Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and transfer to your French Colonial-style hotel.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
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Travel to Ha Long Bay, where you board 'Orchid,' the traditional junk-style vessel that is your home for the evening. Cruise into the picturesque seascape of Ha Long Bay and lesser-visited Lan Ha Bay, setting course for Da Chong islet, then watching as its century-old French colonial lighthouse drifts by. Settle into your deck chair as 'Orchid' snakes her way past the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan, their karsts (limestone formations) rising dramatically from the bay. Disembark on Cat Ba Island and travel overland through a landscape cloaked in verdant forests on your way to Trung Trang Cave. Admire the cave's intricate features, formed over millennia. Step back aboard 'Orchid' as she maneuvers for the best vantage of a sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin shoreline. Join a cooking demonstration featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine, followed by dinner on board. Retire to your cabin to enjoy a restful night's sleep as the waves lap gently against the hull.

'Orchid'
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a leisurely breakfast, you may opt to set out on a cycling or electric-cart tour of the local valleys. Your 12-mile ride snakes its way through Chieng Chau, Van Mai, Cun and Mai Hich, passing villages, lush rice paddies and seldom-seen countryside. En route, pause to meet a local hill tribe community and learn about their enduring cultural traditions. Visit a local school and learn how the A&K-Philanthropy-supported Safe Water for Schools program is providing clean filtered drinking water to students. Then, enjoy lunch and a cooking demonstration at a local home before returning to your lodge by late afternoon. Later, visit a home filled with precious Vietnamese antiques.

Mai Chau Ecolodge
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, discover the legacy of the Nguyen dynasty, a powerful family that ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. Their reign witnessed the construction of Hue's Imperial Citadel, which served as the nation's political capital and religious hub. Venture inside it to discover the Imperial City, a walled palace that mirrors the grandeur of China's Forbidden City. Next, explore the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the dynasty's longest reigning ruler. Stroll among the citadel's other monuments, noting the scars of war still remaining from the conflicts of the last century. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for time at leisure. Later, hop on a Vespa for a ride to a nearby home, where you are welcomed in by a local family that introduces you to the craft of making incense sticks. Continue to another nearby family's home, stepping into their family kitchen for a Chef's Table demonstration, and then gathering round the table for dinner with your newfound friends. Next, they invite you into their temple to learn more about their traditions and beliefs, on this A&K- exclusive experience. Return to your hotel with a deeper understanding of local life.

Azerai La Residence, Hue
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out on a walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site retaining a diverse mix of architecture influenced by the many nations that traded in this historic port of call. Begin at a local market, and then explore the Old House of Tan Ky, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the 400-year-old covered bridge. Enjoy lunch and a fun, guided culinary exploration of local street food. Return to your resort for an afternoon at leisure. Later, gather for a Scenic Sundowner on the beach, as the warm glow of twilight paints the sky over the palms.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, learning how the Vietcong used this vast subterranean wartime network. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Explore the City's Bustling Culinary Scene, sampling traditional dishes prepared by local street food vendors.
• Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, followed by a walking tour of a historic neighborhood.
• Cycle the Countryside around the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through local villages to observe daily life.

This evening, gather at a culinary hotspot for a cocktail reception and farewell dinner.

The Reverie Saigon
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Meals: Breakfast, Dinner