Vietnam: A Nation Revealed

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and transfer to your French Colonial-style hotel.

Hanoi is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple structure located among banyan and milkweed trees, which served as home to the revolutionary guerrilla leader who pursued independence for Vietnam. Continue to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, dating back to the first Vietnamese empire independent from China. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. After lunch at a local restaurant, reflect at Hỏa Lò Prison, the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where American prisoners of war were once confined, and hear from a war veteran about his firsthand experiences. Next, Ride Like a Local by cyclo through the Old Quarter. Later this evening, gather with your fellow guests for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Travel to Ha Long Bay, where you board ‘Orchid,’ the traditional junk-style vessel that is your home for the evening. Cruise into the picturesque seascape of Ha Long Bay and lesser-visited Lan Ha Bay, setting course for Da Chong islet, then watching as its century-old French colonial lighthouse drifts by. Settle into your deck chair as ‘Orchid’ snakes her way past the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan, their karsts (limestone formations) rising dramatically from the bay. Disembark on Cat Ba Island and travel overland through a landscape cloaked in verdant forests on your way to Trung Trang Cave. Admire the cave’s intricate features, formed over millennia. Step back aboard ‘Orchid’ as she maneuvers for the best vantage of a sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin shoreline. Join a cooking demonstration featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine, followed by dinner on board. Retire to your cabin to enjoy a restful night’s sleep as the waves lap gently against the hull.

Greet the day with sunrise tai chi overlooking the bay from ‘Orchid’s’ deck. Set out for an early morning kayak excursion among the towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board as ‘Orchid’ makes her way back to port. Disembark and set out on a half-day journey to Mai Chau, pausing for breaks along the way. This evening, settle into your accommodations, and then gather for dinner and a traditional dance performance.

After a leisurely breakfast, you may opt to set out on a cycling or electric-cart tour of the local valleys. Your 12-mile ride snakes its way through Chieng Chau, Van Mai, Cun and Mai Hich, passing villages, lush rice paddies and seldom-seen countryside. En route, pause to meet a local hill tribe community and learn about their enduring cultural traditions. Visit a local school and learn how the A&K-Philanthropy-supported Safe Water for Schools program is providing clean filtered drinking water to students. Then, enjoy lunch and a cooking demonstration at a local home before returning to your lodge by late afternoon. Later, visit a home filled with precious Vietnamese antiques.

This morning, transfer to Hanoi. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, continue to your boutique hotel fronting the banks of the Perfume River. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure.

Today, discover the legacy of the Nguyen dynasty, a powerful family that ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. Their reign witnessed the construction of Hue’s Imperial Citadel, which served as the nation’s political capital and religious hub. Venture inside it to discover the Imperial City, a walled palace that mirrors the grandeur of China’s Forbidden City. Next, explore the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the dynasty’s longest reigning ruler. Stroll among the citadel’s other monuments, noting the scars of war still remaining from the conflicts of the last century. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for time at leisure. Later, hop on a Vespa for a ride to a nearby home, where you are welcomed in by a local family that introduces you to the craft of making incense sticks. Continue to another nearby family’s home, stepping into their family kitchen for a Chef ’s Table demonstration, and then gathering round the table for dinner with your newfound friends. Next, they invite you into their temple to learn more about their traditions and beliefs, on this A&K-exclusive experience. Return to your hotel with a deeper understanding of local life.

Enjoy a leisurely boat trip along Hue’s Perfume River, and stop at local Thien Mu Pagoda. Transfer to Hoi An via the stunningly scenic Hai Van Pass. Also known as the “Cloudy Pass,” this winding mountain road overlooks lush countryside, sandy beaches and the blue waters of the sea. Pause in Danang for a photo stop of My Khe Beach, nicknamed “China Beach” by American troops serving here during the Vietnam War and made famous by the television series of the same name. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to your hotel, where you enjoy an evening at leisure.

Set out on a walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site retaining a diverse mix of architecture influenced by the many nations that traded in this historic port of call. Begin at a local market, and then explore the Old House of Tan Ky, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the 400-year-old covered bridge. Enjoy lunch and a fun, guided culinary exploration of local street food. Return to your resort for an afternoon at leisure. Later, gather for a Scenic Sundowner on the beach, as the warm glow of twilight paints the sky over the palms.

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Resurgent in art and culture, this evocative city is a hub of activity — a sharp contrast to the traditional ambience of Hanoi. View examples of the city’s colonial legacy, including the Reunification Palace and a Cao Dai Temple.

Today, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, learning how the Vietcong used this vast subterranean wartime network. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities. Explore the City’s Bustling Culinary Scene, sampling traditional dishes prepared by local street food vendors. Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, followed by a walking tour of a historic neighborhood. Cycle the Countryside around the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through local villages to observe daily life. This evening, gather at a culinary hotspot for a cocktail reception and farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.