11-Nights Spirit of Vietnam from $6,025

Luxury Gold

OFFER ID 1523579

Spirit Of Vietnam
Embrace the very best of Vietnam on this 12-day guided tour. See Ho Chi Minh’s glittering skyscrapers and green paddy elds from a speedboat as you race to the Cu Chi tunnels, where guerrilla fighters once hid during the Vietnam War; here, meet a Viet Cong veteran who will share with you what it was like to live in the tunnels. See the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel in Hue during a private tour before the palaces open to other tourists. Experience the vibrant city of Hoi An your way: take a hands-on cooking class. Walk through the food carts living Hanoi’s streets and taste its classic cuisine: crab spring rolls, beef noodle soup, and com cakes. Sail through the mesmerizing waters of Halong Bay on a traditional overnight junk cruise.

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
5 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

Choose between two carefully selected activities
Ho Chi Minh City: Continue with your exploration about the troubled past of the country at the War Remnants Museum.
Ho Chi Minh City: Delve into the rich history and practices of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Explore a vast collection of artefacts and ancient remedies that highlight Vietnam's traditional healing methods.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Hue: Take a boat ride to the private museum of Tran Dihn Son, whose great-grandfather was a high ranking mandarin during the Nguyen Dynasty and see the vast collection of rare antiquities collected by him and his ancestors.
Hue: Take a cyclo trip to An Dinh Palace, the private residence of Khai Dinh, Vietnam’s last emperor who ruled until 1955. Learn about the life of a Royal before heading back via Dong Ba Market to catch a glimpse of everyday life in modern Hue.

Additional Included Highlights

Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.
Included at all hotels.
Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.
Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.

Curated Experiences

Mekong River Delta: Meet Mr. Sau Tuong, a former soldier, at his home and see how he and his wife make a living making rice paper. This quiet existence is in stark contrast to the four years he spent fighting the Khmer Rouge, who terrorised Cambodia in the 1970s.
Hue: Cycle through rice fields to Thanh Toan village, admiring the green countryside as you pedal by. Visit the lively local market, bargain along with the locals and see traditional houses. Soak up the agricultural way of life, a suitable contrast to the city.
Hue: Enjoy a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel. Hear more about Emperor Gia Long, the first ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, who made this the center of a unified Vietnam.

Exceptional Dining

Ho Chi Minh City: Admire the marvelous views from a lively rooftop restaurant at your Welcome Dinner in Saigon. Get to know your Travel Concierge and fellow guests as you dine on local delicacies in a sophisticated setting, with the lights twinkling across the city.
Mekong River Delta: Pause for lunch at the enchanting Mango Home, a thatched restaurant located on the Mekong. Savor delicacies enjoyed in the delta, including noodle soup, grilled fish, and giant prawns fresh from the river, as you enjoy views of the lush countryside.
Hue: Arrive at the home of celebrated painter and singer, Camille Huyen, for a memorable meal and private concert. Stroll around the traditional home she shares with her husband and hear about their fascinating lives and the dream that brought them home.
Hoi An: Dine out this evening. Choose from our hand-selected restaurants, known to our local foodies, specialising in different cuisine from traditional to modern Vietnamese, or a fusion of east and west to tantalize your taste buds.
Hoi An: Visit the beautiful Cam Thanh Village with its dense coconut jungles that were once a shelter for local people and soldiers during the Vietnam War, but today the village is an important supplier of seafood, vegetables and rice to the region. Step into a traditional bamboo-basket boat and glide across the water to the Thanh Dong village where you learn from the villagers how they cultivate and harvest vegetables according to local customs. Continue your voyage through a peaceful water coconut forest to a riverside restaurant overlooking the rice fields. Enjoy and participate in a hands-on cooking class alongside a local chef. Savor your creations for your Highlight Lunch.
Hanoi: Join a local foodie in the Old Quarter to explore the street food culture of Hanoi. Dine as the locals do, on delights such as steaming pho (a beef noodle soup), rice paper rolls and crab spring rolls.

Magnificent Stays

Hoi An: The luxurious Anantara Hoi An Resort is moments away from the city's charming historic center. Take in the tranquil atmosphere, treat yourse

11 nights from $6,025 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Luxury Gold: Spirit of Vietnam

Day 1 - Dynamic Ho Chi Minh City
Your luxury tour begins by private transfer to the five-star hotel in the heart of the city. Dine tonight in one of Saigon’s rooftop restaurants.
Accommodations: Hotel Caravelle, Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Marvels of Saigon
Travel by speedboat from the city's glittering skyscrapers to the green paddy fields scattered along the Saigon River. Your destination is the Cu Chi tunnels, which were dug during the Vietnam War, where you will meet a Viet Cong veteran. After lunch, explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City including the Notre Dame Cathedral and Gustave Eiffel's Central Post Office. Head to a charming coffee shop and learn the art of brewing Vietnamese coffee. Personalize your day with a visit to the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine or the War Remnants Museum.
Accommodations: Hotel Caravelle, Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Cruise the Mekong Delta
Discover the Mekong Delta aboard a private charter. See coconut production and take a ride on a tri-motorcycle. At Mango Home, feast on Mekong Delta specialties before visiting the home of a former soldier.
Accommodations: Hotel Caravelle, Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Royal Refinement in Hue Relaxed Start
Cycle through green rice ?elds to the traditional garden houses of Phu Mong village. Dine at Ben Xuan Garden House Theater, serenaded by local musicians.
Accommodations: Pilgrimage Village, Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Highlights of Hue
Enjoy a morning visit to the Imperial Citadel and the royal tomb of Minh Mang. Escape the bustling city to a tranquil spot by the Perfume River to savor a local lunch. Take a cyclo ride to An Dinh Palace or visit a collector of rare antiquities at his private museum.
Accommodations: Pilgrimage Village, Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Romantic Hoi An
Explore Hoi An through the eyes of a local. Enter former merchants’ homes, stroll lanes of traditional houses and cross the Japanese Covered Bridge. Dinner is your choice of traditional cuisine, modern Vietnamese or East-meets-West fusion.
Accommodations: Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - The Locals in Hoi An Relaxed Start
Glide to the Thanh Dong village in a traditional bamboo-basket boat learning from the villagers and a professional chef how to make Vietnamese food.
Accommodations: Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Hanoi Street Food Tasting Tour
Check in to your boutique hotel before joining a local gourmand for exploration of Hanoi's colorful street food culture.
Accommodations: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Center
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Cruise Along Ha Long Bay
Discover Ha Long Bay’s emerald waters on your private, luxury junk boat and visit the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van. Learn from the masters with a traditional Vietnamese cooking demonstration or relax on deck as the sun sets.
Accommodations: Paradise Cruise, Ha Long Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Ha Long to Hanoi Relaxed Start
Greet the day with Tai Chi or an early morning swim before lingering over brunch as you cruise past the limestone formations en route to Hanoi.
Accommodations: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Center
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 - The Temple of Literature Relaxed Start
Tour the Temple of Literature and view the Well of Clarity with a local scholar. Toast your travels over dinner.
Accommodations: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Center
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - Farewell Vietnam
Your Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi luxury tour comes to an end with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Hanoi

Hanoi is a city with a history that dates back to the 7th century. In 1954 Hanoi was declared the capital of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam, and in 1976, following the Vietnam War, it became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This political history has made Hanoi one of the country's most fascinating cities to explore. The most renowned of all the monuments is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is dedicated to Vietnam's most well-respected President, who in 1945, led his country to independence. Other highlights include the Museum of History, containing ancient artifacts from Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and China, the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda and legendary Sword Lake.

Excursions

Hanoi - Hon Gai / Hai Phong Port

Hanoi Full Day Tour (10 Hours)

Shore Excursion Hai Phong - Hanoi

Shore Excursion Halong - Hanoi

SHORE EXCURSION HALONG - HANOI

Destination: Ha Noi
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Code: MDHANSE004

Tour Description:
Disembark at the Port of Cai Lan where your guide will be waiting to take you on a 3.5hr drive into Hanoi to explore this charming capital city, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Begin your tour of the highlights of Hanoi with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Continue to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, offering broad insights into the people of Vietnam, including its 54 ethnic groups, through the lens of women’s topics. Walk through diverse exhibitions showcasing everything from street vendors and marriage to family life and traditional fashion. Enjoy lunch at Cau Go Vietnamese cuisine restaurant - located on the top floor of old building which was built 90s with amazing view overlook to Hoan Kiem lake. Conclude with a cyclo tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. 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. Drive back to the Port of Cai Lan and board the ship.

Notes:

There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Halong Bay (Hanoi)

Meaning “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” Halong Bay’s water is calm and undisturbed despite the jutting limestone mountains that soar out of the water and toward the sky. As if a tail of a Dragon plunged into the earth, the mountains are craggy, sharp, and barren, and are dotted with thousands of small caves of various depths and heights. At dusk, they all take on mysterious shades of gray, mauve and olive, lending credence to the local legends.

Excursions

Ha Noi City Tour & Street Food Tour – 12 hours - Hanoi

Halong Bay Cruise (5 Hours)

Halong Bay Cruise (7 Hours)

Shore Excursion Hai Phong - Halong City

Hoi An

Hoi An is an ancient port town that was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the rare places in Vietnam to discover genuine Vietnamese architecture. Walk through the Old Quarter and get a glimpse of a medieval Vietnam that no longer exists in the other areas of the country. Visit the Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar

Excursions

Hoi An - Full Day Hoi An Town with Lantern Making

FULL DAY HOI AN TOWN WITH LANTERN MAKING

Destination: Hoi An
Tour Duration: 08 hours

Tour Description:
On arrival in Danang (Tien Sa port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive for 1 approximately hour to the ancient town of Hoi An. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including: the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Lunch is on your own.

After lunch, meet with Mr. Huynh Van Trung who was born in a traditional lantern making family and learn about the silk lanterns. Silk lanterns, the simple yet colorful handicraft is now an essential part of Hoi An culture. The lantern is inspired and hand-made by local artisans and is meant to bring good fortune. It has really made a comeback thanks to an experienced man - Trung inherits valuable skills in making lanterns from his father - the well-known artisan Huynh Van Ba. Chat with him for a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of the lanterns as well as the stages of production. Try creating your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir. Later, transfer by road back to the port to embark the ship.

Inclusions:
• Private transfers and transportation on tour
• Sightseeing with Local English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees and boat rides if any
• Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Non-inclusions:
• Vietnam visa
• Other meals where not mention in the program
• Drinks/ waters on meals
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips & gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column

Hoi An Culinary Experience at Market Restaurant

Hue

Hue is at the heart of central Vietnam. The landscape – with its misty Perfume River and pagodas – has long been a source of poetry and paintings. Always an important cultural, intellectual and historical city, Hue remains one of Vietnam’s main attractions.

Excursions

Hoi An’s Countryside & Ancient Town – 8 hours - Hue

Hue - Full Day Hue Classic Tour / Chan May Port

FULL DAY HUE CLASSIC TOUR / CHAN MAY PORT

Destination: Hue
Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour Description:
On arrival to the port (Chan May port) disembark and meet your guide. Then drive 1.5 hours to Hue along a scenic coastal route passing mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Upon arrival Hue, enjoy a short cyclo ride from your hotel to 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 and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored.

Lunch is on your own.

After lunch, drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda, perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable icons.

Continue to visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Its architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of eastern art and western designs. Make a stop for a drink at Vong Canh hill which offers an amazing view of breath-taking scenery and ancient relics. The hill itself is now covered with pine trees and daisy.

Later, transfer by road back to the port to embark the ship.

Note: There is an extra charge for transfer from other ports.

Inclusions:
• Private transfers and transportation on tour
• Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Non-inclusions:
• Vietnam visa
• Drinks/ waters on meals
• Other meals where not mentioned in the program
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips and Gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column

Royal Culinary & Historic Landmark - Hue

ROYAL CULINARY & HISTORIC LANDMARK

Destination: Hue
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Code: MDHUISE004

Tour Description:
On arrival to the port (Chan May port), disembark and meet your guide. Then drive 1.5 hours to Hue along a scenic coastal route passing mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. The delicate ingredients, preparation, and presentation of Hue Royal cuisine have long been considered cultural hallmarks of the ancient imperial city. It is considered not only a sophisticated work of culinary art but the embodiment of the philosophy of the ancestors. Hue royal food not only has a delicious taste but is also eye-catching. It creates a harmony between color, and taste, between yin and yang, between hot and cold. Meet your experienced chef in her late 60s who was born and grew up in a Royal family. Stroll through a fresh market. Learn about and taste some of the ingredients used in the Royal cuisine and watch the buying and selling rituals of a Vietnamese market. Then get to her home for a hands-on cooking class of the food of the Imperial Court. Share her life and experiences, and enjoy what dishes you have made. Then enjoy an electric cart ride through the Imperial Citadel, once the exclusive residence of the royal family and its entourage. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains about the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily during the 60's and 70's, there are some incredibly well preserved sections still intact and others which are being lovingly restored. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Availability: Morning, Afternoon.
There is an extra charge for transfer to/ from other ports.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Hue - Home Hosted Lunch & Historic Landmark

HOME HOSTED LUNCH & HISTORIC LANDMARK

Destination: Hue
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Code: MDHUISE005

Tour Description:
On arrival to the port (Chan May port), disembark and meet your guide. Then drive 1.5 hours to Hue along a scenic coastal route passing mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. There is nothing more interesting than visiting a local family in Hue which still preserves the traditional virtues dating from the feudal time under the Nguyen Emperors. Meet and greeted by your host to learn about traditional culture and lifestyle of people at the former Royal land. Visit the family ancestral temple to learn about the customs associated with ancestral worship. Optional accompanying the hosts to a fresh market to purchase ingredients and help them to prepare lunch. Then enjoy a home-hosted meal in the cozy family setting over interesting life stories shared by the hosts. Then enjoy an electric cart ride through the Imperial Citadel, once the exclusive residence of the royal family and its entourage. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains about the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily during the 60's and 70's, there are some incredibly well preserved sections still intact and others which are being lovingly restored. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

Notes:

Availability: Morning, Afternoon.
There is an extra charge for transfer to/ from other ports.

Inclusions:

Private transfer
Port pick-up and drop-off
Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
Entrance fees
Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
Cold towels and water on sightseeing days

Exclusions:

Visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
Other meals where not mention in the program
Drinks/ waters on meals
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips and Gratuities
Other services not listed

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often referred to as Vietnam’s jewel and the Pearl of the Orient. Located in south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s largest city, with more than six million people and over one million motorbikes. Under the current regime the city is once more being rebuilt. Whole blocks are disappearing, being replaced by concrete, steel and glass structures. Central Saigon, which is still the official name for the city center, shows evidence of the French colonial city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture. The city is divided into two sections: Saigon, the municipal and historical district, and Cholon (Chinatown), where the entrepreneurial talent and private funds are concentrated. Cholon appears to be the most populated and in general the most vigorous part of Ho Chi Minh City. It is well worth a visit for its bustle and activity and its pagodas, which are reputed to be the finest in the whole city.

Excursions

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Saigon Port

Saigon City Highlights

Saigon - Cooking Class at Ambassador's Former Residence

Saigon - Retracing The Past

Saigon City Tour on Vintage Car

Saigon - City Highlights & Musician Family Visit

Saigon - In The Dark: A Blind Experience

Saigon - City Highlights & Lunch at Ambassador's Home

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

10/05/2025 - 10/16/2025

from $6,050 per person *

10/19/2025 - 10/30/2025

from $6,050 per person

11/02/2025 - 11/13/2025

from $6,050 per person *

12/07/2025 - 12/18/2025

from $6,050 per person

01/11/2026 - 01/22/2026

from $6,050 per person

02/08/2026 - 02/19/2026

from $6,050 per person

02/22/2026 - 03/05/2026

from $6,050 per person

03/15/2026 - 03/26/2026

from $6,025 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $6,025 per person

Length

11 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Luxury

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1523579

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