Ultra Luxury Thailand and Vietnam Trip

Begin your journey through Vietnam in the vibrant city of Hanoi, where your personal escort will assist you through customs and visa procedures. Your guide and driver will welcome you and bring you to your hotel, Capella Hanoi. Set on a quiet boulevard on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the city, this hotel is an elegant ode to Hanoi’s opera culture, situated just moments from the Hanoi Opera House and boasting exquisite suites and a Michelin-starred restaurant. 

Experience Hanoi like a local this morning, rising to greet the day with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to observe morning tai chi, then getting your caffeine fix with a delicious egg coffee (unique to the north). After lunch, meet former fighter pilot Nguyen Hong My at his home and hear his inspiring story over tea. As you pore over old photographs together, he shares his wartime experience as one of only 120 fighter pilots in the Vietnam War. His story spans the post-war period, too, when against all odds he reunited with former adversaries to form friendships that exemplify reconciliation and compassion.

Today starts with a short drive to Dong Ho village where you’ll learn about one of Vietnam’s oldest and most distinctive art forms, Dong Ho folk painting. For centuries, these hand-carved and painted woodblock prints played an important role in village life, particularly during the Lunar New Year. Only a handful of true masters still practice this today, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet with one of them (Nguyen Huu Qua) in his workshop.

Trade busy city life for the ocean in Vinh Hy, where you’ll check into what is arguably the most exquisite property in the country, Amanoi. It might be hard to pull yourself away from this heavenly haven, with expansive villas boasting infinity pools that overlook the sea, clifftop restaurants serving locally inspired gourmet fare, a lakeside spa, and a private sand beach. But ensconced within Nui Chua National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, plenty of outdoor adventures are nearby, too.  

Get a view of Nui Chua National Park’s dramatic cliffs and mountain ranges from the water on a private scenic boat tour out into Vinh Hy Bay. Swim through gin-clear waters to discover a colorful and biodiverse underwater world that’s home to over 330 different coral species. Before wrapping up the day, stop at a small fishing village to learn about local fishermen’s techniques, traditions, and way of life.  

Today you’ll get the opportunity to trek to a Raglai village, a regional ethnic minority, for an unforgettable glimpse into local nature and culture. Explore the village’s traditional mud and straw houses and schools, and learn about the Raglai’s matrilineal culture while observing the rhythms of daily life. As you continue to hike through the forest, stop at locally owned farms studded with fruit trees and vegetable gardens. 

Spend the day resting, relaxing, and enjoying the Amanoi. On your last night in Vinh Hy, immerse yourself in the culture of the Cham people during a sacred Cham experience. Begin with a walk into the tranquil jungle at dusk, where a traditional Cham feast of curated dishes that highlight their unique and renowned culinary heritage awaits you. Then, in the depths of the forest a Cham master will lead you in a traditional blessing ceremony, offering a rare look at an ancient sacred ritual.

On your final morning in Vinh Hy, your private driver will transfer you to the Cam Tranh airport for your flight to Bangkok where your VIP escort will whisk you through priority customs and immigration. Your personal guide and driver will welcome you to the city and bring you to Capella Bangkok, where you’ll spend your first two nights.

Go beyond the guidebook this morning with an insider look at Bangkok led by a Thai local. This experience feels like a tour of the city with an old friend, bringing you to hidden spots for unique experiences most travelers miss. In the afternoon, step aboard a private Hacker-Craft boat to cruise the Chao Phraya River in style—an experience that feels straight out of a James Bond movie. Observe life along the river with a glass of champagne in hand, drifting past wooden houses, historic temples, and iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.

From Bangkok, a short flight brings you to the northern region of Chiang Rai, where rolling green mountains are dotted with hill tribe villages. Here, you’ll check in to one of Thailand’s most exclusive retreats, the stunning Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, located where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. A peaceful riverboat cruise through a bamboo forest brings you to the resort, where just 15 luxury, safari-style tents stud the property. Before the day ends, savor a champagne sundowner on an excursion into the wilderness in a Land Rover.   

Begin your day with an up-close, educational encounter with elephants in their natural habitat, connecting with these gentle, intelligent giants while learning about their daily lives. Then explore the Golden Triangle by traditional long-tail boat, drifting down the Mekong past the landscapes of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Back on land, wander through vibrant markets and streets, before ending in the tranquil, atmospheric Chedi Luang temple.

Get a thrilling, bird’s-eye-view of the Golden Triangle’s lush, mountainous jungle threaded by rivers on a private helicopter flight to Doi Mae Salong. On arrival at this remote mountain community, you’ll travel by private vehicle to Santikhiri, a small community established in the 1950s by immigrants escaping Maoist China. Along the way, stop at Akha and Yao villages, two ethnic minority groups, to learn about their rich cultural traditions.

Transfer to Chiang Rai airport for your onward travels or extend your time in Northern Thailand, perhaps exploring Chiang Mai or continuing deeper into the region’s cultural landscapes.