A perfect vacation in Vietnam revolves around heavenly places, select accommodations, experienced guides and many alternatives for travelers who want to live a unique and unforgettable adventure. And if you combine exotic locations and unlimited budgets, the options become endless. You can learn about the culture of Vietnam and enjoy its flavors and landscapes at your own pace if you customize your trip and focus on art, history or gastronomy. Read more about travel here.

That is precisely what some travel agencies offer. The concept behind an experience that understands what the travelers seek, and a trip planned to meet their demands. Skilled professionals will take care of the whole process: they personally organize the routes, accommodation and transportation, even make reservations at some of Vietnam’s most legendary restaurants.

Those who want learn about the superb Vietnamese cuisine can opt for a tour that includes a cooking class with Michel Roux, a renowned award-winning chef with three Michelin stars, or take a fishing trip and stay at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Da Nang. Later you can visit the capital, Hanoi, feel the pedestrian vitality of this growing city, and take in the spectacular street food —considered the best cuisine in town— with a specialized guide. And to make the trip perfect, you must stay at the fabulous Sofitel Legend Metropole, the best hotel in all Vietnam, which combines colonial charm with sophisticated contemporary luxury.

Chef Michel Roux.

Another option is to explore the history of the picturesque Ho Chi Minh City and delve into the Vietnamese art scene led by an art historian. If you want to relax, the best alternative in the city is the Park Hyatt Hotel. The beauty of Southeast Asia is revealed aboard the sumptuous Halong Violet, a traditional barge built in 1930 that cruises Halong Bay. If you stay only a day or choose to spend the night on board, the stillness of waters and the landscapes are memorable. If you want to enjoy the country’s natural enchantment, and interesting option is The Amanoi Resort, located in a white sand beach with astonishing ocean views which are part of the Nui Chua National Park.

There are three prestigious and exclusive restaurants not to be missed. In Ho Chi Minh City, La Camargue Restaurant, famous for its lovely ambiance, sublime cuisine and dining by candlelight on the terrace. In Hoi An, we recommend Mango Rooms, an elegant, eclectic and modern eatery that offers an exciting and unique fusion of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. The New York Times described it as “the trendiest small restaurant between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.” Finally, if what you want is distinction and fusion, the best alternative is the Hanoi Press Club, the best restaurant in the city.

The exclusivity of the trip is also reflected in the best transportation options, from private flights to comfortable trains with sleeping cars that cross the country from north to south, with efficient staff along the entire route. The cost of this vacation starts at $5,300. ■