Cultural Highlights of Vietnam

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Victoria Express Train, Sapa, Hoi An, Hue, Saigon & environs

Mountainous northern Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia to visit hill tribe villages and see dramatic mountains covered with terraced rice fields. This tour combines this rural idyll with Vietnam's best urban and small-town experiences.

Begin in Hanoi, Vietnam's fascinating capital and intellectual center. During private touring, visit the city's most important historical attractions, such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the House on Stilts and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Take an in-depth tour of Hanoi's incredible Old Quarter, where each street was historically dedicated to a specific trade or material, such as bamboo, silk and lacquer. While touring the narrow streets, learn about the history of the Old Quarter and its traditional architecture, and see how it has transformed into a fashionable district with cafes, art galleries and boutiques featuring the finest Vietnamese design and style. Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and leafy backstreets lined with beautiful French colonial-era buildings, many of which are now upscale restaurants. If desired, also visit Hanoi's top museums, such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. One day, meet a culinary expert to tour one of Hanoi's excellent markets and sample local street food specialties like bun cha (barbecued pork with noodles) and pho cuon (fresh herb and beef rolls). Also attend a performance of Hanoi's renowned water puppet show, or attend a performance at the landmark Hanoi Opera House.

Next, board a luxury overnight train to Sapa, a remote hill station in the mountains of northern Vietnam. During private touring, enjoy panoramic views of lush green valleys and steep hillsides covered in terraced rice fields. Visit lively local markets that draw Black Hmong, Red Dao and other ethnic minority people from throughout the region. Shop for colorful textiles made by hill tribe villagers. Other options include a scenic river cruise in a traditional boat, having lunch in a local home, hiking and walking excursions to villages and waterfalls, or a cooking lesson to learn to prepare local Hmong cuisine.

Return to Hanoi for a night before continuing to Hoi An, an atmospheric port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay at a luxury beachfront resort, and experience the best of this centuries-old town during private touring. Visit the vibrant morning market, where stalls are piled high with fresh fish and produce. Explore the colorful backstreets, and tour well-preserved historic homes, temples, the Japanese Covered Bridge and other interesting attractions. Perhaps visit a local tailor for custom-made silk clothing, a Hoi An specialty, and enjoy a boat ride on the river. Also visit the nearby Museum of Cham Sculpture, as well as the Marble Mountains, which contain Buddhist cave temples. Upon request, we can arrange additional activities in and near Hoi An, such as visits to local villages, cooking lessons and farm visits, an excursion to the Cham ruins in My Son, biking through the countryside, or a silk lantern-making lesson at a Confucian temple. There will also be time to relax and enjoy your resort's beautiful architecture, spa and beach.

Continue to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Tour the Imperial Citadel, a large complex that includes the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where the emperor and his family once lived. See the beautiful gardens and traditional architecture at the royal tombs along the Perfume River. Also visit colorful Dong Ba Market and, if desired, sample Hue's famed vegetarian and royal cuisine. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional activities such as kayaking on the river, cooking lessons, philanthropic experiences, visiting a local children's center, or meeting with monks at a local pagoda.

Conclude in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam's most dynamic city. With an expert private guide and driver, learn about the city's history while touring French colonial-era landmarks, as well as the mid-century Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Visit interesting neighborhoods like Cholon (Saigon's Chinatown) and explore busy markets and temples. Perhaps stop for a refreshing Vietnamese iced coffee, or snack on a typical Vietnamese banh mi (baguette sandwich). If desired, browse the boutiques of Vietnamese designers and renowned art galleries and museums. One evening, enjoy a tour by Vespa in different districts around Saigon.

One day, take an excursion into the countryside to tour the Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels and observe a colorful religious ceremony at the Cao Dai Temple. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional activities such as river boat rides, meeting with historians, visits to private homes, private musical performances, philanthropic activities, art and design touring, private cooking classes and tasting tours, and more.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Hanoi Full-day private tour. Evening water puppet or opera house performance Day 3 Hanoi Morning private market and culinary tour. Afternoon at leisure Day 4 Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai Morning private excursion to countryside. Private transfer to station for overnight luxury train to Lao Cai Day 5 Lao Cai – Sapa Full-day private touring on arrival and transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Sapa Full-day private tour, with option for hiking Day 7 Sapa – Hanoi Private transfer to Hanoi for 1 night Day 8 Hanoi – Hoi An Private transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Private arrival transfer to resort for 3 nights Day 9 Hoi An Half-day private tour Day 10 Hoi An & environs Half-day private excursion to countryside villages or ruins Day 11 Hoi An – Hue Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private tour Day 12 Hue Half-day private tour Day 13 Hue – Saigon Private transfer to airport for flight to Saigon. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Evening private tour by Vespa Day 14 Saigon Full-day private tour Day 15 Saigon & environs Full-day private excursion to the Mekong Delta or to Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple Day 16 Depart Saigon Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel or Capella Hanoi Overnight train: Victoria Express Train Sapa: BB Sapa Resort & Spa Hoi An: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Saigon: Park Hyatt Saigon or The Reverie Saigon

Cost

$13,850 Per person (double occupancy)