Vietnam: Cultural and Culinary Adventure

With one foot in the past and one in the present, Hanoi is the cultural heart of Vietnam, offering visitors a visceral travel experience that is both captivating and reflective.

Visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple structure set among banyan and milkweed trees that 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 and the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Eat a traditional Vietnamese meal at Michelin-starred Tam Vi. Later, stop at a café for a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee before continuing to Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” where American prisoners of war were once confined. Return to your hotel for a welcome cocktail and canapés. This evening, set out for a welcome dinner at a Michelin select restaurant serving dishes inspired by Vietnam’s heritage.

Explore a local market, bustling with vendors selling an array of produce. Afterwards, take part in a cooking class where you learn to make regional specialties. Return to the hotel with your afternoon at leisure, free to relax or take advantage of your hotel’s amenities. Later, ride by cyclo (rickshaw) around Hanoi’s Old Quarter before dinner at another top local restaurant.

Travel to the shores of the Gulf of Tonkin, where you board your vessel for a cruise of picturesque Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays. Relax on deck as your ship snakes its way past countless islets, their striking karst outcrops rising dramatically from the emerald waters. Once anchored, begin exploring this secret hideaway of beaches, caves and coves. Later, watch a sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin with a refreshing drink in hand. After dinner onboard, retire to your cabin for a restful night’s sleep as the waves lap gently against the hull.

Begin with optional traditional morning exercises on the sundeck, followed by breakfast. Set out for a morning excursion among the towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board as you cruise back to home port. Disembark and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly Saigon, the city now named for “Uncle Ho” enchants with bustling streets abuzz with motorbikes, friendly people and a welcoming, easygoing vibe. Settle into your hotel, with your evening free.

Start your day with a cyclo ride to a local park. Stroll through this neighborhood gathering place and observe the locals partaking in their morning rituals, from tai chi practice to a game of badminton. Stop for a cup of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee before continuing to a shop serving up banh mi — a crispy, light baguette stuffed with egg or other fillings, such as pâté, cold cuts and pickled vegetables. Then partake in a “beyond pho” noodle experience, sampling some lesser-known yet equally delicious Vietnamese dishes. Relax with some free time as evening approaches, before immersing yourself in Ho Chi Minh City’s buzzing nightlife, riding a vintage Vespa through lively street traffic, stopping at a historic bridge to tip back a signature Vietnamese drink and take in an enchanting view of the riverside. Then, zip through side streets and alleyways to find hidden-away food stalls and restaurants.

Drive to My Tho in the Mekong Delta, where you board a traditional wooden boat to Thoi Son island. Disembark to visit a fishfarming family as well as a mushroom farm and grapefruit orchard. Stop for lunch at the island’s lodge before cruising back to the mainland, returning to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon. After some time to relax and freshen up at your hotel, gather for rooftop cocktails at a historic venue followed by an unforgettable farewell dinner at Michelin-starred Anan.