Feel the excitement build as your plane touches down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). You have the rest of the day at leisure, to relax after your flight or explore the local area.

Northern Charm Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be met by your guide for the day, for a sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll visit the underground bunkers at the Independence Palace, used during the American War, the ‘wedding cake’ styled Hotel d’Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and the former US Embassy, from where 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese were evacuated by helicopter in the final days of the war.

After a local lunch, your tour continues to Chinatown in the district of Cholon (which translates to ‘big market’), then onto Cha Tam Church, where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963, and lastly the impressive Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the seas.

Northern Charm Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast and lunch

Today you’re off to Ben Tre, a lesser-visited region of the Mekong Delta. Here you’ll join a cruise along the Ham Luong River, stopping at a number of small family-run factories, including a brick-makers, salt refinery, mat weaving house and coconut processing workshop.

You’ll make a stop at a peaceful village for a short walk to witness local life, before travelling by bicycle or xe loi, a type of cyclo used only in the Delta, through fruit orchards.  Enjoy a delicious lunch taken at a riverside restaurant where you can try local specialities such as ‘elephant ear fish’ and ‘river shrimp’.

Afterwards, there will be time to explore the garden or wander along the riverbanks with your guide, before taking a rowing boat along the narrow canals back to the main boat. Return to the pier in Ben Tre and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City by car.

Northern Charm Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast and lunch

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dalat in the cooler climate of the Central Highlands. This former hill station is surrounded by lush green forests and waterfalls. You’ll visit the bustling market and Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, the last Emperor of Vietnam, one of the major attractions in the area. After lunch, there’s some free time to relax at your hotel.

Du Parc, Dalat

Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast continue overland to Nha Trang, the drive is quite spectacular as you travel through mountain passes en route to the coast. Arrive into the beach town of Nha Trang and take lunch at a local restaurant with the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the beach.

Novotel, Nha Trang

Breakfast and lunch

This morning take a relaxing half day cruise in a converted fishing boat around the nearby islands, stopping at a local village with time to wander around. Lunch will be served on board or on a deserted beach with time to snorkel and swim. Return to your hotel for the afternoon at leisure.

Novotel, Nha Trang

Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang where you will travel on to the UNESCO listed town of Hoi An for a two night stay.

Enjoy a walking tour with your guide and discover this unique trading town with its beautifully preserved buildings. You will see the Japanese covered bridge and the Chinese communal house to name a few. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore further or browse the numerous shops.

Boutique Hoi An Hotel

Breakfast and lunch

Today take an excursion to see the My Son ruins which date back to the Cham kingdom from the 7th – 13th centuries. Wander around this historic site with your guide before returning back to Hoi An with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Boutique Hoi An Hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast, you will make your way overland by road along Highway One and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hue. On arrival in Hue city enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then continue to your hotel to check-in.

This afternoon visit The Imperial Citadel with your local guide. The Imperial Citadel, which has a 10km perimeter, was built in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long (the first Nguyen emperor) on a site chosen by geomancers. After visiting the citadel take a boat trip on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. One of the most famous sights in Hue- the Thien Mu Pagoda. An octagonal tower of seven tiers rises majestically over the tranquil Perfume (Huong) River.

Indochine Palace, Hue

Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, visit Tu Duc Tomb, Imperial Citadel. The tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting.

Enjoy a local lunch before heading to the airport for your flight north to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi where you can spend the rest of your time at leisure.

La Siesta Classic Hotel, Hanoi

Breakfasts and lunch

This morning after breakfast, you will visit Ba Dinh Square where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the ‘father of the country’ and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the French architecture of Hanoi, the One Pillar Pagoda and the temple of literature.

In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it. Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District.

La Siesta Classic Hotel, Hanoi

Breakfasts and lunch

After breakfast travel to Halong Bay where you will spend the night on the Bhaya Classic boat – a traditionally styled Chinese Junk. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s natural wonders with its huge limestone outcroppings, arches and coves that form a ‘dragons tail’ across the bay.

After a delicious buffet lunch, glide through the magnificent scenery to visit Vung Vieng fishing village, before returning to the vessel for free time to sunbathe on deck or go swimming or kayaking in the tranquil waters. Later there is a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before a delicious dinner.

Bhaya Classic Cruise

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wake up early to see the sun rise and listen to the sounds of the waves gently lapping. Your cruise continues through the bay passing Drum, Virgin and Toad islets, before heading ashore to explore Surprise Cave. After a buffet brunch take a leisurely cruise back to Halong City where you will disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

La Siesta Classic Hotel, Hanoi

Breakfast and brunch

It’s time to say goodbye to this magical country. If there is time, wander the streets one more time before heading to the airport for your onward flight.

Breakfast