Nguyen Duc Hanh, CEO of All Asia Vacation (AAV), which designed their itinerary, said Jeff Grinspoon and Jon Thomas Foley arrived in Hanoi on Feb. 4 after seven months of planning.

They had several specific demands like having privacy, trying the local cuisine, experiencing art, learning about antiques, and giving crowded tourist spots a miss.

In Hanoi, they explored traditional markets and tried various foods.

While they found Dong Xuan Market too focused on wholesale trade, they were impressed by the vibrant atmosphere and many small food stalls at Chau Long Market.

There, they sampled Cuon ball (steamed rice paper rolls) and were intrigued by the tiny local chicken eggs, which contrasted sharply with the industrial eggs common in the U.S.

They bought fresh ingredients and attended a cooking class with local chefs.

In Bat Trang pottery village, they enjoyed a traditional Hanoian feast featuring a signature squid and bamboo shoot dish and learned pottery-making techniques.

They bought a lacquer painting inlaid with eggshells from a Hanoi gallery for US$13,000 including shipping.

Hanh said wealthy visitors often ask for meetings with local experts to gain deeper insights into their fields of interest.

To accommodate these needs, AAV has set up a panel of specialists including historians, artists, and chefs.

The night before leaving Hanoi, the two tried hotpot, local beer and local nightlife.

They then continued on to Ha Giang Province, around 300 kilometers away, by helicopter.

With support from the provincial government, the helicopter transfer was smooth, and the duo marveled at the majestic beauty of the region’s mountains.

Their journey continued to Ha Long Bay where they became the second group of rich guests to experience a luxury tour organized by Quang Ninh Province in coordination with AAV.

Jeff Grinspoon (R) and Jon Thomas Foley (C) take a boat trip on Ha Long Bay with a local guide on Feb. 11, 2025. Photo courtesy of AAV

The itinerary included visits to the Cong Do and Tra San areas by yacht and kayaking in the pristine bay.

In the evening, despite having a personal chef, the duo decided to cook themselves.

To ensure a private experience, local authorities temporarily closed off some tourist attractions such as Ba Ham Lake and Tien Ong Cave. Although Cua Van fishing village could not be closed, their visit was arranged during off‑peak hours to maximize privacy.

The remainder of their itinerary took them to Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and finally HCMC.

In one particularly memorable experience, the millionaires spent a day as farmers in a hidden village in Quang Nam to grow vegetables with a local family and feed cows and pigs.

Hanh said such rural tourism experiences are especially appealing to foreign visitors to get a glimpse into a way of life rarely seen in developed countries like those in Europe and the U.S.

On the way from Hoi An to Hue, the duo requested a 30‑km cycling trip to enjoy the peaceful Vietnamese countryside.

They were happy with the central region’s cuisine, which matched their fondness for spicy food.

In their final days in Vietnam, they took a motorbike ride through the bustling streets of HCMC.

Hanh said both guests were thoroughly pleased with their experience in Vietnam, but what resonated most was the warm hospitality extended by people everywhere in the country.

“Initially they were concerned that Vietnamese people might be standoffish with Americans due to the historical conflicts,” Hanh said.