Vietnam with ColeyDoesThings

TrovaTrip will provide 3 transfers from Noi Bai Airport (HAN) between 8 am and 5 pm.

6:00 P.M.: A pre-dinner cocktail and welcome dinner is included at the hotel. 1 cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage is included during the cocktail hour. Dinner is a set menu with an appetizer, entree, and dessert with another alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage included. Additional food and drinks at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

11:30 A.M.: Lunch at Ha Thanh Mansion Restaurant is included. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

1:30 P.M.: From lunch, take a 15 minute transfer to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a cultural museum dedicated to the country's diverse ethnic groups. It showcases exhibits on the traditions, customs, and daily life of various Vietnamese ethnic communities. The museum has both indoor and outdoor sections, featuring artifacts, traditional houses, and multimedia displays. Then take a 25 minute private transfer to the Temple of Literature. The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu-Quốc Tử Giám) in Hanoi, stands as a venerable testament to the nation's rich cultural and educational history. Originally established in 1070 during the Ly Dynasty, it functioned as Vietnam's first university, dedicated to Confucius. The complex, marked by five courtyards, intricate gates, and iconic structures like the Khue Van Cac pavilion and the Well of Heavenly Clarity, exudes a serene and contemplative ambiance. The renowned Stelae of Doctors, stone slabs mounted on tortoises, immortalize scholars who successfully passed royal examinations. Today, the Temple of Literature stands not only as an architectural masterpiece but also as a symbol of Vietnam's enduring commitment to learning and scholarly pursuits. (~3 hours).

4:30 P.M. (Starting time may vary)From the Temple of Literature take a 15 minute private transfer to the Hanoi Old Quarters to hop on a cyclo for a tour through the narrow, historic streets. Cyclos, traditional three-wheeled cycle rickshaws, navigate the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, known for its narrow alleys and vibrant markets. As you leisurely traverse this historic district, you'll witness a tapestry of life unfold – from the aromas of street food stalls to the vibrant array of goods for sale. The cyclo tour provides an immersive experience, allowing you to soak in the charming chaos, colonial architecture, and the unique energy that defines Hanoi's Old Quarter. It's a nostalgic and leisurely way to explore the cultural richness of this dynamic city, with the cyclo drivers sharing their local insights along the way. Then take a short 10 minute transfer back to the hotel. (~1 to 1.5 hours).

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

8:00 A.M.: After breakfast, take a 10 minute private transfer to visit the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi showcases a rich collection of Vietnamese art spanning different periods and styles. Established in 1966, the museum is housed in a colonial-era building and features an extensive range of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The exhibits offer a comprehensive look at the evolution of Vietnamese art, from traditional folk art to contemporary pieces, providing visitors with insights into the country's cultural and artistic heritage. (~1 hour).

9:30 A.M.: Then head to Hanoi Old Quarter - the inspiration for many local artists. Your first stop is at Hoan Kiem Lake, a gem in the heart of the city. You’ll continue on to see the booming street art scene where young, up-and-coming artists contribute to the contemporary art landscape. Lastly, you’ll head to a local Vietnamese artist’s workshop space to get a glimpse into their creative pieces and processes (~2 to 2.5 hours).

11:30 A.M.: Lunch at Duong Dining Restaurant is included. Lunch consists of a set menu with an appetizer and an entree. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

8:00 A.M.: This morning, you’ll head Southwest of Hanoi for about 45 minutes to Van Phuc silk village. Once you arrive, you’ll take a peaceful stroll and enjoy the sights and sounds of a northern Vietnamese village transforming with urbanization. You’ll learn about Van Phuc now and then, the stages of silk-producing handmade silk: from spinning and gluing, to weaving and completion of the silk wares (~2 hours).

10:00 A.M.: Then you’ll take short walk over to Vụn Art Cooperative for a hands on silk fabric Workshop. Traditional craftsmanship meets environmental sustainability at Vun Art Cooperative. This social enterprise empowers individuals with disabilities by training and employing them to create unique handicrafts and apparel from discarded silk fragments. Van Phuc, discards around 10,000 kilograms of silk scraps monthly, a challenge Vun Art addresses creatively. The cooperative repurposes these fragments into various items, including handicrafts, postcards, paintings, wallets, and t-shirts, featuring Vietnamese folk-painting designs. You’ll get to work with the local instructors to learn how to create your own works of art with the silk scraps and get to take home a unique souvenir. Beyond environmental impact, Vun Art focuses on enhancing the lives of its team members, providing them with meaningful work, artistic expression, and the opportunity to live independently. The cooperative's success not only preserves traditional art forms but also serves as a model for breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity for individuals with disabilities in Vietnam. After the workshop, you’ll take a 45 minute transfer back to the hotel in Hanoi. (~2.5 hours).

1:00 P.M.: Lunch at Koto Restaurant is included. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

5:00 P.M.: Tonight you are in for a tasty treat! You’ll get to meet a local master chef who will perform a cooking demonstration where they will show you how locals use fresh herbs and natural ingredients to create the unique flavors of northern Vietnamese food (~2 hours).

7:00 P.M.: Dinner is included as a part of the Flavors of Northern Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration. Your meal will typically be a 5 course meal with appetizers, main course, and dessert with an herbal drink. The menu is subject to change based on seasonality.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

8:30 A.M.: Get ready to flex your creative writing muscles as we brainstorm story prompts, exchange scenes and scenarios with one another, collectively weave some wild tales, and share some fresh inspiration from our travels in Vietnam! (~3 hours) Location: at the hotel's meeting room.

11:30 A.M.: - Lunch at Home Moc Restaurant. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

2:00 P.M.: Lacquer waiting, called "sơn mài”, is a traditional Vietnamese form of art. During this workshop, you’ll have time to the local lacquer painters over a cup of tea to learn about the history of this art. Then, you’ll be able to create your own lacquer piece with guidance from the artist. (~3 hours) Locationl: at the hotel's meeting room

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

8:30 A.M.: Let's get crafty with various activities, from painting to sculpting to beading, all in homage to our favorite media and characters! (~ 3 hours) Location: at the hotel's meeting room

2:00 P.M.: In the afternoon, experience a Tea Ceremony where the tea master preserves the traditional tea culture of Vietnam. Keep your soul calm and learn the meaning of tea culture in the local life of a Hanoian. Enjoy the tea with some snacks while the calligraphy master presents to you the history of Vietnamese calligraphy. Step by step, you'll draw your own calligraphy art. (~3 hours) Location - at the hotel's meeting room

6:00 P.M.: Farewell dinner at the Ngon Gardnen Restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu with an appetizer, main, and dessert with a wine pairing for the main course. Additional food and drinks at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. Breakfast starts from 6:00 A.M.

TrovaTrip will provide 2 transfers to Noi Bai Airport (HAN) on the last day.