Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Afternoon, start your city  with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Here, your guide will tell the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs – some that are quite graphic in nature. Although many of Vietnam’s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society.

Next, visit the Reunification Palace, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received. Then, continue to the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, and take a moment to send a postcard! Just behind the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, an iconic Saigon landmark built in neo-Romanesque style by the French between 1863 and 1880. Today it’s a favoured backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs.

Next, stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene’s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American, as Rue Catinat. The walk ends at the Saigon Opera House. From a bomb shelter to housing the parliamentary Lower House, the Opera House has had an interesting history. Return to your hotel as the sun sets on this fascinating city.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Leave Ho Chi Minh City behind as you drive about 2 hours to the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be. Hop aboard a small boat to take a trip around the floating market. Though it is not nearly as busy and crowded as day’s past, you might still spot locals tossing watermelons or pineapple between their boats!Continue cruising along the maze of canals to Vinh Long, stopping at the home of a gardener to see the delicate craft of bonsai, as well as handicraft villages to see local artisans at work. Hop back on board the boat to explore more of the waterways before returning to Ho Chi Minh City later in the afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Afternoon, begin your tour of Hoi An, a former trading port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today Hoi An is famous for its restored architecture, homemade silk, expert tailors and delicious noodles and seafood. Its relaxed vibe and pedestrian streets make this town a pleasure to walk around and discover new things.

The tour includes stops at several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice.

Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tan Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. End your afternoon with a boat trip along Thu Bon river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Today, drive along one of Vietnam’s most beautiful stretches of road, the Hai Van Pass and on to the former imperial capital of Hue.

Our half day tour starts with a trip to the ancient walled Citadel containing the former Imperial Palace. The Citadel was closely modeled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. After that, we will set out on a tour to see the final resting place of the Emperors by visiting Tu Duc Royal Tomb.

Overnight in Hue.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. Every October the mausoleum is closed for a month and Uncle Ho is given a bit of a spruce up! Then wander the grounds to see the one pillar pagoda and the presidential palace. Next, visit the 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius.

In the afternoon start with the Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best in the country, with an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority people. Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. Next, is the Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and how it got its name from a legend of an emperor, a magic sword and a giant turtle! End your day with a delightful water puppet show, a traditional art that is still being performed today.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart at around 8am from your hotel and head towards Mai Chau. The ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau takes about four hours, and you won’t be bored by the lush scenery. Around noon, you will arrive at Mai Chau Lodge and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, start your journey to discover the interesting surroundings and ethnic minority tribes with a relaxing walk to Thái villages of Pom Coong and Lac and explore Mo Luong cave on the other side of the hotel.

As you’ll discover, Mai Chau offers a mix of culture and adventure set against one of Vietnam’s most striking backdrops. There are waterfalls, towering limestone mountains, rice paddies, corn fields, bamboo groves and terraced tea plantations. Relax at the lodge, a rustic-but-comfortable retreat with an outdoor pool and Roman-style Jacuzzi. Enjoy a dinner of Vietnamese and international dishes, followed by traditional dancing by members of the local ethnic-minority group.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

After breakfast at the lodge, start the Valley biking tour. The ride passes through many villages, across lush rice paddies and into the countryside to get to know the local hill tribe people and their culture better. This is a unique experience where you will get to peek into their homes and watch traditional farming methods up close. Return to Hanoi by late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart from Hanoi and travel to the seaside port of Halong Bay. Transfer to Tuan Chau island to board the overnight cruise, a beautifully restored traditional wooden junk. Settle in and enjoy the view from the water.

Visit the Lom Bo Canal area, and visit a floating pearl farm and learn how these precious ‘stones’ are made. Then, drop anchor at Kiem Lam; where you can swim around the limestone karsts or simply lounge around on deck.

Back on board, head on to your mooring for the evening and take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs! Enjoy dinner on the deck and wrap up your day with a cocktail or try your hand at squid fishing.

Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay.

On the second day, enjoy the sunrise over Bai Tu Long Bay, followed by a special Tai Chi class, which will add another dimension to your Halong journey. Afterwards, sail to Sung Sot, or Surprise Cave, where guests can walk through the fascinating grotto and get an inside look at Halong Bay’s beauty.

Say goodbye to the crew at the main harbour and take the transfer about 4 hours back to Hanoi arriving late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.