Stepping onto the sun-drenched private beach at Zannier Bãi San Hô, Eleanor and her mum savoured a soul-soothing afternoon tea experience. They enjoyed Vietnamese-inspired delicacies, handcrafted savouries, and locally sourced teas, all served beneath a billowing canopy on powdery sands. This elegant ritual fostered a deep connection to nature and an intimate celebration of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.

The Pendletons gathered in a traditional Vietnamese kitchen, surrounded by lush countryside, for a private family cooking experience that offered an authentic glimpse into Vietnam’s culinary soul. Guided by a local chef, they learned to craft time-honoured dishes using fresh herbs, hand-picked vegetables, and secret family recipes passed down through generations.

From the bustling street cafés of Hanoi to the quiet, breezy porches of the Mekong Delta, coffee in Vietnam is more than a morning ritual. Eleanor and her family discovered that Vietnamese coffee is an experience to be felt as much as tasted, opting for a coffee masterclass that taught them how to craft three iconic Vietnamese coffee drinks.