14 Day Romantic Holiday Through Vietnam

Hanoi is well known for its history, architecture, charm, tranquility, and cuisine. Our first visit is to the most well-respected site, the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials, and pagodas. This includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Next, we visit the 11th-century Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.

In the afternoon, we drive approximately 25 minutes to the Ethnology Museum. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

End your day by walking through the Hanoi Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace, and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors.

Your Vietnam beach vacation begins with a trip to Halong Bay, a collection of almost 2,000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars in the Tonkin Gulf. Known in Vietnamese as the “Bay of Descending Dragons,” the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous travel destination.

Leave the hotel and head to Halong, passing through wonderful scenery, tranquil villages, and buffalo-filled fields along the way.

Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious freshly caught seafood lunch while sailing out of the Bay, passing amazing-shaped mountains. Enjoy the seascape from the sundeck or even from your private cabin through a glass window. Take part in swimming, kayaking, and visiting caves on the island. In the late afternoon, we join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration led by the onboard chefs and enjoy a seafood feast for dinner as stars emerge behind the jungle-clad limestone pillars.

Spend the night aboard in an elegant cabin with handicraft wooden interiors and air-conditioning. Night fishing is also available before your overnight stay on board.

Rise early to catch the sunrise over Sung Sot Cave while participating in a Tai Chi class with the boat’s Tai Chi guru.

Enjoy a light breakfast while relaxing on the upper deck, admiring the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the bay's emerald waters. Then, explore Sung Sot Cave, swim, and relax. Return to the jetty for brunch, which will be served as you pass more fascinating rock formations.

Return to Hanoi with time to relax or grab a last-minute bargain before our late afternoon flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you will transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Today, we visit Hue’s oldest 19th-century pagoda, Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, which is famous for its Buddhist center teachings.

Boarding our dragon boat from the base of the pagoda, we cruise down the Perfume River, watching local fishermen as we pass through the banks of Hue’s town.

Next, we visit the Hue Citadel, Vietnam’s former imperial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will discover the history of Vietnam during this period, as well as the daily life of the royal family and the architecture of this imperial construction.

As the former royal capital, Hue's surrounding countryside contains several tombs of the former Nguyen emperors, including the Minh Mang Tomb.

Before returning to your hotel, stop at the Dong Ba Market for some shopping.

After a relaxing morning, we set out on a spectacular drive to Hoi An.

We pass through the Lang Co fishing village, set within beautiful blue lagoons, before heading up and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. At 980 meters above sea level, we stop at the highest point to immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery.

Upon arrival in Hoi An town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You can explore the peaceful ambiance of this quaint ancient town or visit the skillful tailors, treating yourself to tailor-made clothes for which Hoi An is renowned.

Enjoy free time on the beach for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, or explore Hoi An Ancient Town.

Explore Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Relax at a local pub, do some shopping, or visit the local tailors for quality clothes. You can also take a boat trip to Cu Lao Cham to visit its fishing villages, enjoy snorkeling, and indulge in a seafood lunch at a Cham jungle restaurant.

This morning, we take a short flight to Nha Trang.

Check into your hotel and enjoy a day of leisure exploring the town and the picturesque turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Many restaurants and cafés are dotted along the white sandy beach, sheltered by coconut trees.

During these days, you will have free time at leisure in Nha Trang to explore the town and enjoy the picturesque turquoise waters of the South China Sea, with its many restaurants and cafés dotted along the white sandy beach, sheltered by coconut trees. You can relax and unwind at the resort overlooking the beautiful bay, snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments, or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views.

After a relaxing morning, we take a flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be met by your tour guide and driver and transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Tonight is free at leisure to explore the bustling city of Saigon.

Today, we head to Cai Be Floating Market to explore the typical Vietnamese life of the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival at the Cai Be land market, we will visit rice factories in An Cu Village and then head to Dong Hoa Hiep to visit the ancient house. Afterward, you will take a boat to the Cai Be Floating Market and handicraft workshops.

Next, we head to Tan Phong Island to take rowing boats along the tiny canals. Passing through Mekong Ecolodge, you will take a short break and then explore the island by bicycle, participating in local activities with the people there.

You will visit a local house to learn how to make jackfruit leaf cakes, a regional specialty, and join in to create and enjoy them. Relax on hammocks under the shade of a 200-year-old milk fruit tree, enjoying the serene atmosphere. You will also experience crossing the Monkey Bridge, a typical structure in the Southwest of Vietnam, creating unforgettable memories.

Next, you will visit another house to learn how to knit water hyacinth. With guidance, you can make a beautiful hat from the water hyacinth. Finally, return to Mekong Ecolodge for a cooking class and enjoy lunch.

In the mid-afternoon, we return to the ferry station, followed by a drive back to Saigon.

All good things must come to an end. You will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight, bidding farewell as you head home to enjoy married life.