Day #1: We started our Vietnam adventure in Hanoi. In the afternoon, once everyone arrived at our beautiful hotel, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, we toured the “Hanoi Hilton” formerly an infamous prison for American prisoners of war. And then we went to our delicious welcome dinner.

Day #2: We started our day, in the rain, on cyclo’s for a trishaw ride to the local markets to watch the buying and selling rituals of a Vietnamese market. We stopped for a traditional egg coffee, which was surprisingly delicious and not too sweet. Then we went to the Fine Arts Museum for the best displays of Vietnamese arts over the centuries and had a delicious lunch at Quan An Ngon Restaurant, which I highly recommend! The afternoon was spent at Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam and then over to Hanoi Train Street to watch the big train pass through. The highlight of the day was eating at Bún chả at Bún chả Hương Liên the restaurant made famous by Anthony Bourdain and US President Barack Obama’s famous shared meal.

Day #3: We started the day doing Laughing Yoga with the locals, which was an awesome treat1 Then we ventured out of town to ride bikes in the countryside, enjoyed a hot pot lunch and took a relaxing sampan to visit Van Long Nature. Covering an area of about 3,000 hectares, Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in the North of Vietnam.

Day #4: We jumped aboard a Ylang Cruise and started a unique journey of exploring one of the new wonders ofnature – Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, we visited a traditional local floating fishing village and explored by bike. The only aspect that could have made this experience better was nicer weather, but so excited to have had the experience.

Day #5: We woke up early and joined the Tai Chi session on the sun deck which was such a calming and invigorating experience. After breakfast, we took the boat over to Cat Ba National Park and took a leisurely and mindful hike Then we ventured over to the caves Then in the afternoon, we enjoyed a kayak tour followed by foot massages. It was a very fun day!

Day #6: After morning Tai Chi, we sadly said goodbye to our boat and headed to Hoi An. As it was a travel day, we were on the move, but always find time to stop by a market to pursue the local offerings.

Day #7: Hello charming Hoi An! We toured Hoi An ancient town centre with a visits to the temples, markets, shops and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge constructed in 1593. In the evening, we took a Cinnamon Cruise for the Lunar Holiday, a most magical time where we released lanterns on the river.

Day #7: We started the day with a leisurely bike ride along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life. Then, we visited an organic rice farm with an oxen named Jake. Next was onto a boat to see traditional net fishing and to take a ride on bamboo basket boats. Lunch was served on a boat with hopes of fresh caught fish, but we came up short, so thank goodness they had a back-up plan! And at dinner our hotel had a bonus Lunar Festival event and we enjoyed watching the dancing dragons.

Day #9: We enjoyed a morning at Ms. Vy’s Cooking School, which was beyond delicious! And then it was off to Saigon!

Day #10: Hello Saigon! We started the day touring the Presidential Palace and the War Remnant Museum, where I focused on the peace buttons! In the evening, we headed out on scooters during rush hour for a food tour … and it was one of my favorite part of the trip!

Day #11: We went to see the tunnels and then headed to our next adventure … Cambodia, here we come!

We had a bonus morning in Hanoi when our flight was delayed, so we toured the famous pagoda said hello to Ho Chi Minh, and visited the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long UNIESCO site.