OPEN // April 2025 // Discover the beauty of Vietnam // with Patrick Lamesch

Day notes

You will be picked up from your home and transferred to the airport of Frankfurt.

Check-In and overnight flight with Vietnam Airlines in Economy Class to Hanoi.

Day notes

Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, the airport staff will meet you at the arrival gate of the airplane bridge and assist you through “fast track” immigration to get your visa stamp. Airport staff will then assist you through customs and deliver you to meeting point where your guide is waiting for you.

Your chauffeur will drive you to the Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi MGallery. The elegant French colonial-style house is located right in the historic city center and is therefore the ideal starting point for your sightseeing in the capital of Vietnam.

After dropping your luggage at the hotel, you will start with an interesting walking tour (16h00 - 21h00).

Hanoi's Old Quarter, known simply as the 36 Streets, is a must-see for anyone traveling to Vietnam. With a history dating back to about the 13th Century, it used to be a residential, manufacturing, and commercial center where each street was specialized in one specific type of manufacturing or commerce. Hanoi's Old Quarter now still retains its unique architecture as well as the enormous amount and diversity of products. This walk provides you an exciting chance for a deeper encounter with local life, beyond the typical tourist programs.

Explore the fascinating maze of back streets, fronted by narrow houses known as “tunnel” or “tube houses”, built to avoid taxes based on the width of their frontage onto the street, a wonderfully eclectic glimpse into Hanoi street life. Challenge yourself by strolling through the dark and tiny alleys.

Walk around Dong Xuan Market, the biggest wholesale market in the Old Quarter where you can find all the amazing things with the reasonable cost ranging from exotic herbs, fresh fruits, and veggies, sweetly scented flowers to wooden crafts and decor. Opt to sample some local food and drinks while enjoying the tantalizing sights, smells, and flavors of local Vietnamese products. Walk to O Quan Chuong Gate, the only remaining gate of the ancient Thang Long citadel.

Talking about Vietnamese cuisine, many people immediately think about Pho. In general, Pho is simply the name given to any dish using the rice noodle “pho” as the key ingredient. The most popular dish with “pho” is the noodle soup served in a large bowl. The general method to make the broth is to cook cow's bone with spices on low heat for at least 48 hours. The final taste of the broth depends greatly on the spices and the preparation before cooking. This evening, set off with a local foodie guide for a special culinary journey discovering the element of “Pho” appearing in creative dishes and drinks that you have never tried before. The only thing you need to make sure when joining this food trail is to remember to bring your appetite!

Pho cuon (Pho rolls) is basically a thick rice noodle sheet, with sautéed beef, herbs, and lettuce wrapped into a roll and dipped in sweetened fish sauce. Pho chien phong (fried Pho noodle) is square sheets of rice noodle, fried, and added with fried beef and green broccoli. The crunchiness of noodles, the richness of the beef, the sweet broccoli, and the tasty sauce make this special dish completely different from the others. Pho ap chao (pan-fried Pho noodles sauteed with beef) features pan-fried noodles, then sauteed for a crispy and chewy noodle that soaks up all the beef juices.

Conclude this memorable journey at a local bar to have fun with an interesting cocktail created by combining the usual species of Pho, like star anise, cardamom, cinnamon mixed with gin, triple sec, and freshly squeezed lime juice. This special drink is garnished with a coriander sprig, star anise with a side of red chili, a lime wedge, and coriander.

Day notes

This morning after your breakfast, you will start this day with a Full-Day tour of Hanoi (08h30 - 17h30).

Visit the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation's founder and affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Make the first stop at the historic Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, an imposing monument built to serve as the final resting place of Uncle Ho. Continue walking through the beautiful botanical garden of the Presidential Palace to visit Uncle Ho's humble house, built based on a rural Vietnamese stilt house with simple design in a tranquil setting, reflecting his simple, pure and noble lifestyle. Tour the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 of wood on a single stone pillar, designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity.

Continue to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest pagoda, located on the small island of West Lake.

Have lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy Vietnamese fusion cuisine. Lunch time ends with an egg coffee demonstration. The coffee in Hanoi plays an indispensable role in the coffee culture of Vietnam. Ingredients to make egg coffee are eggs, condensed milk, coffee, butter. The cups are served with a fatty, creamy foam that sits atop the Vietnamese coffee and adds an irresistible taste. Now take a sip of coffee and taste the aroma.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. Constructed in the 11th Century, this stunning temple constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Calligraphy is typically used to write Sino-Nom, in association with its educational and literary meanings, and written with a special type of ink and brush. The meaningful characters written on special papers have become the symbol of good luck, worshipping objects for thousands of years in Vietnam. Today, meet a senior calligrapher at the pavilion outside the temple of Literature for a brief presentation on the development of the Calligraphy in Vietnam. Engage with him to understand calligraphy is not only a means of communication but also a means of expressing one's inner world. Then learn how to write it beautifully under his guidance.

Cap off your trip by wandering around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake “Lake of the Returned Sword”, named after a magical sword once used by the most revered heroes to defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty and then returned to the Golden Turtle God of the lake.

Then, you will spend a special visit to a local house, nested in a small alley of Ha Noi to meet a water puppet artisan who acquired a passion for this folk art in his childhood. Being a descendant of a family involved in Vietnamese water puppetry, he inherited the talent and passion from his father of playing with puppets, making puppets by creating a mini stage for water puppetry and bringing his fantastic solo performances to several countries outside Vietnam. Engage with him to find out a glorious time of this art, his unforgettable experience traveling to different corners of the world to introduce this Vietnamese culture & folklore to the world. Then enjoy an impressive 30-minute water puppet show watching lion dance buffalo fighting, rice farming, and boat racing, etc…with a live traditional orchestra playing music in the background. Opt to get yourself in artisan's role to handle puppets in the water or try to make and paint a puppet under the guidance of this friendly artisan.

At the end of the day, you have the chance to enjoy a 60-minute massage as well as a dinner at a beautiful local spa. You can choose one of the following two services: 60-minute foot massage or 60-minute full body massage. Dinner is served at the restaurant in the same building. Enjoy soothing Vietnamese cuisine after a relaxing spa time to feel light in the spirit. Then, return to your hotel and relax after this long day.

Day notes

Enjoy your breakfast and check out.

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay covers an area of 43,400 ha and includes over 1,600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and untouched. Ha Long (literally “where the dragon descends into the sea” in Vietnamese) is world-renowned for its spectacular seascape of limestone pillars complemented by its biodiversity. This morning, depart for a 2.5-hour journey to Ha Long Bay.

11h30 – 12h00 Upon arrival at Emperor Cruises, located at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina, our team will welcome you in our lounge before boarding.

12h00 – 12h15 Our Cruise Director will assist you with boarding to start cruising in Halong Bay.

13h15 – 14h00 A set lunch menu will be served at our Panorama Restaurant on the 03rd deck. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese food while admiring the grace of the bay.

14h45 – 15h30 The cruise approaches Nha Lat Area. This is time to visit Me Cung Cave (Cave of Maze) – a spectacular destination with plenty of historical and archaeological values about Ha Long Culture from 10,000 years ago. Be charmed by the magnificent complex structure with stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and the most diverse ecological system in Halong Bay.

15h45 – 16h30 And then, the tender takes you to Tung Sau Area, free time for guests to paddle on colorful kayaks to explore the stunning landscape of Halong Bay.

17h00 – 18h30 Attend the Afternoon tea with music and Canapes on Sundeck and join in the cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking in a truly stunning setting.

19h30 – 21h00 Enjoy the A La Carte course menu for dinner at Royal Palace Restaurant on board as you experience the charm of Halong Bay at night.

21h00 – 22h00 Try your luck with a very interesting activity at night – Squid fishing.

Day notes

06h00 – 06h30 Enjoy Vovinam exercise in the sunshine morning on sundeck.

06h45 – 07h15 Enjoy light breakfast including tea, coffee, pastries, cookies, fresh juices.

07h15 – 08h30 Visit Luon Cave. Sitting on a bamboo boat rowed by a local, you can see a variety of plants such as ferns, cycads, Benjamin’s fig trees, and many beautiful orchids.

08h30 – 09h15 Finish packing all the luggage and check out.

09h30 – 10h30 Enjoy brunch A La Carte in CAN CHANH restaurant on the 1st floor while cruising back to the mainland.

11h00 – 11h30 Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina and Emperor Cruises lounge for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to Hanoi.

After the trip ends in Ha Long, you will be transferred to Noi Bai airport for afternoon flight to Hue.

Flight with VN 1545 HAN-HUI 16:30 – 17:50 (Economy Class, 23kg luggage + 12kg handbag)

Upon arrival at Hue Airport, you will be picked up by our private guide in Central Vietnam and transfer to your hotel in town by a private vehicle. Check in at your hotel and take a rest.

Today, you will venture to a private beautiful Garden House Theatre, situated along with the romantic Perfume River. This is an undeniable symbol of Hue's beauty, featuring its traces back to the royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty, the ancestor of an oversea Vietnamese singer. She started her career path with the musical performance in Paris from 1986 and moved to Switzerland ten years later and participated in music recitals organized by Vietnamese communities there and in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and other locations. She is not only a talented singer but also a passionate artist. She had also some exhibitions of her oil paintings in Europe. You will be welcomed at her private theatre and then enjoy green tea with lotus seed. Stroll around the stunning home of this talented singer and artist, contemplate her artworks and have a chat with her to get an insight of her effort building her private theater and her passion with visual and performed art. Enjoy a genuine Hue's home-hosted meal in a peaceful atmosphere following by some great performances by her team.

Day notes

Enjoy your breakfast.

Meet with your guide and start to explore the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate to observe the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Some sections suffered the most extensive damage during the Vietnam War, but most of them are incredibly well-preserved.

Wind your way to the Royal Tu Duc tomb, a peaceful resting place enclosed by walls, featuring pine woods and a lakeside pavilion with lotus blossoms where the emperor stayed in the past for fishing, listening to music and writing poetry. The emperor used it as a second residence, where he indulged in extravagant 50-course meals of incredible delicacies.

After exploring the tomb, have lunch at local restaurant.

Situated on the right bank of Perfume River, around 7km far away from Hue center, Thuy Bieu Village still has retained its ancient bucolic beauty for centuries. The village is known for its sweet “Thanh Tra” pomelo and charming centuries-old houses. Hop on your bicycle and cycle around the peaceful village amidst fresh air and beautiful tree-lined, shaded village lanes. Notice the ancient garden houses, a special feature of Hue, with traditional red roofs set in natural lush gardens. Stop along the way at some traditional family-run workshops to gain an insight into traditional handicrafts such as silk painting, incense stick or sesame candy making. Chat with them for an insight into everyday life in a typical countryside village as well as their efforts to keep the traditional crafts alive despite the influence of outside modern life.

Concluded your village exploration by a hands-on cooking class at a local family, learn how to create a traditional Hue dishes under the guidance of the host, then taste your creations in a rustic yet cozy atmosphere while talking with the host to get a glimpse about the traditional village culture and lifestyle.

Day notes

After breakfast, you will be transferred to train station in Hue and embark on a remarkable ride between Hue and Da Nang, renowned as one of the most beautiful railway routes in Vietnam.

The three-hour journey treats visitors to the magnificent natural beauty along Hai Van Pass, dubbed the world's most marvelous pass, and also among the 10 most beautiful drives in the world as selected by renowned US magazine Travel Leisure, with one side being Truong Son Mountain Range and the other the sea before reaching Da Nang, which boasts one of the six most beautiful beaches on the planet. The train makes a special stop at Lang Co Station, positioned halfway up Hai Van Pass, allowing passengers a short break to disembark and capture amazing photos.

On arrival to Danang train station, you will be picked up by a jeep and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of My Son, a remarkable trace of Champa structural remains. My Son used to be the prosperous capital of Champa civilization, ruled in Central Vietnam from 2nd to 13th Century. The towers were built from 9th to 13th Century. Most of the temples in My Son were dedicated to Champa Kings and also served as a burial place for Cham monarchs. Stroll around the temple complex, rediscovered in the late 19th century where you will have a great opportunity to learn about the fascinating Cham culture, architecture, and civilization. The guide will also explain to you about ties to Hindu divinities, namely Shiva, known as the founder and protector of Champa's dynasties.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant at the convenient time during tour.

After exploring the My Son complex, drive to your exclusive hotel, passing by the peaceful countryside landscape. Have your camera ready to capture some beautiful photos.

Check in at your hotel TIA WELLNESS RESORT and the rest of day stays at your leisure. You have your free time to enjoy the beach or relax in the swimming pool. The hotel is located on beautiful My Khe beach, where you will spend the 3 nights of your beach vacation. This magnificent beach resort overlooks a long stretch of beach and features a private pool in each villa.

At the right time, you will be transferred to the local seafood restaurant for dinner.

Day notes

Enjoy a full breakfast anytime, anywhere in the resort. This means you can wake up late and enjoy your breakfast in bed, by the pool or anywhere at this resort. Then you can relax on the white sandy beach, take part in water activities or go to the well-known spa, set in a tropical garden with a large swimming pool, and let the therapists relax your mind and body. TIA WELLNESS RESORT offers you 2 spa treatments (80 minutes in total) for each person per night.

In the afternoon, enjoy a trip to the idyllic port town of Hoi An, which is simply enchanting with its small streets and has retained much of its original charm. Known as a prosperous trading port between the 15th and 19th Century, the riverside town of Hoi An still retains many remnants of its glorious time as evident in the bustling market and abundance of souvenirs and tailor shops. What makes Hoi An is remarkable is that its Old Quarter has been beautifully preserved. The streets still lined with old tile-roofed shop houses, shady pagodas, and colorful communal halls that contribute to its status as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Today, enjoy a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town, which is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and typical local cuisine. During this leisurely exploration on foot, observe some of the historic merchant and community houses, ancient pagodas, and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture. Make a stop at the iconic over 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge first built by the Japanese community in 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water. Visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation notice its gorgeous woodcarvings on the beams, walls, and altar while unraveling with your guide some untold stories about the Chinese community during their time in Hoi An. Continue strolling around Hoi An's back street and feel soft, clattering hum which is the sound of sewing machines. This little charming town is also home to hundreds of tailor shops and nobody can explain exactly when, how, or why it became sewing central. Visit a tailor shop where you can get some express made-to-order clothes.

Wind your way to the local pier and board a local boat for a one-hour boat trip on the Thu Bon River for close views of the fishing boats, country villages along the river before returning to your hotel.

The old town of Hoi An comes alive at night with its hundreds of food stalls and local street restaurants. Set out on a very special culinary adventure with a local foodie who has an intense passion for traditional dishes and a desire to share them with international friends. This distinguishing adventure isn't just about tasting the local foods, it's also about learning about the untold stories and significance of every dish you will try. Indulge your taste buds in the unique Hoi An cuisine while striking up a conversation with the local vendors who have taken over the family business and are happy to tell you about the struggles and triumphs of running a small business before the hurried development of the modern society.

Day notes

Relax on the beach in the morning or by the pool. 

At the right time, your guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight with VN 127 DAD-SGN 13:45-15:15 (Economy Class, 23kg luggage + 12kg handbag)

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, the guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in town by a private vehicle. The luxury hotel Park Hyatt is undisputedly one of the top addresses in Saigon. The elegant Park Hyatt combines class with the highest level of comfort, outstanding service and a prime location in the heart of the city. Check in at your hotel and take a rest.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the youngest and most dynamic city in Vietnam with newly-built skyscrapers and modern lifestyle, but sheltered behind that splendid beauty are thousands of untold stories about its true local life. The best way to explore this city after sunset is to zigzag through its backstreet, to thread your way into the narrow alleys and lively apartment complex to catch the life scene of the inhabitants.

This evening, get ready for a fascinating ride by vintage Vespa to discover busy Saigon by night, together with delightful local food tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Your uide will tell you the story of Saigon from its golden days of the 1960s to its modern days of 21st century. Riding through time and taste the most typical local food and drinks at our authentic Southern Vietnamese restaurants. You will ride to different districts,  and into the more local places barely visited by other tourists. All of the local food are carefully hand-picked by our food experts, from the most rustic one like bread rolls or grilled rice paper to more sumptuous plates of seafood, from traditional Vietnamese coffee to signature cocktails tucked away at the back of a quiet alley.

Day notes

Today, transfer to a local jetty and enjoy a special transfer by speedboat to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. Notice the views change, with the waterway journey from the glittering skyscrapers and busy commercial centers to green paddy fields and peaceful rural areas.

Originally dug as a base to organize guerrilla-style actions against the French, the Cu Chi tunnels were expanded during the Indochina War to become an ingenious and incredible underground network to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. There are more than 200 kilometers of subterraneous complexes containing storage rooms, kitchens, hospitals, sleeping quarters, and even schools, once occupied by more than 10,000 people.

Meet a VC veteran who used to live there, to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats.

An exploration of these underground villages will provide a better understanding of how the tunnels were constructed, the hardship of life in the tunnels, and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Try the local cassava root that sustained Viet Cong fighters during the war.

After finishing the tour, you will have lunch at a riverside restaurant and take a speedboat back to Saigon.

Formerly known as “Saigon” before 1975, Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam's commercial centre that never sleeps. Although the city is a dynamic metropolis undergoing dramatic change, the remnants of its past are still discoverable in the historic landmarks and beautiful French colonial buildings dotted throughout the city.

Set off with your guide for a half-day excursion taking in some of the important sites of the city. Visit the War Remnants Museum which presents a partial yet vivid view of the American War through the Vietnamese's eyes as it contains fascinating remnants and photographs of the past including US armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs, and infantry weapons. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic and sensitive).

Wind your way to one of the most significant historical sites of the city, the Reunification Palace which is former Residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the downfall on April 30, 1975. Take a stroll around the Palace and admire the amazing work of its architecture while learning from your guide the untold stories connected to great changes in Ho Chi Minh City's history.

A short walk away is one of Saigon's most historic landmarks, the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires, based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Then, you can wander along with the many tantalizing shops of Dong Khoi Street, once known as Rue Catinat, the boulevard where the high society flocked and shopped in colonial times. Conclude your visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market to enjoy shopping and discover your bargaining power and come away with unusual items that will always remind you of this exciting day.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at a ROS YACHT restaurant overlooking the skyscrapers along of Saigon river in the illuminated sights, the romantic atmosphere.

Day notes

Today is your last day in Ho Chi Minh City.

You can take your personal time to relax at the hotel pool, enjoy a last massage or go shopping.

At 19h00, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for the departure of your international flight.

Check-In and overnight flight with Vietnam Airlines in Economy Class to Frankfurt.

Day notes

Upon your arrival in Frankfurt, you will be transferred in a mini bus to Luxembourg.