Highlights of Vietnam

On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers.

Spend the day discovering Hanoi’s must-visit sites. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi City and Dong Xuan market. Continue to Ho Chi Minh complx comprising of Ba Dinh Suqare, Presidential Palace & private residence as well as One Pillar Pagoda founded in 1049. After lunch at a lucal restaurant continue to the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison – also known as “Hanoi Hilton”, St Joseph’s Cathedral, the Hanoi Opera House and stroll around the bustling Old Quarter.

Drive past scenes of traditional rural life as you travel from Hanoi to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay. On arrival, board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a delicious lunch and begin cruising among some of the 3,000 islands which rise from the sea. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck or at the bar.

Take part in a sunrise Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck before enjoying brunch on board. Cruise back to port to disembark. Drive to Hanoi airport where you will fly to the former imperial capital of Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in and an afternoon at leisure.

Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s sites including Emperor Tu Duc’s elaborate tomb, Imperial Palace, Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda. From Hue, drive to Hoi An, admiring some of Vietnam’s most stunning scenery along the way. On arrival in Hoi An, check into your hotel and enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration.

Take a 30 minute bicycle ride to Tra Que herb village. Walk around the vegetable garden and hear the history of the village. Join gardening activities in preparing the land, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, sowing, watering & picking vegetables. Enjoy a foot soak before getting to prepare lunch at a local restaurant inside the village. Participate in cooking local delicacies such as ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll, ‘Banh xeo’ – a local pancake. After lunch, learn how to harvest and wrap the vegetables before riding back to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of this UNESCO world heritage site. The architecture reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall, Chau Ong pagoda and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The tour will end in Hoi An Ancient Town where you can enjoy more time at your leisure.

Drive to Danang before flying to Saigon, Vietnam’s commercial capital. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Take a moment to freshen up before your journey continues to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover the network of underground tunnels while learning about their role in the Vietnam War. Return to Saigon and spend the remainder of day at leisure.

Venture to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam. Board a boat to begin your exploring the Mekong River as well as the narrow canals. Visit local factories and take a pedicab for a delicious local lunch. On your return drive to Saigon, stop by a Cao Dai pagoda with its spectacular architecture and vivid colours. Arrive back to Saigon to join your group for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Saigon. Wander along Dong Khoi Street, admire the grand architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, stop at the Reunification Palace, and get lost amongst the many stalls and vendors within Benh Thanh Markets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.