🇻🇳 Vietnam: Lanterns to Limestones – 2026

A curated 10-day journey through central and northern Vietnam, designed for travelers who want to feel a place, not just visit it.

The Trip at a Glance

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Destinations: Hoi An, Hue, Ba Na Hills, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
Group Size: Max 8 guests
Trip Cost: $1,550 USD per person (twin share)
Single Supplement: $350 USD (private hotel rooms + cruise cabin)

2026 Departures:
• Trip One: April 1–10 — SOLD OUT
• Trip Two: April 13–22 — Only 2 spots left

The Experience

Imagine gliding through lantern-lit alleyways one night and waking the next to a bowl of steaming noodles beside a riverbank as mist lifts off ancient rooftops. Then fast-forward to limestone cliffs, glowing with the last of the sunset, as you sip something cold from the deck of a luxury junk boat.

This 10-day journey isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about stepping into Vietnam’s rhythm — the sensory depth of its food, the texture of its history, the quiet magic of its streets and people. We’ll move at a pace that lets you actually feel things. There’s structure and freedom, laughter and silence, local guides and open moments.

And it’s small — just 8 guests. So you’re never fighting for space, attention, or authenticity. You’ll have balcony cabins, front-row seats, flexible pacing, and me (Connor) as your host, translator, travel wrangler, and occasional chopstick coach.

Where We Go

Hoi An
Tailored clothes, yellow-painted shopfronts, riverside cafés, and some of the best food in Southeast Asia. You’ll fold your own lantern, explore the Ancient Town, visit mossy jungle ruins at My Son, and still have time to find the perfect rooftop cocktail.

Hue
Vietnam’s imperial heart. You’ll walk through royal citadels, cruise the Perfume River by dragon boat, and visit the surreal mosaic tombs of long-gone emperors. It’s stately, quiet, and deeply atmospheric.

Ba Na Hills & Hai Van Pass
We’ll ride the world’s longest cable car into the clouds, cross the Golden Bridge held aloft by stone hands, and drive the Hai Van Pass — one of the most scenic roads in the world.

Hanoi
Buzzing, brilliant, and layered with history. We’ll eat our way through the Old Quarter on a private food safari, take a walking tour through the French Quarter, and toast the trip with a final dinner on the edge of Train Street.

Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay
You’ll cruise past karst cliffs and into hidden lagoons, sleep aboard a boutique junk boat, kayak at your own pace, and maybe even stargaze from the deck. It’s quiet, cinematic, and completely unforgettable.

What’s Included

• 8 nights in carefully selected boutique hotels
• 1 night aboard the Peony Cruise (balcony cabin, all meals)
• Daily breakfast and 4 hosted group dinners
• All private ground transport and transfers
• Domestic flight from Hue to Hanoi
• Guided cultural experiences and entry fees throughout
• Tailor introduction in Hoi An (if desired)
• Full-time trip host (Connor) and private local guides

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Vietnamese e-visa (approx. $25 USD)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Meals not listed, alcohol, personal expenses, and tips
• Optional tailoring costs in Hoi An

Booking & Availability

We run two departures of this trip in April 2026:

• Trip One: April 1–10 — SOLD OUT
• Trip Two: April 13–22 — Only 2 spots left

Trip Cost: $1,550 USD
Single Supplement: $350 USD

Deposit: $300 USD to hold your spot (50% refundable)
Balance Due: February 1, 2026
Payment Methods: Venmo, Zelle, PayPal (details provided upon booking)