Art Journaling Vietnam with Sarah Jean Bryson

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 typically a set menu with an appetizer, entre, and dessert with another alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage included. Additional food and drinks at your own expense.

Connect with fellow creatives who also share a passion for art and travel, and start building friendships that will inspire and enrich the journey ahead. Sarah will also be gifting each of you some of her favorite art supplies to use on the trip!

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/America, or buffet style. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

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.

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.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/America, or buffet style. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

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.

From the museum, you’ll take a private transfer to the Old Quarters, 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. You’ll then take a 10 minute private transfer to a local restaurant nearby for lunch.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/America, or buffet style. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

This morning, you’ll take a 45 minute private transfer to Van Phuc Silk Village renowned for its traditional silk weaving craft. As one of the oldest silk villages in Vietnam, Van Phuc has a history dating back more than a thousand years. The village is recognized for its high-quality silk products, particularly the delicate silk items produced by skilled artisans. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the village, and take in the sights and sounds of northern Vietnamese village. Your local guide will provide insights into the history and evolution of Van Phuc, especially its handcrafted silk production. You'll learn about the various stages involved in making silk products, from spinning and gluing to weaving and the final completion of silk wares.

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.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

In the early evening, you’ll be picked up from the hotel for a 20 minute private transfer to the chef’s house for a cooking demonstration. Embark on a flavorful culinary journey with a 5-course Northern Vietnamese cooking demonstration, blending traditional northern Vietnamese cuisine with a fusion twist. Begin with learning how to make a trio of appetizers, featuring fresh spring rolls, pickled vegetables, and prawn crackers. Then the chef will teach you how to make a refreshing Pomelo salad paired with flambéed rum prawns. Indulge in the savory goodness of stir-fried garlic chives with pork and fresh mushrooms, showcasing the region's culinary expertise. The main course takes you to Kinh Ky-style grilled fish, offering a perfect balance of flavors. Conclude the course with a unique four-flavor egg coffee, combining the richness of coffee, matcha, cocoa, and mocha for a sweet and satisfying dessert that captures the essence of Northern Vietnamese cuisine in a contemporary and creative manner.

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. Take a 20 minute transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Take a 15 minute private transfer to lunch. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Lunch is typically a set menu with an appetizer and main. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

After lunch, you’ll take a 25 minute private transfer to a lacquer painting class. Lacquerware, known as "sơn mài" in Vietnam, represents a traditional and intricate form of art. In this class, immerse yourself in the world of local lacquer painters as you share a cup of tea and delve into the rich history of this ancient art form. Gain insights into the techniques, symbolism, and cultural significance embedded in lacquerware. Then, channel your creativity as you paint your very own lacquer piece under the guidance of a skilled artist. This hands-on experience allows you to not only appreciate the beauty of lacquer art but also to actively participate in its creation, making for a memorable and personalized encounter with Vietnamese artistic heritage. Take a 25 minute private transfer back to the hotel.

Get an insider’s look at my travel art journals and discover the magic of turning daily sketches into a stunning visual diary of your adventures! During this hands-on workshop, I’ll share my creative process—from capturing fleeting moments throughout the day to weaving them together into a cohesive and inspiring travel journal. You’ll choose a photo from our previous day’s explorations as the inspiration for your own sketchbook masterpiece. Plus, I’ll be available for one-on-one guidance to help you refine your skills, troubleshoot challenges, or simply explore new techniques. This is your chance to elevate your art and bring your travel memories to life in a way that’s uniquely yours!

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/America, or buffet style. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

From the hotel take a 15 minute private transfer to experience the tranquility of a traditional tea house, where a tea master passionately preserves Vietnam's rich tea culture. Immerse yourself in the local life of Hanoians as you learn the profound meaning behind tea ceremonies, allowing your soul to find calm in this cultural ritual. Savor the tea alongside delightful snacks, while a calligraphy master shares the captivating history of Vietnamese calligraphy. Vietnamese calligraphy tools typically include specialized brushes crafted from animal hair, such as goat or wolf, which vary in size and flexibility to achieve different strokes. Ink, often in solid form or as a liquid, is meticulously ground on an inkstone, and high-quality rice paper serves as the canvas for creating intricate and expressive Vietnamese calligraphy. Engage in a hands-on experience, step by step, as you create your own calligraphy art, adding a personalized touch to this immersive exploration of Hanoi's cultural heritage.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the Old Quarters 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.

Dive deeper into the world of watercolor as we build on the skills learned in our first session. I’ll demonstrate some of my favorite techniques and show you how to incorporate them into your own artwork. Together, we’ll work on a collaborative project inspired by the trip, creating a piece that’s as unique as your travel experience.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/America, or buffet style. Le Jardin Haute Couture offers a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.