• Private tour with English/French speaking guide .
• Date of Departure is at your wish

We create a special art tours for those who have a strong passion on the fine-art. This 13 day trip starting from Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) and visit the highlights of the beautiful country with some stops at the Fine Art Museum or Painting Gallery or even visit the home of Vietnamese famous artists. Let’s have a cup of tea with the artist and share your passion!

Vietnam Comtemporary Art Tour 13 days - 12 nights

DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI (L/ D)

Arrive at Noi Bai Airport outside of Hanoi where you will be met by our local guide who will take you to the hotel in Hanoi. After settling in, there will be a lunch orientation at the Press Club, the street followed by a one-hour cyclo (pedicab) tour to soak up Hanoi's stoic atmosphere along Hoan Kiem Lake an ancient, yet lively Old Quarter. Evening Water Puppets Theater, a magical puppet show where the puppets emerge from the surface of a small watery stage telling tales of old Vietnam, a performance art unique to Vietnam. Dinner at Green Tangerine, a lovingly restored 1928 colonial in the center of the Old Quarter featuring French-Vietnamese cuisine.

DAY 2: HANOI-HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

Transfer by private van to Halong Bay heritage.
The Gulf of Tonkin was once the haunt of Vietnamese and Chinese pirates, and in Halong Bay the romance of old Vietnam still lingers, with scenic karst islets randomly scattered and the odd red-sailed junks lazing across the languid waters. With 3,000 limestone and dolomite islets sprinkled over an area of 1,500 square kilometers, this  UNESCO World Heritage Site is a geographic wonderland.
Arrive Halong port and board private traditional wooden cruiser (replica junk) for a private tour of Halong Bay with a seafood lunch banquet prepared on board. Exploration of Sung Sot Cave, the largest grotto in Halong. Afterwards, optional assisted kayaking — paddling Halong Bay and exploration of the bay by kayak, including floating villages, hidden beach coves, caves and lakes. Dinner banquet prepared on board. Overnight in private cabin.

DAY 3: HALONG BAY-HANOI (B/L)

Savor the opaque sunrise on misty Halong Bay and be warmed by Vietnamese coffee, noodle soup, and omelettes. You can leisurely explore grottos, cragged coves, inland lagoons, and white-sand beaches before returning to Halong City port. After farewell lunch with crew, return to Hanoi, stopping at an interesting crafts center en route.
After arrival back in Hanoi, On the way, we will stop at Bat Trang pottery village to vsit artworks handcrafted in Bat Trang. Late afternoon and dinner will be on your own. We will provide a list of wonderful choices, such as Wild Lotus, Wild Rice popular restaurants with pleasant decor offering delicious Vietnamese fusion.

DAY 4: HANOI- FINE ART (B/L/D)

Depart from hotel at 08.00 AM and start our full day of Art Tours, first will stop over at the Museum of National Fine Arts. It has received many high ranking delegations of different countries, the Museum has sent many traveling thematic exhibitions to other nations to introduce to international friends the typical culture, heroic history of Vietnam. At the same time, it has linked local people with painting, photograph, and sculpture collections of international artists. The Museum has created chances for local art lovers to enjoy and learn about different fine arts school and tendencies of the world. Our next stop is at Home/studio of the well-known lady artist of Mai Hien, she is an expert in field of Contemporary arts of Lacquer painting and graduated from Hanoi college in 1985. Mai Hien is a full member of Hanoi Fine Arts Association (HFAA).
Next stop will be at the home/ studio of the famous artist Pham Luc, Pham Luc is also a member of the HFAA, Pham Luc had graduated from Hanoi fine arts college in 1977. Participated in art exhibitions in Vietnam and foreign countries such as Russia, Japan, France, Italy, Poland and Czech. His paintings have been collected by the Vietnam’s fine art museum and many foreign people, He is specializing in motherland, love and war subjects.

Lunch is served at a top local restaurant before heading out the town and stop over at the home/ studio of Dao Anh Khanh artist ( he is also a sculptor and dancer), relax and enjoy his works!

Return back Hanoi, at Hanoi old quarter, start our sightseeing walking tour to visit some the biggest art galleries such as: Viet Fine arts, Green Palm, Apricot, Gia Huy or Thang Long. Tour ends at 5.00 Pm and transfer back to your hotel.                                                

DAY 5: DONG HO PAITING VILLAGE –BUT THAP PAGODA(B/L)

Relax in the morning until you are transfer to lunch. After lunch, we drive about 40km to the village of Dong Ho to visit the home of traditional folk paintings in Vietnam. These artisans have been producing fine woodblock prints for centuries. We conclude our trip with a visit to But Thap pagoda before returning to Hanoi. Free at leisure.       

DAY 6: HANOI- HUE (B/L/D)

Morning tour visit historic Vestiges Ma May Ancient House in Hanoi. Located at 87 Ma May Street, north of Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter, the delightful house is worth visiting. It is one of rare ancient house still preserved in Ha Noi. The house was built at the end of the 19th century according to the structure of traditional house. There is a small yard between buildings to have wind and light. The ground foor (facing street) used to selling goods, and the inner used for living and producing, and at the end is kitchen and toilet. On the second floor, the room – facing street used for worshipping and receiving guests, and the inside room used for bedrooms. After restoration many times, the house still kept old architecture decorations of Ha Noi.
Afterwards, lunch at Café des Arts de Hanoi, a popular ex-patriate cafe with changing exhibits of paintings by local artists. Afterwards, transfer to airport for a one-hour flight to Hue. Arrive Hue, check in hotel and relax. Dinner at the tranquil private home/restaurant, Y Thao,  featuring delicious Hue specialties, including Banh Khoai, a Vietnamese-style crepe.

DAY 7: HUE (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we start visiting Hue city with the Old citadel. Construction of the Imperial City started in 1805, under the reign of Emperor Gia Long, and was completed in 1832, under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the Imperial City was influenced by the style of French architect Vauban. The city comprises three sections: the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Enclosure and the Forbidden Purple City.
Afterwards, meet students and teachers at Hue is Fine Arts College, visit artist Vinh Phoi is studio and learn about his life and inspiration.
After lunch, we will also visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Vietnam's most important Buddhist site overlooking the river. Enjoy traditional live music while having dinner at Tropical Garden Restaurant.

DAY 8: HUE- HOI AN (B/L)

After breakfast, we depart for Hoi An pausing to take in picturesque beach views at Lang Co Lagoon and the spectacular coastline panorama of the Hai Van Pass. We will also visit the Cham Museum, with a private tour of the world’s finest collection of Cham sculpture that dates from the 2nd to the 15th century.
Much of the country was destroyed during wars, but Hoi An survived intact, even through the traumatic 1960s and 1970s. Hoi An has a flourishing custom tailoring trade and the artist community has successfully established itself in the last few years. Afternoon exploring this charming arts and crafts town and its mix of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture. Free dinner.

DAY 9: HOI AN (B/L/D)

Walking tour of Hoi An's intimate streets, visiting former merchants' houses, lantern workshops, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese covered bridge and the colorful bazaar, followed by a visit to a local artist's studio. Lunch at famous Cao Lao soup shop. Afternoon free for lounging, beachcombing, biking or shopping. Evening cooking demonstration and dinner at local restaurant.

DAY 10: HOI AN- HCMC (SAIGON) (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, early morning drive to Danang for our one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). City tour including the old post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace and Saigon Fine Art Museum. Lunch at the Mandarin restaurant to meet renowned artists from the Saigon Artists Association, before visiting their studios and exploring the central market. Afternoon free to wander Saigon's vibrant central district with its many arts and crafts shops or take an optional tour of laquerware studio.

School Girl In Violet Dress by Do Duy Tuan

DAY 11: SAIGON (B/L/D)
Morning visit to Cholon — Saigon's Chinatown — including busy marketplace and Quan Am Pagoda. Lunch at Quan An Ngon, an outdoor restaurant featuring food stalls with live cooking.
After a brief visit to Ben Thanh Market, afternoon spend exploring artist studios and galleries including Mr. Son's Tu Do Gallery, the first private contemporary art gallery in Vietnam.  Dinner at the Temple Club, where almost all the furniture, antique and reproduction, is for sale.

DAY 12: HOCHIMINH AND MEKONG DELTA (B/L)

Morning drive to the Mekong Delta — the "rice basket" of Vietnam — to witness its thriving agrarian economy, river culture, and  spicy cuisine.
Upon arrival in Cai Be, board a motorized boat to visit a local family and nearby floating market. Continue by boat towards An Binh Island through small shade-lined canals, stepping ashore to visit an orchard farm. Learn about cultivation and nursery of longan trees while enjoying a lunch served with the local specialties and exotic delta-grown fruits. After lunch, we will visit a pottery factory and candy making cooperative. Afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner free, with our providing a list to explore the wide range of culinary offerings.

DAY 13: DEPARTURE (B)

There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvernir shopping until transfer to the HCMC airport for your home flight.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Hotel accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with breakfast
• All private transfer & transportation
• Flight tickets, cruise trip
• English/French speaking guide
• All entrance fees
• Meal as stated in program
• Vietnam visa approved letter

TOUR EXCLUDES:

• Vietnam visa stamp fee
• International flights & departure airport tax
• Personal expenses such as drinks at meals, camera fee to tour sites
• Meals not mentioned
•Travel Insurance

Cities	Hotels List	Room Type
Superior Category /  3-star hotel
Hanoi	Hanoi Imperial hotel	Deluxe
	Medalion Hanoi Hotel	Deluxe
Halong Bay	Dragon Pearl Junk	Deluxe Cabin
	Huong Hai Junk	Deluxe cabin
Hue	Festival Hue	Deluxe
Hoi An	Ancient House Resort	Deluxe Gardenview
Ho Chi Minh	Oscar Saigon hotel	Deluxe
First Class Category / 4-star hotel
Hanoi	Sunway Hotel Hanoi	Superior
Halong Bay	Halong Emotion Cruise	Deluxe Cabin
Hue	Saigon Morin hotel	Deluxe River View
Hoi An	Hoi An Beach Resort &  Spa	Deluxe riverview
	Hoian Boutique Resort	Superior
Ho Chi Minh	Liberty Central Hotel	Deluxe
Deluxe Category / 5-star hotel
Hanoi	Hilton Opera Hotel Hanoi	Executive
	InterContinental Westlake Hotel	Deluxe Hanoi View
	Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel	Superior
Halong Bay	Indochina Sails Junk	Deluxe cabin
Hue	Imperial Hue	Deluxe Riverview
Hoi An	Palm Garden Resort	Deluxe Ocean view
Ho Chi Minh	Caravelle Hotel Saigon	Deluxe
	Sofitel Plaza Hotel Saigon	Luxury
Luxury Category  / Luxury 5-star hotel
Hanoi	Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi	Historical Wing Grand Luxury
Halong Bay	PARADISE LUXURY	Deluxe Balcony cabin
Hue	La Residence Hotel & Spa	Deluxe Riverview
Hoi An	The Nam Hai	One bedroom villa
Ho Chi Minh	Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel	Park Deluxe