12-Day Private Vietnam Cultural Tour

Upon landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you are warmly greeted by a representative of Asia Bespoke Journeys, who awaits you with a personalized welcome sign. Fast-track service ensures a smooth and seamless immigration experience.

A private transfer escorts you into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis where modern skyscrapers stand beside historic boulevards, embodying Vietnam’s dynamic spirit. After a smooth 45-minute journey, arrive at your elegant hotel and complete the check-in process. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind, perhaps enjoy a refreshing rest or take a leisurely stroll to absorb the city’s first impressions and complete your first day of a refined leisure tour.

Overnight in The Reverie Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, venture 75 kilometers beyond the city to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels on an immersive historical tour. This immense underground labyrinth, stretching over 250 kilometers offers a powerful glimpse into the resilience of the Vietnamese people during decades of conflict. Walk through the historic reserve, view a short documentary, and see the ingenious traps and weapons once used against opposing forces. For a deeper encounter, meet a former VC veteran who once lived in these subterranean villages and hear extraordinary stories of survival.

Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a traditional lunch before exploring key chapters of Ho Chi Minh City’s history, beginning at the Reunification Palace, offering thoughtful insight into the country’s modern past. Continue to Cho Lon, the city’s historic Chinatown, visiting Binh Tay Market and nearby pagodas that reflect everyday local life. The tour concludes at the atmospheric Emperor Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon’s most evocative temples.

Overnight in The Reverie Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, journey into the lush heart of Ben Tre, the “Coconut Kingdom” of Vietnam. Wander through peaceful villages, where life flows to the timeless rhythm of gardens, coconut groves, and shaded canals. Embark on your private Mango Cruise, drifting along tranquil tributaries to witness coconut processing and meet welcoming farmers who open their homes and lives to you. Glide by rowboat through hidden waterways, savor tea with a local host, and cycle along quiet paths where smiling children greet you with cheerful hellos. After a delicious Mekong lunch, continue to meet village artisans, including a former soldier now crafting traditional rice paper. Each encounter reveals the resilience and warmth of the Delta’s people.

Later, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh Airport for your flight north. Upon arrival in Da Nang, a private car whisks you to enchanting Hoi An, the UNESCO heritage town of lantern-lit charm.

Overnight in Namia Retreat, Hoi An

In the morning, journey just beyond the old town to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, a long-established craft village closely connected to the cultural life of Hoi An. Here, generations of artisans have shaped clay into everyday and ceremonial objects—jars, vases, pots, incense burners and candle holders, many of which also support other traditional crafts such as weaving and sugar-making. A walk through the village offers insight into a way of life where craftsmanship remains both practical and deeply rooted in tradition.

Continue to Kim Bong Carpentry Village, renowned for more than 500 years of fine woodworking. During your visit, learn about the village’s carpentry heritage and hear the evocative story of Lang Cui Lu, the “Driftwood Village,” where flood-borne timber finds new purpose. Through this story, the enduring relationship between craft, nature and community in Quang Nam Province comes quietly into focus.

Spend time at a hands-on workshop dedicated to the art of traditional Vietnamese wood carving and painting. Begin by observing the workshop environment and learning about each step of the craft process from selecting materials to drawing, painting, sharpening and polishing. Under the guidance of a skilled local artist, you are then invited to take part in creating your own folk artwork. As your piece gradually takes shape, the experience offers both creativity and connection, resulting in a meaningful keepsake from your journey through Vietnam.

After lunch, return to Hoi An Ancient Town for a guided walking tour. Once known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An flourished as one of Southeast Asia’s most important trading ports during the 16th and 17th centuries. Influenced by Japanese, Chinese and European merchants, the town’s well-preserved architecture and living craft traditions earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Stroll through narrow, cobbled streets lined with low, tile-roofed houses, passing the lively central market and the small harbor where brightly painted boats rest along the riverbanks.

The walking tour includes visits to a private heritage house where the same family has lived for generations, as well as a family chapel built by prominent merchant or official families for ancestor worship. Continue to the Sa Huynh Museum, which presents archaeological exhibits from the earliest periods of Hoi An’s history.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax. Dinner is at your leisure.

Overnight in Namia Retreat, Hoi An

Begin the morning with a warm welcome drink at Hai Café before a short transfer by minivan to Tra Que Organic Village. Wander through the fragrant market gardens where local farmers continue to work the land using time-honored methods passed down over generations without the use of modern machinery. Along the way, pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for later use in your cooking class, before pausing at a local home to enjoy a refreshing herbal drink.

Continue to the village market, shopping list in hand, to select fresh local ingredients such as star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach, and banana flower, each playing a role in the dishes you will soon prepare.

Arrive at Red Bridge Cooking School, where there is time to freshen up before the class begins. Under the guidance of a Red Bridge chef, learn the traditional techniques of Vietnamese cooking from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and authentic utensils still in daily use today, work together to prepare four classic dishes, including Vietnam’s iconic phở.

Following the class, sit down to enjoy the dishes you have created, a relaxed and rewarding conclusion to the culinary experience.

Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely 25-minute cruise along the Hoi An River, returning gently to central Hoi An.

Overnight in Namia Retreat, Hoi An

Today is devoted entirely to relaxation, allowing you to embrace the unhurried rhythm of Hoi An. Begin the morning with a gentle stroll through lantern-lit streets, where colorful facades and tranquil alleys reveal the town’s timeless charm. Pause at a riverside café to savor the aroma of authentic Vietnamese coffee as life drifts quietly along the Thu Bon River. Alternatively, retreat to the comfort of your resort and indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, letting expert hands restore both body and spirit. With no fixed schedule, this is your chance to simply unwind whether through exploring hidden corners, indulging in local delicacies, or relaxing by the pool. A day to savor serenity before continuing your journey.

Overnight in Namia Retreat, Hoi An

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning in Hoi An until hotel check-out at noon. Lunch is your own arrangement. In the afternoon, a private driver transfers you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you are warmly welcomed and escorted to your elegant hotel in the historic heart of the capital.

This evening offers a truly special experience: be welcomed into a local family’s charming home. Begin with fragrant tea as your hosts share stories of their heritage, followed by a lovingly prepared home-cooked dinner, recipes handed down through generations and crafted with care by the mothers of the household. Around the table, conversation flows naturally, offering you an intimate window into both Hanoi’s traditions and its modern-day rhythm. End the evening with a soothing cup of green tea, lingering in the warmth of genuine Vietnamese hospitality.

Overnight in Capella Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi

Begin the day at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, where Vietnamese people pay tribute to the country’s revered leader, often affectionately known as the “Great Father.” The visit includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where his embalmed body rests, and the nearby Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, offering a glimpse into the modest lifestyle he chose during his years in power. Close by stands the One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th-century Buddhist temple and one of Hanoi’s most enduring symbols of spiritual and architectural heritage. (With the Deluxe package, priority access is arranged to minimize waiting time within the complex) Please note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays, and most museums are closed on Mondays.

For lunch, enjoy a bowl of phở at a local noodle shop, an everyday ritual for Hanoians and a dish so beloved that locals often compare its popularity to fast food elsewhere in the world. As you dine, your guide shares insights into Vietnamese mealtime customs and the essential ingredients that give this iconic dish its distinctive character.

After lunch, return to the hotel for time at leisure. You may choose to rest in your room, spend quiet moments together as a family, or begin exploring the Old Quarter independently. Your guide remains available with thoughtful recommendations for galleries, cafés, or places of personal interest.

Later in the afternoon, visit the private home of a local water puppet master for an intimate introduction to one of Vietnam’s most distinctive art forms. During a private performance, traditional water puppets come to life, followed by a hands-on demonstration where you learn how the puppets are guided across the water, an exclusive experience rarely available to visitors. The visit also offers insight into how these finely crafted figures are made. Originating over a thousand years ago in the Red River Delta, water puppetry remains a living tradition, once described by the French as “the souls of Vietnam’s rice fields,” depicting scenes of village life, animals, and mythological creatures.

As evening approaches, enjoy dinner featuring Chả Cá Lã Vọng, a Hanoi specialty of turmeric-marinated fish grilled tableside and served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and peanuts. The sizzling presentation and layered flavors create an engaging and distinctly local dining experience.

Overnight in Capella Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi

At 8:30, your private driver transfers you from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina, where a short speedboat takes you to your Bhaya Soul Cruise, your floating sanctuary for the night. 

The first day of the Bhaya Soul journey gently unfolds toward the Ba Ham Lake area, set along the meeting point of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Sheltered by limestone formations, this tranquil enclave is defined by still waters, enclosed lagoons and narrow passages that open into hidden lakes. Lush vegetation and native wildlife frame the landscape, creating a rare sense of seclusion within the bay.

On arrival, time is set aside to explore Ba Ham Lake by kayak. Gliding quietly across emerald waters, guests pass through sheltered corridors into open lagoons, with moments to pause along a private beach and simply absorb the unhurried rhythm of the surroundings.

Returning on board, the afternoon flows into a complimentary wellness experience. A gentle 10-minute herbal foot ritual is followed by a 30-minute wellness treatment, designed to ease the body into relaxation while the calm seascape of Ha Long Bay drifts quietly beyond.

Later, you are free to swim or unwind in the heated, all-season onboard pool. With uninterrupted 360-degree views, the bay remains ever-present, inviting quiet reflection or effortless rest.

As the light softens, cocktails and gourmet canapés are served in the lounge or on the pool deck, thoughtfully timed to coincide with the shifting hues of sunset across the bay.

The day draws to a close with a ‘sleep well’ meditation beneath the open sky, offering a peaceful transition into the night and preparing the body and mind for a deeply restful sleep on board.

Overnight on Bhaya Soul Cruise, Lan Ha Bay

The second day of the Bhaya Soul journey unfolds toward Viet Hai Village, nestled within Cat Ba National Park in Lan Ha Bay. Home to a small, self-sufficient community, the village is embraced by dense jungle and encircled by mountain ranges that have long shaped a way of life rooted in fishing, farming, and a close relationship with the land.

On arrival, guests explore Viet Hai Village by bicycle or electric cart, following quiet village paths and coastal routes while observing the gentle rhythm of daily life. The visit also offers insight into local community initiatives supported by Bhaya Cruises, before continuing to Bhaya Café. Here, time is set aside to relax amid open fields where buffalo graze, enjoying a refreshing mojitea or taking part in the preparation of bánh cuốn, a traditional dish from northern Vietnam.

The journey then continues toward Cua Van Floating Village, a long-established floating community where generations of fishing families have lived and worked on the water. Many residents remain deeply connected to this place, quietly preserving traditions shaped by life on the bay.

At Cua Van, guests explore by kayak or traditional rowing boat guided by local residents, gliding past floating homes and visiting the Cua Van Floating Culture Center. Along the way, everyday moments unfold on the water, offering an authentic glimpse into one of the most distinctive communities of Ha Long Bay.

As night falls, the day gently concludes back on board with squid fishing beneath the stars: a calm, unhurried ritual that brings the evening to a close before the vessel settles in for the night.

Overnight on Bhaya Soul Cruise, Halong bay
 

The final day begins in the quiet surrounds of Tien Ong Cave, a lesser-known corner of Ha Long Bay set on Cai Tai Island. Positioned just above sea level, the cave is framed by largely untouched landscapes and shaped by ancient stalactites and stalagmites, subtle reminders of the bay’s long and enduring natural history.

In the early morning, you take part in a mindful walking meditation within Tien Ong Cave. Moving slowly through its chambers, the experience invites quiet awareness, allowing space to appreciate both the archaeological significance of the site and its naturally calming atmosphere.

Returning on board, the morning unfolds with a traditional tea ceremony on the sundeck. As the bay gently awakens, you are introduced to the cultural meaning behind this ritual, while limestone karsts and emerald waters gradually soften in the first light of day.

At 10:00 AM, the journey comes to a graceful close with disembarkation, marking the conclusion of the Bhaya Soul experience as the vessel returns to shore where your private driver awaits to escort you to Hanoi.

Overnight in Capella Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi

Today unfolds at an unhurried pace, allowing time to reflect on the moments and connections shaped throughout your journey. With private assistance arranged for your departure, the experience draws to a gentle close as you bid farewell to Vietnam, carrying with you memories of landscapes, flavors, and quiet encounters that linger well beyond the journey itself.