Hanoi to Hoi An & Saigon

Welcome to Hanoi! On arrival, you will be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and there's a welcome meeting and drinks with the rest of the group so everyone can get to know each other.

This morning, we embark on a full-day exploration of Vietnam’s capital. We start with an orientation drive past some of Hanoi’s notable landmarks, including the Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph’s Cathedral and the French-colonial Opera House.

Next, we take a walking tour through the atmospheric Old Quarter - a maze of 36 ancient streets. From here, we visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter to see the Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s modest stilt house and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda.

A short drive brings us to the Citadel and Flag Tower, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. We pause for lunch at KOTO Van Mieu, a social enterprise restaurant supporting local youth.

In the afternoon, we continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. We also visit Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples before ending the day at Hoa Lo Prison - known as the “Hanoi Hilton” - where captured U.S. pilots were held during the Vietnam War. Our tour ends back at the hotel and the evening is at leisure.

Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh. Leaving Hanoi, we make the 90-kilometre journey south to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Here, we visit the sanctuary of Dinh Tien Hoang, a former emperor of the Dinh Dynasty, and the temple dedicated to the Le Emperor. Following the decline of the Le Dynasty, the capital was later relocated to Hanoi.

After free time for lunch, we continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its dramatic limestone karst peaks, tranquil valleys and flooded cave systems.

We explore the area by small boat, gliding through the network of caves and waterways that wind through this stunning natural setting. Afterwards, we head to the hotel in Ninh Binh for check-in.

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay. This morning, we depart Ninh Binh and travel towards Halong City, passing through a landscape of towering limestone karsts and expansive rice fields. On arrival, we board a beautifully appointed traditional junk boat to begin our cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its 3,000 limestone islands and islets.

Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board as we sail deeper into the bay, stopping along the way to explore some of its more secluded corners. In the evening, you can unwind in your private cabin, relax on the deck, or enjoy a drink at the bar as the boat anchors for the night.

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Rise early to join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck before a buffet brunch is served on board. We then make our way back to the harbour.

After disembarkation, we return to Hanoi by road for your included onward flight to Hue - the former imperial capital, set along the banks of the Perfume River. On arrival in Hue, you'll be collected and transferred to the hotel.

Hue - Hoi An. This morning, enjoy a half-day tour of Hue. We begin at the peaceful tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the fourth ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. We then make a brief stop at Bunker Hill, offering sweeping views over the Perfume River and the surrounding plains, followed by a visit to the nearby Tiger Colosseum.

Next, we explore the Citadel - the former imperial residence of the Nguyen emperors. Despite significant damage during the 1968 Tet Offensive, this UNESCO World Heritage site is gradually being restored. Our tour ends with a short boat trip to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most revered temple.

After free time for lunch, we depart Hue and travel south to Hoi An, driving over the scenic Hai Van Pass - a natural boundary between Vietnam’s north and south, often cloaked in mist. it's often regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. On arrival in Hoi An, we transfer to the hotel for check-in.

This morning, we set off on a guided walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once Vietnam’s most vibrant trading port. The town's architecture reflects a rich blend of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British influences.

As we stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town, we visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall, Chau Ong Pagoda and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. The tour concludes in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, where you’ll have time to continue exploring at your own pace.

Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City. After breakfast, we take a short drive to Danang Airport for your included flight to Saigon. On arrival, you’ll be met by our guide and taken to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located on the outskirts of the city.

We’ll be guided through a section of the tunnels, which were originally used by communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. Stretching over 250 kilometres and extending across three levels underground, the tunnels were used as hiding places during combat and were home to communication routes, supply depots, hospitals and living quarters. You’ll have the option to enter a preserved section for a firsthand glimpse of life below the surface and can opt to shoot automatic weapons at the firing range (not included).

After the tour, we return to Ho Chi Minh City and check in to the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Can Tho. We depart early this morning for Cai Be, located in the heart of the Mekong Delta. After a two-hour drive from Saigon, we board the Mekong Queen, a traditional wooden boat, for a cruise to the Cai Be floating market - a small but characterful market that offers a glimpse into the river-based lifestyle of the Delta. As we cruise, you’ll sample tropical fruits and enjoy the fresh breeze as daily life unfolds on the water.

We disembark briefly to visit local workshops and craft producers, and enjoy a peaceful sampan ride through narrow canals before arriving at a historic home, where a delicious home-hosted lunch featuring Mekong specialities will be served.

In the afternoon, we continue cruising upstream towards Vinh Long. Along the way, we stop to visit a local brick and pottery factory, as well as a floating fish farm, observing daily life in this rural part of Vietnam.

We then return to the mainland, where a car will be waiting for the transfer to Can Tho. On arrival, check in to our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure in this riverside city.

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. We make an early start this morning to visit the bustling Cai Rang floating market, which comes to life from around 7:00. Travelling by small boat, we navigate the waterways packed with local traders who converge from surrounding rural areas to sell an array of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Following the market visit, we return to Saigon by mid-afternoon for hotel check-in. This evening, join your group for a farewell dinner at an authentic Vietnamese home-style restaurant.

This morning, join a walking tour through the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, taking in several of the most iconic landmarks. Strolling along Dong Khoi Street, we pass the historic Rex Hotel, the elegant Municipal Theatre and the colonial-era Hotel de Ville. We continue along Nguyen Hue Boulevard to visit the Central Post Office and the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral.

We then rejoin our vehicle for a short drive to the site of the former US Embassy, now home to the US Consulate, followed by visits to the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

Later, we travel to the Binh Thanh district in eastern Saigon to explore Ba Chieu Market, a bustling local wholesale market. We then visit the Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda, a 124-year-old temple known for its intricate sculptures and woodcarvings.

Our tour ends back at the hotel, and from here an included transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight.