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Trip Inspiration

14 Days: Jewels of Vietnam

Best of City, Beach & Countryside

Over the course of these 14 days, you will experience the best of what Vietnam has to offer. Wander through ancient temples and old quarters, immersing in the country's fascinating culture. Sample local delicacies in narrow alleyways and learn traditional crafts from the artisans themselves. Visit interesting historical sites and spend time relaxing on a pristine beach. You'll instantly be in awe of this magical destination.

Trip Highlights

Locations

  • 2 nights in the heart of Hanoi
  • 1 night on a private junk boat in Ha Long Bay
  • 2 nights in the Vietnamese cultural center of Hue
  • 3 nights in the quaint seaside town of Hoi An
  • 3 nights relaxing on the beaches of Phu Yen
  • 2 nights in the historic center of Ho Chi Minh City

Activities

  • Sample local cuisine
  • Visit fishing and farming villages in the Vietnamese countryside
  • Wander ancient temples and fascinating museums
  • Relax on white sand beachs and explore vibrant coral reefs
  • Navigate Lang Co lagoon and spot marine wildlife
  • Immerse in local culture and history
What does “Trip Inspiration” mean?

At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Vietnam might look like. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!

Day 1

Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met for your private transfer to the Capella Hanoi Hotel. Accommodations will be reserved for two nights, including breakfast daily. Relax and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure!

Capella Hanoi Hotel Meals: N/A

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Day 2

Hanoi

This morning meet your guide and driver for a full day of city explorations. First head to Hoan Kiem Lake to join groups of locals practicing tai chi and aerobics and for a visit to the Ngoc Son temple located in the middle of the lake itself.  You will then head to a traditional café where you can try Vietnam’s local iced coffee, ca phe sua da, and if you’re feeling adventurous – the ‘egg coffee.’ Your culinary adventures continue with a stop at a street food stall for a delicious banh mi – a typical baguette sandwich filled in with a variety of ingredients.

Afterwards head to Hanoi’s Old Quarter to admire some of the city’s French colonial architecture, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral – a French gothic building constructed in 1886. You will then visit the historical sites of  Hoa Lo Prison, where Vietnamese, American and French prisoners of war were once held, and Huu Tiep Lake, better known as ‘B-52 lake,’ where the wreckage of a US B-52 bomber can still be seen.

Enjoy a lunch of bun cha, a traditional noodle dish made with grilled pork and rice noodles, before continuing on to the Temple of Literature where Vietnam’s first university was established to educate Mandarins, Vietnam’s royalty and other members of the elite.  Last but not least, you’ll venture to a street where the tracks of Hanoi’s railway pass only meters from the entrance to homes. Together with your guide, you can walk along the tracks and take some beautiful photos of the city. The day finishes with a refreshing glass of draught beer at a local bia hoi spot – a chance to mingle with the locals.

You will then return to your hotel to enjoy an evening at leisure.

Capella Hanoi Hotel Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 3

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

This morning after breakfast, you will drive to Ha Long Bay, where you will board your L’Amour private junk boat, your home for the evening.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy lunch and set sail to Bai Tu Long Bay. Sit on deck so as to admire the fascinating rock formations as they pass. You will then explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son cave and visit the white sand beach of Hon Co Island. Spend time swimming or kayaking in the crystal clear waters.

Dinner will be served back on board and the remainder of the evening can be spent at leisure.

L’Amour Private Junk Boat Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

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Day 4

Ha Long Bay to Hue

Take your breakfast on deck enjoying the morning views of Ha Long Bay. Then spend an hour visiting Vung Vieng fishing village via a rustic row-boat. Your boat will then return to the harbor for disembarkation and you will be transferred to the Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Ancient Hue Garden House, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Ancient Hue Garden House Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5

Hue

An ancient capital city, the centre of the arts and religion in Vietnam, and the scene of the Battle of Hue – one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War – Hue is today the epitome of old-meets-new. The city is divided in half by the Perfume River with the old town on its northern banks and its modern districts to the south.

On today’s fascinating tour you will get a real taste of what life is like for the people of this beautiful city. With your local guide, you will learn about Hue through the eyes of  local residents, hearing their childhood stories about living through the war, their family histories, the city’s relationship with the arts, and explore locales and side streets that are often overlooked.

You then travel along the peaceful Perfume River by boat to see and experience the bronze workshops of Phuong Duc. Lunch is included in a secluded spot overlooking the outer wall of the Imperial City, a delightfully local respite after a morning of discovery. In the afternoon, tour the impressive Imperial City and meet with a princess from the House of Nguyen, the last dynasty of Vietnam.

Ancient Hue Garden House Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 6

Hue to Hoi An

This morning, make your way to Hoi An, with a stop in Lang Co for a boat ride.

Once aboard, you will meet your host for the next few hours and enjoy the idyllic panorama and crystal clear waters of this lagoon, located in the shadow of the Annamite Cordillera mountain range. It is home to an abundance of marine life, including snappers, red mullet, grouper, crab, shrimp, squid and more. You will have the chance to observe local fishing techniques and then continue by boat to visit an oyster farm operated by your host’s family. With your guide helping to translate, you will learn about the lives of local farmers, each of whom depend on the lagoon for a living. You will also enjoy a home-cooked seafood lunch prepared by the family. Sample the local cuisine from within their traditional home on stilts, taking in the flavors and the surrounding landscapes.

Once back in the car, you will continue on to the Four Seasons Nam Hai Resort, where you will stay for three nights. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Four Seasons Nam Hai Resort Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

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Day 7

Hoi An

Today’s walking tour begins in the bustling Hoi An Central Market. While it operates all day, arriving early will ensure access to the best produce and allow you to witness vendors preparing for the day. As you explore the seemingly endless myriad of alleyways, you will visit a handful of workshops, see important cultural sites and interact with the locals who are always eager to say hello and talk about their wares. You will then stop for a drink on a veranda overlooking the river. Enjoy a refreshing beverage while watching the fishing boats glide through the water.

From here you will continue through Hoi An’s old town, crossing over the famous Japanese covered bridge and stopping at the home of a local family to learn the art of lantern making. All the while, your guide will share stories, local customs and fun facts about life in this quaint town.

Lunch will be eaten at a local restaurant where you can try cao lau, a Hoi An noodle specialty, after which you will return to your hotel.

Four Seasons Nam Hai Resort Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 8

 

 

Hoi An

This morning, you and your guide will set out for Go Noi Village, roughly 9 miles outside of Hoi An. Upon arrival, you will meet Mr. Phap, a local who tends a farm that is part of a larger collective that produces organic vegetables.

You will then hop on a bike and cycle through this beautiful village and surrounding rice fields. In time, you will reach some of the collective’s plantations, growing crops including chili peppers, water bindweed, lettuce, basilica, spinach, squash and edible chrysanthemums. You’ll be able to try your hand at a few agricultural activities such as vegetable harvesting, planting, weeding, tilling the soil, watering or fertilizing crops with organic compost.

You then continue cycling to a small pier on the Thu Bon River, where you will board a boat for a 15-20 minute ride to a beautiful bamboo bridge (used by farmers to reach their fields on the other side of the river). You will take a short walk across the bridge and continue through plantation of peanuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, corn, and aromatic herbs, enjoying the authentic countryside atmosphere and chatting with farmers as they work.

On the way back to Mr Phap’s farm, you will visit a wood carving workshop and see first-hand the incredible skill each carver possesses. The morning winds down with lunch at Mr. Phap’s house, which, upon request, you can help prepare. Following the meal, make your way back to the hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Four Seasons Nam Hai Resort Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 9

Hoi An to Phu Yen

This morning, you will be transferred to the Danang railway station for your train to Quy Nhon. Upon arrival, you will be met by a resort representative for your drive to Zannier Bai San Ho, your home for the next three nights.

Zannier Bai San Ho is a luxurious beachfront resort that, in its very design, promotes relaxation and emphasizes the natural world. Choose from three distinct villa styles– paddy fields, hilltop, or beach — each of which boasts distinct architecture that immerses guests into their surroundings. Enjoy numerous dining options, the Hoa Sen Spa, and every amenity imaginable.

Zannier Bai San Ho Resort Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

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Days 10-11

Phu Yen

Enjoy your days at lesiure! Relax in the resort oasis or participate in the available excursions. Set off on a catamaran ride around the bay. Don a mask and snorkel and explore the vibrant coral reefs. Experience a temple blessing at Quy Nhon or travel back in time to the 11th century Cham dynasty. Learn to fish or hike along stunning trails. There are many possibilities for both adventure and relaxation.

Zannier Bai San Ho Resort Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

Phu Yen to Ho Chi Minh City

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your commercial flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the Park Hyatt Hotel, from where you will set off for a half-day sightseeing adventure.

Your explorations begin in the back alleyways of Cho Lon, the heart of Saigon’s Chinatown, and a district unlike anywhere else in the city. It is a hive of activity that holds your attention from the moment you arrive and a place with a long and colorful history. While here, you will visit a secret bunker and even the former Revolutionary Headquarters, hidden in plain sight. It is then off to a favorite lunchtime watering hole on the rooftop of an otherwise obscure apartment building followed by a leisurely walk through central Ho Chi Minh City. The afternoon winds down at The Café Apartment, an old nine-story apartment building that residents have converted into funky, stylish coffee shops and boutiques.

Later in the evening, you will be met once again by your guide for a food tour, via Vespa. The night begins with sunset drinks at stylish rooftop venue. You will then sample a variety of food and drinks at two local restaurants, tasting some of the city’s most delicious and authentic cuisine. Moving from one dining experience to the next, you will zoom past many of Ho Chi Minh’s famous sights, all the more beautiful when lit up. You’ll also visit  a Vietnamese-style coffee shop with special live music, and then wrap up the evening at an exciting music bar where the new generation of Vietnamese musicians unwind and flaunt their unique styles.

Park Hyatt Hotel Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

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Day 13

Ho Chi Minh City

This morning you will set off on a private speedboat ride to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 45 miles from Ho Chi Minh City. With more than 125 miles of underground tunnels, all dug by the Vietnamese guerillas, the area played an important role during Vietnam’s war for independence and its reunification. Lunch will be enjoyed at a nearby restaurant, after which you will be able to explore the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless kitchens, and experience life underground in this extraordinary tunnel complex. After visiting, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

This evening, you will attend the AO Show Saigon, a performance that is an interesting mix of old and new, combining elements of Cirque du Soleil with Vietnamese music and dance. The performers will amaze you with a variety of feats ranging from travelling across the stage in human-sized baskets to making bamboo/human bridges over which baskets and people are delivered across the stage.

Park Hyatt Hotel Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 14

Depart Vietnam

Enjoy a morning at leisure before being transferred to the Ho Chi Minh Airport for your international flights home.

N/A Meals: Breakfast

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