Premium Vietnam Unique Cruise, Heritage Tour and Handpicked Hotels 11 days

This morning your guide and driver will transfer you 40’ to Nom Village. This ancient and quaint rural village is a gem for cultural and historical experiential appreciation; a wonderful example of a village in Vietnam’s northern delta that follows traditional structural layout. Highlights cover a spectrum of interests. Here are a few examples for you to consider: spend time with the villagers and learn about their personal and village stories, choose from ten ancient houses and seven places of worship, understand and see the typical village layout (communal house, market, entrance gate, pond, wet market, and stone bridge). As a popular spot, if you are fortunate you may even catch a glimpse of a Vietnamese movie being filmed. Then drive back Hanoi.

Free at leisure in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi

Depart Hanoi for a 2hr drive to the Trang An Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Trang An is famed for its spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by vertical cliffs. Within the complex, visit Vietnam’s ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the country’s first centralized feudal state from the end of the 10th century. While the ancient citadel has largely disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties still stand surrounded by rice paddies. After lunch at a local restaurant in Ninh Binh, continue to the 3,500ha (13.5 sq mi) Van Long Nature Reserve, the largest wetland natural reserve in the Red River Delta. Enjoy a 2hr boat trip taking in stunning scenes of local villages dotted among the limestone karsts and caves. Bring along binoculars as you may encounter some rare langurs (monkeys) or birds. Return to Hanoi.

Depart from hotel for a 2.5-hour drive to Tuan Chau international Marina via the new highway. Arrive at 11:30 and be greeted with a warm welcome and special tea at the Heritage Cruise’s lounge. Then it’s time to climb aboard the Heritage Cruise and check in; enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Set sail for Da Chong islet, where you’ll stop on the way for lunch at L’Indochine Restaurant and see a heritage lighthouse built by the French more than 100 years ago, Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from limestone mountain of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route. The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) or Tra Bau in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swim in the clear waters of the bay.

Back on Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Activities available include an afternoon tea and wine tasting, and the chef will also lead a Vietnamese cookery class. A delectable dining experience to remember will be served on board; Savour the finely prepared local cuisine in an intimate and romantic setting. Bask in the radiant evening views of the bay at the bar on top deck. You will also have the chance to go squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant. The bars are open until late.

Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. Then take a bamboo boat out to explore the Dark and Bright Cave. Then return to the ship for checkout. Enjoy a brunch while cruising back, arriving at Tuan Chau Harbor and relaxing at our lounge while your transportation arrives. Drive back to Hanoi airport for flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, pick up by private car and transfer to hotel in Hoi An. Free at leisure and overnight in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast at your hotel, morning is free at your leisure.

At 06.00pmthe guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby and start Hoi An Mysterious Night Tour

This tour gives you the opportunity to discover Hoi An by night. Discovering the ancient city by night helps you understand and know more about this heritage city through many activities performed on all streets and corners of the city. Hoi An by night is very busy and crowded with a number of tourists walking around the ancient city. We will visit the Japanese Covered Bridge - one of Vietnam's most iconic attraction and a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. Walking in the ancient streets at night, you can perceive the ancient beauty of Hoi An City. We will visit one of Hoi An Museums and an Ancient House which boast a remarkable architectural style and rest under the glistening lantern lights. Enjoy Bai Choi performance by the bank of Hoai river. Bai Choi combines music, poetry, acting, painting and literature, has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity. Have dinner at a restaurant with romantic river view then ake a 15-minute boat trip on Hoai River lighting and floating your own candle lit coloured paper lantern on the river with wishes and go shopping at Hoi An night market which is believed to demonstrate the most symbolic souvenirs of Central Vietnam. Overnight in Hoi An

Free at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, you will take private transfer to Danang airport for flight to HCMC. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Free at leisure.

Overnight in HCMC

Depart from Saigon for a 2.5hr drive to Cai Thia in Tien Giang Province. Exchange vehicle for bicycle as you cycle on a 1-2hr trip along quiet paths around the village of Hoa Loc, past rural scenes of wooden homes thatched with palm fronds, and local fishermen and farmers. Take a 45min cruise to An Binh Island in Vinh Long where you will enjoy a lunch of Mekong Delta specialties at the Ut Trinh home restaurant to the soundtrack of traditional folk music. Transfer to a rowboat for an up close and personal experience of the network of narrow canals typical of the Mekong Delta. Shore excursions include workshop visits: a brick kiln where locals make lovely clay pottery and bricks, and the Viet Artisans craft workshop, a non-profit project benefiting unemployed women in the rural Delta. Cruise back to Vinh Long where your car awaits for the drive back to Saigon. Overnight in HCMC

Free at leisure and overnight in Hochiminh.

Free at leisure until you will transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for flight to your next destination.