Enjoy a full day tour of Hanoi. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however we would recommend sites such as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. For many the Temple of Literature is a highlight worth lingering over. Built in 1070, this complex of atmospheric halls, pavilions and courtyards is dedicated to Confucius and scholars. A walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods.

Afternoon, consider visiting the very popular Ethnology Museum or the central Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American POW's during the war. Alternatively, your guide will be happy to discuss alternative places of interest that you may wish to consider.

In the evening we recommend staying in and around the Old Quarter where there is a large selection of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from. There is also the amazing 'street-food' such as Pho to be found on every corner!

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        : Hoian

Meal               : Breakfast | Brunch

Morning, 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. Visit Hoi An ancient town and explore its treasures: the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Merchant House, and Quang Dong Assembly.

Overnight        : Hoi An

Meal               : Breakfast

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

Hoi An – 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 centrepiece 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.

Return to your hotel where there is time to relax and freshen up before your evening tour begins at 5.30pm. Riding pillion on a Vespa, you’ll enjoy a taster of Hue’s distinctive cuisine, whilst taking in the sights of the city by night.

Food is very much the focus of the evening and over the next 4 hours you will visit several local eateries dotted around the city sampling typical, authentic Hue cuisine along the way. Some of the dishes you will taste are ‘Banh Khoai’ - sizzling pancake stuffed with shrimp & pork; ‘Bun Bo Hue’ – Hue’s famous beef noodle soup; ‘Banh Cuon Hue’ – pork BBQ rolls and Hue Cakes which are not sweet as you would expect from the name but rather moreish rice flour snacks typically served with fish sauce.

With your appetite fully satisfied, enjoy a leisurely Vespa ride through the streets of Hue back to your hotel.

Overnight        : Hue

Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner (local street food)

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. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam.

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 we head to the hotel for check in.

Overnight        : Saigon

Meal               : Breakfast

Saigon – Cai Be: 2.5-hour drive

Join our wooden boat excursion today on the charming Mekong Queen to explore the Mekong Delta’s unique market and also the symbol of the region, Cai Be floating market. Just only 2 and half hours away from Saigon, beautiful countryside sceneries and surprisingly hospitable people are waiting for you.

Boarding our traditional boat at the local pier and start cruising around the floating market while sampling our tropical fresh fruits, letting the cool breeze touch your hair, you will find the place a truly destination to spend the day relaxing. You will be surprised by the way the locals trade and advertise their products.

Disembark the boat temporarily to explore deeper about the local life by visiting the town’s business and craft factories before we transfer you to an ancient Mandarin house where a delicious home hosted lunch with Mekong’s specialties awaits.

After lunch, enjoy a short sampan ride before we continue to cruise upstream the Mighty Mekong toward Vinh Long where your car already waiting to take you back to Saigon for another night.

Overnight        : Saigon

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Saigon – SiemReap: 1-hour flight

Your morning is at leisure until your transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Over 100 temples are spread over a vast area and the site easily lives up to its status as one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world.

After a short relaxing break, you will visit the famous Angkor Wat by tuktuk. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, it is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. During sunset time, Angkor Wat is less visited, and the Apsaras will shine in the most beautiful light…Return to your hotel, where you can enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight        : Siem Reap

Meal               : Breakfast

Get out the hotel in the morning to explore the highlights of the Small Circuit. Start your tour with a visit to Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground.

Continue to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Your lunch will be arranged at HAVEN, a training restaurant for young adults (orphans, half-orphans and abandoned children), who have to leave orphanages when they come of age. HAVEN serves flavourful Asian and Western food – including some Swiss specialities and many fresh vegetarian tidbits – at the same time you are supporting a training programme and are thereby helping a young adult orphan to achieve a secure and independent future. 

Return to your hotel and the remainder is free to stroll city on your own.

Overnight        : Siem Reap

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Your day today will be spent travelling through a number of relatively untouched villages and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local people. This is a world away from Siem Reap, and provides you with the perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’ and gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with an insight into traditional Khmer culture; something which few visitors are lucky enough to experience.

Your stop is the village of Krabei Real, where there is time to explore the local market and to purchase some supplies for your lunch. Continue on, this time without the benefit of air-conditioning, using a more typical method of transportation for this region. The (almost!) pollution free ox and cart is still widely used throughout Cambodia, and allows you to travel at a gentle, almost hypnotic pace along the narrow, sandy, village roads.

After around an hour, arrive at the home of a local family, there will be plenty of time to relax and chat with the family as they prepare lunch using the produce selected at the market. If you wish to assist then you are very welcome to do so, and this is also a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of typical Khmer cuisine.

Having enjoyed your lunch, there is time to explore the village before returning to Siem Reap. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight        : Siem Reap

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

SiemReap – PhnomPenh: 1-hour flight

Board a short flight to PhnomPenh. Greeting on your arrival, followed by a hotel transfer in the city.

Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains much of its former colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Wide tree-lined boulevards and many colonial-era buildings reflect the glorious days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.

This afternoon, depart on a Khmer Architecture walking and car tour that will take enable a fascinating discovery of Cambodian architecture from both the colonial times and the late 1950s and 1960s, both a culturally and politically vibrant time. During that era, an en vogue ‘New Khmer Architecture’ was emerging uniquely focused on integrating an international style while still being aware of local traditions, materials, and climate.

This evening, indulge in a welcome dinner at one of the best tables in town.

Overnight        : Phnom Penh

Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner

Spend the morning exploring the local market and learning about Khmer cuisine. While not as well-known as the neighboring countries’ cuisines, Cambodia has a great variety of national dishes with many stories to be explained by the guide. Pick up begins from the hotel in a traditional cyclo- an authentic and unique means of traveling to the market. Walk through the aisles as the guide explains the different fruits, herbs, and vegetables and how they are used in Khmer cuisine, sampling local fruits along the way.

The walking tour will last about 2 hours before continuing to a local restaurant which uses many of the ingredients seen at the market. Various dishes come ready cooked; French-style baguettes (num pang) and the tasty nom banh chok can be ordered. This tour is ideal for foodies and lovers of local, non-touristy experiences.

In the afternoon, visit the most remarkable sights Phnom Penh has to offer. First, head to the National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artefacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

Continue along the lively riverfront to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple there is also a brilliant collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze on display.

Overnight        : Phnom Penh

Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Breakfast included at the hotel. At leisure till transportation provided to the airport for home departure.

Meal               : Breakfast