Heritage & Wellness in Vietnam – A Women-Only Journey

As soon as you disembark, our Airport Assistance Staff will meet you just before the entrance to Immigration, holding a signboard with our logo on it. The officer will assist and take you to the priority line for immigration procedures and provide support at the visa counter. After clearing immigration, our Immigration Officer will escort you to baggage reclaim to collect your luggage and introduce you to your guide, who will be waiting outside the terminal. Transfer you to your hotel.

Often called the “Paris of the East”, Hanoi pairs ancient temples and tranquil lakes with French colonial boulevards and the lively craft streets of the Old Quarter. Today, discover Hanoi through its historic landmarks and the stories of a family that preserved documents from the Vietnam War. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh. Nearby, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus blossom, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university. Then pause for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, enter the Xuân Oanh Family Home Museum and meet the family’s granddaughter, who welcomes you among rare artefacts and wartime photographs. She shares the lives of her grandmother, a pioneering intelligence officer, and of her grandfather, a composer and diplomat who spoke with American prisoners of war. Afterwards, take a short walk to Hỏa Lò Prison, once used by the French to hold Vietnamese political prisoners and later the place where American pilots were held during the Vietnam War, to connect these personal stories with the wider historical context.

Spend the morning exploring the heart of Hanoi, beginning at Hoàn Kiếm Lake (“Lake of the Returned Sword”), named after a magical sword once used by a legendary Vietnamese emperor to defeat the Chinese Ming dynasty. On an island in the middle of the lake sits Ngọc Sơn Temple (“Temple of the Jade Mountain”), Hanoi’s most visited temple. The temple is dedicated to General Trần Hưng Đạo, who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century and is regarded as one of the most outstanding military strategists in the history of Vietnam and the world. It is reached by the bright red Thê Húc Bridge (“Rising Sun”). Continue into the famed Old Quarter, known for its “36 streets of 36 wares”, named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date back to the 13th century. Explore the fascinating maze of back streets, lined with narrow “tunnel” or “tube” houses, built to avoid taxes based on the width of their frontage onto the street, and enjoy a wonderfully eclectic glimpse into Hanoi street life.

After lunch, travel to Vạn Phúc silk village to visit a social enterprise where artisans with disabilities turn discarded silk into works of beauty. Learn silk-collage techniques and design your own tote, purse or painting, then gather in a women’s reflection circle to share the stories behind your creations and add a short intention on fabric to a collective “patchwork of voices”

Travel to Halong and board the Heritage Line ‘Ginger’ for a one-night cruise through Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served in the light-filled panoramic dining room, followed by time to unwind on the terrace deck or your private balcony as limestone islets and hidden beaches drift by. In the afternoon, step ashore at Việt Hải Village, near Cat Ba Island, and cycle through a jungle-clad valley reachable only by sea, where villagers grow their own fruit and vegetables and fish the bay. Return to the ship as it sails to a peaceful spot to anchor for the night.

As evening sets in, welcome a talented female chef, who is from Hanoi and has more than 15 years of experience, and join her for a cooking demonstration, where she gently guides you through the secrets of authentic Vietnamese flavours and shares the proud role local women have played in preserving these rich culinary traditions for generations. Her menu focuses on fresh, balanced and deeply nourishing ingredients.

Greet the golden light with a gentle yoga session on deck, designed to nurture women’s health. Then paddle by kayak through Frog Lake, a secluded labyrinth of jade-green water, cliffs and tree-topped islets. Enjoy brunch on board before disembarking at Ha Long City Pier, then transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue, where your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel.

Meet three women who help preserve the heritage of the Nguyễn imperial court. Begin your morning in the heart of Vietnam’s imperial history, walking the ancient pathways of Hue’s Imperial Citadel with Ms. Phan Thuận Thảo, a historian and royal descendant, whose lecture recreates royal life under the Nguyễn dynasty. Discover how Feng Shui, the art of arranging space and orientation to harness the flow of energy, shaped both the Citadel and the traditional houses of Hue on a visit to An Hiền garden house, once the residence of Emperor Dục Đức’s 18th daughter. A fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, it features richly carved ironwood beams and doors and a large tiled roof resting on massive pillars that form three bays, with the family altar at the centre. Ms. Thảo then welcomes you to her family’s house, the former residence of Princess Ngọc Sơn, a well-preserved home of three bays and two wings with a lotus pond and a rock garden. Her family, direct descendants of the imperial court, also keeps a fascinating collection of artefacts and mementos from the royal past.

Continue to the 400-year-old Khánh Long Pagoda, which was consecrated by King Nguyễn Phúc Chu, and meet its abbess. She shares her life as a Buddhist nun, offers insights into the core tenets of Buddhist belief, and tells stories of the projects that support the community, with a particular focus on aid for women and children. Afterwards, enjoy a walk through the serene precinct before sitting down to a vegetarian lunch prepared by the pagoda’s nuns.

Step back in time at Phú Mộng Restaurant, where the elegance of the Nguyễn royal court comes vividly to life. Traditional music, royal costumes and graceful performances set the scene for a sumptuous dinner. The highlight of the evening is a meeting with a revered gastronomy artisan, born and raised in a royal family, who has dedicated her life to reviving Salt Rice, a symbolic dish of the former imperial capital. Over this unique delicacy, flavoured with up to nine expertly prepared salts, including sesame, lemongrass, galangal and shrimp, she shares her culinary journey. Savour it slowly to appreciate the perfect balance of salty, peppery, sweet and sour notes alongside the fragrant rice, before returning to your hotel after an evening of authentic Hue royal heritage.

Leave Hue for Hội An, once a thriving international port from the 15th to the 17th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to more than 800 historic buildings where Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences meet. Beyond the ancient town, its countryside, craft villages, An Bàng Beach and local dishes such as cao lầu, mì Quảng and bánh mì are waiting to be explored.

Made-to-measure tailoring in Hội An is also a cultural experience, famous for exquisite craftsmanship and remarkably fast turnaround. Stop at a reputable tailor in the heart of Hội An’s Ancient Town to have a traditional Áo Dài made just for you, then transfer to your hotel to check in and rest. In the evening, enjoy a 60-minute natural healing spa treatment, the finishing touch to a day designed to help you slow down and find your calm.

Today, explore Hội An ancient Town, beginning with a conversation with a specialist at the Hội An Relics Conservation Centre, who shares insights into Hội An’s culture and the work of the local government and UNESCO to preserve this former trading port. Then wander its narrow lanes, past old merchant houses that blend Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture, the Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s, the carved Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and a colourful market of silks and local specialities. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

A morning free to unwind on the private beach at your hotel.

In the afternoon, a leisurely bike ride through lush water coconut forests, prawn and red snapper farms, and the rustic rice fields of Hoi An’s countryside leads to an organic farmhouse in Thanh Dong Village. Here, a local host welcomes you into a vibrant garden to discover local vegetables and the distinctive flavours born of Hoi An’s rich soil, along with the healing properties of herbs long used in Vietnamese cuisine to support health and wellness. You will harvest select vegetables and herbs by hand, then join their host in a cooking class to prepare traditional dishes from the freshly gathered ingredients. The experience closes with a delicious, family-style meal in the serene countryside setting, a warm and flavourful encounter to round off a memorable day.

Enjoy a free morning before your transfer to Danang Airport and the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and
look for your guide who will be waiting at the lobby, holding a Trails of Indochina signboard with your name on it. Then transfer to your hotel to check in and rest.

In the evening, experience the rhythm of Saigon as the workday winds down: dynamic, hungry and rich with flavour. Guided by a local woman, climb onto the back of a motorcycle for an exhilarating street food tour, weaving through lively streets and secret corners. Along the way, sample local delicacies, sip drinks in tucked-away spots and hear stories of local food and the daily life of the Saigonese, all with the thrill of the city’s dynamic nightlife.

Led by a local cultural specialist, explore Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, with its hidden alleys, shophouses and ornate temples, and hear the stories of the first Chinese settlers who arrived over three centuries ago. Meet a female physician for an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine, then sample beloved Chinese-Vietnamese specialities. On the way back, stop by some of Saigon’s most historic landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires built from materials imported from France. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon government during the Vietnam War. All three are admired from the outside.

In the evening, dress in the Áo Dài made for you in Hội An and arrive at an enchanting villa, once home to Henry Cabot Lodge, the US Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s. Now a private residence, it has been restored to its former glory and blends Vietnamese, French and American architecture. A welcome reception with traditional dance performances leads to a fusion dinner with live music, followed by an engaging conversation with members of International Ladies in Vietnam, women from diverse backgrounds who share their personal journeys of living overseas, returning home and blending two cultures within a family.

Enjoy a final breakfast before your guide accompanies you to the airport for your departure.