Day 01: Hanoi arrival and city tour
Welcome to Hanoi. Your tour guide and driver will receive you at Noi Bai airport. It takes around 35 minutes to reach the centre of Hanoi from the airport. Check into your hotel on arrival.

Your city tour of Hanoi starts from the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, then continues to Ba Dinh Square, the biggest square in Hanoi. Learn more about the city during a cyclo trip that starts from Hanoi’s old quarter and comes to an end at the Ngoc Son Temple located on Hoan Kiem Lake. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi – Hạ Long Bay – Hanoi
Leave the city early today and head for the Ha Long Bay, a Unesco World Heritage site with nearly 3,000 rocky islets. The journey may take three to four hours depending on the road traffic. Drive past the Red River Delta, one of Vietnam’s bread baskets.

Explore the beautiful, karst-studded bay from your boat and enjoy a tasty seafood lunch. Many islets here have a names of their own. You can wander around to visit grottos, go swimming or just relax on the sundeck if you wish to. The boat will return to the wharf late in the afternoon and you will take the car or coach to Hanoi.

Please note that only local food available on board.

Day 03: Fly from Hanoi to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your midday flight to Saigon. Please note that only a driver available during the transfer and flight tickets are not included in the tour price. Meet our representative at Tan Son Nhat Airport and transfer to your hotel.

Your sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, starts in the afternoon with a visit to Reunification Palace. This grand building houses a museum and a hall used for official receptions.

Nearby are the colonial-styled central post office and Notre Dame Cathedral, both of which are important landmarks of the city. Enjoy a walking tour on Nguyen Hue Street as you head for the Ben Thanh Market, where you can experience the daily life of the people and purchase hand-made goods if you want to.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
We will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast and drive you to My Tho, the homeland of coconut trees and family-run factories. Embark on a boat trip in the mighty Mekong, observing the life of the locals along the banks.

Stop at one of the four island for sightseeing. Enjoy fresh tropical fruits served in an orchard accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. After that you will embark on small boats rowed the locals and sail through small canals to visit local factories.

Taste honey tea and see the locals at work in coconut candy factories. Drive back to Saigon in the afternoon with a stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, a mix of Chinese, Cambodian and French culture. Stay overnight in Saigon.

Day 05: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels & free afternoon
Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments of the Vietnam War with the total length of 200 km. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex acted as a base for almost 10,000 troops. To this date, the tunnels remain one of the most impressive memories of the war. You can even try crawling into some of the tunnels if you want to.

You are free in the afternoon after the tour is over. Stay overnight in Saigon.

Day 06: Saigon departure
Please note that the hotel checkout time is before 12:00 noon. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival
The car will pick you up from Noi Bai airport (in Hanoi) and will take you in the heart of the city. Arrive at the hotel after a 40-minute drive, check in and have a free day to walk around Old Quarter, night market in Hanoi down town. Overnight in Hanoi hotel located in the old quarter.

Day 02: Hanoi City – Train to Sapa
8:00: After breakfast, check out and leave your baggage at the hotel. We pick you up from your hotel and start the tour by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of the beloved national hero, Uncle Ho and his stilt house where he lived off and on from 1958 to 1969. We’ll also see the One Pillar Pagoda, which is lying to one side of the mausoleum, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people in Hanoi.

Then, you’ll have the chance to discover the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shore of West Lake. From there, you can make a visit to the first University of Vietnam — The Temple of Literature.

12.30: We will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Old Quarter with local Vietnamese traditional Cuisines.

13:30: Head to Hoan Kiem Lake which is known as the heart and soul of Hanoi. Finally, you’ll stop in at the Museum of Ethnology, located on west part of the city center. This museum offers informative and well-documented displays on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, which includes elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes, weaving designs, musical instruments, fishing implements, work tools, and other functional objects.

15:30: Finish an unforgettable day of sightseeing in Hanoi.

Add options: 15:30- 16:15: Enjoy a water puppet show or go sightseeing by electric car or cyclo around Old Quarter in Ha noi

17:00: End of city tour. The bus takes you back to the hotel and you have free time for dinner.

Until 21:00 pm: Our guide will pick up you at your hotel for boarding the train to travel Lao Cai.

Day 03: Sapa trekking
Morning: We will arrive at Lao Cai Train station in the early morning. Your tour guide will pick you up and take for an hour drive to Sapa. The luggage is left in your hotel. After breakfast at local restaurant, start trekking to Cat Cat Village, a 45-minute walk from Sapa and the village of Black H’Mong hill tribe. The village is on the slope of the hill and is easy to walk. Rice and corn are grown here.

Visiting Cat Cat village, you will have the chance to visit a big waterfall on the stream and the old hydroelectric power station. Here you will also see young women sitting by looms with colorful pieces of brocade decorated with designs of flowers and birds.

Afternoon: Free time at leisure to relax.

Evening: you are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night: enjoy roasted corn or baked eggs beside a charcoal fire or go shopping. On Saturday night, we highly recommend a stop at the Love Market.

Overnight at hotel

Day 04: Trekking – train back to Hanoi
After breakfast, start trekking from Sapa toward Muong Hoa valley where we can admire magnificent landscapes and see people’s daily life and their traditional culture.

Y Linh Ho village is a small commune composed by a dozen of small hamlets scattering on the very tough mountain terrain with high and steep mountains. There are a hundred inhabitants from the Black H’mong only living in this commune. They built their rudimentary houses on their farmland and mainly cultivate corn and dry rice on the steep hillsides. The only way to get to the commune is on foot from the main road

Then, arrive at Lao Chai and Ta Van villages. Have lunch with the locals in one of the local houses. From a high point of the main road, there is a great view of the whole village which is wide open to offer marvelous panoramic views, backed by high mountains and facing the river. Here, you will enjoy the fresh air, see terrace fields, stream, and discover and visit some Black H’mong families.

The bus will pick you up from Ta Van village to Sapa Town and transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station.

Dinner at the local restaurant near by the Railway Station and overnight on the train back to Hanoi.

Day 05: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Arrive at Hanoi in the early morning at 05:00 am. Our staff will pick you up and escort you back to our hotel. Early check in and breakfast.

7.45 – 08.20: Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Shuttle bus or private car pick up. –Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.

12 – 12.30: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Meet the captain, crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard. Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.

Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef. Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or at the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

Afternoon: While we make our way to the amazing Van Gia fishing village, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin.

Arrive at Van Gia floating fishing village. Disembark and you can choose which options when you visit the village by Kayak or local bamboo boat to visit the village. We are proud of our working partnership and support of this community.

Our cruise will then take you to the Soi Sim natural beach for swimming and snorkeling. On the way, you will enjoy the sunset party with fruits and wine.

Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area if weather permits. After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or watch a movie on our plasma TV. Join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night. Accommodation and overnight on boat.

Day 06: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi
6:30 am: For the early risers, join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.

Breakfast, coffee, tea are served. After breakfast, we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves and we drop anchor at Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave. Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

9:30 am: We board the cruise again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store. You will join with our short class of cooking demonstration and learn how to make spring rolls before early lunch is served.

12 noon: Return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew says farewell. Transfer to minibus or private car and return to Hanoi. Arrive back at your hotel at approximately 16:30/17:00. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi Departure
Free time in Ha Noi old quarter before we transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival
Arrive Hanoi Airport, meet-assist and transfer you to your hotel for check in. The room is at your disposal from 14.00 onwards. The rest of the day is free for your leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Hanoi – Halong Bay
After breakfast, we will leave Hanoi for a 180-km journey to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its 2000 stunning islands that present a background of limestone in the Gulf of Tonkin. Most visitors fall in love with the natural beauty and scenery, and this is something that will remain in your memories forever.

You will also enjoy an overnight cruise floating on Halong Bay and savouring a special menu of fresh seafood. This is sure to be the best moment you have ever had.

You will be served with lunch and dinner on boat. Overnight on-board.

NOTE: You are recommended to bring an overnight bag to keep your necessary luggage. We are afraid that there is not enough space to store all the luggage of every passenger on board. Moreover, after an overnight stay on board, you will turn back to the same hotel in Hanoi, so your remaining luggage will be sure to be kept safely.

Day 03: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Overnight Train To Hue
You are recommended to wake up early in the morning as this is when the aquamarine water is at its stunning best.

Today, we will continue the excursion past impressive limestone islands surrounding the bay. Afternoon we return to Hanoi by cruise’s shuttle bus.

Take your luggage at the hotel & meet your local guide at the hotel in Hanoi (no hotel today) and then be transferred to Hanoi station for an overnight train to Hue. Dinner on your own. Overnight on train. (There are 4 soft berths in 01 cabin. You will share cabin with other customers)

The train will leave at 08.10 pm from Hanoi and arrive in Hue at 09.30am (next day)

Day 04: Hue Arrival – Half Day Sightseeing
Upon arrival at the station, you will be welcomed by a local guide. We will transfer you to a local restaurant for breakfast.

After a short rest, you will have a chance to explore the famous Hue Citadel. Situated on the northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long, the Citadel was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household.

The entire complex consists of 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple city, Tu Cam Thanh, where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After the adventure, we transfer you back to your hotel. Enjoy the day at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Hue – Danang – Hoi An
Our bus and tour guide will pick you up you from hotel at around 8-8.30 am for the journey to Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass, where we will enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit.

Upon arrival in Danang, transfer to Marble Moutain – a group of five marble and limestone mountains, named after the five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.

You will continue to the hotel in Hoi An. Check in the hotel (Room is at your disposal from 2PM). The rest of the day is free at your leisure. .Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 06: Hoian – Street Food Tour
Free in the morning until 4pm, our tour guide will come to pick you up at the hotel for a walking tour of Hoi An town. We shall sample various kinds of street food in Hoi An. Each food tastings are combined with fun insights and anecdotes on the food culture and local traditions.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Hoian – Free Day
Enjoy the day at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: Hoi An – Danang – Fly To Ho Chi Minh
Today you will be transferred to Da Nang airport (without tour guide) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon reaching the airport, we will take you to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City.

A bustling mix of commerce and culture where food stalls and French architecture line the streets – Ho Chi Minh City has plenty to explore. It is a real blend of the ancient and the modern.

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 09: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Joint In Tour
At around 8-8.30 am, you will be picked up by our tour guide and driver to transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels. On arrival, watch a documentary video about Cu Chi tunnels. After a short walk into the forest, visit Hoang Cam smoke-less stove, secret hideouts, fighting bunkers, dangerous booby traps and tanks. Then, visit the common parts of the tunnels and crawl through narrow passageways to experience yourself.
Taste typical boiled tapioca and hot tea before we drive back to Saigon. You will be dropped off at the hotel around 2pm.Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Day Trip To Mekong Delta – Joint In Tour
At around 8-8.30am, you will be picked up from the hotel and head straight to Ben Tre, crossing the impressive Rach Mieu Cable-stayed Bridge. Board a small boat to visit typical workplaces including small brick factories, a coconut processing workshop and a local mat-weaving house.

Stop at a quiet village, take a short walk to experience local life and hop on your xe-lôi (a kind of motorized rickshaw). Later take a short cycling tour to explore the surrounding fields before boarding a sampan for a tranquil trip along the picturesque canals. Come back to the port and return to Saigon. You will be dropped off at around 5pm. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh Departure
Departure transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrive Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet. If you arrive early, why not step out onto the streets to explore the chaotic capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is an alluring city of contrasts, best discovered on foot. Tonight, perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over a glass of fresh bia hoi. This is a foamy, light beer made fresh each day and served in basic, open-walled ‘brew halls’ – take up a brightly coloured plastic chair and sip your tasty brew.

Day 02: Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a community project dedicated to helping underprivileged children and victims of trafficking. Afterwards, head out on a city tour where you’ll see the city’s diverse past reflected in a mix of South East Asian, Chinese and French-influenced architecture. Stop by the aptly named One Pillar Pagoda, the country’s most famous stilt house (former residence of Ho Chi Minh), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature.

Day 03: Da Bac
Leave Hanoi after breakfast around 8 am and make the drive to Sung village (approximately 4 hours). There are around 70 families living at Sung Village and the majority are Dzao ‘Tien’ people. Farming and forest plantation are their main source of income. Enjoy lunch at your homestay then take an introductory walk around the village. After getting to know the village better, take a short trek (2 kilometres) to the alluring Sung Cave and visit a 100-year-old tea plantation. The trek has some steep and slippery sections so please ensure you have suitable footwear for this activity. After a handicraft workshop, return to your accommodation for a nice hot shower and a delicious dinner.

Day 04: Hanoi
This morning, have an opportunity to take in more of the Vietnamese highlands on a 10 kilometre (6.2 mi) trek from Sung Village to Da Bia. The first 8km of the trek is mostly flat ground along well-worn buffalo tracks. The final 2km gradually inclines and for a period of approximately 300m there are some steps to climb, however the walk will be a steady relaxed pace. Keep an eye peeled for the monumental stone at the peak of Da Bia Mountain during the hike that takes us through the local villages, meeting people from the ethnic Muong tribe along the way. Stop for lunch at Da Bia before enjoying a scenic 1.5 hour boat cruise on Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir. Arrive at Thung Nai then transfer to Hanoi (approximately 2 hours). Arrive in Hanoi at around 6 pm. This evening is free for you to explore this delightful city. Why not relax with a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter?

Day 05: Cat Ba Island
Rise and shine for the 7.30am bus, stop for a quick break, then jump on the ferry. This morning of travel will deliver you to beautiful Cat Ba Island before midday. There’s no time to waste, so begin exploring the picturesque waters around Cat Ba. You’ll board a boat and spend the rest of the day cruising the breathtaking Lan Ha Bay. Located in the greater Halong Bay area, Lan Ha Bay is one of Vietnam’s most scenic places, where limestone islands and caves rise from the emerald waters. Stay overnight on Cat Ba Island and enjoy a dip at one of the beaches and a cold beer.

Day 06: Hanoi – Overnight train
Wake up in paradise, maybe starting your morning with a refreshing swim. Make sure you soak up as much sun and sand as possible, because this afternoon it’s back to Hanoi via ferry and bus. There will be free time to explore the city when you arrive back in Hanoi before boarding an overnight train bound for Hue around 10pm. Shared hotel rooms will be available if you want to freshen up or organise your luggage. Otherwise, use this time to do some shopping on Hang Gai Street or seek out some delicious Hanoi street food. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 9pm where you’ll transfer with the group to the train station. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience in Vietnam. They are an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Day 07: Hue
Arrive in Hue just after sunrise and proceed to the hotel to refresh. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax, perhaps pick up a classic Hue breakfast of bun bo Hue, a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bun) and beef (bo). After lunch you will visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, and walls. The Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace and the Ancestral Altars are still impressive, and the complex must have been awe-inspiring during its heyday in the 19th century. In your free time you might like to visit to Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food. This is a good place to try the specialties enjoyed by Emperor Nguyen such as the banh khoai royal rice cake.

Day 08: Hue
Today’s adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You’ll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins remain a testament to its proud history. Here you’ll gain some insight into the horrific damage endured during the war. Break up your sightseeing with a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. Then it’s on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees. This evening, perhaps ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties.

Day 09: Hoi An
Travelling by car, head south through coastal rice paddies before stopping in at Lang Co Beach. Then traverse the dramatic Hai Van Pass, a sometimes bumpy but incredibly scenic stretch of highway with views back to Lang Co Beach and beyond. The spectacular Marble Mountains will be your backdrop as you arrive at Hoi An (approximately 4 hours). Declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South-East Asia’s major international ports from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago and it retains the feel of times past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore it. On arrival, a walking tour will take you around the major sites of Hoi An’s charming Old Town, including an historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. You will notice a distinctly Chinese appearance to the pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. A sightseeing pass is included in your tour for you to visit a selection of the major sights as you wish.

Day 10: Hoi An
If you feel like getting active on your free day today, why not hire a bicycle and tour the surrounding countryside. This is one of the best ways to get an insight into rural Vietnam. Other optional activities include a day trip to My Son Cham (elaborate World Heritage-listed temples that reflect the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation), a cruise along the Thu Bon River, and a trip to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Your leader will be able to help with suggestions on activities in Hoi An.

Day 11: Hoi An
Enjoy another free day in the World Heritage-listed Hoi An. You may like to wander the Central Market and the street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns and much more. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors who can make beautiful items to order within a few hours. Bring your favourite piece of clothing, or even just a picture, and you’ll be able to have it copied. You might like to visit a local workshop to learn how to make your own rice paper, while a Vietnamese cooking class too is a great way to familiarise yourself with some age-old culinary techniques, not to mention being able to feast on the fruits of your own labour.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Danang (approximately 45 minutes) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is characterised by a fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. The huge number of people rushing about their daily lives in Vietnam’s largest city gives it a dynamic atmosphere and the French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee on offer. Take a guided tour to get a feel for the city, going past the GPO, Reunification Palace, and the Opera house. Stop in at the War Remnants Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral. With free time this evening perhaps drop by one of Vietnam’s most pulsing markets, Ben Thanh. This is the perfect place to pick up any last-minute snacks, cooking utensils, ingredients, or presents for friends and family before you return home. Perhaps enjoy some of the market fare for dinner as you shop.

Day 13: Mekong Delta
Today you’ll travel south by private bus (approximately 3 hours) to explore the Mekong Delta. When you arrive, you’ll board a boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as ‘the rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile delta is where rice, tropical fruit and flowers are grown for the whole country. Disembark at Ben Tre and visit a local cottage industry and sample the candy that the region is famous for. You’ll have the opportunity to take a tuk-tuk around this remote village and make a stop to sample tropical fruit, see a honey farm, and learn more about rural life. For lunch, go to a restaurant in the heart of the delta and try regional specialities such as the famous elephant-ear fish. Stay overnight in the Delta. 

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
Take the bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Maybe spend the final night of your Vietnam adventure with a finale bowl of pho, celebrating with your new friends.

Day 15: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Your Vietnam adventure ends after breakfast today. You are free to depart at any time.

Day 01: Arrive Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at airport & transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

If you arrive before your tour begins there’s plenty to see and do. Consider booking the Hanoi Morning Highlights Urban Adventure, a wide-ranging tour with a local expert guide. This optional tour visits the Temple of Literature, stops by a traditional tea house, and takes you through the Hoa Lo Prison Memorial before concluding at Hoan Kiem Lake. Or maybe take it at your own pace and wander the Old Quarter to admire the city’s French-colonial architecture.

Day 02: Halong Bay
Travel by private minibus to World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, which is dotted with sandy coves, grottoes and 1600 limestone islands formed over millennia by wind and water erosion (approximately 4 hours). Board a private boat and cruise the bay, exploring Surprise Cave and perhaps even enjoying a swim from Ti Top Island Beach during the warmer months. Access to Surprise Cave is via staircases. Once inside the cave the pathways are a little uneven and slippery. To end the day, spend an evening aboard the boat beneath the night sky. What better way to get to know your fellow travellers than an old school sleepover in an unforgettable location?

Day 03: Hanoi – Overnight train
Return by boat to Halong Bay. At approximately midday, return to Hanoi by bus. Arrive late this afternoon and enjoy free time until tonight’s train voyage. Be sure to grab a bowl of pho while you’re in town and slurp down this local specialty made from broth, noodles and meat. Maybe chill by Hoan Kiem Lake until you board an overnight train to Hue this evening.

Day 04: Hue
Arrive in Hue at approximately 11 am and transfer to the hotel. Once the imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of the country’s royal past. Enjoy free time in the morning to rest or explore. If you choose the latter (and who can blame you) the bustling Dong Ba Market is a great place to sample some of the specialties that once graced the Nguyen emperors’ tables like banh khoai (royal rice cake). Reunite with the group to visit the war-damaged ruins of the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling city-within-a-city which contains the remains of temples, state houses and the emperor’s palace.

Day 05: Hue
See Hue like a local – from the back of a motorbike! Straddle the saddle and whiz around town with a local guide, taking in historic and contemporary sights along the way. Stop at Thanh Toan to see the 18th-century covered bridge and villagers shopping at their local market. Visit the 17th-century active Buddhist monastery of Thien Mu Pagoda and see the car that belonged to Thích Quang Duc, the monk who self-immolated in 1963 in protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. For lunch, savour a vegetarian feast in a nunnery. Finish at the lakeside royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc before heading back to town.

Day 06: Hoi An
This morning travel by bus through coastal rice paddies and the spectacular Hai Van Pass (approximately 3 hours). After a photo stop en route, arrive into Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major international trading port during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of the beautifully-preserved town retain the feel of centuries past. It’s also a shopping mecca, famous for its plethora of tailors. On arrival your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit a handful of the city’s major attractions. You’ll also be given a sightseeing pass so you can further explore select attractions at your leisure.

Day 07: Hoi An
Today is a free day to explore Hoi An. Maybe browse the cobbled streets and art galleries or hire a bike and cycle through rice paddies out to Cua Dai Beach. Maybe browse for paintings, ceramics and colourful cloth lanterns in the town’s markets and preserved Chinese shophouses. If you’re craving a new look, you could pay a visit to one of the hundreds of tailors and get something special made. Hoi An is also known for its delicious regional food, so be sure to enjoy a meal at a riverside restaurant or perhaps partake in a cooking class.

Day 08: Ho Chi Minh City
Today take a short, early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1.5 hours). Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has a fascinating history and is arguably Vietnam’s capital of commerce and culture. After landing, take a sightseeing tour around the city by bus. Pass the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House, then stop in at the War Remnants Museum to discover some of the sobering stories of the 20-year-long Vietnam/American War.

Day 09: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
This morning head out on a day trip to explore the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. Afterwards, paddle in sampans (small rowing boats) past coconut trees along the Mekong Delta. Take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages and learn about rural life and the industry created around coconut products like brooms and coconut fibre mats. Eat lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the Delta, sampling regional specialties such as the famous elephant ear fish. Cruise the major waterways to Ben Tre boat pier, then return by bus to Ho Chi Minh City. This evening, perhaps head out to sample some local specialties as a final farewell with your fellow travellers and leader.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
There are no activities included and you’re free to depart your accommodation at any time as long as you comply with check out time. If you would like to spend some more time in Ho Chi Minh City, we’re happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Ask your group leader or booking agent for more recommendations or help booking an Urban Adventure if you plan to stay.