Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat International Airport you will be welcomed by your guide holding a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to your hotel (approx. 30-minute-drive). Check in time is after 2 PM.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic metropolis—alive with constant movement, modern skyscrapers, and endless shopping and entertainment. Beneath its dazzling energy, the city also preserves a rich historical legacy that contrasts beautifully with its contemporary charm. Depending on your arrival time, start exploring the colonial charm of the city center. Begin your journey at the Jade Emperor Temple (Phước Hải), one of Vietnam’s few Taoist sanctuaries, built in 1909 and dedicated to the celestial ruler of heaven. Step inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by incense smoke, carved wooden statues, and the mystical atmosphere of a century-old place of worship.

Continue to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon (currently under restoration), an elegant neo-Romanesque landmark built by the French more than 130 years ago, using red bricks and materials shipped all the way from Marseille. Just a short walk away stands the Central Post Office, a beautiful fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles designed in the early 1900s, often attributed to the world-renowned architect Gustave Eiffel.

Your final stop is the iconic Ben Thanh Market, whose clock tower has become a symbol of the city. This bustling marketplace, dating back to 1870, is packed with stalls selling everything from clothing and handicrafts to aromatic spices and lacquerware—an ideal place to soak up local life and shop for souvenirs.

Then experience Ho Chi Minh City from a fresh perspective as you drift along the Saigon River at sunset, watching the skyline shift from golden light to shimmering night. This relaxing cruise offers a perfect escape from the city’s bustle, blending cool river breezes, stunning views of modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks, and the magical atmosphere of Saigon as it comes alive after dusk.

Back to hotel and free at leisure.

Meal: N/A

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meet your guide at your hotel and journey into the countryside to explore one of Vietnam’s most extraordinary wartime legacies: the Cu Chi Tunnels. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, uncover the ingenuity and resilience of the villagers who carved out this vast underground network—complete with meeting rooms, kitchens, and infirmaries—hidden so skillfully that tanks once rolled above without detection. Life below ground was harsh, marked by scarcity, cramped quarters, and constant danger, yet it remains a powerful testament to the spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Return to the city and continue your historical exploration with visits to the War Remnants Museum, home to compelling wartime photographs and artifacts, and the Reunification Palace, the former presidential residence and symbol of South Vietnam until 1975.

As night falls, discover why Ho Chi Minh City is celebrated as a world-class street-food capital. After a brief safety introduction, hop on the back of a motorbike and follow your guide through lively neighborhoods and hidden alleys to sample the city’s favorite dishes—each stop revealing a unique story of culture and tradition. Conclude the evening at a vibrant music bar where Saigon’s new generation gathers, before returning comfortably to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, dinner with street food

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, meet your guide at your hotel and depart for Cai Be on a scenic drive through the lush Mekong Delta. You will arrive at the Cai Be jetty around 10:00 am, where the crew welcomes you aboard with cool towels and a refreshing drink before your private sampan begins its gentle cruise along the bustling waterways. From the comfort of your boat, watch the endless river traffic and vibrant life unfolding along the banks as your crew serves tea and seasonal fruit.

At Tân Phong Islet, switch to a small rowboat to glide through narrow canals shaded by mangroves and tropical foliage. Return to your sampan for a visit to a beautifully preserved 19th-century ancestral house, then continue cruising with stops at local workshops to see the traditional making of coconut candy and puffed rice—the Mekong’s answer to popcorn.

Your cruise concludes at a charming riverside restaurant housed in a colonial-style villa, where lunch is served in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit trees, offering a glimpse into life during Indochinese times. After lunch, around 2:30 pm, enjoy a short walk along a quiet canal toward Ba Bon Bridge, where your private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

In the morning transfer to the airport for flying to Da Nang. 

Meet with your private driver and English-speaking guide and head to the city center to start exploring this intriguing destination with scenic beaches and resorts along the coast. Start with the Cham Museum that houses the world’s largest collection of Cham sculpture, showcasing exquisite sandstone relics that reflect the artistry and spiritual heritage of the ancient Champa civilization. Continue to Marble Mountain - a cluster of dramatic limestone and marble peaks filled with caves, pagodas, and panoramic viewpoints, offering a blend of natural beauty and spiritual significance.

Continue to Hoi An – the World Heritage Site.

The dramatic Hoi An sunset is best enjoyed from the water, set against the backdrop of bucolic rural life. A boat trip to the Cua Dai estuary offers you a chance to explore the peaceful scenery of the countryside along the Thu Bon River.

This evening, your private driver and English-speaking guide will accompany you to the wharf. Getting on a wooden boat sailing along the major branch of the lower section of the Thu Bon River. Relax on board and snap memorable photos of the beautiful surroundings where you can see how the local people live and fish in this area. Plated BBQ dinner will be served during the boat trip while you enjoy the spectacular sunset. 

After dinner, sail back to the wharf for your transfer back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at hotel

Vietnam has a rich culinary tradition, and many of the iconic dishes are surprisingly simple to make, relying on skilled techniques and local fresh ingredients. This morning, your guide will accompany you to your half day shared cooking class. Meet with the chef and your fellow students, and start the day by walking through a local market, where the fresh ingredients used in typical Vietnamese recipes are on display. To get to the cooking school, hop on a 25-minute boat ride across the Thu Bon River. At the riverside open-air cooking school, the Chef will lead a cooking demonstration, teaching the class how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, relax and enjoy the variety of dishes you prepared for lunch.

Note: Seat-on-Coach Morning Cooking Tour requires a minimum of 2 paying passengers to operate 

After lunch, back to the town and discover the charm of the historic old town. Begin at the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, lovingly preserved by seven generations. Continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, home to captivating artifacts collected from across Asia and the Middle East. A short stroll brings you to Phuc Kien temple, an ornate 17th-century assembly hall renowned for its richly carved architecture, vibrant mosaics, and sacred altar dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau, reflecting the cultural heritage of the town’s Fujian Chinese community. While in town, don’t miss the chance to try Bánh Mì, often hailed as the world’s best sandwich and Nước Mót, a fragrant drink made with lemongrass, lotus leaf, cinnamon, and herbs. 

Return to your hotel and free at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (at the cooking class)

Overnight at hotel

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel for a 3 hour drive through the scenic Hải Vân Pass to the imperial city of Hue, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. Hue is renowned for its harmonious blend of natural scenery and an exceptional collection of historical relics. 

Arrive in Hue around noon.

Begin your exploration at the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 520 hectares. Built in the early 19th century, this fortress-like complex consists of three concentric enclosures: Kinh Thanh Hue (the Civic City), Hoang Thanh (the Royal City), and Tu Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City), each protected by massive ramparts and impressive gates.

Next, move on to Thien Mu pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point with its origin dating back to 1601 and the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a harmonious complex known for its balance of nature, architecture, and spiritual symbolism.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hue

This morning, hop on a Vespa and embark on a journey through Hue’s countryside, where tradition and culture come alive. This Vespa tour takes you off the beaten path to explore family temples, bustling local markets, and artisan workshops, offering a hands-on experience with skilled crafts. Kick off the tour with a Vietnamese coffee or fresh juice at a local cafe, where you’ll meet your tour guide and get ready to get off the beaten path of Hue. Your first stop will be a commune house, where you get your first glimpse of strong traditions and the responsibilities that come along with Vietnamese family culture. Then take a stroll down the street, learning about the French colonial influence on architecture and the struggle the locals have to preserve their beautiful riverside homes. The short stroll will finish at a local bustling market, where you get the opportunity to see the daily hustle of Vietnamese women and the selling point of ancient worshiping materials. After the market, hop on a small ferry to cross the Perfume River, where you’ll find our Vespas waiting on the other side. Zoom through small countryside streets, finding yourself getting further from city life. We will stop at a small workshop producing worship materials. Next stop, get a chance to make your own small folk art print while sipping on some green tea. Then make your way through the vibrant rice paddies by Vespa and a local ancient bridge hangout where people of all ages go to relax and enjoy the cool river breeze. You’ll get the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals and interact with them. 

Back to your hotel at noon.

Depending on your flight time, transfer to Hue airport to take the flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city to connect your departure flight home. End of services.

Meal: Breakfast