Luxury Vietnam - Independent Travel

Our glamorous Luxury Vietnam itinerary blends the cultural and scenic highlights of Vietnam with the most elegant colonial-era hotels and exclusive beach resorts. From the sophisticated Metropole in Hanoi, erstwhile home to diplomats and socialites, to the secluded beaches of the remote Con Dao Islands, this tour takes in all sides of the Vietnamese experience, and does it in style.

 

Northern Vietnam, where the journey commences, is home to both the thronging streets of the nation's capital, Hanoi, and the calm, pinnacle-studded waters of Halong Bay. Cruise a less-visited route on an exclusive two-night itinerary through the bay, before flying south to Central Vietnam and the historical highlights of Hue and Hoi An. Art-deco glamour at La Residence, your base for exploring the great Citadel and tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, gives way to beautiful beachside relaxation at the Nam Hai, a short drive from the ancient port town of Hoi An. 

 

Recharge your batteries relaxing by your villa's private pool, before plunging back into the bustle of the city in Vietnam's most dynamic destination, Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the colonial and Vietnam War history of the region, then head south into the Delta to experience the lush and laid-back world of the lower Mekong. Your trip concludes with a few days of glorious seclusion at the Six Senses on Con Dao Island, a short flight and a different world from the hubbub of the city.   

 

 

The tour begins today in Vietnam's ancient capital, the fantastic jumble of styles and influences that is modern Hanoi. Your base here is the magisterial Metropole Hotel, one of the oldest and most refined of Vietnam's colonial properties, located in the French Quarter close to the Opera House and within a few minutes walk of Hoan Kiem Lake. Have a leisurely afternoon to stroll the streets and get your bearings in town.

 

Ho Chi Minh died before the conclusion of the Vietnam War, but the reverence in which he was held was such that his body was preserved and a grand mausoleum created in Hanoi to allow the Vietnamese people to pay their respects. Start your guided exploration of the city commences here, at the complex that houses the Stalinist mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's more humble private residence. Next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university constructed in 1070, with lovely gardens and well-preserved architecture. After lunch, to provide context to the journey ahead, you visit the excellent, recently-opened Ethnology Museum, where Vietnam's diverse minority cultures are explained in a thoughtful and hands-on manner. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

This morning you set out for the drive to Halong. Board your elegant ship, the Au Co, in late morning and set sail into the wonderful scenery of the bay. During the afternoon disembark to explore one of the floating fishing villages that shelter in the lee of the towering karst pinnacles that stud the bay. There is also the chance to swim or hire a kayak for some personal water-borne exploration. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Your second day onboard takes you deep into Bai Tu Long Bay, and visits Cat Ba Island, one of Vietnam's principle National Parks. You have the chance today to disembark for visits to local floating villages, to kayak and cycle on the island. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

A leisurely morning of cruising brings you back to the harbour in late morning. After disembarking drive to Haiphong in time for the flight south to the imperial capital of Hue in Central Vietnam. After checking in to your splendid art-deco hotel, La Residence, you have the afternoon to explore. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 6 Hue 

Hue is set along the banks of the Perfume River, named for the fragrance of tropical flowers said to be carried down from orchards upriver. After a morning exploration of the huge Citadel, home of the Nguyen Emperors, and a cyclo tour through the Old Town, take a picturesque boat ride up the river to the Thien Mu Pagoda.  The countryside surrounding the city is dotted with the tombs of the former emperors, and this afternoon visit two of the finest: the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh's Tomb; the European-influenced resting place of the final Nguyen Emperor. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

After breakfast continue your journey with one of the most scenic drives in the country, ascending the Pass of Ocean Clouds before dropping down to Danang and following the coast south to the ancient trading port of Hoi An. The Nam Hai is located on a secluded stretch of beach around thrity minutes drive from the Old Town. Check in and settle back into a few days of delightful relaxation. Meals included: Breakfast

 

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, the narrow, meandering streets of Hoi An's Old Town are perhaps the most appealing places in Vietnam to wander at your own pace. The many delightful riverside cafes and restaurants might appeal for a spot of people-watching, or you may fancy letting one of the tailors for which the town is famed measure you up. For those of a more active persuasion bikes can be hired to get out into the countryside. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Today take a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th Centuries. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th Centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang's Cham Museum originated from here. This afternoon you may like to try your hand at recreating some of the wonderful cuisine for which the region is famed at a private cookery class. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

This morning your guide will collect you from your resort and drive you back to Danang in time for the flight onward to Ho Chi Minh City, the energetic heart of modern Vietnam. A short guided tranfer brings you to your hotel, located in the heart of District One, from where the excitement of the city awaits. In the afternoon take a guided walking tour of the many sites of interest that surround your centrally located hotel, including the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Benh Thanh Market and Dong Khoi Street. Meals included: Breakfast

 

The Cu Chi Tunnels, some miles north of the city, give a fascinating and, to most Western visitors, unfamiliar perspective on the Vietnam War. To avoid the worst of the city's traffic travel by exhilarating speed-boat up the Saigon River, passing quickly from the tower-blocks of the city to palm-fringed rice-paddies. After exploring the incredible network of tunnels that housed great numbers of Viet Cong fighters throughout the war, return to the river and proceed somewhat more sedately back down river with a tasty lunch onboard. The afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool or undertake some personal exploration. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

The pace slows today as you head south from the city into the evocative Mekong Delta. There are few more relaxing experiences than a cruise through the laid-back tropical world of the delta, and we've chosen the cosy and comfortable Bassac on which to do it. After a welcome drink and an introduction to the ship and crew you cast off and sail up the Tien Giang River, enjoying lunch on the upper deck en route. In the afternoon visit a village on the banks of the Mang Thít River, where you can appreciate Delta life firsthand. Stroll through the fruit orchards and rice fields nearby, before returning to the Bassac for sundowner drinks, as the sun sets over Mekong's magical waterways. Dinner will be served whilst the Bassac cruises the Mang Thit River towards your anchorage for the night, downstream from the little market of Tra On. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

A brief visit to Tra On floating market after breakfast is followed by a chance to explore the largest floating market in the region at Cai Rang, where much of the Delta come to trade fruit and other produce from their barges. Disembark here and return to Ho Chi Minh City for a final evening in the city. Meals included: Breakfast

 

An early flight this morning takes you out over the sea to the remote Con Dao Islands, once a French penal colony but now transformed into a National Park and paradise resort. Transfer to the beautiful Six Senses resort and have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Meals included: Breakfast

 

A full day to relax or enjoy some of the many activities on offer at the resort. Meals included: Breakfast

 

A final day of relaxation awaits. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 17 Ho Chi Minh City 

This morning you bid farewell to Con Dao and fly back to Ho Chi Minh City in time to connect with your onward flight home.  Meals included: Breakfast