Vietnam

EXPLORE

Wander ancient lanes, duck into an intimate Art Deco speakeasy, discover ancient temples and the most colorful local markets

CONNECT

Meet local artists and chefs, gallery owners and graffiti artists, tai chi masters and monks

LEARN

And savor the pantheon of Vietnamese flavors, from street food by scooter to seafood on the beach — it's the absolute wonder of Vietnamese cuisine

Why Vietnam

Vietnam packs a world of experience in its slender frame. Its famed delicacies range from local markets and street-food wonders to superb fusion in atmospheric French colonial villas. Then there’s the beauty: meander through along lantern-lit cobblestone lanes, temple-lined lakes, golden-sand beaches and towering rugged peaks. Vietnam satiates every sense.

ONLY WITH MO/AD

Experience the best of Vietnam by meeting directly with the people who call it home. Local foodies introduce you to the best markets and street snacks, tackle the night on Vespas, kick back in private boats for bayside cruises, meet rice farmers and graffiti artists, and dine on locally sourced meals prepared by top local chefs.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

For the culturally curious and adventurous foodies. Vietnam is a blank canvas of possibility: bustling cities full of vivacious nightlife to laid-back old towns, beaches and jungles to ancient temples.

When to Travel

The best time to visit is Dec - Feb, with relatively mild humidity and minimal rain. Expect mild rain Mar - May and in September. Rain and humidity are most severe in summer: June, July, August.

Make It Yours

High-energy Ho Chi Minh City, laid-back Hoi An, ancient Hue, the Mekong Delta and more. We’ll craft the Vietnam retreat of your dreams, with options to explore neighboring Cambodia.

Day by Day

Our Vietnam retreat the country’s best sites. Opt to extend your trip to nearby Cambodia for an even fuller Southeast Asia experience.

Thick trails of smoke rise from rows of burning incense sticks in golden urns at a temple in Vietnam.

Day 1

Start in the south and head north, or mix it up and start in northern Vietnam in the country’s capital, Hanoi, one of Asia’s most fascinating cities. After some time to settle in, kick off the evening at famed Art Vietnam Gallery. Suzanne Lecht has been the voice and champion of Vietnamese art since the 1990s, and a cocktail at her home-turned-gallery is the perfect opportunity to check out some of the country’s finest contemporary pieces. Dinner is at a classic French villa with some of the city’s finest haute Vietnamese cuisine.

  • Hanoi walking tour
  • Private meet-up with Suzanne Lecht
  • French villa dinner

Day 2

Jump into the day with an exploration of Hanoi’s ancient Old Quarter, all gorgeous crooked lanes lined by centuries-old guildhalls. A local food blogger leads you in sampling the best street foods Hanoi has to offer. In the evening see where Hanoi’s famed ‘street beer’, bia hoi, is brewed fresh daily and sold from humble sidewalk stands until it runs out. Dinner is at one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, feasting on French-Vietnamese fusion delights before capping off the night with a rooftop cocktail high above the kinetic city.

  • Guided tasting tour of local markets
  • Street food and 'bia hoi' beer tour
  • Exclusive Old Quarter dinner
  • Rooftop cocktails
A traditional cruise boat drifts through turquoise waters, surrounded by towering limestone islands covered in lush greenery.

Days 3 - 4

Board your private boat, home base for the next few days, and cruise the tranquil waters of Ha Long Bay, famous for its towering limestone cliffs, and the quieter and less-trafficked Lan Ha Bay. Get a hands-on spring roll demonstration creating the perfect appetizers to the night’s meal prepped and served aboard. Cocktails will accompany each glorious sunset.

  • Private transfer to Ha Long Bay
  • Private sailing experience in Ha Long and Lan Ha bays

Days 5 - 6

Fly south to Hue, the former capital home to palaces, shrines and awe-inspiring architecture. Wander courtyards of Khai Dinh Royal Tomb before a private lunch at the historic Ngoc Son garden houses. The former residence of Princess Ngoc Son, daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh, has been curated by the family for seven generations. Then, get chauffeured in cyclos (modern-day rickshaws) to the Imperial Citadel and explore Dong Ba Market, the oldest of its kind in Hue. After the market, you’ll be graciously welcomed by the Buddhist nuns at the 400-year-old monastery Sac Tu Khanh. 

  • Fly to Hue
  • Private lunch at historic Ngoc Son garden houses
  • Cyclo ride to Imperial Citadel
  • Tour of Dong Ba Market
  • Private visit to Buddhist nunnery

Days 7 - 8

Make your way to Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass. The name means ‘clouds over the sea,’ and the summit of this scenic and serpentine road will give you spectacular views of the coastline. Hoi An is a foodie city, and you’ll be led by a local chef at a hands-on cooking class for lunch. The culinary theme continues on the back of a Vespa scooter: rev through the bustling streets like locals, sampling delicious regional dishes. Finally, visit the small village and potter’s paradise of Thanh Ha, to check out some of the local pottery.

  • Private transfer to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass
  • Hands-on cooking class
  • Street food tour by Vespa
  • Meet local artists at Thanh Ha
  • River cruise and beach BBQ dinner

Where We Sleep

From artsy boutique hotels to relaxed tropical resorts, our accommodations capture the essence and ethos of Vietnam

Hanoi

Home base is a stately heritage hotel perfectly situated near the city’s favorite gathering place at Hoan Kiem Lake and opera house. When not exploring the walkable streets outside, you can relax in the quiet courtyard, take a dip in the pool, or indulge their sumptuous Vietnamese cuisine.

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bays

It's your own private home on the water. Aboard, the fresh scent of orchids will lull you into relaxation in this quiet, visually stunning section of Ha Long Bay. Get modern-day comforts like spacious rooms, top-tier cuisine and spa services

Hue

An Art Deco masterpiece built in 1930, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Its stunning architecture embraces the past while incorporating contemporary twists. Whether you choose to kick back poolside or meander through its tropical gardens, it's an absolute oasis of comfort.

Hoi An

An impeccable retreat facing the Thu Bon river and just a stroll away from Hoi An’s ancient lantern-lit Old Quarter. Relax in expansive rooms or at the serene pool, admire the brilliant art gallery, or just take in the views from the highest rooftop bar in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City

It’s full-blown luxury in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's historic center. Tropical plants sprout from the windows of its Cubist-style tower set along a wide curve of the river. You enter an industrial lobby, benefitting from iron beams reclaimed for the old shipyards. A rooftop lap pool has stunning city views.

People Love MO/AD’s Vietnam

Great luxury, and truly authentic street food, our trip with Modern Adventure was the best of both worlds.
Francois L.
I loved Vietnam. I was charmed by the people and seduced by the cuisine.
Janice B.
I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure executed this trip. You exceeded my every expectation.
Joan P.

FAQs

  1. How many people are itineraries suitable for?

    Our itineraries can be tailored for groups of any size, whether it’s a small, intimate group of six or a larger team or group of 100 or more.

  2. What makes a MO/AD Retreat different?

    Our retreats capture the spirit of a culture and destination, tailored to your objectives, harnessing the potential of shared experiences. Our retreats serve as a vibrant platform for self-discovery, where we share connection and leave with growth, fun and inspiration.

  3. How does it work?

    We start by learning about your organization and goals. Our team takes care of all the details and supports to ensure all the logistics and communications are seamlessly managed. We also work with you to incorporate in your ideas for the retreat.

  4. What services are typically included?

    Our services cover the full retreat experience. We offer white glove support to you and your group, from detailed planning and day-to-day itineraries to local insights about the destination, on-site logistics, and 24/7 dedicated assistance. Our degree of curation, personalization, care, and local connections sets us apart.

  5. How far in advance should I plan a retreat?

    Preferably nine to twelve months in advance (earlier for holiday travel). We typically stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible.

  6. What activities do you offer?

    We curate your MO/AD Retreat to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Our relationships unlock unprecedented access to the pioneers behind global initiatives and cultural movements.

  7. How much will it cost?

    Retreats typically include accommodations, private airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and most meals. MO/AD Retreats typically cost $1,000 to $3,000 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  8. What's not included?

    MO/AD Retreats do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  9. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to confirm your itinerary and reserve accommodations, a 25% deposit is required. The balance of your trip cost is due  120 days prior to travel.