Days 1-2

Fly to Saigon

Fly overnight to Saigon, Vietnam's most evocative and largest city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3

Discover Saigon

Seamlessly blending past and present, Saigon is both a treasure trove of cultural sights and the city that is driving Vietnam towards a brighter future. See Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, both legacies of a colonial past. Spend time at the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum. Finish up by browsing for bargains in the lively Ben Thanh Market.
Day 4

Mekong Delta Cruise

Journey to Vinh Long province to take a cruise on the mighty Mekong. This area is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, the rich and fertile lands producing a plethora of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruits. Spend the night in the vibrant Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
Day 5

Floating Markets

Continue your explorations, departing Can Tho to cruise through the Cai Rang Floating Market, where you'll see boats piled high with the colourful produce of the delta. Return to Saigon.
Day 6

Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning, contemplate the horrors of guerrilla warfare at the astonishing Cu Chi Tunnels. Transfer to the airport and fly to Nha Trang, Vietnam's beach capital.
Day 7

Nha Trang Cruise

Take to the turquoise waters for a cruise around the many little islands off Nha Trang's coast. There'll also be a visit to a local fishing village.
Day 8

Travel to Hoi An

Fly to Danang and transfer to the beautiful UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An.
Day 9

Tra Que village

Drive out into the countryside to Tra Que, a small farming community where you can enjoy the lush green countryside and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. Later, take a walking tour of Hoi An, visiting the elaborate Japanese Bridge, a Chinese temple and the Reaching Out Arts & Crafts workshop.
Day 10

My Son

Explore the enchanting Cham ruins of My Son. Built in the 4th century, the temples aren’t in perfect condition but the site is intimate and swallowed up by lush jungle, which adds to the sense of adventure. Return to Hoi An.
Day 11

Perfume River Cruise

Spend the morning at leisure in Hoi An, before travelling the scenic route to Hue over the Hai Van Pass. The epitome of Vietnam’s dynastic past, Hue is a dignified and scholarly city. On arrival, embark on a scenic cruise of the Perfume River and visit the magnificent Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 12

Hue's Imperial Citadel

The river banks outside of Hue are dotted with UNESCO-listed imperial tombs – visit those of Khai Dinh and Minh Mang. Learn the traditional art of 'truc chi' and a workshop before visiting the imposing Imperial Citadel, and Forbidden Purple City.
Day 13

Fly to Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi. Bringing together all of the charms of a colonial past with a modern buzz in one fast-paced yet graceful city, Hanoi is the perfect combination of old Asia and new. Start exploring with a visit to the Confucian Temple of Literature and a thrilling cyclo tour of the Old Quarter's atmospheric tangle of streets. Stop off for a 'ca phe trung' or egg coffee, a Hanoi speciality.
Day 14

Discover Hanoi

Sightseeing today includes a wander through the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, where you’ll pass Ho Chi Minh’s monumental mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. Also, visit One Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 15

Duong Lam Traditional Village

Duong Lam is well known for its wonderfully preserved historic houses. Visit Mia Pagoda and observe the daily life of the locals in traditional village surroundings. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local family before returning to Hanoi. In the evening see a performance of the famous water puppets.
Days 16-17

Halong Bay Cruise

Spend the day cruising amongst spectacular seascapes, fringed by jagged karst formations jutting from emerald waters. Halong Bay, with its 1,600 islands and islets, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is a vision of awe-inspiring beauty. You'll even explore one of the bay's many caves. Spend a night onboard before returning to Hanoi the next day. On your last evening, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.
Day 18

Fly Hanoi to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Nights 4

Muong Thanh Saigon Centre

Muong Thanh Saigon Centre Hotel is situated in District 1. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and have a private bathroom fitted with a bath or shower. For your comfort, you will find bath robes, slippers and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar, indoor swimming pool and free WiFi.
Night 1

Kim Tho Hotel

1 Ngo Gia Tu, Can Tho, Vietnam
Located in the heart of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the Kim Tho is a smart hotel with river and city views. The restaurant serves Vietnamese and western food, and has a coffee shop and bar, as well as free Wi-Fi in public areas. Spacious rooms have air-conditioning, seating area, mini bar, television and an en suite bathroom with bath tub.
- Wi-Fi
Nights 2

Emm Hoi An

This light, bright and stylish hotel, perfectly located for all of Hoi An’s attractions, perfectly combines French colonial and Vietnamese architectural elements. 92 innovatively-designed guest rooms are spacious and have views over the pool, gardens or street – little pops of colour make each room bright and airy. The ensuite bathroom has a shower, and there are little extra touches such as bathrobes to enjoy. The hotel’s facilities include a contemporary bar and restaurant, while there is a large swimming pool and lush, tropical gardens to explore.
Nights 3

Muong Thanh Hanoi Centre

78 Tho Nhuom, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
In the atmospheric area around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Muong Thanh offers stylish and comfortable accommodation in a great location. Surrounded by shops, restaurants and street food, the hotel has free Wi-Fi, a spa, bar and restaurant serving local dishes. Bright and spacious rooms come with city views, an en suite bathroom with bath or shower, plus air-conditioning, safe, television, minibar and tea and coffee making facilities.
- Wi-Fi
Emeraude Classic Cruises

No T7 Villa, Tuan Chau Marina, Tuan Chau, Halong, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
A replica paddle steamer that oozes a nostalgic charm of bygone Indochina, the Emeraude brings a timeless elegance to the waters of Halong Bay. With classical brass fixtures and warm, characterful cabins, the ship serves up fusion cuisine in its restaurant, a range of drinks at the bar and offers relaxation on the sun deck. There is also a spa, Tai Chi and cooking classes and Wi-Fi. Whilst some cabins have a private balcony, all have air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom with shower.
- Wi-Fi

The best time to visit Vietnam as a whole is the spring (March and April) and autumn (September to December).