VIETNAM: Cultural Explorer

Upon arrival of your international flight to Hanoi, you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. For the rest of today you are free to relax after your travels. This evening, we’ll gather with our guide and fellow guests for a welcome dinner at our hotel.

Walking – easy city tour, 3-5 hours.

With so much to see in Hanoi, we start early for our exploration of historic cultural sites. If Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is open this morning, we will stop to silently pay our respects by walking through the cool, dim chamber where his body is kept (long pants and covered shoulders are required). If the Mausoleum is closed, we can instead visit one of several interesting museums addressing the history and culture of Vietnam.

We then explore the Presidential Palace where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Originally the home of the Governor General of Indochina, the immaculate grounds became the center of revolutionary activity once North Vietnam achieved independence in 1954. Ho Chi Minh opted not to move into the palace at that time, believing it belonged to the North Vietnamese people, and instead lived in the neighboring “House on Stilts.” Here the revered Uncle Ho worked amid the gardens, mango alley, and carp-filled pond. The whole structure has been preserved in perfect condition, a tribute to the well-loved leader. 

Next we visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. Built after King Ly Thai To’s vision of a bodhisattva sitting on a lotus in 1049, the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda sits atop a pillar jutting out of a lily pond. Soon after the temple was built, the King’s wife gave birth to a son, and today childless couples still visit the pagoda to make prayer offerings. The Temple of Literature is perhaps Hanoi’s best-preserved ancient site. Also built in the 11th century, Van Mieu, as it is known in Vietnamese, served as the national university for 700 years.

Midday we take a break for lunch at the Song Thu restaurant. Afterwards we head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The temple is set on a tiny island on the lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. After this we take a relaxing one hour “cyclo” tour through the Old Quarter. Also known as the “36 Streets,” this bustling area of narrow alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore, with plenty of photo opportunities. We end our afternoon at the Thang Long Opera to enjoy a traditional water puppet show. Although the story is told in Vietnamese, it is a rich experience that is enjoyed by locals and travelers alike.

After freshening up at our hotel, we dine this evening at the acclaimed Seasons restaurant.

Cruising aboard a traditional junk; optional swimming and kayaking – easy.

This morning we drive to Ha Long Bay (approximately 3 hours). Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. In 1994 this unique landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival you will board an deluxe Asian “junk” for a two-day trip through the bay. After a lunch of Asian-fusion specialties on board while sailing into the bay, various excursions are available this afternoon, including a visit to Hang Sung Sot cave (sometimes called “Surprising Cave”) and mooring at a pristine beach for a swim or perhaps a paddling adventure by kayak (no experience necessary). There will also be a cooking demonstration by the ship’s chef to reveal some of the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine.

This evening, enjoy sunset from the deck before an elegant five-course dinner in the restaurant. Afterward, you can enjoy the decks, fish, and socialize with other travelers.

Optional Tai Chi lesson – easy, about 1 hour; optional hike – moderate, about 30 minutes.

Early risers will be treated to ideal light for photographs, and perhaps you’ll join other guests on deck for a morning Tai Chi lesson. After breakfast, we continue our cruise through the unforgettable landscape, stopping at one of the most spectacular beaches – Ti Top – where you are free to disembark and hike up 400 steps to a panoramic view of the bay.

We return to our point of departure by midday, and return to Hanoi. Along the way, we’ll take time to stop at a small village known for its hand-painted pottery; here you are free to try your hand at this traditional Vietnamese craft. 

Upon arrival back to Hanoi, we check in for our flight to Hué. Upon arrival in Hué you will be transferred to your hotel where you are free to enjoy dinner on your own.

Walking – easy, 3-5 hours.

From 1802 to 1945, Hué was the country’s political capital under the Nguyen Dynasty’s thirteen emperors. Hué was very much caught in the crossfire during the years of war with the Americans. The educated populace tended to support neither the North nor the South, but still they suffered from their location in between the two. Hué experienced truly awful devastation when, during the 1968 Tet Offensive, the North Vietnamese held the city for nearly a month, using the ancient citadel as their base of operations. American soldiers fought to regain the city but did so only after an estimated 10,000 people died (many of them Hué civilians) and the city’s many important historic cultural sites were destroyed. Restoration is steadily underway, and today you will find Hué to be a rather small and quiet town, especially in comparison to the northern and southern capitals of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Today we will focus on the life of one of the most interesting emperors of Vietnam: Tu Duc. Vietnam’s fourth emperor, living from 1829 until 1883, and is said to have had 104 concubines and during his reign, his country lost its independence to France. From a landing on the Perfume River we board a dragon boat for a pleasant river journey to Tu Duc’s tomb. Along the way, we stop at the Tien Mu Pagoda – very characteristic of the architecture of its time.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant that specializes in Banh Khoai, a delicious dish that is a Hué trademark, made of cassava and coconut. After lunch, we’ll visit the Forbidden Purple City. In the early 19th century, Emperor Gia Long conscripted thousands of laborers to build a replica of Beijing’s Forbidden City. They dug a ten kilometer moat and earthen walls to form the outer perimeter. Later, the earthen walls were replaced with those of two-meter-thick stone. The Emperor decided to locate his own palace within the walls of the citadel, and a second, smaller set of walls and moat were built to define the area of the Forbidden Purple City. Here a network of palaces, gates, and courtyards served as his home and the core of his empire. Largely destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, the city has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and those buildings that remain have been painstakingly restored. After time to explore, we return to our hotel by cyclo.

Later this afternoon, there is time to freshen up and perhaps go for a swim in our hotel’s courtyard pool before dinner fit for an emperor. We enjoy a traditional Vietnamese royal court feast, allowing us to sample a selection of royal dishes as we enjoy a performance of ancient dancing and court music.

Walking – easy, 2-3 hours.

Before departing Hué today we explore Phu Mong village, a community of ancient garden houses. Like other garden houses in Hué, the romantic and peaceful Phu Mong garden houses, each within its own private landscape, typically has two main areas: the wood structure and a surrounding garden, both designed according to geomancy and the owner’s spiritual life and talents. About 200 years ago, Phu Mong was home to a senior royal officer of the Nguyen Dynasty. Due to the rank of the early owners, the houses were built solidly and they withstand the monsoons, typhoons, and squalls which often devastate the central city. Phu Mong today includes more than ten garden houses built 150-200 years ago; we’ll have the opportunity to visit several.

After exploring the village we drive south along the mountainous coast of central Vietnam En route to Hoi An, we ascend Hai Van Pass, with its incredible views over the Lang Co Lagoon and the South China Sea. 

On the south side of the pass, we enjoy an easy stroll amid plantations to Khe Su village, nestled at the foot of Bach Ma Mountain. This small, traditional village relies on the income derived from their cottage gardens. A huge variety of crops are cultivated including cassava, beans, sugar cane, tea, bananas, pineapple, mango, coconuts, and jackfruit. Here we are surrounded by typical features of the Vietnamese countryside – lotus ponds, livestock, and stacked rice stalks.

We’ll also have time for a short climb up the Marble Mountains to see the shrines and limestone caves that blanket the hills, with spectacular views over the famed “China Beach” before lunch in Danang.

Later this afternoon we arrive in Hoi An, a picturesque town along the Thu Bon River. This exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, dating from the 15th century, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings. The French patisserie near the hotel’s pool is just the place for dessert for those who have had a full day. Others may choose to see the city at night and sit at one of the many sidewalk cafés for an evening treat.

Walking – easy, 2-3 hours; afternoon at leisure.

Today you will embark on a walking tour of Hoi An’s charming old town with its numerous historic houses, congregation halls, pagodas, and other structures. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the varied influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. Among our stops this morning will be the Museum of History and Culture, Tan Ky house, the Japanese Bridge, and the Fujian Assembly Hall, among others.

As Hoi An is known for its extraordinary talent in tailoring we visit the local cloth market, and then you are free to explore and, for lunch, taste some of Vietnam’s best cuisine. This afternoon you can continue exploring town independently or return to the resort to enjoy some time there.

Late this afternoon we regroup to enjoy a pre-dinner sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River, before enjoying a traditional Hoi An meal overlooking the banks of the peaceful water.

Walking – easy city walking, 3-4 hours.

This morning we transfer to the airport in Danang for a one hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (known until recent years as Saigon), arriving around 9 a.m. Upon arrival we transfer to our deluxe hotel before heading out to explore Cholon (the Chinese quarter), the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas, and the immense Binh Tay Market. We’ll enjoy lunch at Quan An Ngon, a popular local restaurant specializing in typical Vietnamese dishes.

This afternoon finds us at the Reunification Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until 1975. We’ll also visit the War Remnants Museum, where various themed rooms display images and artifacts from the war. This may be a very moving visit for some with memories of this time in history. We’ll later drive through the colonial center of old Saigon, with its old Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and City Hall, on our way to the lively Ben Thanh Market, an ideal place for shopping.

This evening we return to our landmark hotel for dinner.

Walking – easy, 2-3 hours.

This morning we’ll experience the Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War the Vietcong dug an extensive tunnel complex that served as a sanctuary in the fight against American forces. Part of the complex has been left in its original state. For those who are comfortable with very close quarters, we’ll have an opportunity to crawl through some of these tunnels, a unique experience indeed.

Upon our return to Ho Chi Minh City we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to explore independently and perhaps do some last-minute shopping, before our farewell dinner at the Chateau restaurant.

This morning after breakfast you are free to depart at your leisure; airport transfers will be provided.