Luxury Tour of Vietnam

Duration 15 days
Price guide
From
  PP
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Rice fileds in Mai Chau, Vietnam
Delve into the culture, history and enticing cuisine of Vietnam on this 15-day adventure which takes you to many of the country's most engaging regions

Trip highlights

  • Learn about the wonders of Vietnamese cuisine with a chef in Hanoi
  • Visit a floating village in Lan Ha Bay
  • Spend time exploring Ho Chi Minh's Chinatown area
  • Take an interesting walking tour through the historic streets of Hoi An
  • Watch traditional artisans at work, weaving, carving and working with ceramics
  • Explore the beautiful waterways around Can Tho

Bespoke trips with Jacada

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Privately guided tours
  • Private transfers
  • Meticulously selected experiences
  • Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance
  • Days 1–3 Hanoi
  • Days 3–5 Halong Bay
  • Days 5–7 The Northern Highlands
  • Days 7–10 Hoi An
  • Days 10–12 Hue
  • Days 12–14 Ho Chi Minh
  • Days 14–15 Can Tho
Luxury Tour of Vietnam
Price guide
  PP
  • Days 1–3 Hanoi
  • Days 3–5 Halong Bay
  • Days 5–7 The Northern Highlands
  • Days 7–10 Hoi An
  • Days 10–12 Hue
  • Days 12–14 Ho Chi Minh
  • Days 14–15 Can Tho

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–3

Colourful Hanoi

Hanoi is a bustling and fascinating place – a whirlwind of colours, smells and sounds and a wonderful place to get a real flavour of life in Vietnam. It is unmissable in terms of its pretty pagodas, ancient temples, enchanting French colonial quarter and cultural institutions. Just as fun, however, is darting down its winding lanes and discovering your own favourite hidden corners. The hustle and bustle of Hanoi is contagious and it is also one of the best places to sample the mouthwatering array of street food that Vietnam is famous for.

Make it mine

Like a local

Savour the flavour

Explore the city like a local

Your local tour of Hanoi begins at the ‘standing newspaper’ where you’ll hear about a time when newspapers were considered a luxury in Hanoi. After a stop at a local coffee shop you’ll head to Gioi Market where thousands of trade goods are sold. Drive to a local rail station and catch a train back to the city centre, crossing the first French bridge built on the Red River, and then enjoy lunch at a vintage Vietnamese restaurant decked out in 1970s decor.

Market visit and cooking class

Spend an evening at the home of a local chef who will guide you through the wonders of Vietnamese cuisine. You’ll start with a stroll through a nearby culinary market, exploring a variety of diverse products and learning about their traditional use in Vietnamese cooking. Back at the chef’s house, you’ll get to see the three-generation family whip up a delicious meal for you all to enjoy together.

Days 3–5

Wonders of Halong Bay

Over 2,000 limestone islets and plinths rise out from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin to make up the exquisite Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over time, wind and waves have eroded the islands creating caves, grottos and the occasional sandy cove which can be seen from the deck of a junk. You can also enjoy swimming, kayaking and excursions to floating villages that call this slice of heaven home. For the next few days you’ll explore the waters of Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba, with a tender available for short excursions.

Make it mine

Village life

Healing cuppa

All afloat

Viet Hai village visit

As you reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, hop on bicycles and go pedalling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The self-sufficient community  provides for itself by cultivating vegetables and fruits, growing rice in the valley and fishing. See how the villagers make medicine from tree bark and try various homemade liquors.

Evening on board

Set sail for an exclusive parking spot in the midst of southern Lan Ha Bay for an overnight mooring. Join a tea tasting lesson to learn about Vietnam’s traditional herbal teas and gain insight into their health benefits. Enjoy a spa treatment or sauna session. After dinner there will be a guided singing bowl meditation in the wellness studio. This is an ancient Tibetan ritual which intends to invoke a deep state of relaxation – it alleviates stress and promotes a better night of sleep. 

Floating village and Cat Ba National Park

Sail towards the very southern tip of Cat Ba Island. Here, you’ll take the tender and visit a floating fishing village, not far from the town of Ben Beo on the main island. This fishing village is home to about 300 families making their living from fishing and aquaculture, much like their ancestors did. Get a close view of how the villagers live and work on the water. Continue towards Ben Beo Pier, go ashore and into the Cat Ba National Park. Enjoy a mindful walk through this lush, jungle-like forest. The biosphere reserve has over 1,500 plant species, 78 avian, 20 reptilian and 32 mammalian species including deer, macaques and civets. 

Days 5–7

Adventure in Mai Chau

After disembarking from Heritage Line – Ylang you’ll drive six hours to Mai Chau in the Northern Highlands. Rarely visited and sometimes not even accessible, Vietnam‘s cool Northern Highlands is a rural medley of diverse hill tribes, deep valleys and soaring mountains. Bordering China to the north and Laos to the west, with tribes descending from Tibet and Myanmar, this region is home to a myriad of unique languages, ancient traditions and colourful dress which promise an entirely authentic experience. Alongside these alluring cultures is a spectacularly beautiful landscape where adventures through untouched rivers, waterfalls, mountains and caves and an altogether different look of Vietnam await.

A day on the water

Head out to the water and soak into the scenic mountain vistas in a top-notch kayak. Departing from a quiet, small local wharf, row your boat into the heart of Ba Khan Lake. Like a clear mirror in the midst of nature, the surreal scenery here is almost too beautiful to be true. Allow yourself to relax, let your senses take over, and feel the essence of nature in every heartbeat. The feeling of freedom is a worthy reward after 120 minutes of rowing.

Days 7–10

Beguiling Hoi An

Fly from Hanoi airport to Da Nang. With its pretty architecture and beguiling riverside setting packed into its neat size, Hoi An is small enough to stroll around and soak up its rich wealth of heritage. Once an important port and trading town, Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s greatest cultural relics and a melting pot of Chinese, Japanese and French influences. Visit the atmospheric Old Town to see the Japanese Merchant Houses, the famed Japanese bridge, the Chinese temples, old tea warehouses, temples and traditional pagodas. Motorised traffic is banned from the town centre which has cemented Hoi An’s status as one of Vietnam’s most prized and pleasant towns. It’s especially romantic in the evening when lanterns light up the paved streets.

Make it mine

Explore on foot

Garden goodness

A bustling Hoi An street with lanterns hanging overhead

Walking tour and boat trip

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port. Today, this World Heritage town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. On a walking tour you’ll see old merchant houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties. Enjoy an hour-long boat trip on the Thu Bon River for up close views of fishing boats and country villages.

Medicine and culinary experience

Take a leisurely 5km cycling journey through the charming village landscapes. Enjoy stunning views of the peaceful countryside, including green water coconut forests, prawn and red snapper farms, and rustic rice fields. Immerse yourself in the essence of sustainable Vietnamese farming. Here, you’ll discover how villagers have long used medicinal plants for health and healing, long before the advent of modern pharmacies. Explore the less-travelled rural areas around Hoi An, and dive into a local medicinal garden, learning about the diverse array of plants and their traditional uses in medicine and wellness. Participate in the hands-on harvesting and preparation of these plants, and savour a meal that emphasizes the importance of sustainable eating and the integral role these plants play in the local diet.

Days 10–12

Charming Hue

Start the day with a drive from Hoi An to Hue via the Hai Van pass. Hue sits on the banks of the Perfume River and is another of Vietnam’s safeguarded heritage sites under UNESCO and an interesting blend of old and new. This was the Imperial City created under the Nguyen Dynasty, and the old citadel, royal tombs, working temples and exquisite pagodas sit right alongside a contrasting present of sleek hotels and modern houses.

Make it mine

Fine art

Crafty discovery

Learn about Vietnamese phap lam

Enamel (phap lam) plays a huge part in Vietnamese history, particularly in Hue where enamelware was used for imperial structures and royal families during the Nguyen Dynasty. After nearly 200 years, Hue people are starting to revive this traditional fine art. Meet with the artisan Triet Do, an expert at Enamel Hue and learn about his endeavor to restore this way of art by combining industries of many sectors of handicrafts. Create your own stunning Phap Lam product or buy one.

Weavers and ceramicists

Embark on an enriching 10km journey, beginning with a leisurely bike ride along serene roads, winding through picturesque rice paddies and charming villages. Immerse yourself in the traditions of a weaving village, where locals skillfully weave sedge plants into mats, handbags and hats. Next, visit My Xuyen village, renowned for its centuries-old wood carving artistry. Artisans from this village were instrumental in constructing the Hue Royal Court during the Nguyen dynasty. Try your hand at carpentry, before heading to Phuoc Tich ancient village, dating back to 1470, and the private museum of Le Trong Dien, showcasing a remarkable collection of ancient pottery.

Days 12–14

Elegant Ho Chi Minh

Today you will be driven to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. A booming economy has given the city (often still referred to as Saigon) a new energy and lease of life. Socially the city is flourishing with a sophisticated café culture, an exciting dining scene and burgeoning interest in eclectic art. Ho Chi Minh also has the largest remaining assortment of French architecture, most famously the Notre Dame cathedral, which lends the city’s sprawl a unique elegance. Wide boulevards turn to narrow streets and timeless alleys  are a delight to explore along with its ancient pagodas and thriving street markets.

An image of Ho Chi Minh shot from above, with the city skyline seen in the background

Make it mine

After dark

Chinese flair

Sunset cruising

Bui Vien Street

Flavours of Ho Chi Minh via Vespa

The darker the night gets, the more vivid Ho Chi Minh becomes. Get ready for a fascinating ride by vintage Vespa to discover the busy city after dark, together with tasting street food in local restaurants. Stop at a small Vietnamese bread stall, before heading to a local coffee shop. Keep on riding to a hidden boutique seafood restaurant, then continue to an old apartment complex which becomes extremely lively at night with hundreds of food and drinks stalls. End the night at a cozy bar room tucked away in a quiet alley to taste some local beer.

Discover Ho Chi Minh's Chinatown district

Visit Cholon, the vibrant Chinatown district of the city. Your first destination is one of the largest fabric markets, renowned as a vital hub for fabric distribution. Continue your exploration with a visit to a Chinese-style church, an architectural gem dating back to 1900. Next, embark on a traditional rickshaw ride through the enchanting streets adorned with Old Chinese architecture and historic buildings dating from the 19th to the 20th century. Traverse the aromatic herbal street, where you’ll gain insights into a plethora of herbs. Pause at Nghia An Temple, a place of reverence dedicated to Chinese General Quan Cong, celebrated for its exquisite gilded woodwork.

Serene sunset cruise

Experience the magic of Ho Chi Minh at dusk with a sunset tour aboard a wooden boat. Glide along the Saigon River, where the city’s skyline transforms into a breathtaking canvas of shimmering lights. This serene journey offers more than just stunning views; it’s an opportunity to delve into the city’s urban planning and architectural evolution. As the boat gently cruises, your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about the city’s urban development, from its historical roots to modern-day innovations. Marvel at iconic landmarks such as Saigon Harbour, Vinhomes Central Park, and upscale riverside villas, all illuminated by the setting sun.

Days 14–15

Buzzing Can Tho

The buzzing cultural and commercial centre of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho sits on the southern bank of the Hua River, one of the Mekong’s main distributaries as it flows out past endless paddy fields into the South China Sea. At the heart of an incredibly fertile region known as the ‘rice basket of Vietnam’, Can Tho is famous for its floating markets where people trade all sorts of fresh produce from traditional sampan boats. A seemingly unchanged aspect of rural life down here, they are a fascinating contrast to the modern development of the city encapsulated by the vast Can Tho cable stay bridge which spans the river.

Make it mine

Towards Can Tho

On the water

Discover Ben Tre, gateway to the Mekong Delta

After leaving Ho Chi Minh you’ll drive for an hour and a half to Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Spend some time exploring sprawling rice paddies and colourful fruit farms. Arrive at the quaint An Khanh hamlet, where you’ll visit a small home factory that makes the traditional dish of sticky rice covered by coconut leaves. Meet with the owner and her team who will teach you about how they use century-old methods to make this tasty cake. You will also meet a local family in Quoi Son village, where you can sample exotic fresh fruits in an orchard. Then take a peaceful thirty-minute boat trip, followed by a bicycle ride along narrow village lanes. Next, board a sampan and cruise along the narrow canals of the Mekong to a farmer’s house where a lunch of Mekong Delta specialties will be served.

Vietnamese woman selling coconuts on floating market, Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

Visit Cai Rang floating market

Take a motorboat trip to Cai Rang, the biggest floating market in Can Tho, which is considered a legacy of Mekong Delta. Although it is not as busy as it used to be in the past, at Cai Rang Floating market you can still witness boats laden with vibrant fruits and vegetables.

“Vietnam tour‌”

Went to Vietnam guides were awesome , very flexible and tailored the tour to our needs superbly. Hotels were something to behold. Couldn’t fault the experience and would recommend this tour to anyone.

Published 07th January 2023 on Trustpilot
Joseph Dalo

Why book with Jacada

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.

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Positive Impact

We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.

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