Touch down in Hanoi, Vietnam’s atmospheric capital where French-colonial elegance blends with ancient temples and bustling street life. After clearing immigration, meet your guide for a private transfer to your luxury hotel in the city centre. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to gently adjust to the rhythms of Southeast Asia.

You may choose to relax at your hotel or take a gentle stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, where locals practise tai chi under banyan trees and street vendors serve fresh lotus tea. In the nearby Old Quarter, narrow lanes pulse with scooter traffic, colourful shopfronts, and the aroma of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee.

This evening, you are free to explore Hanoi’s vibrant food scene at your own pace—perhaps sampling a steaming bowl of phở or delicate spring rolls at a family-run eatery. The city’s energy offers a captivating welcome, setting the tone for an immersive Vietnam itinerary rich in culture, discovery, and authentic encounters.

Awake in the heart of Hanoi and begin the day with a guided cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Glide past colonial façades, ancient temples, and labyrinthine streets where artisans still practise age-old crafts. The gentle pace of the cyclo allows you to absorb the rhythm of daily life—street vendors balancing baskets of fruit, incense wafting from pagodas, and the constant hum of scooters weaving through narrow alleys.

In the afternoon, step into Hanoi’s flourishing contemporary scene with a private visit to a renowned art gallery. Here, curators introduce you to the stories behind the canvases, exploring how Vietnamese artists weave together themes of tradition, identity, and modernity. This intimate encounter opens a window into the nation’s evolving creative spirit.

As evening falls, enjoy an exclusive hosted dinner with contemporary Vietnamese artists. Share a meal of refined northern cuisine while engaging in conversation about the country’s cultural journey, gaining insights that few travellers experience. This fusion of history, art, and personal connection makes today a highlight of your Vietnam cultural immersion itinerary.

This morning, leave Hanoi behind and journey into the countryside on a scenic drive through Thanh Hoa province. The road winds past emerald fields, forested hills, and karst landscapes until you reach the serene Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Here, check into a boutique eco-lodge perched above sweeping rice terraces, designed to blend comfort with sustainability.

Spend the afternoon exploring your surroundings or relaxing on the terrace, where the golden light of sunset paints the terraces in shifting shades of green and gold. Dinner at the lodge features locally sourced flavours, offering a delicious introduction to the region’s culinary traditions.

Awake to the calls of birds and the sight of mist rolling across the valley. After breakfast, set out on a guided trek through Pu Luong’s stilt-house villages, meeting Thai ethnic families who have lived here for generations. Their homes, crafted of bamboo and wood, reflect a way of life closely connected to nature.

Continue with a gentle bamboo rafting experience along calm streams, gliding past lush forest and terraced hillsides. In the afternoon, take part in a cooking session with a local Thai family, where you’ll learn to prepare regional dishes with freshly gathered ingredients. Return to your eco-lodge for a peaceful evening, reflecting on a day filled with authentic cultural immersion and breathtaking natural beauty.

Depart Pu Luong and return to Hanoi, where you continue to the coast for a once-in-a-lifetime voyage on Lan Ha Bay, the serene southern extension of Halong Bay. Step aboard a luxury overnight junk cruise, designed in traditional style yet offering the comfort of a boutique hotel. As the boat glides across jade-green waters, limestone karsts rise dramatically from the sea, their cliffs cloaked in lush vegetation.

After a welcome lunch on deck, set out by kayak to hidden lagoons and secret caves where few travellers venture. Paddle past floating fishing villages and discover secluded beaches accessible only by water. Return to the junk in time for sunset cocktails on deck, followed by a refined dinner of freshly caught seafood. Fall asleep in your private cabin, lulled by the gentle sway of the waves beneath the starry sky.

Awake early to the stillness of the bay as morning light softens the limestone peaks. Join a tai chi session on deck or simply watch the sun rise over the water with a cup of Vietnamese coffee in hand. After breakfast, the cruise continues through unspoilt corners of Lan Ha Bay, with opportunities for a final swim or short excursion before returning to shore.

Disembark late morning and transfer back to Hanoi. From here, catch your flight southward, continuing your immersive Vietnam itinerary into new landscapes and cultural encounters. The memories of sailing among the limestone giants of Lan Ha Bay will remain a lasting highlight of your journey.

Fly south to the historic city of Hue, once the seat of Vietnam’s Nguyen emperors. Begin your discovery with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where moats, palaces, and ornate gates evoke the grandeur of Vietnam’s royal past. Continue along the Perfume River, visiting riverside pagodas that embody centuries of spiritual tradition.

As evening falls, enjoy an intimate royal dinner in a garden home, hosted by descendants of Hue’s imperial family. Surrounded by lanterns and fragrant blossoms, dine on refined local cuisine once prepared for emperors, and hear personal stories that bring history vividly to life.

This morning, leave the city behind for an immersive journey through Hue’s countryside villages. Choose between a leisurely bicycle ride along shaded lanes and rice paddies, or a more spirited adventure on the back of a Vespa, weaving through hidden hamlets where daily life unfolds at a gentle rhythm.

Along the way, stop to meet local families, explore traditional craft workshops, and taste regional delicacies prepared in village kitchens. The day balances cultural immersion with scenic landscapes, offering a deeper understanding of Hue’s living heritage beyond its imperial monuments.

Travel over the scenic Hai Van Pass to reach Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most enchanting destinations and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where ochre merchant houses, Chinese temples, and wooden bridges tell the story of centuries of trade and cultural exchange. Your private guide will reveal hidden courtyards and stories behind the façades, bringing the history of this atmospheric port town to life.

In the afternoon, join a private lantern-making workshop with skilled artisans who share techniques passed down for generations. As evening falls, release your handmade lantern onto the Thu Bon River, watching as hundreds of glowing lights float downstream—an unforgettable symbol of luck and prosperity in Vietnamese tradition.

Begin the day with a guided cycling journey through Hoi An’s countryside, passing rice paddies, water buffalo, and small fishing hamlets. Stop at craft workshops and village markets where local artisans showcase their traditional skills, offering a glimpse into the area’s rural rhythms.

Midday brings an immersive farm-to-table lunch at an organic farm. Here, you’ll pick herbs, learn about sustainable agriculture, and help prepare a meal bursting with fresh local flavours. Return to Hoi An for a leisurely evening to explore boutiques, riverside cafés, or the town’s vibrant night market at your own pace.

Fly south to Can Tho, gateway to the fertile Mekong Delta, where life is shaped by the rhythm of the rivers. On arrival, board a traditional sampan and drift through narrow canals lined with water palms, stopping at villages where locals trade, cook, and weave along the waterways. The highlight is a visit to one of the Delta’s colourful floating markets, where wooden boats piled high with fruit and vegetables create a vibrant tapestry of commerce and culture.

In the afternoon, continue deeper into the Delta to your boutique eco-lodge, set amidst tropical gardens and surrounded by the sounds of nature. Here, unwind in comfort, enjoy a meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and soak up the tranquillity of rural Vietnam. This intimate overnight stay provides a rare opportunity to experience the Mekong’s unique way of life up close.

This morning, continue your adventure by journeying across the border into Cambodia. Travel in style aboard a speedboat or luxury river vessel, gliding along the Mekong as the landscapes slowly shift from Vietnam’s fertile delta to Cambodia’s riverine countryside. Watch as floating villages, fishing boats, and riverside pagodas unfold along the journey, offering a glimpse of daily life along Southeast Asia’s greatest waterway.

Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant capital, where French-colonial boulevards meet glittering temples and lively markets. In the late afternoon, enjoy sunset cocktails by the riverside, watching the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers converge in golden light. Later, embark on an architectural walking tour, tracing the city’s eclectic heritage through art-deco gems, colonial mansions, and Khmer-inspired design. The evening is free to relax or continue exploring Phnom Penh’s thriving dining and nightlife scene.

Begin your day with a guided tour of Phnom Penh’s most iconic landmarks. Step inside the splendid Royal Palace, where gilded spires and manicured gardens reflect the grandeur of Cambodia’s monarchy. Continue to the National Museum, home to an unrivalled collection of Khmer art and artefacts, offering profound insight into Cambodia’s cultural and spiritual legacy.

In the afternoon, escape the city bustle on a private excursion to Koh Dach, affectionately known as Silk Island. Here, meet master weavers in their stilted homes, watching as shimmering silk threads are transformed into exquisite textiles using traditional looms. Enjoy a rustic riverside picnic amid coconut palms and gentle breezes, immersing yourself in the slower rhythms of island life.

Return to Phnom Penh in the evening for an overnight stay. The city’s blend of royal heritage, artisanal traditions, and relaxed riverside charm provides an unforgettable chapter in your Cambodia journey.

Fly north to Siem Reap, gateway to the world-renowned temples of Angkor. Rise early for an unforgettable moment as the first rays of dawn illuminate the towers of Angkor Wat, reflected in the lotus-filled ponds. After exploring its intricate bas-reliefs and monumental galleries, continue to some of the hidden jungle temples where tree roots entwine ancient stone, creating an atmosphere of mystery and awe.

In the evening, return to Siem Reap town to relax or explore its vibrant markets, preparing for another day of discovery.

Today, journey to the great Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Cruise through an authentic floating village, where wooden houses rise on stilts above the water and life flows in harmony with the seasons. Meet local families, learn about their traditions, and gain an intimate perspective on Cambodia’s waterborne communities.

This evening, celebrate your journey with a memorable farewell Khmer fine-dining dinner. Savour a modern interpretation of traditional Cambodian flavours in an elegant setting, reflecting on the experiences and encounters that have made your adventure so vivid and unique.

Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight back to NEW YORK, carrying with you unforgettable memories of temples at sunrise, tranquil rivers, floating villages, and immersive cultural connections across Vietnam and Cambodia.