Vietnam Sampler

On arrival, our VIP Fast Track Service expedites your arrival through immigration, baggage claim and customs. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to the stylish Sofitel Legend Metropole, the finest luxury hotel in the city.

After breakfast, your full-day sightseeing begins at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an impressive monument constructed of marble, granite and precious woods. A tour of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American POW’s during the war, offers a sobering and thought-provoking look into history. End your morning at the Temple of Literature, founded nearly 1,000 years ago and dedicated to the famous Chinese scholar and philosopher Confucius.

After lunch, explore Hanoi’s colorful Old Quarter, where ancient byways like Tin Street and Bamboo Street are named for the goods that have long been sold there. Continuing along labrynthine streets explored by few tourists, you’ll have a chance to peer into old temples and homes, meeting residents as your in-the-know guide shares insight. Take a break with a refreshing cup of Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake and then visit Ngoc Son Temple, built in the 18th century on a tiny island in the lake. End your sightseeing with a Water Puppet performance, a traditional and uniquely Vietnamese art form which started centuries ago – possibly in the nation’s flooded rice fields.  Meals B+L

The scenic drive from the bustling city to Ha Long Bay c is just a few hours, but the magnificent landscapes that greet you upon arrival will feel worlds away from Hanoi… Ha Long Bay is filled with thousands of limestone islands, forested peaks, hidden coves, mysterious caves and emerald green waters that stretch forth as far as you can see. Traditional sailing junks and local fishing boats ply these waters and here awaits our intimate luxury ship, the Paradise Elegance.
 
Settle in to your spacious balcony stateroom and enjoy a welcome cocktail as we begin our voyage into the sublime vistas of Ha Long Bay. After lunch onboard, you’ll explore Sung Sot Cave. Later, you can visit a pearl farm where traditional ways of cultivating pearl oysters have been enhanced with the most recent developments by Japanese marine biologists. The adventurous can choose to go kayaking instead! Return to ship for a cooking demonstration, sunset cocktails and dinner in the restaurant.  Meals B+L+D

Early risers can join a Tai Chi session on deck as the sun is rising over the magnificent landscapes of Ha Long Bay. After a light breakfast, go ashore on Soi Sim Island where you can enjoy a refreshing swim or hike to the island’s summit for panoramic views. Return to ship where you’ll find a lavish breakfast buffet awaiting you in the restaurant. As we cruise back toward the marina, take these last moments to enjoy the passing vistas from your private balcony or the Sun Deck. Upon disembarking, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Danang. On arrival, a scenic overland journey brings you to Hoi An, a historic coastal town missed by many other travelers. Check in to the Allegro Hoi An where Junior Suites have been reserved for our guests.  Meals B

Join your engaging guide this morning for a walking tour in town. From the 16^th to the 18^th centuries, Hoi An was one of the wealthiest ports in all of Asia – home to Dutch, French, Portuguese, Arab, Japanese and Chinese merchants. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site c famous for its splendidly preserved architecture and ancient seafaring heritage. Your tour includes Chua Ong Pagoda, built in 1653, and Jinshang Temple – dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and the protector of seafaring merchants. You’ll also visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky Ancestral House and the oft-photographed covered bridge, built by Japanese craftsmen in the 17th century. A pleasant cruise on the Thu Bon River is a wonderful way to conclude your exploration of this ancient and lively port.  Meals B+L

Return to Danang for your included flight to Saigon. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Park Hyatt Hotel. Situated on Lam Son Square in the heart of town, our luxury hotel is Saigon’s best – heralded for its style and attentive service.  Meals B
 

Begin your sightseeing with the graceful, Colonial-era landmarks of the city including the Central Post Office, built in the late 1800’s with its creamy yellow façade, and the Opera House - designed by French architect Eugene Ferret in the flamboyant style of the French Third Republic. Next up is a guided tour of Reunification Hall, from its landscaped gardens to its stately interior; formerly known as the Presidential Palace, it was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. Nearby, the War Remnants Museum offers a penetrating look into the ravages of the war as seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese people. 
 
After lunch, explore a local market filled with exotic tropical fruits and embark on our Cyclo adventure through the colorful streets of Chinatown. A guided walk down one particular street reveals small shops specializing in traditional herbal remedies; meet some of the merchants as our guide offers insight into Vietnam’s ancient healing practices. Your day of exploration ends with a cocktail as you watch the sun set over Saigon from atop one of the tallest buildings in Asia.  Meals B+L+D

With its rich history and lively cultural scene, this metropolis offers so much to enjoy. Take the day to explore as you wish, your guide will be glad to make suggestions. Meals B

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home or extend your stay to Angkor Wat.