Day 1
Arrive in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Your adventure begins in the Hanoi, where you’ll check into your hotel. Meet your group today and share a welcome Vietnamese dinner at a KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that gives disadvantaged young people the chance to learn new skills.
Dinner included
Day 2
Hanoi
Take a guided tour today visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to discover more about the man who led the movement for Vietnamese independence and the Temple of literature to learn about Vietnam’s unique ancient history. This afternoon you will explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter where you will learn about the area’s French colonial architecture. Your final stop of the day will be to a to the home of the city’s last remaining papier mâché mask making family. Tonight, enjoy Hanoi’s street food scene by sampling local delicacies.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 3
Hanoi – Tam Coc - Ninh Binh
Travel to the Ninh Binh province today, taking a short boat ride at Tam Coc “the tree caves” which is surrounded by breath-taking limestone karsts and peaceful rice paddies. This picturesque area forms part of the famous Trang An UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop off at the 14th century Thai Vi temple “temple of the king” before visiting a local family home for a traditional lunch. Afterwards head back to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 4
Ninh Binh – Halong Bay
Journey through rural and gorgeous scenery today over to the World Heritage Site, Halong Bay to embark on a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise. Set off and explore the area’s famous limestone islets and grottoes. Enjoy dinner onboard and relax on the deck with a glass of wine watching the stars twinkle above you.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 5
Halong Bay – Hanoi – Da Nag – Hoi An
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board this morning. Your first stop of the day is the picturesque Ti Top Island, relax on the beach, take a dip in the crystal clears water or climb to the top of the hill for panoramic views over Halong Bay. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight over to the historic city of Hoi An, with a stop at Da Nang on the way.
Breakfast included
Day 6
Hoi An
Start the day with a guided tour of the Old Town of Hoi An, explore historic houses, museums, assembly halls and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. Tonight’s sample some of the local street food before settling down to an alfresco Vietnamese dining experience at the spectacular Dao Tien River Restaurant.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 7
Hoi An – Hue
After breakfast you have the opportunity to channel your inner creativeness with a silk lantern making workshop, this practice is said to bring luck, happiness and wealth to the family home. Visit the Cham Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Cham sculptures before travelling onto the imperial city of Hue.
Breakfast included
Day 8
Hue
Enjoy a leisurely morning before a boat trip out on the Perfume River, named for its unique fragrance in autumn caused by the blossom falling into the water. Enjoy the views of the temples, mausoleums and pagodas that line the banks. Visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang before your dining experience will be held at the 19th century Tha Om Garden House, owned by a local historian.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 9
Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Relax this morning before your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Drop your bags off at the hotel before a culinary feast at Hoa Tuc, a wonderful restaurant that specialises in contemporary Vietnamese cuisine.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
Begin the day with a tour of Chinatown, viewing the impressive caramel coloured Cha Tam Church and the vibrant Chua Ong Pagoda. You’ll have a chance to see a traditional herbal medicine street and take home some of the herbal teas before visiting the Reunification Palace and enjoying a lunch at the Mandarine Restaurant. Later this afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will have a day trip to explore the Cu Chi tunnels – a strategic operation during the Vietnam War that housed kilometres of secret trap doors, weapon factories, living areas and hospitals. Lunch will be at a local restaurant for the authentic taste of Pho (Vietnam’s most famous dish). Your gastronomic adventure continues with a street eats tour where you can sample delicacies of rice paper pizza and crispy Vietnamese pancakes. This evening meet at a true local gem, Magnolia restaurant for your final dinner together.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 12
Ho Chi Minh
Today your tour ends. Transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.
Breakfast included
