Spend time with a local historical expert who offers a fascinating insight into local culture, learning all about the nuances of Vietnam from the history of the conical hat to the effects of the rapid development in trade and tourism. Travel from your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle or cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) to a local coffee shop in the Old Quarter (or to his house, depending on availability) to meet the cultural specialist and discuss Vietnamese culture for one hour. USD 103 per person based on 2 pax Learn all about Vietnam s intriguing art scene at a personal rendezvous with Suzanne Lecht and discover the history of the gallery during a 90-minute visit. Explore the current exhibitions and discuss the progress of Vietnam s burgeoning artists with the opportunity to seek advice from the gallery s curator about potential purchases. Additional cocktail and catering service available upon request with surcharge. USD 344 per person based on 2 pax Visit the Museum of Ethnology together with Mr. Mark Rapoport, MD. Trained in Medicine and Public Health in Boston and Harvard University, Mark first visited Vietnam in the 1960s and moved to Hanoi permanently in 1974. Since relocating, he has become a renowned expert on the ethnic groups of Vietnam and is a keen collector of cultural objects. During an intimate exploration of the museum, Dr. Rapoport shares his knowledge and cultural insights into Vietnam s 54 ethnic minorities. USD 220 per person based on 2 pax
Catch a glimpse of what life was like in the Hanoi Hilton during a visit to the museum with your Abercrombie & Kent guide. Later on, meet a former US army soldier, Chuck Searcy who first came to Vietnam in 1967 to fight in the Vietnam War, but later developed a newfound love for the country. Returning in 1995, he began helping children with disabilities and later assisted the government to clear land mines and other ordnances. Mr. Searcy offers an inside perspective of his time during the war and life at the Hanoi Hilton. USD 116 per person based on 2 pax Discover some of Hanoi s historical sites and visit the iconic war relics that pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam war. Then, take a brief glimpse into the past during a meeting with a former MiG-21 fighter pilot, Mr. Nguyen Hong My. At Mr. My s house, you learn more about the man who was decorated with the Order of Ho Chi Minh for being the first to shoot down a US fighter jet. During the visit, the war veteran happily shares his tales of battle - especially how he became close friends with one US pilot he met and defeated in aerial combat. USD 63 per person based on 2 pax Meet with Doan Minh Hoan, a well-known performance artist, painter and a practitioner of yoga and meditation from Vietnam. Visit the Fine Art Museum where Doan Minh Hoan gives an in depth review of Vietnamese art. After the museum, move to her home studio for a viewing of her paintings, a cup of Vietnamese herbal tea and a talk about the culture of Vietnam from the artist s point of view. She then performs a special contemporary dance performance at her apartment. USD 167 per person based on 2 pax
Cat Tuong Quan translates as gentleman who brings joy and pleasure and now, that gentleman is your host at the Zen House. Experience the traditional Vietnamese way of life and discover local Huế cuisine with a step-by-step cooking class led by an expert chef. Learn the secrets to making two vegetarian dishes as well as the art of folding napkins and setting the table in Vietnamese style. Discover how to meditate before, during and after the meal, then sit down to enjoy your elegant, self-made lunch followed by a Tai Chi class with the lesson of 12 lotus flowers. Finally, you have a chance to taste Gạo Lứt rice tea with sweet ginger. USD 226 per person based on 2 pax Visit a local market by cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw) and continue (by private air-conditioned vehicle) to Tha Om Garden House, an exquisite compound of traditional Vietnamese homes. Once there, join a cooking class and learn how to make two traditional Vietnamese dishes. The owner, Pham Ba Vinh, is a noted preservationist and antique seller who saved four traditional garden homes from demolition and reassembled them around a courtyard flanked on one side by a half-moon lotus pond. Enjoy your self-made feast in the house s beautiful gardens. USD 158 per person based on 2 pax Enjoy an exclusive private dinner at a local house on the banks of the Huong River. The unique property was constructed using reclaimed over 100-year-old materials, locally sourced, to reflect the history and culture of the former Imperial City. The owners are also avid wine enthusiasts and possess one of the largest wine collections in Vietnam. After exploring the house, enjoy a half-hour live music performance by the owner before partaking in a delightful five-course meal of modern Vietnamese cuisine. USD 284 per person based on 2 pax
Visit the historian Phan Thuan An s Garden House, which was built for his wife s grandmother, the daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh. The home is noteworthy both for its architecture, feng shui and collection of altars, pedestals, hutches and divans collected by generations of the same family. An expert on the history of Huế, Mr. Phan Thuan An (or his friendly daughter) gives a talk on his native city and its illustrious past. Depending on the time of visit, either lunch or dinner is served in the house s garden. USD 142 per person based on 2 pax Embark upon a philanthropic mission to engage with Ho Chi Minh City s visually impaired citizens. Begin with a visit to the Nhat Hong Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired where you meet the sisters who run the center. Discover how the Catholic sisters help the children by assisting with their daily activities or by making greetings cards and other handicrafts. Then, move on to Noir, the Dining in the Dark restaurant for a firsthand experience ofhow visually impaired people live. USD 119 per person based on 2 pax Phuong Bao has received the highest national title People's Artist, and has performed in and organized hundreds of big concerts & cultural events around the world. The Moc Show encourages audience participation and interaction allowing you to understand the story and history behind each piece of music, dance move and genre introduced. The one-hour performance uses the true sound of traditional instruments without amplifiers. Before the show starts, Phuong Bao introduces the traditional instruments to the audience from a small, artistically-lit stage and briefs them on what to expect from the performance. USD 307 per person based on 2 pax
Enjoy a private audience with Mr. Hoang Van Cuong at his museum and art gallery. Not only a reputed U.P.I. (United Press International) photographer during the Vietnam War, Hoang Van Cuong is also described as an antique King in Ho Chi Minh City nowadays thanks to his ownership of valuable historical photos of Vietnam War and precious antiques. During your visit to his museums and gallery you have a chance talk with him and gain a deeper understanding of his work and Vietnam s history. USD 54 per person based on 2 pax Visit the home of Mrs. Ngo Truc Mai and Mr. Dinh Linh to enjoy a private performance by the artists. Experience Vietnam s history and culture through its traditional music during the one-hour performance. Mrs. Ngo and her husband Mr. Dinh expertly displays the use of traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, such as the monochord zither, bamboo xylophone and stone lithophone. Then, learn how to play some of the instruments yourself, under the expert tutelage of Mrs. Ngo and Mr. Dinh. USD 91 per person based on 2 pax Learn all about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam s history guided by a renowned expert. Gain a unique insight into Vietnamese art, with visits to the city s top art spaces including the contemporary art gallery Galerie Quynh, which promotes Vietnamese artists from a wide range of backgrounds. Sophie s Art Tour allows a special insider experience few have the opportunity to take. Please note: Sophie is not available until June 2017. Stuart Palmer will host the experience during her absence. Stuart played a major role in the development of the program. USD 187 per person based on 2 pax