, and the love for family (“gia đình”, where the name GIA comes from) with modern cooking techniques and playful flavors.

Have breakfast at your hotel to start your day. Then, visit the Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam's first national university and was built in 1070. This will be the first stop on your Hanoi city tour. This historic site gives you a look at how Vietnamese people learned and built things in the past.

Go to the famed Hanoi Train neighborhood, one of the city's most Instagrammable places, where trains go through a narrow residential neighborhood. This is a genuinely classic Hanoi experience.

You can eat lunch on your own, and there are several places around where you can get real Vietnamese food.

Visit the home of the last traditional paper mask maker in Hanoi in the afternoon. Hanoi's cultural history includes these handcrafted masks, which are typically used during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This personal experience shows how important it is to keep crafts alive that have been around for hundreds of years and connects you to local culture in a meaningful way.

As the sun goes down, take a romantic cyclo ride around Hoan Kiem Lake. You'll pass Ngoc Son Temple and the famous The Huc Bridge, both of which look stunning at night.

A Water Puppet Show, a unique Vietnamese style of performance art that started in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta, is a great way to end your day. It's the best way to end your cultural trip of Hanoi.

8:00 in the morning Pick-Up at the Hotel: Your day starts with a quick and comfortable ride from your hotel in Hanoi. Our pleasant driver will make sure you're ready for a day of fun and exploration.
9:15 Get to Ecopark: We'll take a lovely journey to Ecopark, a modern and green area not far from the busy city. Ecopark is the best place to start your riding trip.
9:30 Biking Around Ecopark Town: Take a leisurely bike ride around Ecopark Town, where you'll see the modern and eco-friendly parts of this amazing location near Hanoi.
10:00 Biking to Kim Lan Pottery Village: After leaving Ecopark, you'll ride your bike to Kim Lan Pottery Village. Here, you'll go to the community museum to learn about the history of manufacturing pottery in Kim Lan. As you ride your bike through charming back streets, you can see people making pottery and drying it in the sun outside their homes.
10:30 Visit Xuan Quan Flower Village, the biggest flower village in the area, and see what it's like. Get lost in a swirl of scents and hues.
10:45 Riding a bike to Bat Trang, an antique pottery hamlet in northern Vietnam. We'll travel through the narrow streets of this lovely village, and you'll get to meet a war veteran who will tell you about his life and the rich history of Bat Trang.
12:00 meal at a Local Restaurant: Enjoy a tasty meal at a local restaurant or old house and taste the tastes of the area.
Drive back to your hotel at 1:00 PM: We'll take you back to your accommodation in Hanoi at the end of the day so you can think about your amazing Red River Biking Tour.
1:30 PM Check into your hotel.

Have breakfast at your hotel before you leave for Ninh Binh, which has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in northern Vietnam.

The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, which is in the Hoa Lu District's Truong Yen Commune, is your first stop.  This historical site is known as the first capital of Vietnam's feudal state. It welcomes you to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the Dinh and Le dynasties.  In a quiet rural location, you may see the well-preserved temples of King Dinh and King Le and learn about Vietnam's royal history.

Next, go to the famous Mua Cave, which is one of the best places in Ninh Binh to see the view.  To get to the top, you have to climb around 500 stairs. From there, you can see the Tam Coc rice fields and karst mountains in all their glory—it's a photographer's dream.

Have lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense) and try some real Ninh Binh dishes.

Tam Coc Wharf is where your trip will continue in the afternoon.  Take a traditional sampan boat ride down the calm Ngo Dong River, passing through beautiful limestone caverns and green rice fields.  This boat excursion is a must-do for everybody who goes to Ninh Binh. People often call it "Halong Bay on land."

Go back to your hotel in Ninh Binh for the night, where you may relax and be surrounded by nature.

After breakfast at the hotel, start your quiet retreat in Ninh Binh with a fascinating lotus tea session (trà ướp hoa sen). This is a rare chance to learn about the delicate Vietnamese skill of adding the natural scent of fresh lotus blooms to green tea. This was formerly only done by royalty. With the help of local craftsmen, you'll learn how to make your own aromatic tea blend by following each step of this time-honored procedure.

After the program, keep your mindful journey going by going to the peaceful Mindfulness Bell Center, which is surrounded by quiet countryside and luscious rice fields. You will be part of a meditation session led by a well-known instructor who is a direct pupil of the master who previously welcomed Bill Gates at the famous Ban Co Peak. This is not a Zen center that is part of Plum Village. It is a distinct local practice that is very much based on Vietnamese spiritual traditions.

In a peaceful situation, learn how to meditate while walking, breathe mindfully, and move gently. This is a meaningful experience that is good for both your body and mind.

Breakfast at hotel, then you will transfer to Ha Long. 

Start your memorable luxury cruise in Lan Ha Bay with a warm greeting at Heritage Line's private lounge at Tuan Chau Marina.  A quick and beautiful boat ride will take you to your beautiful floating home, which is the perfect place to start your exploration of the unspoiled beauty of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island, which is less crowded than Halong Bay.

As the ship moves deeper into the emerald waters filled with limestone karsts, you may enjoy a delicious lunch in a dining room with a 360-degree view and lots of natural light.  You can relax on the terrace deck, which is bathed in sunlight, or go to your private balcony and take in the strange seascape that makes this area a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, the ship docks on Cat Ba Island so that people can see the picturesque Viet Hai Village, which is located in a verdant valley surrounded by mountains covered in jungle.  Ride a bike across the quiet countryside to learn more about the eco-friendly way of life in this distant village that can only be reached by water.  People here live in harmony with nature by growing organic food and fishing in the water.

The cruise goes on toward Lan Ha Bay, where you will spend the night.  When the sun goes down, you can relax by drinking Vietnamese tea, getting a spa treatment, or using the ship's sauna.

After a delicious supper, you can choose to join a guided Singing Bowl Meditation in the ship's wellness studio. This is a relaxing sound therapy session.  Or just sit on the terrace deck or your own balcony and look at the sky. You'll be completely at peace in this strange landscape.

Start your day at Halong Bay with a relaxing Tai Chi lesson on the terrace deck. It's a great way to wake up as the sun rises over the limestone karsts.  The ferry leaves for the northern dock of Cat Ba Island, which is the entrance to the beautiful Cat Ba National Park, while you eat a tasty breakfast.

Once you get there, a short, beautiful bus trip through the jungle will take you to the start of a leisurely stroll.  Cat Ba National Park is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve. It has more than 1,500 types of plants and a lot of animals, such as macaques, civets, reptiles, and unique birds.  This easy hike is a great way to experience the amazing plants and animals and natural splendor of northern Vietnam.

As you cruise deeper into the calm waters of Lan Ha Bay, head back to the ship for a freshly made lunch.  You can spend the afternoon anyway you like. You can relax on a private natural beach, swim in pristine waters, or get a spa treatment, steam bath, or sauna on board.

When the golden hour comes, the ship drops anchor in a peaceful part of Lan Ha Bay.  Enjoy a multi-course dinner made by the chef on board to help you relax.  Later, you can go to the health studio for a guided Singing Bowl Meditation, which is a relaxing sound therapy session, or you can just relax on your private balcony and look out at the calm, starry harbor.

Start your last day at Lan Ha Bay with an early morning Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. This peaceful ritual takes place against the backdrop of the rising sun and quiet waves.  Have a typical Vietnamese coffee or tea with freshly baked breakfast pastries in the dining room. It's a great way to start the day before your excursion.

The ship goes to Frog Lake, a quiet place known for its steep cliffs and green waters.  This is the perfect place for an active kayaking trip, where you may paddle through a maze of limestone islets with trees on top and feel completely at peace and free.  It has one of the most beautiful marine landscapes in the whole Halong–Lan Ha Bay area.

As you sail back to the place where you got off the ship, go back to the ship for a big breakfast or lunch.  Take a break on the terrace deck and enjoy the last few moments of your amazing trip.  When you get there, a speedboat will take you back to Tuan Chau Marina. This will mark the end of your immersive Lan Ha Bay luxury cruise.

Then transfer to Hanoi for flight to Hue. 

Arrival in Hue, meet your local guide and transfer to hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Hue. 

9:00 AM: After breakfast at your accommodation, start your full-day tour of Hue by exploring the center of Vietnam's historic imperial capital.  The Imperial Citadel of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former home of the Nguyen Dynasty, which controlled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, is where you will go first.  Walk through old gates, temples, and palaces that have been around for hundreds of years.

 Take a bicycle ride through the Imperial City to continue your tour. This is a quiet and real approach to see Hue's ancient charm.  Take a break to see the Tran Dinh Son Museum, a private collection of interesting things that used to belong to Vietnamese kings.  Find out how the royal family's descendants still keep these traditions alive today.

 After that, go back to town and have a once-in-a-lifetime meal of Hue royal food.  Put on traditional royal clothes and "dine like a king and queen" on dishes that look like dragons, phoenixes, and peacocks.  Attendants will be costumed as royalty, and there will be Hue court music playing in the background to make the ambiance even more royal.

 At 3:30 PM, have Vietnamese afternoon tea on the boat as it sails along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is also known as the Celestial Lady Pagoda.  This seven-tiered structure, which was built in 1601, is a symbol of Hue and honors the seven lives of Buddha.

 You may view the classic Austin vehicle that belonged to the famous monk Thich Quang Duc on the grounds of the temple.  In 1963, he drove this car to Saigon and set himself on fire to protest religious persecution. This is one of the most devastating pictures of the Vietnam War.

9:00 AM – Start your half-day tour of Hue after breakfast at your hotel by seeing two of the city's most famous royal tombs: King Minh Mang's Tomb, which is famed for its symmetry, peaceful setting, and traditional architecture.

King Khai Dinh's Tomb is well-known for its beautiful mix of Vietnamese and European styles and its intricate mosaic details.

in noon, have a special lunch in the Former Home of Princess Ngoc Son in Hue, where the family of a royal descendent will make you real local food.

This house was built on property that Emperor Dong Khanh gave to Princess Ngoc Son when she got married. She was the Emperor's daughter. The home is one of the best examples of Hue's traditional garden houses today, and most of its original architecture is still there. The house has a classic look with three main bays, two wings, and a lovely rock garden.

The current owner has a rare collection of royal-era items and family heirlooms within that provide visitors a firsthand look at Hue's imperial history and cultural heritage.

Guests at Azerai La Residence, Hue can enjoy a polished but easygoing stay with a variety of free activities that show off Hue's natural beauty and rich culture. 

The hotel's 2.5-hectare riverside garden, located along the calm Perfume River, is a great place to start your day with a quiet walk. It's also a great place to think in the morning or take a peaceful walk at sunset. 

The exquisite outdoor saltwater swimming pool is surrounded by tropical plants and has free loungers and towels for your enjoyment. 

For those looking to improve their health, the exercise center, steam room, and sauna are all free to use. These are great places to relax after long days of exploring.

One of the best things about staying at Azerai is getting to see the hotel's historic architecture. It was built in the 1930s as the home of the French governor of Hue, and it is a rare example of Art Deco design with Indochinese influence. It gives you a taste of how elegant Vietnam was during colonial times. 

To really get a feel for the culture, visit the small store that sells local handicrafts, traditional apparel, and carefully chosen souvenirs that show off the region's art and history. 

Azerai Hue is a great place to experience the true spirit of Hue, whether you're looking for health, culture, or calm luxury.

Leave Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, today and head to the beautiful town of Hoi An. You'll travel down the Hai Van Pass, which is one of Vietnam's most beautiful coastal routes.  When you get there, check into your hotel and take some time to unwind at your own speed.

In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is in great shape.  Hoi An, which used to be called Faifo, was a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Traders from China, Japan, Portugal, and other places came here.  Today, its small lanes for pedestrians only, lantern-lit alleys, and timeless buildings give a full cultural experience.

Important points about your Hoi  An walking tour has:

• The Japanese Covered Bridge, which is 400 years old, was built in the 1590s.
• Traditional merchant homes that show influences from China, Japan, and Vietnam
• The Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation is famous for its detailed sculptures.
• A lively neighborhood market with lots of handmade silk, spices, and gifts

Come back to the center of Hoi An Old Town for a spectacular night at The Dar Show, "Traveling the Circle."  This immersive Vietnamese tribal performance portrays the story of the life-death-rebirth cycle through circus arts, tribal music, and storytelling. It is done in the K'Ho ethnic language.  Enjoy amazing bamboo dance, live tribal instruments like the Gong, elephant drum, and T'rưng, and a beautiful look into the magical mountain culture of Vietnam.

After breakfast, take a beautiful 1-hour, 40 kilometer trip from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary, which is commonly called the "Valley of Spirit and Art."  My Son has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It is the spiritual and cultural center of the ancient Champa Kingdom. 

When you get there, use an electric cart from the main gate to the temple complex.  In this quiet forest valley, dozens of red-brick temple towers were built over a thousand years. This was formerly the location of royal events and Hindu worship. 

Visit the most important groups of temples and listen as your guide reveals the secrets behind the elaborate carvings, such as the dancing gods, the complicated bas-reliefs, and the Alignments that may yet hold clues that have not yet been found. 

You will also get to see a traditional Cham dance performance as part of the trip. The Apsara dance is usually the main event.  The bright costumes, tribal instruments, and rhythmic dancing bring old Champa legend to life, making your visit more culturally rich.   

After visiting the temples and watching the Cham cultural show, go back to the main gate and get back to Hoi An.

Free and easy 

Take the Little River Boat Sunset Dinner Cruise for a very romantic night in Hoi An. This two-hour experience offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty and cultural charm as the elegant riverboat glides along the tranquil Thu Bồn River at sunset 

As the boat slowly moves through the lantern-lit narrow streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, you'll see the stunning change from day to night. A highlight of the evening includes the chance to release traditional floating lanterns, which is a meaningful ritual in Vietnamese culture. The Little River Boat tour has beautiful decor, soft music, and views of the river from all sides. It's one of the most romantic and peaceful dinners in Hoi An and perfect for couples, who want to observe the city's UNESCO-recognized beauty from the sea in a more sophisticated way.

Free time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Free time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

You will be free until pick you up to the airport for your home flight.