16 Days Discover the East in Style

Day 1 | Arrive in Singapore

Upon your arrival at Changi Airport in Singapore, after going through immigration/custom formalities and collecting your luggage, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver at the exit hall (holding placard with your names at the door immediate after baggage collection and clearance) and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to settle into your new surroundings.

Meals included: None
Accommodation: Hotel at own arrangement

Day 2 | Singapore

Free days to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure.

Located within Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. Set in 40 hectares of secondary jungle, your safari will unfold the mystery and drama of the tropical jungle after dusk with stunning effects. See the myriad of nocturnal animals, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers, in their natural habitat under a subtle moonlit glow.

Roam the jungle in the complete safety and comfort of your Tram which takes you through the East and West Loop passing by a large reservoir and weaving through selected habitats designed specifically to replicate the natural environment from the Himalayan Foothills to the Southeast Asian Rainforest and Indian Subcontinent.

On completion of the tram ride, your tour guide will lead you on a walking trail where you will be able to view some animals at closer quarters.

Meals included: Own arrangement with hotel
Accommodation: Hotel at own arrangement

Day 3 | Singapore – Hanoi

At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the airport for your flight flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, as you depart the aircraft our team will be waiting to greet you and assist you through the airport. You will be fast-tracked through the passport procedures, assisted with your luggage when needed and then transferred to your hotel for check-in.

One of Asia’s most iconic luxury brands has found a new home nestled amongst the traditional streets of Hanoi, a blend of old and new coming together in a perfect harmony. The Capella Hotel offers elegant luxury and a level of service and style above anything else the city has experienced. Situated in the heart of city you will be able to wander around and experience all Hanoi has to offer. The Capella is an excellent addition to this amazing city.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Capella Hanoi – Room type: 2x Deluxe Suite (Adjoining)

Day 4 | Hanoi

Morning – Water Puppetry Experience
This tour begins at 08:30. Get ready for an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience in Hanoi. Step into the home of Mr. Liem, a passionate seventh-generation puppet maker and performer. Enjoy an introduction to water puppetry, a traditional North Vietnam art form that dates back to the 11th century.

Take a tour of Mr. Liem’s workshop where shelf after shelf is lined with wooden puppet parts in all shapes and sizes. Be entertained by a half-hour performance at a small theatre in his house. Learn about the folklore and legends presented in the show and the significance of the performance itself.

After the show, join the puppeteers and learn basic techniques, using bamboo rods to move the puppets through the water. Then return to the workshop and paint a puppet. Use a range of typical bright and shiny colours to create a one-of-a-kind puppet, all the while learning more about this local art form.

Following this insightful glimpse into one of Vietnam’s most beloved art forms, say farewell to Mr. Liem and return to your hotel.

This evening, you will have a chance to discover the street food of Hanoi under the guidance of your local guide. Start your walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Your local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt your taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Your next two snack stops are at outdoor barbecue stalls and a local fruit store.

To wrap up the evening, visit a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake where you can enjoy a local delicacy “egg-coffee”.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (food tour)

Accommodation: Capella Hanoi – Room type: 2x Deluxe Suite (Adjoining)

Day 5 | Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi

Most of tour buses leave Hanoi for Ninh Binh around 8:00 AM that’s why we leave at 6:45. Our journey begins with a 2 hour drive in a car/ mini van from the hectic capital of Hanoi to the rural province of Ninh Binh, approximately 100 kilometers away.

On arrival, we visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to learn about Vietnamese Culture, history and traditional architecture. We the start our morning exercise by a 30 minutes hike up and down to Mua cave to admire the spectacular panorama view of Tam Coc valley and Ngo Dong river.

If you don’t like the touristy hike, alternatively, we have a 300-step, rugged hidden gem hike at the holy and secret mountain where you could feel the serenity of nature and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, forest, and surrounding villages.

We then ride to Tam Coc or Trang An, a new addition to UNESCO’s list of heritage sites. It is often referred to as the Halong Bay of the land due to its spectacular scenery. It is a truly wonderful sight to see.

We’ll board on row boats for a 2-hour journey through caves, passing local villages along the river system of the Red River Delta. The scenery comprises of lush green rice paddies during the rice growing seasons and the surrounding limestone karsts make for a stunning backdrop, presenting many photo opportunities for the keen photographers amongst the group.

We will have lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic Vietnamese meal.

After lunch, we will start our Ninh Binh Jeep/ Vespa tour, It is definitely the best way to discover the cultural and natural beauties of Ninh Binh countryside. As you sitting in the back of our experienced drivers for a safe and fun ride throughout the area. The detours of country-roads featuring with limestone karsts, towering above you as you ride along back-roads and beautiful scenery.

Ninh Binh Jeep tour is an epic that you could explore through the highway and byway of this beautiful place. En route, we are passing rice paddies, farms and villages to experience the day-in-the-life of Vietnamese people. Also, we stop to visit a thousand-year-old lime-stone temple of Thai Vi or Bich Dong temple.

Drive back to Hanoi and the evening is free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Capella Hanoi – Room type: 2x Deluxe Suite (Adjoining)

Day 6 | Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

This morning you will be transferred to Tuan Chau Marina. Arrive at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge before the short speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home. Begin your unique journey exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba.

The first highlight of the cruise is lunch in Violets’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery.

You can relax on the terrace deck or on their private balcony. While cruising along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy the unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the ship’s spa.

Reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island and hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisurely pedalling along the small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village.

Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by think forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The only access is via sea.

The community is self-sufficient. The residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the nearby fields, growing rice in the valley, and fishing out in the bay. This is truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life.

We have a glimpse of local households, see how they make medicine organically from a tree bark and you can also try various home-made liquors.

Back on board the chef invites guests to an interactive cooking class in the restaurant’s big open kitchen. Learn about local ingredients as well as the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes. Guests are warmly invited to lend a hand.

As the sun sets, arrive at the tranquil anchor spot for the night. After a delicious dinner, you may wish to unwind at the bar with a digestif or watch a movie in the cinema. Alternatively you may join some fun fishing for squid before retiring to your room.

Cruise in regal and elegant style, as you discover the fabulous Halong Bay, The Violet Cruise is ideal for those who wish to explore in style and away from the crows. With just 6 cabins all decorated to the highest standard in an art-deco style you will be enamoured with your cabin and the cruise. Onboard you shall enjoy the highest level of service on the Bay, with outstanding food served amidst the glorious backdrop, The Violet Cruise is truly a shade above the rest!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Heritage Line Violet Cruise
Room type: Junior Suite x2

Day 7 | Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An

Wake up early and join the Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease mind and muscles. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day.

It is time for Heritage Line Violet to lift her anchors and cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks and vivid tree-topped islets.

Back on board, enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back to the off-shore embarkation spot, from where you will be transferred back to the welcome lounge at the pier by speed boat.

Arrive at the pier, your driver will escort you directly Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred 30 minutes to Hoi An. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

The beachfront oasis of Four Seasons Hoi An (previously The Nam Hai) is just twenty minutes drive from Hoi An old town, the UNESCO protected gem of central Vietnam. The choice of one, two and three bedroom villas, either with private pool or without, means this luxurious resort is perfect for luxury travelers, honeymooners or families. Four Seasons Hoi An offers two restaurants, two bars, in villa dining, three large swimming pools, spa, fitness, tennis, badminton, basketball, kids club and a library.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hoi An – Room type: Family Villa

Days 8–13 | Hoi An

Free days to relax on the beach, enjoy all the facilities that Four Seasons has to offer and explore at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Four Seasons Hoi An – Room type: Family Villa

Day 14 | Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City

At appropriate time, your driver will escort you to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon, after collecting your luggage, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver at the exit hall and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to settle into your new surroundings.

Park Hyatt Saigon is well located within walking distance of the main historic attractions of Saigon. Adorned with 245 french colonial style rooms and suites, Park Hyatt Saigon is one of the most luxurious hotels in Saigon.

Choose from a variety of high quality food and beverage outlets and cool off in the outdoor pool after a hot day’s sightseeing.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon  – Room type: 1x Park Deluxe Suite + 1x Park Deluxe Room (Connecting)

Day 15 | Ho Chi Minh City

Free day to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure.

Evening – Saigon Street Food Tour by Jeep
Tonight we take to the streets of Saigon, to explore its fabulous street food. The food on offer here is unique to the city and almost as unique as your mode of transport. You shall weave your way through the traffic in an old army jeep.

Your professional driver taking care of all the driving as you hop from one delectable treat to the next taking in local delicacies from a seafood BBQ, the mystery of Banh Cuon, the bright yellow and so tasty Banh Xeo and more! Your taste buds will almost have sensory overload with all the flavours you experience.

After such treats we suggest you wash them down with a local Bia (beer). Hop back in your jeep and watch this evening’s local life unfold as you head to a local music bar. Here you can enjoy live music with a couple more drinks before your driver will make sure you get home safely.

We love to discover Saigon’s food scene and by jeep, it really does add a little more ‘spice’ to the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (food tour)

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon – Room type: 1x Park Deluxe Suite + 1x Park Deluxe Room (Connecting)

Day 16 | Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

At the appropriate time, your driver will meet and escort you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight home via Hong Kong.

Meals included: Breakfast