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Vietnam

SAVOR

Street foods by scooter and foot, the birthplace of pho, seafood on the beach, the absolute wonder of Vietnamese regional cuisines

CONNECT

Meet local artists and chefs, gallery owners and graffiti artists, tai chi masters and monks

DISCOVER

Wander ancient lanes, duck into an intimate Art Deco speakeasy, explore ancient temples and the most colorful local markets

Why Vietnam

Vietnam packs a world of experience in its slender frame. Its famed delicacies range from local markets and street-food wonders to superb fusion in atmospheric French colonial villas. Then there’s the beauty: meander through along lantern-lit cobblestone lanes, temple-lined lakes, golden-sand beaches and towering rugged peaks. Vietnam satiates every sense.

Moments That Matter

Experience the best of Vietnam by meeting directly with the people who call it home. Local foodies introduce you to the best markets and street snacks, tackle the night on Vespas, kick back in private boats for bayside cruises, meet rice farmers and graffiti artists, and dine on locally sourced meals prepared by top local chefs.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

For the culturally curious and adventurous foodie. Vietnam is a blank canvas of possibility: bustling cities full of vivacious nightlife to laid-back old towns, beaches and jungles to ancient temples.

When to Travel

The best time to visit is Dec - Feb, with relatively mild humidity and minimal rain. Expect mild rain Mar - May and in September. Rain and humidity are most severe in summer: June, July, August.

Make It Yours

High-energy Ho Chi Minh City, laid-back Hoi An, ancient Hue, the Mekong Delta and more. We’ll craft the Vietnam experience of your dreams, with options to explore neighboring Cambodia.

Day by Day

Our Vietnam covers the country’s best sites. Opt to extend your trip to nearby Cambodia for an even fuller Southeast Asia experience.

Day 1

Start in the south and head north, or mix it up and start in northern Vietnam in the country’s capital, Hanoi, one of Asia’s most fascinating cities. After some time to settle in, kick off the evening at famed Art Vietnam Gallery. Suzanne Lecht has been the voice and champion of Vietnamese art since the 1990s, and a cocktail at her home-turned-gallery is the perfect opportunity to check out some of the country’s finest contemporary pieces. Dinner is at a classic French villa with some of the city’s finest haute Vietnamese cuisine.

  • Hanoi walking tour
  • Private meet-up with Suzanne Lecht
  • French villa dinner

Day 2

Jump into the day with an exploration of Hanoi’s ancient Old Quarter, all gorgeous crooked lanes lined by centuries-old guildhalls. A local food blogger leads you in sampling the best street foods Hanoi has to offer. In the evening see where Hanoi’s famed ‘street beer’, bia hoi, is brewed fresh daily and sold from humble sidewalk stands until it runs out. Dinner is at one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, feasting on French-Vietnamese fusion delights before capping off the night with a rooftop cocktail high above the kinetic city.

  • Guided tasting tour of local markets
  • Street food and 'bia hoi' beer tour
  • Exclusive Old Quarter dinner
  • Rooftop cocktails

Days 3 - 4

Board your private boat, home base for the next few days, and cruise the tranquil waters of Ha Long Bay, famous for its towering limestone cliffs, and the quieter and less-trafficked Lan Ha Bay. Get a hands-on spring roll demonstration creating the perfect appetizers to the night’s meal prepped and served aboard. Cocktails will accompany each glorious sunset.

  • Private transfer to Ha Long Bay
  • Private sailing experience in Ha Long and Lan Ha bays

Days 5 - 6

Fly south to Hue, the former capital home to palaces, shrines and awe-inspiring architecture. Wander courtyards of Khai Dinh Royal Tomb before a private lunch at the historic Ngoc Son garden houses. The former residence of Princess Ngoc Son, daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh, has been curated by the family for seven generations. Then, get chauffeured in cyclos (modern-day rickshaws) to the Imperial Citadel and explore Dong Ba Market, the oldest of its kind in Hue. After the market, you’ll be graciously welcomed by the Buddhist nuns at the 400-year-old monastery Sac Tu Khanh. 

  • Fly to Hue
  • Private lunch at historic Ngoc Son garden houses
  • Cyclo ride to Imperial Citadel
  • Tour of Dong Ba Market
  • Private visit to Buddhist nunnery

Days 7 - 8

Make your way to Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass. The name means ‘clouds over the sea,’ and the summit of this scenic and serpentine road will give you spectacular views of the coastline. Hoi An is a foodie city, and you’ll be led by a local chef at a hands-on cooking class for lunch. The culinary theme continues on the back of a Vespa scooter: rev through the bustling streets like locals, sampling delicious regional dishes. Finally, visit the small village and potter’s paradise of Thanh Ha, to check out some of the local pottery.

  • Private transfer to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass
  • Hands-on cooking class
  • Street food tour by Vespa
  • Meet local artists at Thanh Ha
  • River cruise and beach BBQ dinner

Day 9

After a short flight, welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)! The city’s streets are a wonder to watch, as the cavalcade of motorbikes whirs past. Take it all in while visiting the city’s French Colonial architectural icons, and the spot where the Vietnam War—locally, the ‘American War’—ended at Reunification Palace. 

  • Fly to Ho Chi Minh City 
  • City walking tour
  • Mekong Delta cruise
  • Lunch with local family

Where We Sleep

From artsy boutique hotels to relaxed tropical resorts, our accommodations capture the essence and ethos of Vietnam

Hanoi

Home base is a stately heritage hotel perfectly situated near the city’s favorite gathering place at Hoan Kiem Lake and opera house. When not exploring the walkable streets outside, you can relax in the quiet courtyard, take a dip in the pool, or indulge their sumptuous Vietnamese cuisine.

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bays

It's your own private home on the water. Aboard, the fresh scent of orchids will lull you into relaxation in this quiet, visually stunning section of Ha Long Bay. Get modern-day comforts like spacious rooms, top-tier cuisine and spa services

Hue

An Art Deco masterpiece built in 1930, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Its stunning architecture embraces the past while incorporating contemporary twists. Whether you choose to kick back poolside or meander through its tropical gardens, it's an absolute oasis of comfort.

Hoi An

An impeccable retreat facing the Thu Bon river and just a stroll away from Hoi An’s ancient lantern-lit Old Quarter. Relax in expansive rooms or at the serene pool, admire the brilliant art gallery, or just take in the views from the highest rooftop bar in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City

It’s full-blown luxury in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's historic center. Tropical plants sprout from the windows of its Cubist-style tower set along a wide curve of the river. You enter an industrial lobby, benefitting from iron beams reclaimed for the old shipyards. A rooftop lap pool has stunning city views.

People Love MO/AD’s Vietnam

Great luxury, and truly authentic street food, our trip with Modern Adventure was the best of both worlds.
Francois L.
I loved Vietnam. I was charmed by the people and seduced by the cuisine.
Janice B.
I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure executed this trip. You exceeded my every expectation.
Joan P.

FAQs

  1. How many people is this itinerary suitable for?

    We can plan a custom, private departure for any group size. Our custom trips are perfect for a couple wishing to travel on their own, a family, or a multi-generational group. If you’re looking to travel on one of our group departures on a private basis, a minimum number of travelers may apply.

  2. Can you curate an itinerary for a larger group?

    Yes, we can craft an unforgettable milestone celebration or company retreat for groups as large as 40 or more.

  3. What makes a MO/AD experience different?

    Our level of curation, care, and in-country connections. We handle everything, overseeing your experience from beginning to end with the highest levels of ownership and responsibility. We support you every step of the way with comprehensive itineraries, detailed day-by-day descriptions, insider destination info, and 24/7 dedicated support.

  4. How far in advance should I plan my trip?

    Preferably six to nine months in advance and earlier for holiday travel. We stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible. We can help with last-minute travel planning, however availability may be limited.

  5. What is typically included?

    We curate your MO/AD Private Departure to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Your itinerary typically includes accommodations, airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and meals as detailed in your itinerary.

  6. How much will it cost?

    MO/AD Private Departures typically cost $750 to $1,500 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  7. What's not included?

    MO/AD Private Departures do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, gratuities for local guides, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  8. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to design a detailed itinerary and check availability, there is a $500 non-refundable planning deposit due. This will be applied to your final trip cost. Once your itinerary is perfect, we require a 25% non-refundable confirmation deposit to start confirming all of your arrangements. Many of our local partners and hotels require additional advance deposits to secure the best accommodations. The balance of your trip cost is due 90 days prior to travel.

  9. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling into Vietnam, along with a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond the date of your arrival. For citizens of other countries, please check with your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate for information and requirements.

  10. Where can I find the complete terms of my booking?

    See our Terms & Conditions for complete details about our policies regarding your MO/AD Private Departure booking.