Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets”. Walking through charming Hang Be Market, around Hoan Kiem Lake and stop at Ngoc Son temple. The narrow streets and alleys are home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers, with fantastic photo opportunities all around.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university that functioned for an incredible 700 years from 1076. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Nearby is Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and modest stilted house where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Visit the small but iconic One Pillar pagoda before your lunch break.

This afternoon, you will visit a water puppet master to unveil the secrets behind this traditional art form. Welcome to Mr. Liem’s workshop, where the shelves are lined with wooden angel wings and buffalo tails and puppets of all shapes and sizes. After a 30-minute performance of ancient and modern stories, roll up your sleeves and try to make the dragon chase its tail and spit water, then paint your very own puppet. A great insight into local craft and rural traditions as well as a unique, behind-the-scenes experience

Overnight       : Hanoi
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Hanoi – Lao Cai: departs at 20:30 – arrives at 05:30 (+1)

Leave behind the bustle of Hanoi on a biking tour to the rural villages on the other bank of the Red River. Ride through small back alleys, take a local ferry across the river and return through quaint villages along the river, discovering traditional houses, ancient pagodas, lively markets, emerald paddy fields and lush tropical gardens. En route, stop with a family for tea and a chat about their daily life and visit a local temple.

Evening, we board an overnight train heading to Lao Cai, the gate-way to Sapa.

Overnight       : Hanoi
Meal               : Breakfast | Dinner

Arrive in Lao Cai Station, breakfast and visit a local market where Flower Hmong and sometimes Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung hilltribe people trade local products not found in other areas.

Continue to Sapa where Red Dao, Black H’Mong and other ethnic minority people are surrounding. We take an easy trek to discover Sapa's picturesque hilltribe villages set against the stunning Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Indochina's highest peak, Mt. Fansipan. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight       : Sapa
Meal               : Breakfast

Sapa – Hanoi: 6-hour drive

After breakfast, a 30-minute road transfer to Ban Khoang Valley, enjoying breathtaking views of the Tonkinese Alps along the way. Your first stop is at Lu Khau village, home to Blue Hmong and Red Zao people. Explore the village on foot, meet the friendly villagers and learn about their culture and life in the countryside.

Short transfer to Ta Giang Phinh for lunch and a leisurely walk on small paths that wind down an impressive valley, home to Blue Hmong. Visit some cottage workshops and observe villagers tending their crops with buffaloes.

Early afternoon, start driving and reach Hanoi in the evening. We check in hotel and rest at leisure.

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.

The cuisine throughout your cruise is both plentiful and of a very high standard. Lovers of fresh seafood will be particularly happy. The dining cabin and bar create a very social atmosphere for those that wish to mix with other guests; whilst cabins, many with a private balcony, are all en-suite and spacious.

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

Spend half of today visiting the religious center of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from the 7th to 13th centuries. On the way back, stop at Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.

Return to Hoi An, a charming destination with two faces: the old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses and the long stretches of clean white sand of its beach resorts. In keeping with Hoi An’s trading heritage, the tiny shop houses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. Take a walking tour of the ancient town to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.

Overnight       : Hoi An
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Hoi An - Danang – Hue: 3-hour drive

Morning at leisure before leaving 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. The imposing Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the rulers and retains a sense of grace and majesty, despite the scars of years of turmoil, both ancient and modern.

On the way visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang, home to the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co

Overnight       : Hue 
Meal               : Breakfast

Explore Hue starting at the Imperial Citadel, then take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake, where the Emperors used to relax. It is full of lotus flowers in summer and surrounded by many local style coffee shops where university students come to study. Next is Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, whose centrepiece 21m tower represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the grounds is the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self-immolation is one of the most famous images of the war.

Continue the tranquil gardens and ponds of emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry inspired by Confucianism. Khai Dinh’s tomb is in traditional Vietnamese style with a unique European touch. Finally stroll around Dong Ba Market, teeming with color and a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life.

Overnight       : Hue 
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Hue – Saigon: 1 hour & 15 mins flight

Transfer to Hue Airport for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by the locals.

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.

Overnight       : Saigon
Meal               : Breakfast

Saigon – Cai Be: 2 hours & 30 mins drive

Colorful floating markets, vast green rice fields and lush backwaters; these are the things that make Cai Be such an intriguing destination. Cruise the waterways of the Mekong Delta, passing by Cai Be’s nowadays quiet floating market, to a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Sail on to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, admiring the scenery and observing the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch is Mekong specialties of the area. Return to Saigon late afternoon

Overnight       : Saigon
Meal               : Breakfast | Lunch

Sadly, today it's time to say goodbye to Vietnam as you are transferred to the international airport in time for your return flight home

Meal               : Breakfast