Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetisers.
Overnight: Melia Hanoi
Food at Welcome Reception included
Day 2
Hanoi
Explore the city on a guided tour, starting with the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument where the preserved body of 'Uncle Ho' resides. A short walk from here you will find his famous house on stilts, before continuing to the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, before enjoying an evening at leisure. Optional excursions include a Hang Trong painting experience, a water puppet show, or an afternoon foodie tour.
Overnight: Melia Hanoi
Breakfast included
Day 3
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Depart after breakfast for the 3.5 hour transfer to Halong Bay, where you will join your luxury traditional Vietnamese Junk Sailing Boat. Lunch will be served as you cruise out into the bay among the hundreds of islets - a marvellous UNESCO World Heritage listed site. In the afternoon visit the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van fishing village by rowing boat to get a closer look into the lives of the local fishermen. Drop anchor later in the evening to relax, enjoy the scenery and experience a fabulous regional dinner on-board.
Overnight: Jasmine Cruise
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 4
Halong Bay – Danang - Hoi An
Begin your day peacefully with an exciting morning T'ai Chi class on the deck; then spend a bit of time swimming at one of Halong Bay's quiet beaches. Once you've disembarked, you'll drive to Hanoi Airport from your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight: Royal Hoi An
Breakfast included
Day 5
Hoi An
Hoi An is another UNESCO World Heritage site, given the status due its well-preserved ancient buildings and pedestrianised streets; enjoy a walking tour this morning including the local market and see the famous 400 year old Japanese Bridge. Then join a very special Cultural Insight with some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines, before indulging in a relaxing foot massage. After lunch return to Hoi An for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Overnight: Royal Hoi An
Breakfast included
Day 6
Hoi An
Enjoy a morning exploring at your own pace and then in the afternoon choose between two very different cultural experiences; join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life tour (learn about the local fishermen and have a go at casting a net yourself (the latter is weather dependent).
Overnight: Royal Hoi An
Breakfast included
Day 7
Hoi An - Hue
Today you will travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn the traditional ways of cooking Vietnamese cuisine. After enjoying your cooked dishes for lunch, you'll journey to Hue via Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed during the war. You'll continue to Danang and visit the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue.
Overnight: Imperial
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 8
Hue
From the Hotel, travel to the ancient UNESCO world heritage site of the imperial Citadel by cyclo (pedal powered rickshaw). Your driver will then take you to see the seven storey Thien Mu Pagoda and you will join a dragon boat trip long the Perfume River to the beautifully preserved house of the former Princess Ngoc Son for a ‘Be My Guest’ lunch. Chat with the current family in residence to understand life in this historic house and city whilst you enjoy lunch they prepare for you. Your afternoon is then at leisure and you can seek out a local restaurant for dinner.
Overnight: Imperial
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 9
Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, embark on a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon). Upon arrival enjoy some free time to stroll around the city before lunch at Blanc restaurant; a business that employs. Walk off lunch with a city tour on foot taking in some of the landmark French colonial buildings and visit the War Remnants Museum. After a stroll around Ben Thanh market, check in to your hotel on the riverside.
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 10
Mekong Delta
After breakfast, it is a day out in the Delta of the Mekong River, starting at My Tho, where you will transfer to a small sampan boat and cruise the myriad canals to stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Take a short walk to the home of a former soldier, a survivor from the Khmer Rouge battles, whom now makes rice paper with his wife; they are a wealth of fascinating insights and tales. Return to HCMC to enjoy an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 11
Cu Chi Tunnels
Today you will visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels constructed in 1948 and hosted underground villages, a visit will provide insight to the hardship of life in the tunnels during combat. You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City via private speedboat. Get together again this evening to visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, then finish your tour with a Farewell Dinner.
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 12 – Depart for the UK or your onward destination
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Buffet breakfast included
