DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN HANOI
Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Accommodation: Capella Hanoi Hotel – 2 nights
DAY 2 – HOME COOKED DELIGHTS WITH A MASTER CHEF
Join the team for an exciting Hanoi Dining at the home of a local master chef – who is a passionate and experienced Vietnamese cuisine expert, and who will guide you through the wonders of a fabulous dinner in her cozy home.
Start by visiting the neighbourhood’s wet market, located within walking distance of the Chef’s house. Explore the market’s diverse offerings and learn from the chef about their traditional uses in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a fantastic opportunity to observe local life and discover how Hanoi residents’ shop for fresh produce. (Note: Market in the afternoon will be less busy than morning). Then, return to the Chef’s family home and head into the kitchen. Here, the chef will reveal the secrets behind North Vietnam’s most beloved dishes. Finally, gather around the table and indulge in the flavours of your homemade meal while chatting about her journey to the success and the secrets to making good food. The rest of the day is your free time.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3 – HANOI to LAN HA BAY
In the morning, transfer from the hotel in Hanoi to Halong City – about 2.5 hours with a refreshment break en route. On arrival in Halong, you will take an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of the bay. Enjoy a fine menu of tasty local, international or vegetarian dishes freshly prepared by the culinary team. Reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, where you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for a leisure pedaling along 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 forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. You will have a glimpse of local households, see how they make medicine organically from a tree bark and you can also try various homemade liquors. Back on board, you will be sailing a little bit to find an exclusive and undisturbed parking spot for the overnight mooring in the midst of southern Lan Ha Bay. Join an optional tea tasting lesson in the restaurant to learn about Vietnam’s traditional herbal teas and gain insight into their health benefits. Alternatively, get pampered with a spa treatment or take a sauna session in Ylang’s fantastic spa facilities.
For dinner, you can choose assorted dishes from the delectable multiple course menu. After dining, the cruise offers in the wellness studio a guided “singing bowl meditation”. This is an ancient Tibetan ritual which intends to invoke a deep state of relaxation – it alleviates stress and promotes a better night of sleep. You can also opt for one of the best ways to spend the evening by just taking a seat under the stars on the terrace deck or on your balcony to embrace the serenity of this surreal landscape. Or if you would like to fully immerse yourself in relaxation, the spa is open until late.
Accommodation: Ylang Cruise – 2 nights
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 – LAN HA BAY
Wake up early and have a coffee, tea or a pastry prepared in the restaurant before joining the Tai Chi session on the terrace deck. A great experience to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Afterwards you can re-energize from the wide selection of healthy or hearty breakfast offerings. Meanwhile, Ylang sails towards the very southern tip of Cat Ba Island. Here, you will take the tender and visit one of a last remaining real authentic floating fishing village, not far outside of the town of Ben Beo on the main island. This fishing village is home to approx. 300 families living in floating houses and making their living from fishing and aquaculture, much like their ancestors did. Get a close view of how the villagers live and work on the water in this unique community.
You will continue towards Ben Beo Pier, go ashore and travel a short distance along scenic island roads into the Cat Ba National Park. You are invited for a leisurely and mindful walk (taking the same path both ways) through this lush, jungle-like forest to get a feeling of this tropical island.
Once all back on board, lunch is served, and the luxury Ylang resumes sailing northeast through the stony maze of Lan Ha Bay. Eventually you will reach a secluded spot in the bay which will be the basis for the afternoon activities. Ylang will anchor here and you will have an afternoon of “at-your-own-choice”. The tender is available to commute between a wonderful natural island beach for relaxing or swimming. Kayaks are available as well to explore the calm area on your own. A snacks and drink station is set up on the beach if you get thirsty or need a bite to eat.
Guests who like to stay on the ship, or those prefer to return from the beach, can enjoy a treatment from the spa menu, or use the steam bath or sauna as complimentary available wellness facilities. Enjoy this afternoon to the fullest as the clock is not ticking and take home long-lasting memories from Lan Ha Bay.
As the sun sets the ship is sailing further north to find an overnight mooring for the last night. Enjoy your last multi-course dinner in the ambient restaurant. You will be offered another guided “Singing Bowl Meditation” tonight, or simply unwind on your private balcony while taking in the tranquillity of Lan Ha Bay.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 – HALONG – FLY TO DANANG – HOI AN
Wake up early and join the Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. A traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time for Heritage Line Ylang to lift her anchors and cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded area which is perfect for our energetic morning excursion. 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, you will be served 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 your speed boat. Savour the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck before your flight to Hoi An.
Accommodation: Anantara Hoi An Resort – 3 nights
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 6 – HOI AN
Embark on a journey through Hoi An’s captivating landscapes and discover its commitment to a sustainable future with this Low Carbon Footprint Tour. This half-day adventure begins with a leisurely bicycle ride to Xuong Tai Sinh, an inspiring art workshop where discarded materials are transformed into stunning works of art. Next, delve into the heart of Tra Que Village, renowned for its organic farming practices. Engage with local farmers and learn about their time-honoured composting methods, turning vegetable waste into valuable fertilizer.
Conclude your eco-conscious exploration with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant dedicated to sustainable practices. Savor fresh, locally-sourced ingredients while learning about their commitment to minimizing their environmental impact. This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the charm of Hoi An while contributing to a greener future.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 7 – HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE BY VESPA
At your hotel, keep an eye out for your Vespa driver! Your companion for the morning will whiz you to Café Zoom in Hoi An where you will meet your tour guide. Then, head out of town and over the river on a new bridge and head into the beautiful rural countryside. Take in the awesome panoramas of Hoi An Ancient Town and Thu Bon river, before reaching Duy Hai fishing village. Here, learn all about the crafting of local bamboo basket boats as you spend time with some locals. Then see how Vietnam’s famous coffee tastes like and learn it’s roasting process! Afterwards, zig zag through the peaceful villages, explore breathtaking emerald green scenery and lush farmlands. Stop to see how local rice wine and crispy rice crackers are made (and how they taste too!). Slurp up some My Quang, a famous local dish made with fresh noodles as you chat with villagers and see their daily life. Finally, it’s a short ride over the Cam Kim Bridge into Hoi An as the sun begins to set on this beautiful heritage town.
Enjoy the unique Dining by Design experience by Anantara.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 – HOI AN – DANANG RAILWAY STATION – TRAIN TO QUY NHON – TRANSFER TO PHU YEN
After breakfast, you are transferred to the railway station to embark on a luxurious railway adventure through the lush landscapes and spectacular coastlines of Central Vietnam on The Vietage. This 6 hour adventure embraces the epic romance of rail travel on an exquisite journey that links the heritage charm of Hoi An and the sparkling shores of Quy Nhon. Upon arrival, you are picked up for the 45 mins transfer to your hotel in Phu Yen (without guide).
Accommodation: Zannier Bai San Ho – 3 nights
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 9 – PHU YEN – LOCAL FISHERMAN AND CRAFT VILLAGE
Venture out with one of our expert tour guides and experience life in Phu Yen through the eyes of a local. Just a short drive from Bãi San Hô lies a different world. Visit the local fisherman village to explore everything it has to offer and learn about the local culture and lifestyle at “Mo O” craft village. The rest of day is your free time to relax at beach.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 10 – PHU YEN – FREE DAY
Free time at leisure or take optional tours.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 11 – DEPART FROM PHU YEN
Transfer (without guide) to the airport for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
