Unique Trip Experiences, Sights, and and Activities
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Hanoi Street Food Crawl
No doubt you've heard, and seen on screen, that Vietnam has some of the most delicious cuisine in the world. As Anthony Bourdain states "All of the things I need for happiness: Low plastic stool, check. Tiny little plastic table, check. Something delicious in a bowl, check."
We will savor finer dining at places that should not missed, but during the day when out and about, we'll expose you to the best pho you've ever had, or stop by the bun cha cafe (where Barack Obama enjoyed a taste of this terrific Hanoi dish). Thankfully, Vietnamese serving sizes are smaller and we'll loosen up the belt some and snack throughout the day.
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Private Performance with the Hanoi Traditional Opera Troupe
The aged, atmospheric theater in the Old Quarter of Hanoi is an enchanting place to encounter Hanoi's traditional opera troupe. Here learn about the unique style of theater with the actors, including traditional stories, musical instruments, make up and costumes, and enjoying a short piece which we will be welcome to join in on.
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Dan Bao Blues
Forgo the tedious water puppets theater for this private hands-on lesson learning to play the mystical sound of the Dan Bao, which is the real highlight of the theater.
Enjoy time with a prodigy in the atmospheric Old Quarter home of Pham Chi Khanh and his musical family, also learning other instruments. Khanh is a master of several traditional Vietnamese instruments, but the electrified and bluesy Dan Bao, featured in water puppets theater, is mesmerizing
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Private Cooking Class
This delightful, yet rigorous cooking class is not to be missed. Situated in an elegant French villa with expert instructors, you will be taught to master four to five dishes, including quintessential Vietnamese spring rolls, papaya salad, and mouth-watering banh xeo, a Vietnamese fried crepe. The course includes a market tour, and lunch dining on your creations. [View Culinary in Asia]
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Fighter Pilot Hong My
Hear Mr. My's thrilling stories of being a fighter pilot over Hanoi during the war. He was the first Vietnamese pilot to shoot down an American f-4 fighter jet in 1972. Mr. My later was invited to Kentucky to meet with his former adversaries, one, Dan Cherry, who had also shot him down during dogfights above Hanoi and recounted in General Cherry's book: My Enemy, My Friend. We'll stop into have teas with My in his Old Quarter home, sharing photos, and hearing about his amazing experiences during and after the war.
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Performance Artist Dao Anh Khanh
Spend an afternoon and reception with Khanh at his sprawling Red River "art compound." A surrealist painter and Vietnam's most eminent performance artist, Khanh moves easily between painting canvases, acrylic and lacquer with his very own technique. During shows, he may paint himself white and dance for hours in his own highly individual style. As a performance artist, Anh Khanh has performed all over the world including New York, Europe, and throughout Asia. Khan is fluent in English, and an engaging and charming host.
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Cambodia Street Circus Performers
Enjoy a private pre-performance reception with the talented performers of this renowned street circus in Siem Reap.
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Lacquer Revolution
Artist Dinh Quan is one of Vietnam's foremost contemporary lacquer artists. An intellectual with deep Buddhist beliefs, Quan makes for a fascinating visit beyond his beautiful art work in his home gallery in the bohemian quarter of "Tay Ho" or West Lake in Hanoi. Through his development of the art form, he has adapted the medium to include alternative techniques and other art disciplines, such as sculpture.
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Archeology of Angkor
During our trip, enjoy time with an archeologist with exclusive access to a major restoration projecs taking place in the Angkor Protected Area with an expert archaeological guide. Almost all major temples have undergone extensive repair and renovation in the last century and a half, discover the fascinating process how they are restored.
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Buddhist Art
In addition to "laughing yoga" on the lake, a private class can be arranged on the bank of West Lake in Quang Ba Pagoda, a peaceful complex and perfect location for a serene yoga experience. Instructor Chi Hoan will share with the meditation, mindfulness to understand the peacefulness, positive energy & spiritual improvements of yoga. Ms. Hoan will also share tenants of Buddhism that affect the mind on the path to a enlightenment and a positive life. [See Cycling in Vietnam]
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Calligraphy Master
Learn the ancient and tranquil art of calligraphy from a master in the atmospheric Old Quarter. Hand-on, learn to brush calligraphy in both Chinese, who introduced it to Vietnam, and in the Vietnamese Language. Your host, a skilled artist and a calligraphy master will transport you back in time delving into an art that is still revered and respected.
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Cambodia Silk Farm and Designer
At this silk farm, learn not only the life cycle of silk works and production of silk, but a rare organization where weavers also create some of the finest silk textiles in Asia. Our host is a former U.N. refugee camp administrator and former Director of the National Center of Cambodian Silk.
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Royal Wood Carving
Wood carving remains one of Lao's most renowned crafts, a tradition dating back to Angkorian times when Lao craftsmen created sculptures and frescoes that adorned the temples of the Angkor empire and later on, Buddhist temples throughout the region.
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Monastery Meditation in Laos
At dawn, during this private monastery visit, discover the lives and rituals of young novice monks, including alms giving, and the important practice of meditation that most Laotians engage in. As well as observing, we will practice meditation ourselves, while also learning about Buddhism and their lives from the monks themselves.
Nguyen Qui Duc
Duc is one of Vietnam's foremost writer and intellectuals. A San Francisco-based host on National Public Radio, Duc retired to Hanoi, marking this move back home with the opening of an art gallery and designing of a mountain retreat (read the New York Times article).
A provocateur in the spirit of Ai Weiwei, Duc continues to contribute to the New York Times. His books include Where the Ashes Are: The Odyssey of a Vietnamese Family and Vietnam: A Traveler's Literary Companion. Duc continues to write and manages a poet's café in the Old Quarter, where we will meet for coffee and a sweeping introduction to his homeland and vigorous art's scene.
