Essential of Vietnam

Hanoi, with its imperial legacy spanning over a millennium, is a city for ancient history and cultural diversity to blend and shape its unique character. A visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology unveils the lifestyles and vibrant identities of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, making it essential for anyone keen to understand the country’s distinctive diversity. Travel back in time to the ancient Temple of Literature, established in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. This site showcases classic Vietnamese architecture and was also the nation’s first university. A delightful lunch awaits at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a popular eatery known for its grilled pork with rice vermicelli, one of Hanoi's most flavourful street dishes. Following this, explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, a revered pilgrimage site featuring botanical gardens, monuments, and pagodas. Key highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Afterward, enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake before taking a cyclo ride through the bustling Hanoi Old Quarter, where the lively street scene of scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars adds to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Accommodations: Premium - The Lapis Hotel
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Majestic limestone islands, topped with trees and bushes, rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a breathtaking landscape of caves and dramatic rock formations. Known as ‘Descending Dragon’, the bay’s 1,969 islets and towering rock formations never fail to fascinate visitors, each offering a glimpse of the region’s natural grandeur. Arrive in Halong City and board an overnight cruise through this legendary bay. As you sail, take in the bay’s highlights, from hidden lagoons and grottoes to pristine beaches. The boat anchors in a quiet cove for the evening, where you can relax with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the sunset over the bay.

Accommodations: Premium - Bhaya Classic
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Ho Chi Minh City is a highlight of any trip to Vietnam, renamed in 1975, it remains affectionately known as Saigon. On a comprehensive city tour, uncover the vibrant essence of Ho Chi Minh City through its rich history, French colonial architecture, and bustling daily life. The War Remnants Museum offers a different perspective on Vietnam’s recent history, while the Reunification Palace stands as a proud symbol of the nation’s defining moments. The city’s French legacy is beautifully showcased in the grand Notre Dame Cathedral and the charming Saigon Central Post Office, both of which boast exquisite architecture. In Chinatown (Cholon), Vietnam’s largest Chinese community, which spans an entire district and exudes a distinct Chinese ambiance, highlights include the traditional medicine street and the 18th-century Thien Hau Temple, one of Chinatown’s most important and elegantly decorated pagodas. At Binh Tay Market, the vibrant activity of traders and local life contrasts with the tranquil atmosphere of the Thien Hau Temple. Later, enjoy the fascinating "A O Show" at the Opera House, which depicts the charming beauty and cultural richness of Vietnamese rural life contrasted with the nation’s rapid urbanisation through mesmerising bamboo circus acts, acrobatics, dance, and live music.

Accommodations: Premium - Eden Star Saigon Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive underground network situated 60 km from Saigon, were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. These tunnels served as hiding spots, living quarters, supply routes, and operational bases. An extensive tour through the tunnels includes replica meeting rooms, hospitals, and underground kitchens, as well as exhibits of period weapons and booby traps. A highlight of the visit is crawling through a section of the tunnels, which offers a firsthand glimpse into the challenging conditions endured by the soldiers and guerrillas who lived and fought here. Later in the evening, on a vintage Vespa scooter, soak in the city's nightlife just like the locals do as your driver takes you through busy streets and narrow back alleys. Sample local dishes at several food eateries and hidden cafés and end the night dancing at a lively music bar with the hip young Vietnamese crowd.

Accommodations: Premium - Eden Star Saigon Hotel
Meals: Breakfast