Vietnam Rejuvenation

Day 1-2

Hanoi

Hanoi isn’t known for its peace and quiet, but there are pockets of calm to be found amid the hustle and bustle. Witness the city waking up as you head to Long Bien market at dawn, then join the locals for t’ai chi on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake. With cool temperatures and few crowds, this is the pleasantest time of day to be up and about — as any Hanoian will attest! Breakfast on sweet, iced coffee and pho piled high with herbs, then spend the rest of the day exploring with your guide. Highlights are sure to include the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature and the 36 streets of the Old Quarter — filled with fragrant steam, sizzling street-food and music long into the night.

Highlights

Join the locals for a lesson in t’ai chi on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake

Soak up the timeless atmosphere of Hanoi’s Old Quarter on a walking tour of its lanes and alleyways

Day 3-5

Lan Ha Bay

Cruise out amongst the magnificent, forested peaks of Lan Ha Bay and you’ll soon discover that Halong’s quieter twin is more than a match for its famous sibling. Your waterborne home is one of the most luxurious boats on the bay, where you can kick-start body and soul with t’ai chi (plus coffee and pastries!) on the sundeck at dawn, then tend to the mind with informative on-board lectures and classic film screenings. For the rest, enjoy your cruise as you see fit — lunching on deck as you drift past towering limestone karsts, indulging in the onboard spa, squid fishing under the stars, or joining excursions to jungle-clad islands, floating villages, and hidden coves.

Highlights

Drop anchor at Cat Ba Island and explore the charming traditional village of Viet Hai

Hike through Cat Ba National Park, learning about the area’s endemic flora and fauna from your local guide

Join a kayaking tour to explore the hidden beaches and coves of the bay’s myriad islands and pinnacles

Day 6-8

Hoi An

With its 15th century merchant houses and lush countryside surroundings, there could be few prettier settings for rest and relaxation than Hoi An. Start with sunrise yoga surrounded by paddy fields, then join an aromatherapy expert to learn about this centuries-old therapeutic practice and blend your own unique essential oil. Next, it’s time to really dive into the local culture with a full day countryside tour. Travelling by boat, bike and foot, you’ll stop in at a fish sauce workshop, try your hand at sedge weaving, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at a local house. Finally, spend a morning with a nutritionist for a lesson in Vietnamese cooking — among the healthiest cuisines in the world.

Highlights

Greet the dawn with a sunrise yoga session surrounded by rice paddies in the countryside

Learn about life along the Thu Bon River as you cycle through farming and fishing villages

Learn how to balance yin and yang, cool and warm, sweet and salty to create a fresh and healthy lunch at an organic cooking class

Day 9-10

Alba Wellness Valley

Wind between sea and mountain as you cross the spectacular Hai Van Pass to arrive at Alba Wellness Valley, where the next two days are packed with activities designed to boost your health and wellbeing. After a personal wellness assessment, you’ll plan your stay around your needs and preferences – whether that means throwing yourself into everything from ziplining to aqua yoga, or simply relaxing in the natural hot spring baths and enjoying daily spa treatments. Optional excursions include hikes, bike rides and visits to the local pagoda, but however you choose to spend your time, expect super-healthy Hue cuisine, beautiful bungalow accommodation, and stunning natural surroundings.

Highlights

Join in with the extensive programme of activities at Alba Wellness Valley, which includes ziplining, yoga, mountain hikes and more

Soak up the beautiful surroundings of the resort

Enjoy daily included spa treatments

Day 11-12

Hue

Rejuvenated and restored, it’s time to move a few kilometres down the road, to the city of Hue. This is Vietnam’s former imperial capital, and you’ll have a full day to explore by bike. Start at Dong Ba food market, which Hue-ites will tell you serves the finest, freshest food in Vietnam. Then, ride along the banks of the Perfume River and into the countryside, stopping in at workshops to watch craftspeople build wooden house frames and bamboo paper. Then, visit one of Hue’s famous “garden houses”, the beautiful former homes of imperial mandarins, before circling back to the battle-scarred remains of the Citadel itself – a magnificent royal court modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City.

Highlights

Discover the hidden charms of Hue on a cycling tour of city and countryside

Wander the leafy compound of Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the area

Explore the World Heritage-listed Imperial Citadel and learn about Vietnam’s past royal dynasties

Day 13-14

Ho Chi Minh City

The next two days are about contrast. Dip into Saigon’s heritage with an afternoon tour of its French-colonial and war-era history, then head out for a full day on the lush and fertile Mekong Delta. Travelling on a converted rice barge, wind through a maze of waterways, past coconut groves, rice paddies and fruit farms. Stop to visit cottage industries that have barely changed in centuries, such as brick-making and coconut processing, then cycle to local homes to watch crispy rice paper being made, or to enjoy tropical fruits and honey tea with the family. This slow-paced, rural life couldn’t be more different from the buzz of the city — as you’ll find when you return this evening.

Highlights

Hear the stories behind the historical buildings of Ho Chi Minh City

Glide down the palm-fringed waterways of the Mekong Delta in a sampan boat

Enjoy a feast of fresh, locally sourced food at the Mango Home Riverside Restaurant

Day 15-18

Phu Quoc

For us, a truly indulgent holiday needs a few days on the beach, and Phu Quoc isn’t just any beach. This is the kind of desert-island idyll you usually only see in the movies, and you’ll be staying in a picture-perfect resort sandwiched between tropical jungle and glittering turquoise sea. Swim in the pool, go for walks along the soft, white sand, and explore the wild interior on jungle walks. And of course, we highly recommend you take advantage of any and all spa services on offer! This little slice of paradise will send you home glowing from the inside out.