Sapa to Siem Reap

On arrival in Hanoi we are met by our local representative and transferred to the hotel – rooms are available from 14:00. The remainder of the day is yours to relax. In the evening we transfer to the railway station to board the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Arriving early at Lao Cai railway station, we transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast before heading to one of the region’s minority markets – the location varies by day of the week. Along the way we visit ethnic villages and see hill tribes trading daily goods and handicrafts while catching up on news from neighbouring valleys. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we drive to Sapa, home to more than 30 ethnic groups and Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan (3,143 m) – often called the ‘Roof of Indochina’. After check-in, you have the evening at leisure. Note: Sapa sits at high altitude; while winter temperatures from November to February rarely fall below 10°C, only a few hotels provide in room heating.

After breakfast we set off early for a full day exploration of Sapa Valley. We begin in Ta Van, a Giay village known for age old traditions and a tranquil pace of life. From Ta Van we hike across the Muong Hoa River and through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, meeting Red Dao communities and pausing by a waterfall before a short ascent and lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we drive to Ho Village in the Muong Hoa Valley to see Tay stilt houses, brocade weaving and everyday farming life. Note: the hike between Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai can be demanding and slippery – depending on your fitness and the weather, you can opt for a more accessible route.

This morning, we visit Thac Tinh Yeu – Love Waterfall – and hear the legend that lends the site its romantic aura, then stop at Tram Ton Pass for sweeping views. At over 1,900 metres, this highest pass in Vietnam is often called Heaven’s Gate for its serenity. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Early afternoon we return to Hanoi.

After breakfast we meet our local guide for an orientation tour, starting at the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university – with tranquil gardens where students still come to pray for good grades. Lunch is at a local restaurant serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a cosy setting.

In the afternoon we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence (closed on Mondays and Fridays), the One Pillar Pagoda styled like a lotus blossom, Tran Quoc Pagoda – Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple – and Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by a charming wooden bridge. In the late afternoon we enjoy a water puppet show performed by talented local artists. Overnight in Hanoi.

After an early breakfast we take the shared shuttle to Tuan Chau Port and embark, enjoying a welcome drink as we cruise into Halong Bay – a landscape of limestone karsts, islets and hidden caves recognised in 2011 among the world’s seven natural wonders. We continue towards Lan Ha Bay while lunch is served on board. In the afternoon we explore the pristine Tra Bau area – you can kayak if you wish – then return to the boat for sweeping Gulf of Tonkin views and a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. Dinner and overnight on board.

For early risers, you can greet the day with Tai Chi on the upper deck before breakfast. We then visit one of the bay’s most impressive caves and, while cruising back, enjoy a late breakfast before disembarking on the southern side of the bay.

We transfer by the boat’s shuttle bus to Hanoi. On arrival you have some leisure time before an unguided transfer to the airport for the flight to Da Nang (flight not included, we can assist with booking this flight), followed by an unguided transfer to Hoi An. We check in on arrival.

Once a key stop on the maritime Silk Road, Hoi An’s architecture blends Asian and French influences and, after dark, streets glow with thousands of colourful lanterns.

After breakfast we take a guided exploration of Hoi An’s old town – a UNESCO World Heritage site of narrow lanes, historic merchant houses and a once a thriving port. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with fine views, then visit a lantern making workshop for an introduction to this delicate traditional craft. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

After breakfast we drive to Hue, the former imperial capital. On arrival we have lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the hotel for check in – rooms are available from 14:00. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you.

After breakfast we enjoy a one hour rickshaw tour to discover Hue – ancient capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty – then explore the Imperial City, a vast complex of temples, pavilions, museums and galleries. We continue to the seven storey Celestial Lady Pagoda, a serene riverside landmark, before a traditional family lunch served in a lush garden.

In the late afternoon we visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, whose buildings and gardens were designed according to geomancy, and make a short stop at a family workshop crafting traditional incense sticks and conical hats.

Leaving Hue, we transfer to Hue airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (flight not included, we can assist with booking this flight).

On arrival we are met by a local guide and visit Thien Hau Pagoda, with its graceful curving roof and two resident land turtles said to guard the site, then stroll through lively Binh Tay Market with its abundance of produce from across Vietnam. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we tour the old colonial quarter – Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office designed by Eiffel, the contemporary Independence Palace (interior visit), set amid royal palms, and the grand Opera House – before concluding at bustling Ben Thanh Market. Also today, consider joining an optional tour of the city on a Vespa motorcycle.

We drive to Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta and board a sampan for a scenic cruise. We begin at a fruit garden to sample seasonal produce, then wind through quiet canals for views of the lush southern countryside. We continue to the busy floating market and a local handicraft workshop, ending at a characterful colonial house. Lunch features regional specialities. In the afternoon we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap (flight not included, we can assist with booking this flight). Consider joining an optional excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels before your flight.

On arrival in Siem Reap, you are welcomed and transferred to the hotel for check in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Angkor – ancient capital of the Khmer Empire – is a UNESCO World Heritage site whose temples evolved from Hindu to Buddhist worship before being reclaimed by the jungle and later revealed again, their scale and grace astonishing to behold.

After breakfast we visit Angkor Thom, the former royal city with the enigmatic Bayon at its heart – originally 54 towers, 37 remaining, each with four serene faces – then explore Ta Prohm, where kapok roots weave through the stones. If time allows, we visit another temple. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Early afternoon we tour Angkor Wat, dedicated to Vishnu and built in the early 12th century by Suryavarman II – a masterpiece of Khmer art and architecture. Note: if the visit falls on Buddha Day, the third level is closed to the public and the Angkor Wat visit may be moved. In the early evening we enjoy an exceptional dinner with a performance of Apsara dance.

After breakfast we visit the National Museum to trace the history of the Khmer Empire and the Angkor complex. Afterwards, if you wish, you can browse the local market for some last minute shopping. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Depending on your flight time we transfer to the airport for departure. End of services.