Hoi An Vietnam

Women practising Tai Chi by Hoan Kiem Lake

Day 1: Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Our rep awaits your arrival to assist with transfer to your hotel. The remains of the day offer free time for you to explore the wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s and thriving, historic old city, all easily navigated on foot.

Day 2: Hanoi

Enjoy a guided tour including the Ho Chi Minh complex, see the French colonial Presidential Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards we visit the Temple of Literature, the first Vietnam University dating to 1070. And after some time for lunch we visit the Museum of Ethnology. This evening enhance your holiday with our optional attendance of the water puppet show see enahce your holiday page for prices.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay

This morning a scenic drive leads us to the stunningly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Here, embark our traditional wooden junk boat we cruise the emerald waters soaking up the panoramic vista of the thousand or so karst limestone islands that stud the bay. Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of the many sheltered coves before taking row boats to the floating fishing village of Vong Vieng. Tonight, there's a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sun deck before an impressive seafood dinner is served.

A junk sailing past a limestone peak in Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi

Start the day with a Tai Chi class on the sun deck or a traditional massage. After exploring a lofty grotto hidden beneath towering cliffs, we sail back to port. Arriving to Hanoi mid afternoon check into your hotel and the rest of the day is free time to explore.

Day 5: Hanoi - Hoi An

Morning flight to Danang -- Arrival and with assistance from our local rep, onward transfer to Hoi An. The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it's cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Free time here this afternoon to relax at your hotel, or explore at your leisure.

Men sitting on the street in Hoi An in conical hats

Day 6: Hoi An

Today enjoy a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Free time here this afternoon, or why not opt for one our suggested excursion you can see on the enhance your holiday page.

Day 7: Hoi An - Saigon

Free time here this morning to relax at your hotel, or explore at your leisure. Later this afternoon we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh's Notre Dame Basilica Cathedral at night

Day 8: Saigon

In the morning travel north west of the city to visit the historic Cu Chi Tunnels which were a key battleground in the Vietnam War. Upon arrival watch a short introductory video on the construction of the tunnels before spending an hour exploring the maze of tunnels, accompanied by a guide. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500-pound bombs from B52 bombers.

Day 9: Saigon - The Mekong Delta

Today we drive to the Mekong Delta to My Tho - Here embark your cruise destined for Phnom Penh. Enjoy welcome dinner and briefing on board. (All cruise itinerary subject to weather/river conditions)

Day 10: The Mekong Delta

Morning start with some tai-chi on the sun deck. Later, a visit to Cai Be floating market by sampan, discover the rustic life on the Mekong Delta. Enjoy the day cruising to Sa De and continue on for overnight in Chau Doc. (All cruise itinerary subject to weather/river conditions)

Day 11: The Mekong Delta

Morning a short excursion in Chau Doc to discover Kinh and Khmer communities, local markets and more. We continue and visit floating villages and rustic catfish farms and the local Cham Muslim community village. Enjoy the day cruising and tonight is in Sa Dec. (All cruise itinerary subject to weather/river conditions)

Day 12: The Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh

Enjoy breakfast and then disembark at the boats nominated key in Phnom Penh's river promenade. Our local rep awaits to transfer you to your hotel. Later, a sight seeing tour of the city will take in the Royal Palace, the incredible solid silver-floored Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, a treasure chest of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts before ending our city tour with a visit to Wat Phnom pagoda and shopping at the Russian market.

Day 13: Phnom Penh

Today a free day or alternately, pick our enhance your holiday option to visit the Killing fields.

Day 14: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

This morning your private car will collect you for the drive to Siem Reap - Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic approximately 6-7 hour journey. Arrival and check into your hotel for the evening at your leisure.

Days 15-17: Siem Reap

Over the course of the next 3 days your guide will take you on an in-depth exploration of the all the main temples including Angkor Wat Temple, Bakheng Hill, Angkor Thom Temple, the terrace of Elephants, Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre, The Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and of course Beng Mealea Temple. During this time you can also opt for our afternoon enhance your holiday option to Tonle Sap Lake.

Day 18: Siem Reap - Luang Prabang

This morning bid farewell toSiem Reap and you fly to Luang Prabang. Arrival and meet our Laos team, whom will transfer you to your hotel. Today discover the incredible Pak Ou Caves on a Mekong boat trip. Here, hundreds of tiny gilded statues of Buddha, worshipped for centuries teeter on stone shelves in the cave walls. Visits are also made to the local villages of Ban Xanghai and Ban Muangkeo.

Day 19: Luang Prabang

Morning early you will be driven to Elephant Village, for a full day tour of the area. You will get to meet the resident elephants, go on a ride in the surrounding jungle, bath them and learn about the good work the sanctuary does. Returning in the evening to your hotel.