Search

Book online or call 01306 744311

Day 1: London to Hanoi.

Overnight flight from London to Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi

Arrive into Hanoi (North Vietnam) and transfer to the Sunway Hotel, located in the heart of the city. Situated on the banks of the Red River, the capital - Hanoi is a beautiful city that retains an air of French colonial elegance with pretty stuccoed buildings lining leafy, spacious boulevards. In addition to numerous markets, pagodas and museums, Hanoi is home to the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese revolutionary, prime minister and later the first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). Whilst the rest of today is free for you to relax and rest after the long flight, we’ll explore the city tomorrow.

Day 3: Hanoi

Today, we embark upon a full day city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (subject to opening) and his stilt house, the One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and History Museum. We’ll then explore the Old Quarter on ‘cyclos’ – which are tricycles with a seat up front for the passenger. This evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Show, thought to have its origins in the 12th century. The appearance is of the puppets moving the over water - with the water surface being the stage. Up to 8 puppeteers stand behind a split-bamboo screen, decorated to resemble a temple facade, and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment.

Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long

Today, we transfer 180km east to Ha Long. An area of stunning natural beauty, the UNESCO-Listed Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets – most of which are uninhabited, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Discover Ha long Bay aboard our 2-night Huong Hai junk cruise including all meals. Enjoying a luncheon repast of seafood, we sail past Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog Island, and Sail Island. We’ll visit Sung Sot cave and will have a chance to have a swim at Titov beach. Rounding off the day, enjoy a sunset dinner aboard.

Day 5: Ha Long - cruising

Continuing our cruise, we’ll visit some islands and caves, sometimes accessible aboard a smaller bamboo boat. If the tide permits, we will also visit Ba Ham Lake and Three Peaches beach. The remainder of the day is at leisure for relaxing, fishing and socialising.

Day 6: Ha Long - cruising - Hoi An (via Da Nang)

This morning, we will cruise past Man’s head island, Tortoise island, visit Luon cave by small bamboo boat, visit Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho mountain. Returning to Halong, we have lunch aboard before disembarking for our transfer by road to Hanoi Airport, for our evening flight south to Da Nang, and onward transfer to Hoi An. Ancient UNESCO-listed Hoi An comprises an exceptionally well-preserved trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its architecturally splendid buildings and street plan offer a fascinating history and charm. We’ll enjoy plenty of exploration tomorrow. Upon arrival in Hoi An, we check-in at the Pacific hotel.

Day 7: Hoi An

This morning, we enjoy a half day trip to the capital and the religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the town, Hoi An market, Tan Ky old house, Fukien Assembly hall and the Japanese covered bridge.

Day 8: Hoi An

This morning, we engage in a Vietnamese cooking class, followed by a prepared lunch. Vietnamese cuisine is known for its common use of fish, soy and hoisin sauce. Vietnamese recipes use many vegetables and herbs including lemon grass, lime and kaffir lime leaves, which give dishes a wonderful fragrant appeal. The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are pork, beef, prawns, chick and tropical fish. The rest of the day is free for you to further explore or simply relax.

Day 9: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) via Da Nang

Transfer to Da Nang airport for the onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival transfer to the Park Royal hotel. Saigon is a vast and energetic city steeped in culture, colour and tradition. Bustling and dynamic, the streets are a jumble of markets, sidewalk cafes and street vendors. It’s impossible not to be affected by the exhilarating vibe of this city conquered by the French in 1859 and sometimes known as ‘the pearl of the Far East’. This afternoon, we embark upon an excursion to the Chu Chi tunnels. The Chu Chi tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels that were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam’s base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. Some 75 miles of the tunnel complex have been preserved by the government of Vietnam, and turned into a war memorial park. Our excursion allows us to enter this once secretive complex of tunnels – a testament to Vietnamese ingenuity, some of which are now illuminated and enlarged to accommodate today’s visitor more comfortably.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta

Driving to Vinh Long, capital of the Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta region. The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and disgorges into the sea through a network of distributaries. Mekong Delta. The tributaries of the Mekong afford ample irrigation for verdant rice terraces, fish farms and fruit orchards. Busy floating markets offer a colourful and chaotic scene on the waterways, which we’ll witness. We board the Bassac Boat at noon and enjoy lunch. We sail towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang river. Visit a local village on the bank of Co Chien or Mang Thit. Dropping anchor in front of Phuoc Hau pagoda in Tra On, we enjoy dinner.

Day 11: Mekong Delta

For those of us that can rouse in time, breakfast is available from the early time of 0630hrs whilst the boat is cruising on the Tra On floating market, bound for Can Tho, a hive of activity and hub for swarms of ships and barges that ply the channels of the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Cai Rang floating market, transfer on a local bus to nearby arroyos gardens and the Ninh kieu pier. Lunch is included at Nam Bo restaurant. This afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour of Can Tho. Later, we check-in to the Golf Hotel for our overnight stay.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City

Transferring to HCM, we visit China Town, Thien Hau Pagoda, Bing Tay Market, History Museum and a lacquer ware workshop. The remains of the day are at leisure. Our hotel stay is at the Park Royal.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - London

Transferring back to the airport,we trqvel onwards to London or undertake a sun or shop-filled extension at Phan Thiet, Nha Trang or the metropolis of Hong Kong.

» Accommodation