Deep Culture & Spiritual Vietnam

16.00 Leaving Hoan Kiem Lake, tour guide will take you along the Hanoi streets and learn more about Hanoians by visiting an ancient house locate on 87 Ma May. Dating back to the 19th century, this very special house is a stunning example of the architecture style that once prevailed throughout Hanoi before the concrete egg-carton style took over. This is one of the few intact remains of an old-style home open to the public in Hanoi.
Our next stop is Bach Ma Temple, lying in the heart of the Old Quarter. It is said to be the oldest temple in the city. Nowadays, the temple still retains many of its original relics such as stone steles, altars, shrines and statues. Along with architectural and artistic merit, Bach Ma Temple is also a valuable resource for researching and studying about the history of Hanoi.
The trip will take you inside the alleys and explore the fascinating and confusing narrow streets of the Old Quarter where local markets are located. On the way, you will have a chance to enjoy some traditional tasty foods in the market. You can choose among three light dinner dishes, from the extremely popular “Phở” (Noodle soup), “Bún chả” (grilled pork with vermicelli) and lastly, our personal favorite “Bún Bò” (Beef soup).
To conclude our day, the guide will take you to Ta Hien street, one of the hot spots for beer. Sitting at a street corner in Hanoi old quarter with a beer glass, chatting with your freshly made friends while watching people pass by might be one the most memorable pages in your travel journal.

Today offers a deeper understanding of Hanoi through its wartime memory, intellectual heritage, artistic expression and vibrant local life.

• Begin the morning in the quiet neighborhood surrounding B-52 Victory Museum and Huu Tiep Lake, where the remains of an American B-52 bomber still rest in the water, a striking reminder of Hanoi during the war years. While walking through the area, learn about the resilience of the city and daily life during wartime.
• Continue to Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university and one of the country’s most important cultural and historical landmarks. Explore its peaceful courtyards while discovering the influence of Confucian philosophy and traditional education in Vietnamese society.

After lunch

• visit the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, home to an impressive collection of Vietnamese lacquer paintings, Buddhist sculptures and modern wartime artworks that reflect the country’s cultural identity through different historical periods.
• continue to Hoa Lo Prison for a deeper insight into Vietnam’s colonial and wartime history.
• End the day with a traditional cyclo ride through the lively streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, passing hidden alleyways, local shops and colonial-era buildings as the city slowly lights up in the evening.

8.00 Leave Hanoi behind and journey south to Ninh Binh, a region known for its dramatic limestone landscapes, peaceful countryside and rich historical heritage.
Upon arrival, visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the former capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries. Surrounded by limestone mountains, the site offers fascinating insight into Vietnam’s early royal dynasties and historical foundations.
Continue to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex for a peaceful sampan boat journey through winding waterways, hidden caves and spectacular karst formations. As the boat gently moves through the landscape, enjoy the serene atmosphere and natural beauty that make Trang An one of Vietnam’s most remarkable UNESCO sites.
In the late afternoon, climb to the viewpoint at Mua Caves for panoramic views over rice fields, rivers and limestone peaks — one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Northern Vietnam, especially during sunset.
After the excursion, transfer to your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by the peaceful countryside of Ninh Binh.

Enjoy a slow and relaxing morning at leisure in Ninh Binh.
Guests may choose to explore the peaceful countryside independently by bicycle, cycling through quiet village roads, rice fields and limestone landscapes while observing local daily life at their own pace.
In the afternoon, 13.30 start the trip Van Long Nature Reserve, one of Northern Vietnam’s most tranquil wetland nature reserves.
Board a traditional bamboo sampan and glide silently through the peaceful waterways surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and untouched natural scenery. Depending on the season, the reserve is home to a variety of bird species including herons, egrets and kingfishers, making it a wonderful location for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
This slower pace offers a deeper connection with the natural beauty and quiet rhythm of rural Northern Vietnam.

Breakfast at hotel & check out. Travel to the coast and board your overnight cruise through the spectacular waters of Lan Ha Bay or Ha Long Bay.
Cruise among towering limestone islands, hidden lagoons and floating fishing communities while enjoying the comfort of your boutique vessel.
Activities may include kayaking, swimming or simply relaxing on deck as the sun sets over the bay.
Dinner is served onboard in a magical setting surrounded by limestone formations.

Begin the morning with tai chi or coffee on deck as the bay slowly awakens. After brunch onboard, disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport for your flight to Central Vietnam.
Upon arrival in Da Nang, continue to Hoi An, one of Southeast Asia’s most charming ancient trading ports.
The evening is free to wander through lantern-lit streets and riverside cafés.

Morning

• Cycle through the quiet lanes of Tra Que vegetable village
• Start your day with the scent of fresh herbs and the rhythm of local life. Join a farmer in the field – dig, water, harvest – not for show, but for real.
• Enjoy morning tea with an 82-year-old local woman
• Step into her wooden house, sip tea brewed the old-fashioned way, and hear personal memories of Hội An during wartime – soft, real, unforgettable.

Midday

• Cook a home-style meal with a local family
• No aprons, no stage, no demo. Just honest ingredients, gentle laughter, and a kitchen that smells like memories.
• Share lunch at the family table
• Sit down as a guest, not a tourist. Stories flow as naturally as the fish sauce on the rice.

Afternoon

• Join a lantern-making or silk block printing workshop
• Create with your hands. Learn from artisans who carry the spirit of Hội An in their craft. Take your work home – a handmade souvenir with your soul in it.
• Sit quietly by the riverbank and write
• One sentence. One thought. One thing you learned today.
• Seal it in a small wooden box – we’ll mail it to you three months later.
• A future letter from your present self.
• You’ll leave not just with a souvenir – but with a story only you can tell.

Meeting point at (8.30 -13.30 or 13.30 - 19.30) with a welcome drink at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town) – our meeting point. Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village, and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago - no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home. To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our Red Bridge Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’.
After the class we sit down and a chance to savour the dishes we have prepared.
Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

Travel from Hoi An to Hue aboard a vintage-style jeep for one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal journeys. Drive across the famous Hải Vân Pass, stopping at panoramic viewpoints, fishing villages and local cafés along the way.
Arrive in Hue by late afternoon and enjoy the city’s calm and poetic atmosphere.

Today is dedicated to discovering the spiritual atmosphere, royal heritage and traditional craftsmanship that make Hue one of Vietnam’s most culturally rich destinations.

• Begin the morning with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, the city’s most iconic Buddhist landmark overlooking the peaceful Perfume River. Surrounded by pine trees and tranquil gardens, the pagoda offers insight into the spiritual traditions and Buddhist culture of Central Vietnam.
• Continue to Imperial City of Hue, the former royal citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty and one of Vietnam’s most important historical sites. Explore ancient gates, palaces, temples and courtyards while learning about imperial life, royal ceremonies and the history of Vietnam’s last ruling dynasty.

After lunch, journey into the countryside surrounding Hue to visit traditional artisan villages that have preserved their crafts for generations.

• Discover the colorful incense-making village, where vibrant bundles of incense dry beneath the sun and local artisans continue traditional techniques passed down through the centuries.
• Continue to a nearby conical hat workshop to learn about the making of the iconic Vietnamese nón lá — a symbol deeply connected to Vietnamese daily life and culture.

Return to Hue in the late afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Catch a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel for check in. Free at leisure until evening 

18.00 Discover the art of Vietnamese cuisine and experience the real Saigon way of life. Enjoy Saigon’s vibrant nightlife just as the locals do, offering you an authentic glimpse into the city after dark.
Throughout the evening, savor a variety of local food and drinks at carefully selected restaurants while sampling some of Saigon’s most authentic culinary specialties. Ride through the bustling streets and pass by many of Ho Chi Minh City’s famous landmarks, immersing yourself in the city’s energetic atmosphere.
To end the night, head to one of Saigon’s best rooftop bars and enjoy a drink with a stunning panoramic view over the city skyline.

Arrive at Mango Home Riverside around 11:30 AM and board your Mango Cruise boat. Enjoy a welcome drink while cruising along the peaceful An Hoa River.
Continue by traditional rowing sampan through narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms before visiting a local family to taste tropical fruits and learn about daily Mekong life.
Visit a coconut spirit workshop, then enjoy a bicycle or rickshaw ride through the countryside villages.
After lunch at Mango Restaurant, continue cruising toward Mo Cay and Vung Liem, stopping at a coconut processing workshop and a traditional brick factory along the way.
In the evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner onboard while cruising along the Co Chien River.
Overnight onboard on the Co Chien River

Breakfast is served onboard before exploring the peaceful countryside of Vung Liem by bicycle.
Visit the Happy Buddha Temple, a beautiful Khmer pagoda, and continue to a local Cao Dai Temple to discover one of Vietnam’s unique religions.
Return to the cruise boat to refresh, check out and disembark.
Your driver will meet you at Vung Liem Market for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City or onward journey.
The trip ends at approximately 10:00 AM.

Enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Depending on your departure schedule, optional activities such as café hopping, shopping or museum visits may be arranged.