Discover Vietnam's rich history on this tailor-made learning experience
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
What's included
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Privately guided cultural and historical tours
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Day trips to Hue and My Son
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Luxury accommodation throughout
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Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
Engage with and become immersed in Vietnam on this specially created educational tour, perfect for families who want something extra out of their holidays, on a number of expertly guided and exclusive private tours.
Start in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh, otherwise known as Saigon, retracing the bustling urban centre’s history. Aboard a classic motorcycle and sidecar, your guides will introduce you to the city, with stops at notable French colonial buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and discuss Saigon’s expansion in the 21st century.
Learn about Vietnam’s war with America with visits to the Remnants Museum, important landmarks in the city and take a tour led by a veteran to the Cu Chi Tunnel system. You’ll also spend a day discovering the artistic heritage of Vietnam, visiting the Fine Arts Museum, gaining exclusive access to a private collection and meeting contemporary artists at their studios.
Next head north to the pretty historic port of Hoi An. Though quietly unassuming, its architecture belies a fascinating mixture of influences over the ages – Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and French. Not far away is the imperial citadel of Hue, the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and former capital, and My Son, a cluster of partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century.
Whilst here, there will be the chance to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese lanterns, synonymous with Hoi An, take a class in calligraphy and spend time exploring at your leisure.
Example trip itinerary
Ho Chi Minh
Transfer
Meet and greet at Ho Chi Minh Airport
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in the city
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh
- 245 rooms and suites
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Two restaurants
- Bar and lounge
- 24-hour butler service
- Babysitting
With its French, colonial style and wonderful location overlooking the Saigon Opera House, the Park Hyatt is one of the city’s most iconic and elegant hotels.
Its 245 rooms and suites are sophisticated in design with plenty of handcrafted details such as custom designed rugs, fine linens and huge windows with white wooden shutters that fill the space with natural light. Many rooms come with private terraces that look out over the lush gardens and outdoor pool and they all feature mini iPads and Nespresso coffee machines for added comfort.
Square One offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine which you can see being cooking in the integrated show kitchens. On balmy evenings, guests can
choose to dine on the terrace surrounded by twinkling lights. Opera is a more casual trattoria-style restaurant serving a range of mouthwatering pasta dishes and pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven. There is a also a pastry boutique offering delicious home-made delicacies and a bar and lounge serving some of the best cocktails in Ho Chi Minh.
With some of the city’s landmark sights such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and the Reunification Palace just a short stroll away, you’re ideally situated to explore this buzzing capital. Alternatively, relaxing and unwinding has never been easier with a fantastic pool and tranquil spa offering treatments inspired by the herbs, grains and fruits of the Mekong Delta.
- 62 rooms and 224 suites
- Four restaurants and one bar
- Luxury spa, swimming pool and fitness centre
- Heli-pad
- Wi-Fi
Step into complete decadence at this soaring hotel where luxury becomes an art form. The Reverie Saigon commands the top floors of the multi-purpose Times Square Building in the heart of the central business district, with sweeping views of Ho Chi Minh wherever you look.
Crafted to absolute indulgence by Italian interior designers, the style here is more Venetian than Vietnamese. Opulence drips from every corner, from the gilt mirrors and velvet curtains of the rooms and the elaborate chandeliers in the fine dining restaurants, to the heli-pad and fleet of Rolls Royces awaiting your arrival. Sophisticated but fun is what guests can expect from this very unique hotel, with design touches and an attention to detail that cannot fail to impress.
The Royal Pavilion with its jade, vermilion and gold colour scheme is an elegant restaurant serving mouthwatering Cantonese cuisine. R&J, named after Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, features wall-to-wall mosaics and offers a tempting array of Italian dishes. Heading up the kitchen in The Long Bar is a pizza chef from Napoli who works to family recipes passed down through the generations. There is also a gelato bar offering over 30 flavours including Asian specialties such as soursop, purple sticky rice and salted caramel cashew.
When you’re not out exploring the city, relax and unwind at The Reverie’s spa, spread over two floors and featuring treatment rooms, a 24-hour fitness centre and outdoor pool.
- 168 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants
- Rooftop bar and infinity pool
- Spa
- Gym
- Wi-Fi
A stylish new addition to Ho Chi Minh’s luxury hotel scene, the Hotel Des Arts Saigon is well located a little outside District 1 and within walking distance of the city’s best attractions and buzzing nightlife.
Hotel Des Arts is as much an art museum as it is a top-end boutique hotel and guests can peruse the owner’s personal collection of paintings and antiques that adorn the walls and hallways.
168 rooms and suites all feature chic details, crisp white linen, elegant bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular city views, but the real gem is the Social Club up on the roof – a buzzy bar and trendy restaurant by the city’s highest infinity pool – exclusive to hotel guests.
Sit back and relax at the sophisticated Cafe des Beaux Arts which evokes plenty of old-world charm and enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails, pluck a book from the shelves, or simply enjoy the live music as the resident pianist tickles the ivories. Vietnamese and Western dishes are prepared in the open kitchen at the Saigon Kitchen Restaurant, where one wall is covered in French Provencal tiles and the others in works of art that represent the harmonious blend of cultures in Vietnam.
There is also a modern gym and sumptuous spa with hammam, Jacuzzi and a solarium for some relaxation after a day exploring the city.

Enjoy Ho Chi Minh, with its pretty streets, buzzy atmosphere and rich history. We can arrange private guides and specialist excursions, restaurant recommendations and suggest the best places to go to simply watch the world go by.
The day begins cruising along the tree lined boulevards of Central Ho Chi Minh City on a classic motorcycle and sidecar; gazing at French inspired colonial architecture and traditional shop houses sitting side by side among 21st Century hi-rises, hotels, modern shops, restaurants and bars. Stop by the French built Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market.
Take a step back in time with this private Vietnam War History tour in Saigon. Join an English-speaking guide as he takes you across the city to some of the key locations of the conflict such as the US Consulate, former CIA headquarters and Reunification Palace, learning about the key figures, locations and decisions that impacted the course of this dark historical chapter. Finally, enjoy a lunch of pho soup at the Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive.
In the morning, visit the ochre-coloured Fine Arts Museum to learn more about the past, present and future of the arts movement in Vietnam, then to to Ben Thanh Art & Frame Gallery to admire contemporary artworks. Next, drive the private museum of the art collector, Duc Minh, which displays striking works of young artists and provides an overview of the flourishing Vietnamese arts scene.
The tour also stops by Gallerie Quynh, founded in 2000 by a Vietnamese American, Quynh Pham, to promote a selected group of young artists. It also exhibits international painters’ artworks, allowing local community access to a diverse range of contemporary art practice. Finally, drive to the impressive studio of a celebrated artist in Saigon’s suburban District 2. Being inspired by the lights, shadows and colours of Vietnam, artist Helene Kling has lived in Vietnam since 1996.
Visit the underground Cu Chi tunnel system, an immense network dug by the Viet Cong during their wars against the French and Americans to avoid air raids and ground sweep, as well as to launch attacks from. Now a preserved war memorial, learn about their ingenious design that included communication routes, food and weapon caches, hospitals, living quarters, traps and bunkers.
Transfer
Private transfer from your hotel to Ho Chi Minh airport
Flight
Flight from Ho Chi Minh to Danang
Hoi An
Transfer
Private transfer from Danang airport to your hotel in Hoi An
Accommodation in Hoi An
- 87 private pool suites
- Swimming pool
- Full service inclusive spa
- Restaurant and bar
- Fusion Lounge in central Hoi An
- Beachfront
A private enclave surrounded by high granite walls with direct beach access and daily complimentary spa treatments, TIA Wellness Resort is a sophisticated, spoiling and tranquil haven 20km outside Hoi An.
The focus here is on allowing guests to completely switch off, offering a discreet but impeccable service. Its pool, spa and beach villas are minimal and modern in design and feature outdoor courtyards and private plunge pools. Pool villas are perfect for couples or friends while the two-bedroom spa villas and three-bedroom beach villas are ideal for families or groups of friends.
One of the real highlights of TIA Wellness Resort is the spa, set within the lush, tropical gardens. A range of treatments are available, totally tailored to suit you, and there is an outdoor pool for relaxing in before or after.
When it comes to dining, it is all about fresh, vibrant food made with the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy the fusion menu at the Fiving Dining Room as well as grilled seafood and salads at the aptly named ‘Fresh’ poolside restaurant. There is also the option to experience destination dining and enjoy a delicious meal in a special and unique location.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most enchanting towns and there is a shuttle bus to take you back and forth for when you want to explore. When you want to simply relax and unwind, indulge in a spa treatment or sit back with a bucket of popcorn and enjoy a film in the hotel’s very own HD cinema.
- 50 one-bed villas and 40 pool villas
- Three swimming pools
- Full service spa
- Two restaurants and one bar
- Fitness centre
- Beachfront
Within 35 hectares of tropical gardens set on the pristine shoreline of Ha My beach, sixty one-bedroom villas and forty pool villas make up this exclusive and palatial hotel. As well as a place for indulgent relaxation, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is also well located for exploring the charming 15th century town of Hoi An that sits a few short miles away.
While away your days here next to one of three expansive infinity pools or take a dip in the tranquil Gulf of Tonkin. Then, rejuvenate with an Oriental ritual therapy treatment before dining at one of the three varied and excellent restaurants. The Beach restaurant is particularly recommended in the evening to sample the day’s freshest catch.
If you are after something extra special, the pool villas come with their own private butler. From romantic candle-lit dinners on the beach, to Hoi An’s finest tailors custom fitting your formal attire, to private Vietnamese cooking classes, your butler will ensure you experience every touch of sophisticated decadence during your stay.
Hoi An and its UNESCO World Heritage Site old town are minutes away and a delight to explore the pretty streets steeped in history and culture. Those in search of gifts and souvenirs can shop quality silk, jade, pearls and quality linen from the riverside stores.
- 93 rooms and suites
- Swimming pool
- Full-service spa
- Four restaurants and bars
Tranquil and classic French colonial style enfolds you at the Anantara for an intimate stay. Scenically positioned on the banks of the Thu Bon River and right in the heart of the city of Hoi An, you are ideally situated to explore the treasures of this charming region.
93 rooms and suites are housed in a two- and three-story white pillared building and come with river or garden views. Rooms are comfortable and gracefully furnished with a host of modern comforts and feature spacious balconies. The airy terrace of the Riverside Café is a great spot for a light lunch as you gaze out across the river, while the Heritage Bar in the courtyard is the place to grab a pre-dinner cocktail. For something really special, take advantage of their ‘dining by design’ service where you can dine al fresco with your own private chef.
Pretty gardens and an outdoor pool are perfect for when you want to simply relax and unwind and there is a spa where you can create a ‘spa journey’ and indulge in a series of tailored treatments. For those who want to get out and explore, you are just a short stroll from the centre of this historic port town.

Relax on a beautiful beach and soak up the atmosphere in the pretty town of Hoi An. We can arrange private guides for specialist excursions and ensure reservations at our favourite restaurants.

Visit the local market of Hoi An to enjoy the tantalising sights, smells and flavours of local produce and xplore zigzagging alleys to savour real street food as the local people do on this delicious walking tour.
Stroll through the narrow lanes of Hoi An and soak up the heritage of this old-world town. Highly prosperous between the 17th and 19th centuries, this World-heritage listed area now boasts well-preserved towns, pedestrianized streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. On this walking tour there is plenty to visit, including the old merchant’s houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.
Of all the events during the American War in Vietnam, the My Lai massacre is one of the most infamous. The 2-3 hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to the site to visit the museum and wander around the village, getting an insight into the atrocities that took place in 1968 and to to see how My Lai has changed since then.
Depart Hoi An town to the countryside then start cycling through the quiet back roads to My Son. It is one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia and a UNESCO listed site. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important place of worship given its location in the center of a ring of mountains. Stroll around the temple complex to learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilization before returning to Hoi An.
Depart Hoi An and drive three hours over the Hai Van Pass to Hue, which once served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, the city retains its royal charm. First, you'll visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site. Enter through the towering main gate and admire the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections still intact and others which are in the process of being restored. In the afternoon, drive to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, the pagoda is a wonderful sight. End the trip at the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb; its architecture showcases elements of eastern art and western design. Drive back to Hoi An town through Hai Van tunnels in the late afternoon.
Learn about the history and traditions of Hoi An's iconic lanterns before learning how to make them with local artisan, Mr Huynh Van Trung.
Enjoy a class with calligrapher Do Minh Nhan who has been preserving Viet Nam's ancestral penmanship in the historic port town of Hoi An for over four decades.
Transfer
Private transfer to Danang Airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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An Educational Family Vacation to Vietnam
How we work
Engage with and become immersed in Vietnam on this specially created educational tour, perfect for families who want something extra out of their holidays, on a number of expertly guided and exclusive private tours. Start in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh, otherwise known as Saigon, retracing the bustling urban centre’s history. Aboard a classic motorcycle and sidecar, your guides will introduce you to the city, with stops at notable French colonial buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and discuss Saigon’s expansion in the 21st century. Learn about Vietnam’s war with America with visits to the Remnants Museum, important landmarks in the city and take a tour led by a veteran to the Cu Chi Tunnel system. You’ll also spend a day discovering the artistic heritage of Vietnam, visiting the Fine Arts Museum, gaining exclusive access to a private collection and meeting contemporary artists at their studios. Next head north to the pretty historic port of Hoi An. Though quietly unassuming, its architecture belies a fascinating mixture of influences over the ages – Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and French. Not far away is the imperial citadel of Hue, the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and former capital, and My Son, a cluster of partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century. Whilst here, there will be the chance to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese lanterns, synonymous with Hoi An, take a class in calligraphy and spend time exploring at your leisure. | Whats included?
|
Days 1-5 |
Ho Chi Minh |
Flights & transfers
Meet and greet at Ho Chi Minh Airport |
|
Private transfer to your hotel in the city | |
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh
•
Park Hyatt Saigon - $$$$$
With its French, colonial style and wonderful location overlooking the Saigon Opera House, the...
•
The Reverie Saigon - $$$$$
Step into complete decadence at this soaring hotel where luxury becomes an art form. The...
•
Hotel des Arts Saigon - $$$$$
A stylish new addition to Ho Chi Minh’s luxury hotel scene, the Hotel Des Arts Saigon is...
|
|
Four nights in Ho Chi Minh Enjoy Ho Chi Minh, with its pretty streets, buzzy atmosphere and rich history. We can arrange private guides and specialist excursions, restaurant recommendations and suggest the best places to go to simply watch the world go by. |
|
Ho Chi Minh Sidecar Tour The day begins cruising along the tree lined boulevards of Central Ho Chi Minh City on a classic motorcycle and sidecar; gazing at French inspired colonial architecture and traditional shop houses sitting side by side among 21st Century hi-rises, hotels, modern shops, restaurants and bars. Stop by the French built Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market. |
|
Vietnam War City Tour Take a step back in time with this private Vietnam War History tour in Saigon. Join an English-speaking guide as he takes you across the city to some of the key locations of the conflict such as the US Consulate, former CIA headquarters and Reunification Palace, learning about the key figures, locations and decisions that impacted the course of this dark historical chapter. Finally, enjoy a lunch of pho soup at the Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. |
|
Saigon Art Tour In the morning, visit the ochre-coloured Fine Arts Museum to learn more about the past, present and future of the arts movement in Vietnam, then to to Ben Thanh Art & Frame Gallery to admire contemporary artworks. Next, drive the private museum of the art collector, Duc Minh, which displays striking works of young artists and provides an overview of the flourishing Vietnamese arts scene. |
|
Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Visit the underground Cu Chi tunnel system, an immense network dug by the Viet Cong during their wars against the French and Americans to avoid air raids and ground sweep, as well as to launch attacks from. Now a preserved war memorial, learn about their ingenious design that included communication routes, food and weapon caches, hospitals, living quarters, traps and bunkers. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer from your hotel to Ho Chi Minh airport |
|
Flight from Ho Chi Minh to Danang | |
Days 5-10 |
Hoi An |
Flights & transfers
Private transfer from Danang airport to your hotel in Hoi An |
|
Accommodation in Hoi An
•
TIA Wellness Resort - $$$$$
A private enclave surrounded by high granite walls with direct beach access and daily...
•
The Nam Hai - $$$$$
Within 35 hectares of tropical gardens set on the pristine shoreline of Ha My beach, sixty...
•
Anantara Hoi An - $$$$$
Tranquil and classic French colonial style enfolds you at the Anantara for an intimate stay....
|
|
Five nights in Hoi An Relax on a beautiful beach and soak up the atmosphere in the pretty town of Hoi An. We can arrange private guides for specialist excursions and ensure reservations at our favourite restaurants. |
|
Hoi An street food walking tour Visit the local market of Hoi An to enjoy the tantalising sights, smells and flavours of local produce and xplore zigzagging alleys to savour real street food as the local people do on this delicious walking tour. |
|
Hoi An Walking Tour Stroll through the narrow lanes of Hoi An and soak up the heritage of this old-world town. Highly prosperous between the 17th and 19th centuries, this World-heritage listed area now boasts well-preserved towns, pedestrianized streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. On this walking tour there is plenty to visit, including the old merchant’s houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two. |
|
Private tour of My Lai Of all the events during the American War in Vietnam, the My Lai massacre is one of the most infamous. The 2-3 hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to the site to visit the museum and wander around the village, getting an insight into the atrocities that took place in 1968 and to to see how My Lai has changed since then. |
|
My Son Temple Cycling Tour Depart Hoi An town to the countryside then start cycling through the quiet back roads to My Son. It is one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia and a UNESCO listed site. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important place of worship given its location in the center of a ring of mountains. Stroll around the temple complex to learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilization before returning to Hoi An. |
|
Hoi An to Hue - Imperial City Tour Depart Hoi An and drive three hours over the Hai Van Pass to Hue, which once served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, the city retains its royal charm. First, you'll visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site. Enter through the towering main gate and admire the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections still intact and others which are in the process of being restored. In the afternoon, drive to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, the pagoda is a wonderful sight. End the trip at the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb; its architecture showcases elements of eastern art and western design. Drive back to Hoi An town through Hai Van tunnels in the late afternoon. |
|
Hoi An Lantern Making Class Learn about the history and traditions of Hoi An's iconic lanterns before learning how to make them with local artisan, Mr Huynh Van Trung. |
|
Vietnamese Calligraphy Class Enjoy a class with calligrapher Do Minh Nhan who has been preserving Viet Nam's ancestral penmanship in the historic port town of Hoi An for over four decades. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Danang Airport |