Arrive into Vietnam’s charming capital city of Hanoi. You will be met at Hanoi Airport by your guide. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, travel to your hotel. Early check-in is not included. Additional nights before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.

Begin your day at the Ethnology Museum, with its mesmerising displays exploring the country’s 54 ethnic minority groups. In its grounds are a range of full-size replica longhouses demonstrating traditional ways of life in rural Vietnam. After lunch, take a visit to the Thang Long Citadel before a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and its 36 streets before visiting the Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. Round off the day with an evening culinary tour around the alleys of the Old Quarter. Starting with a demonstration of the local specialty of Vietnamese ‘egg coffee’ before venturing out to try an array of flavours of the North, from ‘pho’ a world-renowned beef noodle soup to ‘banh mi’ a classic Vietnamese sandwich. End your gastronomy immersion with a cold beer at Bia Hoi Corner. Please note: Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage.

Discover the sights of Hanoi. Stroll around the Ho Chi Minh Quarter for an insight into the Vietnam War, before a visit to the Humble House on Stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived in the grounds of the Presidential Palace and see his Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square along with the impressive One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch, visit the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university.

Drive around two and a half hours to Halong Bay and embark on a two-night scenic cruise to the far-most corners of the bay by boat. Sail through this famous UNESCO-listed bay, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. There is usually a crowd of boats at the docks; however, the cruise itself will be scenic and relaxing. Boarding your boat could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities (which are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions). Sightseeing may include kayaking in a hidden bay or visiting underground caves on the islands, which require climbing up and down steps inside and outside of the caves. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset over the bay followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night. You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for your trip to Halong Bay. Main luggage will be left in safe storage at the hotel in Hanoi and picked up on your return. Please note: Weather conditions such as mist, fog, wind, rain and storms may delay the departure time of your cruise, or in some cases your cruise may be cancelled. Notifications of any delays or cancellations may not be known until your group’s arrival in Halong Bay. If your cruise is cancelled after your arrival in Halong Bay, you will have lunch in Halong City and return to Hanoi. If notification of the cruise cancellation is given prior to your departure for Halong Bay an alternative day trip will be arranged to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc or ‘Halong Bay on Land’, an area located approximately 2 hours from Hanoi. Our guides will make every effort to inform the group at the earliest possible moment should there be any itinerary changes.

Rise early for Tai Chi on deck! After breakfast, cruise towards Luon Cave, a picturesque water cave filled with delightful details of karsts and limestone structures that requires guests to visit by traditional rowing boats. Later, see the bay through a local’s eyes as you cruise to Cua Van Floating Village, and enjoy the opportunity to meet the local fishermen who will row you through their floating village, where many families have lived for generations. Later, head to one of the bay’s beaches for a chance to sunbathe on the sands, before returning to your junk for your candlelit dinner on the sundeck.

Spend the morning sailing through Halong Bay, and after an early lunch, cruise back to the port. Disembark and drive two and half hours back to Hanoi, where you will board the Reunification Express to begin your iconic journey to the imperial city of Hue. Travel in the comfort on the Lotus Express Carriages on this epic 13-and-a-half-hour journey and be captivated by Vietnam’s diverse landscapes as you travel through the spectacular scenery.

Enjoy breakfast on board as you arrive into Hue this morning, before beginning your exploration of the former imperial capital. Hue is the physical embodiment of Vietnam’s dynamic past and considered a scholarly city. Visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, heavily influenced by the Forbidden City in China. Continue by road to Thien Mu Pagoda and relax as you take a cruise on the Perfume River.

Following an early breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Hue train station where you will board your scenic train to Danang as you continue your rail journey along the picturesque North-South Railway route. Board the comfortable Heritage Train for a 3-hour journey along the coast hugging the South China Sea and through the Hai Van Pass. On arrival in Danang, travel by road to the quaint city of Hoi An. Today’s explorations begin with a visit to Tra Que Village, a local farming project just outside of Hoi An. Here, the community has come together to create a large vegetable farm. Learn the traditional methods used by the farmers, then try your hand at raking the ground and sowing seeds, before relaxing with a herbal foot bath massage. Next, see a short cooking demonstration, followed by lunch featuring the delicious vegetables straight from the farm to the plate! After lunch transfer to your hotel.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An’s narrow ancient streets and hidden alleys. We will visit one of the town’s oldest homes, built by a merchant family over 200 years ago, which is still occupied by their descendants. We will also visit the traditional Hoi An Market, the Quan Cong Chinese Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. After, a visit to the Hoi An Folklore Museum will give you an insightful look into the life of Hoi An's people. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps take a visit to one of Hoi An’s traditional tailors or spend an afternoon relaxing at the beach.

Transfer to Danang airport this morning to board your 1 hour and 30-minute flight to Saigon, Vietnam’s bustling southern city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure as you start to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. This evening, experience the spectacle of the must-see A O show, a thrilling performance of talented local circus performers, dancers, athletes and artists.

Today, confront the reality of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive, and they did not escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The Cu Chi experience can be emotional for some visitors, but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Sightseeing here involves two hours on foot on uneven mud paths through the bush and, if you choose, crawling through some of the tunnels. Afterwards, your guide will introduce you to a Vietnamese war veteran, who will tell you about his personal experiences as a Communist soldier during the war, offering an authentic insight into the experience and hardships of war. You will be able to ask some questions; we ask guests to be respectful of the individual regardless of your political views. Return to Saigon after lunch and continue the day with an afternoon tour to explore the city’s heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. See the Notre-Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, the poignant War Remnants Museum. The latter is an emotional visit; you will be given time to explore independently. Please note: Depending on the individual veteran available on the day of your visit, it is likely that your guide will need to act as a translator. Due to the age and health of the veterans, a specific individual cannot be guaranteed. Please also note: Due to ongoing restorative construction works at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the tour will include an outside visit.

Drive two and a half hours down to the picturesque province of My Tho, situated along the mighty Mekong Delta. This area is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, because its rich and fertile lands produce huge amounts of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruit. Spend the day cruising and exploring, travelling by motorised, wooden boats between the islands and changing to smaller, paddleboats in the canals. Return to Saigon this afternoon. Please note: Sightseeing involves hopping on and off these boats, often on unsteady and slippery surfaces, sometimes without handrails or assistance.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged