Days 1-3 – Flavours of Hanoi
Hanoi is a capital city crammed with character. Motorbikes zip through tangled streets, food hawkers serve up steaming bowls of pho and fruit stalls spill onto shady boulevards. You’ll stay in the heart of the atmospheric Old Quarter and during your stay you’ll embark on a culinary and cultural journey through Hanoi with your private guide. You’ll learn all about local legends, admire the ancient architecture and taste a range of delicacies from grilled pork to vermicelli dumplings as you wander the streets of the Old Quarter.
Days 3-4 – Drift between limestone peaks
You’ll be collected from your hotel by minibus bright and early and taken to the coastal town of Halong, approximately 4 hours away. This is where the junk boat awaits you. A turquoise bay peppered with tropical outcrops, Bai Tu Long Bay is every bit as beautiful as neighbouring Halong, but with fewer crowds. Rich in stunning views, you’ll drift between emerald karst islets and laze on tiny beaches. You’ll stay aboard a traditional Chinese junk boat, rocked to sleep by the rhythm of the water.
Days 4-5 – Back to Hanoi, onwards to Hue
After your cruise, a minibus transfer will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi where you’ll have the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the station where you’ll catch the overnight sleeper train to Hue.
If you’d prefer fly, we can arrange a domestic flight instead, although you may need another night in Hanoi after the cruise.
Days 5-7 – Royal Times in Hue
Immerse yourself in the history of the ancient Royal City of Hue. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city centre. The following morning, you’ll embark on a boat trip along the Perfume River with your private guide and watch fishermen haul their catch into small rowing boats. Take a trip to one of the oldest ancient religious structures in Hue, the Thien My Pagoda, where you can pay your respects before exploring the ancient temples and tombs within the walls of the Forbidden City. You’ll also visit a village to see how the locals make conical hats and heady incense sticks and see the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh where the last ruling family, Nguyen Dynasty, ruled between 1802 and 1945.
Day 7 – The Road to Hoi An
Today we’ll arrange a private transfer to take you from Hue to Hoi An along one of the most beautiful roads in South East Asia – world famous Hai Van Mountain Pass. The drive is full of spectacular scenery and coastal views, so make sure you have your camera at the ready!
The journey normally takes 3 hours but your driver and car will be at your full disposal so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop along the way to take in the breath taking views.
Days 7-10 – Classic Hoi An
After your scenic drive into the city you’ll be dropped directly at your hotel. Known for its charming lantern-lit streets, Hoi An is a mix of historic Chinese shop houses, artist studios, and riverside eateries. The town’s laid-back vibe and delicious food make it a national treasure. While there, you’ll join a small group for a cooking class, starting with a visit to the vibrant local market to pick up fresh ingredients. After learning to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch of your creations, leaving the afternoon free for you to explore.
Days 10-12 – Scooting through Saigon
We’ll arrange your transfer by private car from your Hoi An hotel to Danang airport. Here you’ll board a quick 90 minute domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Scoot through Saigon on a vintage Vespa, searching for hidden street food hotspots. Zip through the backstreets after dark, sample the best traditional snacks in the city and listen to live music as you sip on Vietnamese coffee. It’s a night tour and foodie adventure rolled into one. After all, Ho Chi Minh is a city that comes alive as night falls. You’ll stay in a comfy hotel near the central market.
Days 12-15 – A taste of life on the Mekong
You’ll be picked up bright and early from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transferred to the Mekong Delta. It’s about 2.5 hours to the pier from where you’ll head out on the water. Get a real glimpse of delta life as you leave the big city behind you and twist through the tiny waterways of the Mekong. You’ll spend one night in a riverside lodge in Cai Be, the perfect base to explore the canals and islands by foot and bike, before your journey continues to the small city of Can Tho. The next morning rise early to discover the frenetic floating market at Cai Rang.
You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City by minibus where you’ll spend another night in the same hotel as before. The next day your time in Vietnam comes to an end and you’ll head to Ho Chi Minh City Airport to begin your journey home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
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