Enjoy a full day tour of Hanoi; visiting some of the city’s classic sites alongside an introduction to Hanoi’s more contemporary side, interspersed with a handful of local experiences.

After breakfast, transfer the short distance to West Lake, also known as Tay Ho Lake, this large expanse of freshwater and its lakeside gardens attract locals looking for a quiet spot away from the busy streets of central Hanoi. Various historical places of interest are scattered around the perimeter including Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc and Quan Thanh Temple, one of Vietnam’s four sacred temples.

Mid-morning, transfer by car to the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's first national university. It's one of the few remaining examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture still standing in Hanoi: of special note are the 82 stone steles shaped like turtles which are elaborately carved with the names of candidates that sat the Royal examinations.

From here continue to Trang Tien Street near the Opera House where is popular with students and office workers, this narrow alley fills with street side stalls at lunchtime selling everything from pho and fried rice to sticky sweet treats.

Afternoon, we explore Hanoi’s contemporary culture. Throughout the capital there are rumblings of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, a step away from traditionalism and the rise of fresh and fashionable places. Manzi Art Café is one of Hanoi’s increasingly popular part café, part art gallery ventures. Set in a French Colonial villa in a relatively quiet Hanoi Street, it’s the sort of place where you could easily while away a couple of hours drinking Vietnamese coffee and browsing the artwork. Sadly, you won’t have so much time to spare, but there will certainly be time for coffee before walking to the Old Quarter. A stroll through this historical area is an assault on the senses; its maze of narrow alleys is packed with scooters and street vendors, lined with restaurants, traditional workshops, souvenir shops and pagodas.

Overnight       : Hanoi
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Hanoi – Halong: 3-hour drive

After an early breakfast it’s a three-hour drive from the city to Halong Bay, passing through a number of typical North Vietnamese towns and villages. Upon arrival you will be welcomed aboard your traditional junk; the same style that have sailed the bay for 100’s of years.

A natural wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the creation of Halong Bay is shrouded in myth. Lunch is served as you depart port. You will soon leave the mainland far behind, navigating amongst the jagged limestone islands and karsts emerging from the emerald waters. Whilst some islands are no more than large rocks others are far more substantial in size.

During your cruise there will be opportunities to disembark, often using smaller boats, or possibly kayaks, to venture into hidden grottos and caves. You will also make stops to explore points of interest such as floating fishing villages and picturesque lookout points.

Overnight       : on board
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Hanoi – Danang: 1 hour & 15 mins flight

For early risers, enjoy a sunrise over Halong, with a breakfast served shortly thereafter.  Enjoy dining while the vessel cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Follow up with a transfer to Noi Bai Airport.

After a short flight, arrive to the central port city of Danang. Upon arrival to Danang, transfer 40 minutes to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port of the 17th and 18th centuries, whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years.    

Overnight       : Hoi An
Meal               : Breakfast | Brunch

Biking distance: 10km

Morning, spend a day leisurely cycling though the scenic countryside of Vietnam, far from the traffic the motor scooters, and the noises the city. You will cross the islands on the Song Thu River delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridge...This tour will take you to discover how wooden river boats are made, learn the secret of weaving the colourful straw “Hoi An” sleeping mats. Try the renowned Vietnamese basket boats. You will spend the day with first- hand contact with one of the rural inhabitants of the region, far from the usual tourist circuits.

At lunchtime you will be invited into the home of a local Vietnamese family for a traditional Vietnamese meal, and learn their customs and traditions. After lunch, you will begin your return towards Hoi An, which will take about an hour.

Overnight       : Hoi An
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Spend a fun and interesting half day, learning about Vietnamese food and the Hoi An way of life. Already in its 18th year, this popular cooking class is listed in many of the major guidebooks and on Trip Advisor.

Take a boat trip from "Vy's Market Restaurant" to Hoi An's colourful central market. Tour of the market with an English-speaking guide followed by an interesting and informative tour of Vy's Market Restaurant, watching live cooking demonstrations with actual involvement and many food tastings. Two-hour hands-on cooking class, lunch, recipes a Vietnamese cooking utensil to take home.

The remainder, we walk to discover Hoian town, a place oozing with charm, and having largely escaped the destruction of successive wars, its streets and architecture are a delight to explore. Stroll past the many Chinese Assembly Halls, from the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its impressive main altar, to the Hainan Chinese Congregation, which serves as a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc.

Overnight       : Hoi An
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Hoian – Hue: 3 - hour drive

Have breakfast at hotel and take the morning departure for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects.

We check in hotel on arrival and take a short break before our touring in the afternoon.

Get out from the hotel, we make our first visit at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax.

After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, depart for Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tower is the centrepieces of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds.

After all, we enjoy dinner at one of Hue’s most beautiful garden houses known locally as ‘nha vuon’. These houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in large, attractive formal gardens. Some have connections with the old Royal Imperial Court and the house’s traditional architecture has long been associated with the natural environment and the ancient belief of ‘feng-shui’.

Overnight       : Hue
Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner

Hue – Saigon: 1 hour & 15 mins flight

Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure till your next departure is to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). On arrival, we wander around for sightseeing and learning about city people’s lives. We start by looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city’s skyline.

Then, we move on to see the Reunification Palace. Here on April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. For more understanding about Vietnam’s History, we cannot miss War Remnants Museum. Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem’ exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. Tour ends and drive you to the hotel.

Evening, enjoy a 1-hour performance of Lune Production, discover highly creative and artistic live shows about the culture of Vietnam. Marvel at how farming, building activities, traditional games and the lifestyle of villagers are recreated. Ancestral bamboo props, breathtaking cirque and rhythmic dance, juggling, and acrobatic movements are accompanied by distinct folk music from over 20 traditional musical instruments.

After the show, our person will take you for dinner at one of our best Vietnamese cuisine restaurants in town. Driving back hotel.

Overnight       : Saigon
Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner

Saigon – Cai Be: 2 hour & 30 mins drive

A 2-hour drive southwest from Saigon will take you to the Mekong Delta, the largest rice basket of the country with friendly farmers who always wave hello when you come across.

On arrival, board your wooden charming boat, the Mekong Queen, at Ba Ton’s local pier and start cruising on Mekong River while sampling local fresh fruits, letting the cool breeze touch your hair, you will find the place a truly destination to spend the day relaxing.

Leave the boat for a while to visit the local business where you can interact with the local people to learn more about their daily life.

Continue with your boat through the “heart” of the town’s trading activities with floating vendors lining up their boats in the middle of the river with their agricultural products hung on bamboo poles. This is not the biggest floating market, but it is good to understand the life of the river, one of the tourist magnets of the Mekong Delta.

Disembark the boat when reaching Tan Phong Island where you will start a very interesting cycling tour through small village shady road. You will be surprised by the way the locals trade and advertise their local products. Ride along the concrete road of 1m width, you will take the opportunities to visit local families of making traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth; house roof made from palm leaves; hammock made from coconut ropes; rice papers; and local hats.

After a sad farewell to your crews, enjoy a home-hosted lunch with Mekong Delta specialties at an ancient house before driving back to Saigon.

Note: Motorbike will be an option for those who can’t bike. Guests ride as passenger behind a safe motorbike driver.

Overnight       : Saigon
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Spend the morning at leisure until the departing flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Meal               : Breakfast