Discover Culture & Cuisine in Vietnam

hello@wltt.travel

+971 50 847 5986

Find your transformational trip

Advanced search

Health & Fitness

Learning & Upskilling

Discover Culture & Cuisine in Vietnam

How This Trip Can Change Your Life

Enhanced mindfulness and relaxation: With daily yoga classes and personalised spa and wellness treatments, you will have the opportunity to unwind, relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. These experiences can lead to a greater sense of mindfulness, helping you to stay present and connected to yourself long after you return home.
Cultural enrichment and awareness:Through visits to a Vietnamese pagoda and the Imperial City of Hue, you will gain insights into Buddhism, traditional healing practices and the unique history of the Nguyen Dynasty. Exploring the vibrant Hang Be Market will also introduce you to local customs and traditions. These experiences can broaden your perspectives and enhance your awareness of the world around you.
Improved cooking skills: You will learn the secrets of creating authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. This experience can inspire you to experiment with new ingredients and flavours, leading to improved cooking skills and a greater appreciation for diverse cuisines.

overview

Indulge in a week of wellness, relaxation and cultural immersion in Vietnam. This retreat is designed to provide women with an enriching and nourishing experience, focusing on mindfulness, health and travel. In seven unforgettable days, you will experience the best of Vietnam’s heritage, culture, cuisine and traditional healing practices.

This retreat offers mindful travel, expert guidance and memorable experiences that will refresh and rejuvenate you. Vietnam is the perfect destination, with its natural beauty, diverse culture and traditional healing practices. The itinerary includes a cooking class with one of Anantara’s Hoi An’s executive chefs. You’ll learn the secrets of creating authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.

You’ll also visit a Vietnamese pagoda to learn more about Buddhism and experience a meditation session with Buddhist monks, connecting with nature and finding peace and calm in the sacred space. You will also go to the Imperial City of Hue to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hue Imperial Citadel, which has retained many unique imprints of the flourishing history and culture of the Nguyen Dynasty hundreds of years ago.

During your stay at Anantara Hoi An Resort, you can enjoy a morning yoga class led by the lodge’s wellness staff. You will stop at Hang Be Market, one of the Old Quarter’s most vibrant fresh markets, where you can explore picture-perfect mountains of vegetables and a rainbow of tropical fruits. At the end of each day, you’ll return to Anantara Hoi An Resort for personalised spa and wellness treatments designed to bring balance to your mind, body and soul. The expert staff will ensure that you leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

No experience is necessary to join the morning yoga classes, and the cooking class is perfect for both seasoned home cooks and beginners. Join this unforgettable week of wellness, relaxation and cultural immersion in Vietnam.

What's Included

Three nights' accommodation at Anantara Hoi An Resort & Spa, Hoi An
Two nights' accommodation at Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa, Hue
One night's accommodation May de Ville Luxury Hotel & Spa, Hanoi
Six breakfasts, three lunches & four dinners
A 120-Minute Signature Spa Treatment at Anantara Hoi An Resort & Spa
Yoga and Tai Chi Classes
Bicycling
Basket Boat Ride
Cooking Class
A guided visit to Hue’s Ancient Citadel
A meditation Class with Buddhist Monks
Private Group Transportation
Hanoi Street Food Tour
Dedicated Retreat Leader
Local Vietnamese Guide for the Duration of the Retreat

GOOD TO KNOW

Flights to/from Hanoi, Vietnam are not included

ITINERARY

GETTING TO HANOI, VIETNAM (HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRAVEL)

This retreat will begin on Monday, November 20, 2023, at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport at 4:00 PM. Here you will meet your Retreat Leader and the rest of the group. We recommend flights that arrive in Hanoi no later than 3:00 PM to allow you time to collect your luggage and meet up for the short regional flight to Danang, which is scheduled for 6:00 PM. If you would prefer to arrive in Hanoi a day prior, we offer a 1-night pre-retreat package which includes transportation and a tour of the city.
Please Note: If you are also booked in our Northern Vietnam Trail Running + Wellness Retreat you will arrive at the airport with your retreat leader.
This retreat will end on Sunday, November 26, 2023. We recommend booking your return flight for any time on or after this day. Your retreat package includes a transfer from the hotel in Hanoi to the airport.
A VISA IS REQUIRED FOR VIETNAM (not included). Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of travel.

Day 1

FLY FROM HANOI TO DANANG; ARRIVE ANANTARA HOI AN RESORT

Upon arriving at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, collect your luggage and exit the baggage claim area. Wait here for your retreat leader, who will be arriving at the airport at approximately 4:00 PM. You will then check back in for the group flight to Danang, departing at 6:00 PM.

Upon arrival in Danang, your driver and guide will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you to the Anantara Hoi An Wellness Spa & Resort. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Please Note: Guests who are on our Northern Vietnam Trail Running + Wellness Retreat will arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport from Halong Bay, and join the rest of the group.

Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2

HOI AN BIKING + COOKING CLASS + TAI CHI

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your Retreat Leader for the Official Retreat Welcome meeting. Following the welcome meeting, you'll be met by your local guide and depart by bike for a leisurely ride to the beautiful Cam Thanh Village located in the countryside outside of Hoi An. The village is nestled among a system of narrow rivers and surrounded by lush palm groves, tranquil rice paddies and historical buildings. Following your bike ride, hop in a traditional basket boat to explore the Co Co River and the local fisherman from a different perspective. You’ll arrive at a bamboo riverside restaurant to learn the art of Vietnamese cooking with a local chef. Enjoy the lunch you prepared yourself overlooking the river and surrounding palm trees. You can return to the hotel by bike or car, with time to relax before an afternoon introduction to Tai Chi class. In the evening, walk into Hoi An’s ancient quarter for a Vietnamese fine dining experience.

Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

VISIT HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN + OPTIONAL VESPA TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, join your local guide for a half-day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An. This ancient town, located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, is a historic trading port dating back to the 15th century and is known for an exceptionally well-preserved mix of Chinese, Japanese and French architecture. It’s easy to spend a day wandering the charming village and browsing the myriad of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Included in your retreat package is a spa treatment at the Anantara Hoi An Resort, so some of you may have your treatment there this afternoon, otherwise, your afternoon is free to enjoy the resort amenities.

OPTIONAL: For those feeling more adventurous, join your guide in the morning to explore the roads less traveled on the back of a vintage Vespa. Navigated by an experienced driver, you will ride along the riverbank and rural countryside to areas less frequently visited by tourists. You will stop to visit the 100-year old ancestral house of Mr. Huynh Ri, and other local families, with the chance to learn how they have perfected the art of mat weaving and basket boat making using local materials. You will have a final stop at the Noi Rang Market and enjoy a panoramic view of Hoi An on your way to lunch at a local restaurant. End back at the hotel in the early afternoon.

Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast (lunch is provided on optional Vespa tour)

Day 4

YOGA + ANTANARA SIGNATURE SPA EXPERIENCE

After breakfast, gather for a private yoga class, followed by individual spa appointments at the Anantara Spa, where you will be treated to the Anantara Signature Experience. Start with a stimulating massage combining Eastern and Western massage techniques, followed by a green tea salt scrub for a deep-cleansing exfoliation, and wind down with a revitalizing Vietnamese herbal bath. Following lunch at the resort, you will depart for the city of Hue, via the Hai Van pass with expansive views stretching out over the South China Sea. In the late afternoon arrive at the Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort and Spa.

Overnight at Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Luch, Dinner

Day 5

HUE'S ANCIENT CITADEL, AFTERNOON TEA + MEDITATION

After breakfast, you’ll depart for a morning tour of Hue’s ancient citadel. This UNESCO World Heritage site serves as a great introduction to the history of Vietnam in imperial times, Mandarin culture and the former feudal system. Enjoy an easy-paced visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Vietnam dating back to the early 1600s. You will cross the Perfume River by boat for lunch at a local house in Thuy Bieu village. The village is a maze of narrow alleys with ancient homes and impressive gardens. You will enjoy some gentle cycling on the island with stops along the way to meet local villagers and sample some of the fresh fruit.

Your afternoon is at leisure. This afternoon, your Vietnamese guide and driver will take you to a local pagoda to meet with local monks and learn about Vietnamese Buddhism. Sitting together for a hot pot of tea, immerse yourself in the faint aroma and join the monks for a meditation session focused on breathing and relaxation. Following our visit to the pagoda, we will enjoy a dinner in town and transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight at Pilgrimage Village Resort Boutique & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

FLY TO HANOI, STREET FOOD TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Hue Airport for a morning flight to Hanoi (included in your retreat). Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer and check in to your hotel, centrally located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The rest of the day is at leisurely exploring the city. In the early evening, meet your guide and set out on a deep dive into Hanoi’s legendary street food culture. Stop at Hang Be Market, one of the Old Quarter’s most vibrant fresh markets, with picture-perfect mountains of vegetables and a rainbow of tropical fruits. Next dive into a nearby alley and settle down with some Bun Ca and Ca Cuon (noodles with fried fish and fried fish cakes) served with or without soup and plenty of fresh vegetables. You’ll continue on to one of Hanoi’s most famous food streets where you can take your pick from a delightful assortment of Vietnamese cuisine. Finish the day with egg coffee; a quintessential Hanoi speciality with a fascinating history.

Overnight at May De Ville Luxury Hotel & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

DEPARTURES FROM HANOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We have no scheduled group activities today, as people will be departing for their return flights at various times throughout the day. If you have time, enjoy the extensive buffet breakfast offered at the hotel, as well as the rooftop pool. Our driver will take you to the airport at the appointed time based on your flight itinerary. If you want to enjoy more shopping and free time to explore Hanoi before heading to the airport, this is your chance to do that! Or, if you want even more pampering, book yourself one last treatment at the May Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast

As Featured In