Vietnam & Malaysia: A Journey Through Culture, Nature and Local Life

Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi

Upon arrival in Hanoi, our airport team will greet you and assist with fast-track passport procedures and luggage if needed. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in, with the remainder of the day free to settle into your new surroundings.

La Siesta Classic Hang Thung is situated in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, offering a distinctive atmosphere inspired by Vietnamese culture and the five elements. Traditional materials such as rattan and ceramics blend with contemporary comforts to create a welcoming stay.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung – Executive Deluxe

Day 2 – Hanoi

Morning – Discover Hanoi by Jeep

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel for an exciting jeep adventure through the real Hanoi. Explore hidden backstreets, narrow alleyways, local homes, schools and markets to discover how residents live, work and play.

Continue to the city’s must-see landmarks, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the historic railway track, the French Quarter, the bustling Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem and West Lakes, Hanoi Opera House and Long Bien Bridge. You will also visit peaceful villages around West Lake and Truc Bach Lake to experience the contrast between city life and the quieter outskirts.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring Vietnamese specialities before returning to your hotel.

Evening – Hanoi Street Food Tour

At 18:00, meet your local guide for a walking food tour starting at Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi’s largest covered market. Learn about the traditions, ingredients and history behind northern Vietnamese cuisine as you explore the lively streets of the Old Quarter.

Taste the famous Hanoi dish banh cuon, enjoy local barbecue snacks and fresh fruit, then finish at a hidden café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake with a cup of traditional egg coffee. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (food tour)
Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung – Executive Deluxe

Day 3 – Hanoi to Sapa

At 10:00, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Sapa, travelling along scenic winding roads into Vietnam’s north-western mountains. The route gradually climbs through mid-altitude mountains, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Upon arrival in Sapa, check in at Topas Ecolodge and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Nestled in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, Topas Ecolodge is an eco-friendly retreat overlooking lush valleys and terraced rice fields. Its traditional-style bungalows, built with local materials, offer a peaceful connection with nature, complemented by a spa, restaurant and outdoor activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge – Garden Suite Bungalow

Day 4 – Sapa

Trekking through Ethnic Villages

At 08:00, transfer deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to begin your trek near Sin Chai Village, exploring a less-travelled part of the Sapa region. Enjoy views of high mountains, waterfalls and deep valleys as the trail leads to Nam Nhiu, a Red Dao village where you will meet local residents, visit their homes and learn about their farming lifestyle.

Continue along a small dirt trail with beautiful views of the valley, dotted with bamboo huts used by local farmers during the harvest season. Walk past rice terraces and a river before reaching the charming village of Nam Cang.

Enjoy lunch at a local home. Located at the far end of the Sapa Valley, Nam Cang is known for the colourful traditional costumes of its Red Dao women, as well as herbal baths, local medicine and embroidery. With your guide, explore the village and learn how residents make traditional paper, silver jewellery and embroidered textiles before returning to your vehicle.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge – Garden Suite Bungalow

Day 5 – Sapa to Hanoi

At 10:00, your driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you back to Hanoi. After checking in at your hotel, the remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung – Executive Deluxe

Day 6 – Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay

At 08:00, transfer to Tuan Chau Marina and arrive at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge before taking a short speedboat transfer to your cruise vessel.

Begin your journey through the spectacular landscapes of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Enjoy lunch in Ginger’s nearly 360-degree glass-walled restaurant, where live cooking and panoramic views create a memorable dining experience. In the early afternoon, relax on the terrace or your private balcony, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy a treatment at the onboard spa.

Continue to a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, where you can cycle or take an e-cart to Viet Hai Village. Set in a valley within Cat Ba National Park and surrounded by forest and mountains, this remote community offers an authentic glimpse into local life. Meet residents, discover their self-sufficient lifestyle and see how they grow vegetables, cultivate rice and fish in the bay. You may also visit local households, learn about traditional remedies made from tree bark and sample homemade liquors.

Back on board, join an interactive cooking class to learn about local ingredients and prepare classic Vietnamese dishes with the chef. As the sun sets, the cruise anchors for the night. After dinner, relax at the bar, watch a film or try squid fishing before retiring to your suite.

Heritage Line Ginger combines Vietnamese heritage and local art with contemporary design. Its twelve spacious suites feature private balconies and comfortable bathrooms, while the glass-surrounded restaurant and open kitchen provide a distinctive culinary experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Line Ginger Junk – Junior Suite

Day 7 – Lan Ha Bay, Hanoi to Hue

Wake early for a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck, followed by coffee, tea and breakfast pastries. Cruise towards Frog Lake, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim or explore the emerald waters, towering cliffs and tree-covered islets by kayak.

Return on board for breakfast as the vessel cruises towards the embarkation point. Take a speedboat back to the pier, where your driver will transfer you directly to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Located in the countryside just 15 minutes from Hue’s centre, Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa offers a peaceful village setting surrounded by lush gardens and local art. After sightseeing, unwind by the swimming pools, enjoy Tai Chi or yoga, or indulge in a spa treatment.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa – Pool Access Villa

Day 8 – Hue

Explore Hue’s Imperial Heritage and Lagoon Life

At 08:00, meet your guide for a tour of Hue, discovering the distinctive atmosphere of Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Visit the Imperial Citadel, once the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, followed by Minh Mang Tomb, one of the most beautiful royal tombs of the period. Enjoy lunch at a charming garden house.

In the mid-afternoon, embark on a cycling tour of approximately 12 kilometres along the poetic Nhu Y River, from Vinh Ve Village to Chuon Lagoon. Over around 1.5 hours, pass traditional village architecture, family temples with intricate dragon carvings, winding paths, streams and golden rice fields.

At Chuon Lagoon, board a boat to admire the scenery and learn about the daily lives of local people who live and work on the water. Visit one or two local stilt houses before returning to your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa – Pool Access Villa

Day 9 – Hue to Hoi An

At 10:00, your driver and guide will escort you to Hoi An along the scenic coastal road, passing towns, villages and beaches with opportunities to stop along the way.

One of the highlights is Hai Van Pass, where dramatic mountain views and winding curves create a memorable journey. Stop at the summit to admire the scenery and take photographs before continuing to Hoi An for hotel check-in. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Namia Riverside Retreat offers a peaceful escape surrounded by greenery and river views. Blending modern comforts with rustic charm, it is an ideal setting to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Namia Riverside Retreat – Nipa Pool Villa

Day 10 – Hoi An

Tra Que Vegetable Village and Hoi An Ancient Town

At 08:00, meet your guide and driver for a morning cycling excursion through the countryside to Tra Que Vegetable Village, approximately 5 kilometres from Hoi An. Known for its aromatic herbs, the village offers an opportunity to join local farmers in planting and watering vegetables.

After the farming experience, enjoy a traditional foot massage before learning to prepare local specialities with your host, including tam huu, a combination of shrimp, pork and aromatic herbs freshly collected from the garden.

Return to Hoi An to explore its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, renowned for its remarkably well-preserved streets and historic homes. Visit the Japanese Bridge, a Chinese temple and the Tan Ky trading house, which reflects Chinese architectural influences.

Conclude at Reaching Out Tea House, where deaf staff are trained to provide professional service and build independent lives through meaningful employment. Enjoy a peaceful break over tea or coffee before your driver returns you to the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (cooking class)
Accommodation: Namia Riverside Retreat – Nipa Pool Villa

Days 11–12 – Hoi An

Enjoy two free days to relax at your riverside retreat or explore Hoi An at your own pace. You may wish to wander through the Ancient Town, discover local shops and cafés, or simply unwind in the peaceful surroundings of your villa.

Meals Included: Breakfast daily
Accommodation: Namia Riverside Retreat – Nipa Pool Villa

Day 13 – Hoi An, Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City

At 08:00, your driver will transfer you to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, collect your luggage and meet your driver for the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore or relax.

Mai House Saigon is within walking distance of the city centre and landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral. Its French-Indochinese design and colonial character complement well-appointed rooms and suites. Dining options include French and Vietnamese cuisine at C’est La Vie, while The Fifth Element offers a fitness room, spa, sauna, rooftop swimming pool and alfresco bar.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mai House Saigon – Deluxe Room

Day 14 – Ho Chi Minh City

Morning – Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat

At 07:30, depart on a shared speedboat trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, travelling along the Saigon River rather than by road. During the scenic one-hour journey, your guide will introduce you to life along the riverbanks, from floating water hyacinths to weekend homes built by Saigon residents.

Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, which played an important role in the Vietnam War, including during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Learn about the tunnels’ strategic significance, see the remains of an American tank destroyed by a landmine and gain insight into the hardship and lasting impact of the war.

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch by the river, featuring dishes such as fried spring rolls, chicken, beef and soup, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Evening – Saigon by Vintage Vespa

At 18:00, experience Saigon’s vibrant nightlife on a vintage Vespa, travelling through the city’s landmarks and lively neighbourhoods while discovering the local way of life.

Your evening includes several stops to sample Vietnamese rice pancakes, spring rolls, banana sticky rice and fresh seafood at local eateries. Continue along Nhieu Loc Canal and the lively “Happy Road”, then enjoy the popular local dessert of avocado ice cream.

End the evening at a bar with live music performed by Vietnamese singers before returning to your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (food tour)
Accommodation: Mai House Saigon – Deluxe Room

Day 15 – Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur

At 12:30, your driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, complete immigration formalities and collect your luggage before meeting your airport representative for the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to settle into your new surroundings.

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is centrally located with views of the iconic Petronas Towers. Part of the Shangri-La group, the hotel offers a convenient base for exploring the city, complemented by warm hospitality and comfortable accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Traders Hotel – Deluxe Room

Days 16–18 – Kuala Lumpur

Enjoy three free days to relax and explore Kuala Lumpur at your own pace. Discover the city’s vibrant mix of cultures, browse local shops and markets, sample Malaysian cuisine or admire the iconic Petronas Towers.

Return to Traders Hotel after your daily explorations and enjoy the comfort of your centrally located accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast daily
Accommodation: Traders Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 19 – Depart Kuala Lumpur

At the prearranged time, your driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight, bringing your journey through Vietnam and Malaysia to an end.

Meals Included: Breakfast