Vietnam “For Woman” 14 Days

This morning, you will visit one of the “must see” museums in Hanoi: Founded in 1987 as an entity within the Vietnam Women's Union, the Women's Museum exhibits more than 25,000 objects and documents that mirror the diversity of Vietnam's culture and the contributions of its women to the country's society and ongoing development.

Then, you continue to Dong Xuan Market, originally constructed in 1889 and rebuilt in 1994, was once the scene of fierce fighting between the Vietnamese and the French but today is a bustling wholesale centre..

Leaving the market, you will go on a cyclo tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Explore the Old Quarter at a casual pace so you can enjoy the scenery and take photos. This is a place you must see to experience Hanoi, where you will find shopping and cultural/historical sites all wrapped into one.

The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. Discover the many shopping oportunities in the old quaters of Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, visit a Lacquer Painting Workshop where an enthusiastic lacquer artist will welcome you and show you around his space. In a small studio with hundreds of lacquer paintings, you'll hear a short introduction of Vietnam lacquer art history. He will help you to distinguish Vietnamese lacquer from that of China & Japan, and clearly demonstrate the 3-step process of lacquer painting. You can try your hand at some of the lacquer techniques, from drawing and painting to adding materials like seashell, mother of pearl, eggshell, gold leaf or silver dust, or polishing and washing the final product. Its a fantastic hands-on experience for your creative side.

Continue with some sightseeing in the afternoon. The Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius, was built in the 11th century. It was the first university in Vietnam and students still come here to burn incense. You will find a peaceful atmosphere tinged with incense smoke, and sunken lotus ponds populated by fish and turtles.

In the evening you hit the town’s top spot. The Bamboo Bar, in Hanoi’s best Hotel the Sofitel Metropole, is the perfect place to start a girls night out.

Overnight in Hanoi 

Breakfast at hotel before heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Ha Long you will board your luxury boat for an overnight cruise amongst the more than 3,000 limestone islands rising majestically out of the turquoise bay. You pass grand rock formations and quaint fishing towns, and sample a delicious lunch of freshly caught fish and seafood.

In the afternoon you will visit the picturesque floating fishing village of Vung Vieng and can choose from several interesting activities: a cooking demonstration with chef on board, an optional traditional massage, or a refreshing swim.

End the day with a spectacular set-menu gastronomic dinner

Overnight on board.

Start the day with calming Tai Chi, often accompanied by an amazing sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of the bay’s landscape. The cruise passes beautiful spots such as Trong, Trinh Nu and the Me Cung Caves, and you will have a chance to explore Surprise Cave before having buffet brunch on board.

Back at the dock, where you will be met and transferred to Hai Phong airport for your short flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, you are greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Hoi An Town.  

Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend the morning to walk the ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen and tailors. Explore the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge. Hoi An's unique fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture is well displayed here, in what is arguably Vietnam's most tourist-friendly town.

The rest of the day is free at leisure. You might want to have a look at the local shops, because this little town is world famous for its silk tailors. The talented ladies can tailor you a dream dress for a fair price within hours. As an alternative you can head to the nearby beach to get some sun.

Overnight in Hoi An

Take a scenic bicycle ride through the rice paddies to Tra Que Village just outside Hoi An. This little village is well-known for supplying the many restaurants and hotels in the area with fresh herbs and vegetables. You will walk through the vegetable gardens, experience how the local farmers work the land and learn more about the history of the village and the importance of herbs in Vietnamese medicine and cuisine. Following is the most interesting part: a cooking demonstration. Under the enthusiastic instruction of the chef, you learn how to prepare the local specialty: Tam Huu Spring rolls or Xeo pancake. Afterwards you have the chance to taste this creations for lunch.

Cycling back to hotel in the early afternoon. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Leaving Hoi An in the morning, you head out to Hue, the Vietnam’s last feudal capital. Hue is widely known for its magnificent architecture, mystical pagodas and royal tombs spread around many small villages and the surrounding hills.

Afternoon visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, a nicely located pagoda overlooking the Perfume River and the beautiful landscape beyond. If you are lucky, you could observe the Pagoda’s praying ceremony and experience local religious life. Also, do not miss the stunning sunset on Perfume River.

Next, the garden house tradition is a unique characteristic of Hue. During the Nguyen Dynasty, many royal relatives and mandarins established luxurious private residences in surrounding villages. Today these compounds offer a glimpse into their bygone lifestyle.

Overnight in Hue

You start a new day by visiting Dong Ba market, which is best visited in the morning, as it is the busiest time and perfect for you to experience the real local life.

Afterwards you continue towards the Hue Imperial Citadel, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Explore the Imperial Citadel, closely modeled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Passing Ngo Mon Gate, you enter to the Purple Forbidden City, reserved for the Nguyen royal family from the 18th century until the mid-1900s.

Lunch at local resataurant

If you always want a typical Vietnamese conical hat’s you will like our next stop in a village, which is famous for their production. Test your skills by making a hat yourself.

Tu Duc's tomb is a sprawling compound centred around a lake and including numerous separate memorials connected by pleasant walkways. The major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime.

On the way back to your hotel, you will stop for tea break at Vi Da Xua Café which is located in the former residence area for mandarins during the Nguyen Dynasty. It is in a traditionally designed wooden house with a beautiful bonsai garden.

Overnight in Hue

You depart from Hue towards the airport for your flight to Saigon.

Visit the Reunification Palace, the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It witnessed the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Today this building is a museum and sometimes a venue for official receptions. You can visit the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army took official control in 1975.

The nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883, most materials for Saigon's Notre Dame Cathedral were imported from France. Neo-Romanesque in form, it is a major centre of Catholicism in modern Vietnam, and one of the city’s major landmarks.

Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office, a classic French colonial structure, is still a functioning post office today and features huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho, and many beautiful details.

Final visit of the day is to Ben Thanh Market – an icon of the city, stands in the center of District 1. packed to the rafters with everything from fruits to nuts, from tourist kitsch to true bargains, it is a definite must-see.

Saigon is sleepless city with an exciting nightlife. To kick start a fun night we recommended the Sax & Art Club. Sax n Art has live performances every night by the best jazz band in town featuring Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan. Tuan was the first Vietnamese musician to receive a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston and is Vietnam's most recognised saxophonist. A regular on stage, he is an amazing talent and also the owner of the club.

Overnight in Saigon

Vietnam is a culinary wonderland and today you will have the chance to have a peak into the backdoor. The cooking class will start early morning with a visit to the local market. The Chef will introduce you in the art of choosing and bargaining for the best ingredients. Back at the Hoa Tuc restaurant he will than introduce you to the secret of the local cuisine. Under his guidance we will prepare 3 dishes, which of course can be enjoyed at the concluding lunch.

Unwind while getting a spa treatment in one of the cities best spas this afternoon.

Overnight in Saigon

Escaping from the hustle city, today you will take a trip to Mekong Delta. Your tour starts with a cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables in the colorful Cai Be floating market. An optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice and pop-corn being made. Your lunch of Mekong specialties will be served in Bonsai Garden. Then a rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside via small canals to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, passing by traditional wood and palm-leaf houses, and local farmers doing their daily work. After walking around the village, you can enjoy seasonal fruits when listening to Southern traditional music.

Travel through tiny canals to your homestay. Meet and talk with the friendly hosts, before you walk around the village to meet the locals and get to know the real life in the delta.

Overnight at Homestay

After breakfast, say goodbye to the host and continue by boat trip to visit an orchard. The Mekong Delta is famous for its fruit nursery, mostly family run businesses which grow all kind of fruits like mango, jackfruit, longen and pomelo. This is the perfect place for some healthy snacks after exploring the garden. 

Back on boat you cruise to the dock and driven back to Saigon.

Check in hotel, enjoy your own time.

In the evening, you will go out for a farewell dinner at one of the best restaurant in town. In case you are interested in some late evening activities you recommend drinks at Saigon Saigon Bar, which offers the best panoramic views of the city.

Free time until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your home flight. End of service.