7-Nights Flavors of Vietnam - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $6,995

Abercrombie & Kent

OFFER ID 1551245

Flavors of Vietnam
Discover the many flavors of Vietnamese culture and cuisine on a fun and informative journey designed for foodies who like to travel in style. Sample iconic dishes, visit local markets and meet with local farmers in the Mekong Delta. Frame this mouthwatering experience with welcome and farewell dinners at two spectacular local restaurants that each earned a Michelin star.

7 nights from $6,995 per person

Itinerary

Abercrombie & Kent: Flavors of Vietnam

DAY 1 Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam, where you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Meals:

DAY 2 Hanoi

After breakfast, visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple structure located among banyan and milkweedtrees, which served as home to the revolutionary guerrilla leader who pursued independence for Vietnam. Continue to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, dating back to the first Vietnamese empire independent from China. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university, and then enjoy lunch at a fascinating local restaurant. Stop at a special café for a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee, before continuing to Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where American prisoners of war were once confined. Return to your hotel for a welcome cocktail and canapés. This evening, set out for a welcome dinner at Gia, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving dishes that draw inspiration from the cuisines of Vietnam’s diverse cultures.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 Hanoi

Ride by cyclo (rickshaw) around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and then explore Hanoi town on foot on a guided walking tour. Taste Hanoian street food and specialties, including pho and bun cha, as well as local beers or drinks along the way, for a unique Chef’s Table experience. Return to the hotel with your afternoon at leisure, free to relax or take advantage of your hotel’s amenities. Later, gather for a traditional water puppet show, a colorful and captivating experience at Thang Long Theater. Tonight, head out for dinner at another top local restaurant.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 Ha Long Bay

Travel to the shores of the Gulf of Tonkin, where you board your vessel, Heritage, for a cruise of picturesque Ha Long and Lan Ha bays. Relax on deck as Heritage snakes its way past countless islets, their striking karst outcrops rising dramatically from the emerald waters. Once anchored, begin exploring this secret hideaway of beaches, caves and coves. Later, watch a sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin on a mesmerizing Scenic Sundowner. Tonight, gather for dinner at the onboard restaurant, and then retire to your cabin to enjoy a restful night’s sleep as the waves lap gently against the hull.

Heritage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City

Begin with optional traditional morning exercises on the sundeck, followed by breakfast. Set out for a morning excursion among the towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board as Heritage sails home to port. Disembark and drive to Hai Phong for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax, with your evening at leisure.

The Reverie Saigon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6 Ho Chi Minh City

Start your day with a cyclo ride to a Tao Dan Park. Stroll through this neighborhood gathering place, and observe the locals partaking in their morning rituals, from tai chi practice to a game of badminton. Stop for a cup of freshly brewed Vietnamese Coffee before continuing to a local shop serving up Banh Mi — a crispy, light baguette stuffed with egg or other fillings, such as paté, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables.Afterward, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Discover Vietnamese Coffee and Culture with a local barista and learn how to brew some of the country’s popular coffee blends.

Savor the Ultimate Noodle Experience, venturing beyond pho to sample other types of noodles from street vendors in small alleys and local neighborhoods.

Cycle the Countryside through villages, past vegetable gardens, the local market and agricultural landscapes, observing authentic local life along the way.

Tonight, immerse yourself in Ho Chi Minh City’s buzzing nightlife, riding a vintage Vespa through lively street traffic, stopping at a historic bridge to tip back a signature Vietnamese drink and take in an enchanting view of the riverside. Then, zip through side streets and alleyways to find hidden-away food stalls and restaurants.

The Reverie Saigon

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 Ho Chi Minh City

Drive to My Tho in the Mekong Delta, where you board a traditional wooden boat to Thoi Son island. Disembark to visit a fish farming family as well as a mushroom farm and grapefruit orchard. Stop for lunch at the island’s lodge before cruising back to the mainland, returning to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon. After some time to relax and freshen up at your hotel, gather for an outing to the Michelin-starred restaurant Anan, for an unforgettable farewell dinner. Afterward, retire to the rooftop bar for treats such as a chocolate marshmallow dessert or a beautifully crafted cocktail, all served up with bird’s eye views of the city.

The Reverie Saigon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, privately transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often referred to as Vietnam’s jewel and the Pearl of the Orient. Located in south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s largest city, with more than six million people and over one million motorbikes. Under the current regime the city is once more being rebuilt. Whole blocks are disappearing, being replaced by concrete, steel and glass structures. Central Saigon, which is still the official name for the city center, shows evidence of the French colonial city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture. The city is divided into two sections: Saigon, the municipal and historical district, and Cholon (Chinatown), where the entrepreneurial talent and private funds are concentrated. Cholon appears to be the most populated and in general the most vigorous part of Ho Chi Minh City. It is well worth a visit for its bustle and activity and its pagodas, which are reputed to be the finest in the whole city.

Excursions

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Saigon Port

Full Day Saigon City Tour (8 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food.

Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min documentary film about Saigon during that time.

After lunch on your own, we then drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.

NOTES:
·       There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice
·       Tour duration: 08 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of: Non-inclusive of:

·     Private transfers and transportation on tour
·     Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides
·     Entrance fees and boat rides if any
·     Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
·     Welcome pack
·     Dock permit
·     Tips & gratuities
·     Vietnam visa
·     Accommodation on board
·     All meals where not mentioned in the program
·     Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
·     All flights & airport taxes
·     Hotel early check in/ Late check out
·     Overweight luggage
·     Personal expenses
·     Travel insurance
·   Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: History of Architecture with History Researcher (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city center for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Meet with a local cultural and history researcher at your hotel lobby and take a short trip to local coffee shop for an overview of the impressive history of the city once known as “The Pearl of the Orient”. Then take a step back in time to visit several of the very best examples of “storytelling” architecture. Start at Jade pagoda established in the early 1900s to get a glimpse of ancient history when a group of Chinese fled the new regime to Saigon around the end of 17th century under the reign of Lord Nguyen.

Then wind your way to Archbishop's Palace – with a prayer house more than two hundred-years old (outside visit) as the home for the first French Catholic missionary. Gain an overview about the first approach of the French during the Cochinchina period in the early 18th century. Stroll around the University of Social Sciences & Humanities which used to be the 11th infantry regiment colonial military barracks for an insight into French campaigns against Viet Minh at the time. Your stop will be at the former residence of the US Ambassador, Henry C. Lodge in the 1960s for a drink and watch 10-min movie about Saigon back in the day.

NOTES:
·       There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Total duration: 04 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of: Non-inclusive of:

·     Private transfers and transportation on tour
·     Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides
·     Entrance fees and boat rides if any
·     Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
·     Welcome pack
·     Dock permit
·     Tips & gratuities
·     Vietnam visa
·     Accommodation on board
·     All meals where not mentioned in the program
·     Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
·     All flights & airport taxes
·     Hotel early check in/ Late check out
·     Overweight luggage
·     Personal expenses
·     Travel insurance
·   Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: Retracing the Past (5 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

NOTES:
·       There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Total duration: 05 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of: Non-inclusive of:

·     Private transfers and transportation on tour
·     Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides
·     Entrance fees and boat rides if any
·     Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
·     Welcome pack
·     Dock permit
·     Tips & gratuities
·     Vietnam visa
·     Accommodation on board
·     All meals where not mentioned in the program
·     Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
·     All flights & airport taxes
·     Hotel early check in/ Late check out
·     Overweight luggage
·     Personal expenses
·     Travel insurance
·     Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: Culinary Experience at Former Ambassador's Residence (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing an historic Ambassador's home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between1960-1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes throughout the morning. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old world ambiance of the villa.

After lunch, transfer back to your ship.

Note: There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.

Meal: Lunch

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of: Non-inclusive of:

·     Private transfers and transportation on tour
·     Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides
·     Lunch
·     Entrance fees and boat rides if any
·     Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
·     Welcome pack
·     Dock permit
·     Tips & gratuities
·     Vietnam visa
·     Accommodation on board
·     All meals where not mentioned in the program
·     Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
·     All flights & airport taxes
·     Hotel early check in/ Late check out
·     Overweight luggage
·     Personal expenses
·     Travel insurance
·     Other services not listed in inclusive column

Halong Bay (Hanoi)

Meaning “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” Halong Bay’s water is calm and undisturbed despite the jutting limestone mountains that soar out of the water and toward the sky. As if a tail of a Dragon plunged into the earth, the mountains are craggy, sharp, and barren, and are dotted with thousands of small caves of various depths and heights. At dusk, they all take on mysterious shades of gray, mauve and olive, lending credence to the local legends.

Excursions

Ha Noi City Tour & Street Food Tour – 12 hours - Hanoi

Ha Long Bay Cruise (5 hours)

Ha Long Bay Cruise (7 hours)

Hanoi

Hanoi is a city with a history that dates back to the 7th century. In 1954 Hanoi was declared the capital of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam, and in 1976, following the Vietnam War, it became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This political history has made Hanoi one of the country's most fascinating cities to explore. The most renowned of all the monuments is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is dedicated to Vietnam's most well-respected President, who in 1945, led his country to independence. Other highlights include the Museum of History, containing ancient artifacts from Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and China, the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda and legendary Sword Lake.

Excursions

Hon Gai / Hai Phong Port

Hanoi Full Day Tour (10 hours)

On arrival to the port (Cai Lan /Hongai/ Halong port) disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then take 4 hours’ drive to Hanoi for an informative city tour.

With ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. Then head to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum that offers a broad insight into Vietnam’s people including its 54 ethnic groups through a lens of women’s topics. Walk through diverse exhibitions from street vendors to marriage to family life to traditional fashion.

Lunch is on your own.

End the trip with a cyclo tour from the museum to the Old Quarter. Ride through its narrow streets to indulge yourself in the bustle and hustle of the local daily life. Later, drive back to Halong to embark the ship.

NOTES
·       There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Tour duration: 10 hours

Meals: None

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of: Non-inclusive of:

·     Private transfers and transportation on tour
·     Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides
·     Entrance fees and boat rides if any
·     Cold towels and water on sightseeing days
·     Welcome pack
·     Dock permit
·     Tips & gratuities
·     Vietnam visa
·     Accommodation on board
·     Other meals where not mentioned in the program
·     Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners
·     All flights & airport taxes
·     Hotel early check in/ Late check out
·     Overweight luggage
·     Personal expenses
·     Travel insurance
·     Other services not listed in inclusive column

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

11/18/2024 - 11/25/2024

from $6,995 per person

12/05/2024 - 12/12/2024

from $6,995 per person

01/08/2025 - 01/15/2025

from $6,995 per person

01/20/2025 - 01/27/2025

from $6,995 per person

02/17/2025 - 02/24/2025

from $6,995 per person

02/24/2025 - 03/03/2025

from $6,995 per person

03/24/2025 - 03/31/2025

from $6,995 per person

04/09/2025 - 04/16/2025

from $6,995 per person

09/18/2025 - 09/25/2025

from $6,995 per person

10/09/2025 - 10/16/2025

from $6,995 per person

10/23/2025 - 10/30/2025

from $6,995 per person

11/06/2025 - 11/13/2025

from $6,995 per person

11/13/2025 - 11/20/2025

from $6,995 per person

12/11/2025 - 12/18/2025

from $6,995 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $6,995 per person

Length

7 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Luxury
The finest hotels in the world, luxury lodging is characterized by luxury accommodations, impeccable service and the highest standards of comfort and pampering. Luxury hotels and resorts are often found in the most desirable locations. Building from the amenities and guest services offered at a deluxe hotel or resort, the luxury establishment usually puts on the finishing touches - fresh flowers around the hotel and original works of art throughout. Hotel restaurants often employ world renowned chefs to create delectable dishes and a unique dining experience. Attention to detail and personalized service are the hallmarks of luxury hotels and resorts.

Remarks

Prices are per person, double occupancy and include internal air where applicable. Holiday surcharge may apply. Departure dates, prices and availability may change at any time. Some restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1551245

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Golden Anchor Travel, Inc.

1909 Southwood Street
Sarasota, FL 34231
USA

(941) 922-4070
(800) 299-1125

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide · Cold towels and water on car · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation with daily breakfast · Entrance fees · All meals · All flights · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column