Adventure to the Land of the Nine Dragons

Sunday, November 8
Touch down, weary travelers, in Vietnam’s 1000-year old capital where the tangy scent of spices emerge from shadowed alleys and ancient traditions are still practiced in the far reaches of the Old Quarter. And yet, Hanoi is bustling with modern, ambitious energy.

You’ll be met at the airport and whisked to our palm tree-shaded hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s historic district, where Kerri awaits. We’ll gather for a cocktail at dusk and a quick briefing about the delights that lie ahead. Then you are free to enjoy dinner on your own.

Lodging: Hanoi

Monday, November 9
Awaken as the sun rises and join Kerri for a nutritious breakfast because our day is replete with the stories, sights, flavors and sounds of Hanoi and the pastoral countryside that surrounds it. 

We have added a cooking experience to make our first day extra special, so we are first headed across the Red River to Thuy Linh Village where farmers produce delectable fruits and vegetables.

We’ll spend some time on a family farm where we’ll learn about cultivation techniques. Then its on to a local market where we’ll shop for the ingredients that we’ll be cooking with in a traditional Vietnamese home.

When we’ve sampled what we’ve made, we’ll be welcomed into the beautifully preserved home of Mr. Chuc, who will share the story of his life and his family’s history in a small rural village and their experience of the Vietnam War.

In the late afternoon, we will explore the museum at Hoa Lo Prison before returning to our hotel for some time to reflect on all that we’ve seen and done.

Lodging: Meritel Hotel, Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Tuesday, November 10: Our morning begins on the shores of the shimmering waters of Hoan Kiem Lake, where we can choose to join aerobics classes or tai chi.

Then it’s on to sample some of Vietnam’s delicious egg coffee before we head for two of Hanoi’s most important landmarks: Uncle Ho’s Stilt House, an unassuming wooden house where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in his later years. And the One Pillar Pagoda.

Our architectural tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter begins as we pay our respects to the Temple of Literature. It was founded in 1070 by an emperor who revered Confucius and designed as a place for contemplation and serenity. As we wander the courtyards and pavilions, we’ll learn about the deep cultural reverence for learning. 

upon the When we’ve partaken of the indelible sights of the Old Quarter, it’s on to the Museum of Hill Tribe Ethnology, as we soak in the history and customs ahead of our exploration to the highlands. We’ll see artifacts and altars, ceramics and traditional dress.

Then there may be time for shopping or a cat nap before we embark on a sizzling, delicious street food tour that culminates with a scoop of Vietnam’s most famous ice cream.

Lodging: Meritel Hotel, Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- Neil Sheehan to the New York Times. Author of ‘A Bright Shining Lie.’

Wednesday & Thursday, November 11 & 12
Catch a last glimpse, my fellow expeditioneers, of the sunrise over Hanoi for we are off to the verdant mountains of Mai Chau, where we’ll begin our hill tribe experience.

Breathe deeply of cool crisp air as the peace and serenity of this beautiful landscape settles over us. We’ll walk quiet forest paths and explore nature preserves and mountainside villages. We’ll spend time with hill tribe farmers and artisans. We’ll sample farm-fresh food from local markets and we’ll join an evening of music and dance. 

This is also an opportunity for walking, meditation, reading and reinvigoration after the cacophony of the city, so enjoy!

Lodging: Avana Retreat, Mai Chau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Book Conversations

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: November 13, 14, 15
This is a lovely day for sleeping in and a leisurely breakfast for we are ever so reluctantly leaving the serenity of our mountain aerie behind in mid-afternoon.

We are bound first for Ninh Binh, one of the country’s most remarkable wetlands and nature preserves. We’ll drift across the waters on a sampan boat and learn about the flora and fauna that make up the ecology of this beautiful place.

After a wonderfully tranquil night’s rest, we are off to the grottoes of Tam Coc and a boat ride on the sparkling river.

In the afternoon, we are catching a very quick flight to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned for its ancient architecture and perched on the banks of the Thu Bon River, where it flows into the South China Sea.

Our days will be a wonderful and revitalizing melange of spiritual, architectural and cultural history, fabulous cuisine, and a lesson in lantern making, which will make a wonderful souvenir of our time together.

Lodging: Ninh Binh: Le Jardin Tam Coc

Hoi An: Little Allegro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Book Conversation, (Dinner where noted)

Monday, November 16 & 17th
Today, it’s a stunning drive though the green heart of Vietnam’s countryside as we make our way toward Hue, the ancient French capital of Vietnam.

We’ll visit local markets and watch handicrafts being made and then it’s a cooking class conducted by the chef at Ancient Hue Restaurant.

We’ll share what we’ve made with one another for a convivial dinner and a restful night in our retreat hotel.

Lodging: ANhill Boutique Hotel, Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner where noted. 

Wednesday, November 18
As the sun rises, we’ll gather for breakfast and then embark on a tour of the small villages that surround this ancient capital.

Then it is off to the airport for the return to Hanoi…and your flight home…

OR…..

Come with me to experience the wonders of Cambodia with its sacred temples, and majestic spaces. (Circumstances permitting)

When we arrive in Siem Riep, we’ll be ushered to our hotel and you’ll have time for a stroll around town.  

Then, please join Kerri for a cool drink and a book conversation before you head out for dinner. But remember! Our Saturday begins very early as we catch the sunrise on our way to Angkor Wat.

Thursday, Friday, November 19 & 20
Our days will begin before the sun has bathed the splendors of Angkor Wat’s temples in gold and will be filled with a myriad of sensations, tastes, artistry, experiences and insight.

And our days will close with the camaraderie that comes with witnessing the wonders of the world together.

We will catch a flight Friday evening back to Hanoi, where we’ll overnight before our US-bound flights the next day.

Lodging: Treeline Urban House, Siem Riep

Hanoi: TBD.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Saturday, November 21
Rise for a refreshing breakfast and then we are making for the airport as we head home to enjoy the Thanksgiving holidays with our families.