A Country That Moves to Its Own Rhythm
Vietnam is having a real moment, and we want you to feel every beat of it.
This is a dynamic, forward looking country with an incredible food scene, chic contemporary design, and scenery that stops you in your tracks. We travel it south to north: Saigon's scooters, street food, and history you can walk through; the lantern lit, UNESCO listed old town of Hoi An; a small boat among the limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay, Halong Bay's quieter neighbor; and finally Hanoi, where the Old Quarter pulls you into its lanes, coffee cups, and centuries of stories.
12 days, 11 nights | Up to 16 Guests | Guests 18+ years of age only
Itinerary
Xin Chào, Saigon
Day 1: Wednesday, February 23
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Touch down in Ho Chi Minh City, where a private transfer brings you to La Siesta Premium Saigon in the heart of District 1
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Ease into the city's rhythm with a swim or a well earned rest
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Raise a glass at a Southern Vietnamese welcome dinner, all of us together for the first time
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What's included: airport transfer, accommodations, dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
Saigon, Then and Now
Day 2: Thursday, February 24
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Step inside Reunification Palace and stroll the grand boulevards of the historic center with a private guide
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Optional visit to the War Remnants Museum, at your own expense
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Linger over a Vietnamese lunch, then spend the afternoon at the spa, in the shops, or by the rooftop pool
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As night falls, hop on a vintage Vespa and taste your way through Saigon's neighborhoods
​What's included: accommodations, breakfast, guided tour, entry fees for the included city tour, lunch, Vespa food tour (alcohol at your own expense)
Beneath the Surface
Day 3: Friday, February 25
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Head out early to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where a guide brings this remarkable network and its history to life
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Climb down into the tunnels, if you choose
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Make your own spring rolls and enjoy lunch - local style
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Cycle through a rural village and meet a local family for an introduction to daily life and farming.
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Dinner on your own in Saigon​​​​
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, transportation, guided Cu Chi visit, lunch
To the Coast
Day 4: Saturday, February 26
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A short flight north to Da Nang, then a scenic drive to the riverside town of Hoi An
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Check in to Little Riverside Hoi An, on the banks of the Thu Bon River
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Lunch on your own, then the afternoon is yours to settle in and slow down
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Dinner together as the evening cools
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, transfers, dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
The Lantern Town
Day 5: Sunday, February 27
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A slow morning by the pool, at the spa, or exploring on two wheels
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Step into Hoi An Ancient Town with a guide, among centuries old merchant houses, temples, and artisan workshops
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Craft a silk lantern of your own to carry home
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Optional fitting with one of Hoi An's celebrated tailors
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Dinner in town as the streets begin to glow with lanterns
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, transportation, guided walk, lantern making, dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
From Market to Table
Day 6: Monday, February 28
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Paddle your own coconut boat to reach today's cooking experience
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Wander a bustling local market with our chef, choosing the day's ingredients
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Roll up your sleeves for a hands on cooking class, then sit down to the lunch you made
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An open afternoon to relax, explore, or slip in a final tailor fitting
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A festive group dinner to toast our time in central Vietnam
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, market visit, cooking class, lunch, dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
From Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay
Day 7: Tuesday, February 29
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Fly north to Hai Phong, then on to the marina in Ha Long
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Step aboard the Nostalgia, our home on the water for the next two nights
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Lunch on deck as we set sail through world famous Ha Long Bay
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Slip away to Lan Ha Bay, its quieter neighbor, where the same limestone towers rise without the crowds
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Dinner aboard, then a peaceful evening on the water as the bay goes still
What's included: transfers, cruise accommodations, lunch, dinner
A Day on the Water
Day 8: Wednesday, March 1
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Greet the morning with an optional wellness session on deck
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Paddle into hidden lagoons, explore an island or a fishing village, or simply soak in the view
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Lunch on board
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A final dinner aboard as evening settles over the bay
What's included: cruise accommodations, all meals on board, guided activities
Hello, Hanoi
Day 9: Thursday, March 2
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One last morning on the bay, with brunch on board
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Travel to Hanoi and check in to our hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter
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A gentle evening stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake
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Food tour celebrating the flavors of Northern Vietnam
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What's included: brunch, transfer, accommodations, food tour (alcohol at your own expense)
The Old Quarter
Day 10: Friday, March 3
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Weave through the Old Quarter's lanes with a guide, sampling street food and Hanoi's famous coffee
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Lunch
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Time to rest or browse at your own pace
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Gather around the table for a group dinner and an evening of good company
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, guided walk and tastings, lunch, dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
Hanoi's Makers
Day 11: Saturday, March 4
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A morning spent with Hanoi's artisans, designers, and makers
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A free afternoon for one more wander, a spa treatment, or packing
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Our farewell dinner together, full of toasts and stories from the road
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What's included: accommodations, breakfast, artisan experience, farewell dinner (alcohol at your own expense)
Until Next Time
Day 12: Sunday, March 5
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Breakfast at the hotel
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A private transfer to the airport for your flight home, with plenty of stories to tell
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What's included: breakfast, airport transfer
Where We Stay
Stylish boutique hotels in the heart of Saigon, on the river in Hoi An, and in Hanoi's Old Quarter, plus two nights aboard our private ten cabin boat on Lan Ha Bay. Great locations, real character.
Eat & Drink
Street food tastings in Saigon and Hanoi, a market to table cooking class in Hoi An, every meal aboard on the bay, and a farewell dinner to remember. Vietnamese coffee at every turn.
Every Detail, Handled
Guides, tickets, transfers, and regional flights are coordinated before you land, and the two of us are with you from Saigon to Hanoi. You just show up and soak it in.
What's Included
Eleven nights of accommodations, daily breakfast, most lunches and dinners, private transfers, guided experiences, including two nights aboard the Nostalgia.
Accommodations
Extend Your Adventure
Can't wait for Vietnam? Start four days early among the temples of Angkor. We host this one ourselves, so the two of us are with you from the first sunrise at Angkor Wat to the moment we land in Saigon together.
Before Vietnam: The Temples of Angkor
Begin your journey in Cambodia with sunrise at Angkor Wat, the jungle wrapped stones of Ta Prohm, the serene faces of the Bayon, and more. Four nights from February 19-23, 2028, then we all fly to Saigon together.
Starting at: $1,375 per person (double occupancy)​​​
Frequently asked questions
Terms & Conditions
PRICE
$5,380 (USD) per person
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INCLUSIONS​
Total price includes the following:
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February 23 to March 5, 2028 (12 days, 11 nights)
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4 regions: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Lan Ha Bay, and Hanoi
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Accommodations (Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Lan Ha Bay, and Hanoi)
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One (1) shared room at each accommodation. Rooms are allocated on a first come, first served basis. All pricing is per person and based on double occupancy. More than 2 people per room incurs additional charges.
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11 breakfasts (including brunch aboard), 6 lunches, and 10 dinners, as noted in the itinerary
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Two nights aboard our private Nostalgia charter, including all scheduled meals and guided activities
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Private airport transfers and ground transportation as detailed in the itinerary
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Guided experiences, entry, and guide fees for the Saigon city tour, the Saigon Vespa food tour, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Hoi An Ancient Town walk with lantern making, the market visit and cooking class, the Hanoi Old Quarter tour, and the Hanoi artisan experience
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Your custom travel journal and our private WhatsApp group throughout the trip
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EXCLUSIONS
Not included in the trip price: international airfare; regional flights within Vietnam; your Vietnam e-visa; meals on your own; alcohol except where noted; optional activities and activities planned on your own; tailoring, shopping, and spa treatments; tips and gratuities (we share an optional prepaid amount closer to departure); single supplements; travel insurance; the Cambodia extension; and accommodations before February 23, 2028 or after March 5, 2028.
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DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS​
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Prices are in USD and may change due to exchange rate fluctuations until final payment. Pricing and inclusions are based on a minimum group size; if participation is materially lower, we may adjust inclusions or price and will notify you promptly.
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A $1,000 deposit per person is required to confirm a reservation at the time of booking.
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A reservation is binding once the deposit is made.
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Deposits are non-refundable.
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All pricing is per person and based on double occupancy. Solo travelers are welcome to book a room of their own. Single supplements are arranged case by case with our lodging partners, so please email us at info@thechronicexplorers.com for options. Rooms with more than two guests incur an additional charge, calculated on request.
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Payment due dates:
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At booking: $1,000 deposit
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March 1, 2027: $2,500
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October 1, 2027: remaining balance
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CANCELLATION & REFUNDS​
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Cancellation requests must be made in writing to info@thechronicexplorers.com.
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Deposits are non-refundable.
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Please refer to the Guest Contract for details on cancellations, payments, refunds, and other terms and conditions, which are incorporated into this and every trip with the Chronic Explorers.
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Changes to the overall party size may result in a change to the rate.
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Travel insurance is optional but strongly encouraged to protect your trip. You may already have coverage from other sources (credit cards, home, health, or auto policies) that provides similar benefits, so we recommend comparing policies. You can review and purchase plans from InsureMyTrip using our trusted link: https://insuremytripus.pxf.io/thechronicexplorers. Please note that we are not insurance agents and cannot answer detailed coverage questions or assess the adequacy of your existing policies.
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Cancellation fees per guest:
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From the date of deposit through March 1, 2027: $1,000 (guest deposit)
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March 2, 2027 through October 1, 2027: $3,500 ($1,000 deposit + $2,500 installment)
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October 2, 2027 or later: 100% of the trip price
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NOTE
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Our day by day itinerary, including restaurants and experiences, may be altered or modified before departure to address unforeseen logistical or weather challenges.
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All listed accommodations are, at times, subject to change. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Reserve Your Spot
Complete the form below to request your place on our Vietnam journey, February 23 to March 5, 2028. Submitting this form does not guarantee a reservation. We will be in touch shortly to confirm availability and next steps.