Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your chosen Hanoi hotel for a three night stay in this historic city.

Whilst you can easily spend your days just getting lost through the fascinating maze of streets in old Hanoi, admiring the villas of the French Quarter or taking a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, you may like to structure your time in Hanoi by pre-booking day tours and experiences as part of your holiday.

Led by an expert local guide, you can enjoy either a full or half day city tour. Tours will take you around all the key sights like the exquisitely restored Opera House, the Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda Buddhist temple. Another fantastic way to explore is eating your way around the city. On a Vespa Food Tour you’ll try all kinds of local dishes including Bun Cha noodles and Pho Cuon. Take in the Old Quarter and West Lake neighbourhoods as you go, and finish the evening with a drink and live music at a jazz bar. Another great way to spend an evening is to go to the Hanoi Water Puppet Show. This traditional art form dates back a millenium, and the puppeteers skillfully put on a performance to a live orchestra. Following the show, you will be trasferred to one of Hanoi’s fantastic restaurants for dinner.

From Hanoi, you may like to take a day tour to Ninh Binh. This area of serene countryside feels a world away from the city, but it is only two hours’ drive, passing through rural villages and family farms. You’ll then enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Boi River, admiring the dramatic rock formations and rice paddies. After a lunch of Ninh Binh specialities, visit the ruins of the citadel of Hoa Lu, once Vietnam’s capital city.

Pan Pacific Hanoi (or similar)

Breakfast

Fly to historic Ho Chi Minh City today, where you’ll have three days to explore. A guided city tour offers a fantastic introduction which you can pre-book before you travel. Visit the former Presidential Palace, discover the French Colonial architecture of the City Hall and the Central Post Office and visit the harrowing War Remnants Museum. During your stay, you may like to include a half day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, synonymous with the Vietnam War. You have the option to go below the surface and discover sections of the tunnels first hand.

Ben Thanh Market is a great place to shop for souvenirs and see local crafts. In the evening, you can watch the sun set over the skyline from a rooftop bar like Social Club Rooftop Bar or the Chill Skybar. An evening boat tour from Bach Dang Pier is also a great way to admire the illuminated skyline. Alternatively, the unique A O Show at the Ho Chi Minh Opera House offers a mesmerising acrobatic performance that showcases Vietnam’s societal transformation.

Majestic Saigon Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast

After a busy week exploring Vietnam’s historic cities, head to Thailand for a blissful beach break. In Phuket, you can do as much or as little as you like. Simply relax on the golden sands of Kata, Patong or Nai Harn beach, or do a little exploring.

You may like to take a speedboat tour around the enchanting Phi Phi Islands, admiring the towering limestone cliffs, visiting picturesque Maya Bay, made famous by the film ‘The Beach’ and going snorkelling over reefs full of colourful fish. During your stay you may also like to visit Wat Chalong Temple, hike to Phuket’s Big Buddha, watch the sun set at Promthep Cape or soak in the views from Karon Viewpoint. You may like to indulge in the island’s wellness culture with a spa treatment.

Phuket’s Old Town is also well worth exploring, with its Sino Portugese architecture, inviting cafés and boutique shops. On Sundays, the Old Town hosts Lard Yai Sunday Walking Street night market between 16:00 and 22:00 where you can try regional snacks like a-pong pancakes and o-eaw shaved ice or pick up a souvenir.

Amari Phuket (or similar)

Breakfast

This morning it is time to say goodbye to the beach, and make your way to the airport for your flight back to the UK, or on to your next destination. Just let your Travel Consultant know what you’d like to do.

Breakfast