Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Laos — A Luxury Route

Arrival in Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi is handled by a private car, waiting with water after you clear customs. After settling into your hotel in the Old Quarter, the first evening is a direct entry into Vietnamese dining: a multi-course feast featuring dishes like sizzling ginger chicken, followed by a tableside preparation of Vietnamese egg coffee.

Hanoi by Motorbike and Foot

The best way to read Hanoi’s traffic is from the back of a motorbike. Today’s guides are all women from a local organization that provides employment through tourism. The route winds through the city to key sites, including the perimeter of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, and the quiet shores of Huu Tiep Lake. Lunch is a requisite bowl of pho at a classic Old Quarter spot.

The afternoon continues on foot with a deep dive into the city's street food culture. You'll navigate the alleyways to find some of the city's best bun cha before the day winds down with a cold beer at Bia Hoi corner, a prime location for watching the city's evening rhythm unfold.

Overnight Cruise on Ha Long Bay

After a private overland journey from Hanoi, you arrive at the coast to board a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. The afternoon is spent navigating the calm, steel-grey waters between thousands of limestone karsts that rise vertically from the sea. A catered lunch of local seafood is served on board.

The boat anchors in a quiet cove, providing a base for a guided kayaking excursion through a series of water-level caves, their walls showing fossilized shells. Back on board, you can join the crew to prepare fresh spring rolls or simply watch the sun set over the islands. Dinner is a plentiful spread, served on deck.