Day 1
Hanoi
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a welcome reception with drinks and local appetisers.
Welcome Reception included
Overnight: Melia Hanoi or similar
Day 2
Hanoi
The day will begin with a visit to the Ho Chi Ming Mausoleum, the final resting place of ‘Uncle Ho,’ the Vietnamese revolutionary. You’ll then see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, before continuing on to the Temple of Literature to discover the Hanoian culture.
The afternoon will be spent enjoying a cyclo tour, taking you through the vibrant Old Quarter to see the street food vendors and eclectic shops. The evening is free to enjoy at leisure, or why not book an optional excursion to discover local flavours on a foodie tour.
Breakfast included
Overnight: Melia Hanoi
Day 3
Halong Bay
Today you will leave Hanoi behind and travel to Halong Bay, where you’ll board a traditional-style Vietnamese junk boat. Cruise past beautiful limestone karsts and tropical islets while enjoying a Vietnamese buffet lunch.
After lunch, you’ll visit a cultured pearl fishery to learn the process of culturing, harvesting and sculpting pearls. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy a stop at Ti Top beach, which offers panoramic views of the bay. Back on the junk boat, you’ll have a cooking class with the chef and dine at sunset.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight: Pelican Cruise
Day 4
Danang
Begin the day with a peaceful T’ai Chi class before heading off to explore Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong Bay and adorned with stalagmites and stalactites. In the afternoon, soak up the rays on the sundeck. Once back on land, you’ll transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang where the evening is at your leisure.
Breakfast included
Overnight: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Day 5
Hoi An
The day starts with a walking tour of the town of Hoi An, visiting marketplaces, ancient temples, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and old merchant houses. Next up is a visit to the Thanh Dong Organic Village to spend time helping local farmers and learning their daily working routines.
After a soothing foot massage, the evening is free for you to enjoy.
Breakfast included
Overnight: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Day 6
Hoi An
The morning is free for you to explore at your own pace. You also get to choose your activity this afternoon. Whether you’d prefer to craft your own lantern or gain insight into the life of a local fisherman, the choice is yours.
Breakfast included
Overnight: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Day 7
Hue via Red Beach
Today you will travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School, to learn the traditional ways to prepare and cook Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy your hard work for lunch, before returning to Hoi An.
The afternoon will be spent joryening over Hai Van Pass on route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam. Next up is a visit to the Cham Museum in Danang, before ending in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight: Imperial Hotel Hue or similar
Day 8
Hue
Discover the bustling streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo on your way to the Imperial Citadel. From there, you’ll drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, the best-preserved religious monument in the city. Next up is a ride on a dragon boat, cruising along the Perfume River to see the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where you’ll be meeting a family for a local lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure.
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight: Imperial Hotel Hue or similar
Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City
This morning you will board an early flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll have the morning to explore before heading to Mai Sen restaurant for lunch. This wonderful visit supports those affected by poverty and providing more opportunities for locals.
Next up is a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street to see the Opera House, before visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. Your last stop is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon.
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Day 10
Mekong Delta
Day 10 will be spent exploring the Mekong Delta with a day trip to Cai Be town. The trip begins with a visit to an ancient house dating back to the 19th century, before transferring to a small, traditional sampan boat to weave through the small canals to the floating market. Back to Ho Chi Minh City this evening to enjoy at leisure.
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Day 11
Cu Chi Tunnels
Delve into Vietnam’s past with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which were built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from French air sweeps. You’ll explore these underground tunnels with a VC veteran to learn more about their history.
After a speedboat ride back to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll have some time to yourself before meeting again to visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s. Meet your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner to say goodbye to those not continuing to Cambodia, and your Vietnam Travel Director.
Breakfast and dinner included
Overnight: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Day 12
Siem Reap
You’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Once there, you’ll be met by your Travel Director and check in to your hotel.
Breakfast included
Overnight: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Day 13
Angkor Wat
Today you will have a chance to explore the incredible Angkor Wat, including a tour with a local specialist and renowned Khmer scholar to learn about the stories behind all the carvings and murals. You’ll then move on to Banteay Srei Temple, dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva, and home to beautiful 10th century carvings of women.
You’ll head back to Siem Reap for some free time, before an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town including a visit to Artisans d’Angkor, to learn about Khmer arts and crafts and support the lives of rural youths.
Later on, you’ll venture to Wat Damnak and partake in a private blessing ceremony. Finally, there is a trip to the Old Market to see the abundant food stalls.
Breakfast included
Overnight: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Day 14
Angkor
Today you will explore the abandoned city of Angkor that has been enveloped by the Cambodian jungle. The first stop is Angkor Thom, home to the Terrace of Elephants, the Temple of Bayon and the Royal Enclosure. Next up is the Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm located under a dense tree canopy, which was a film location for the Tomb Raider film. The afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Breakfast included
Overnight: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Day 15
Sneng Village
In the morning you will visit a local Khmer village school to chat to the children and join them on a walk through the village to learn about their lifestyle. Whilst there, you’ll learn about crafting traditions including weaving hats made from palm leaves or creating art with Lotus flowers.
The afternoon is free, and in the evening there is a farewell dinner for those not continuing on to Phnom Penh, including an Apsara dance show.
Breakfast and dinner included
Overnight: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Day 16
Phnom Penh
The day begins with a flight to Phnom Penh, a beautiful French built city known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’. Later, you’ll enjoy a cyclo tour of the city, to see the wonderful blend of Khmer and French architecture.
Breakfast included
Overnight: La Rose Suites Phnom Penh
Day 17
Phnom Penh
Today you’ll enjoy an in-depth guided city tour. The tour begins with a trip to Wat Phnom temple to learn more about Lady Penh who discovered the four statues of Buddha. Next up is the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, before visiting the National Museum to see centuries-old Khmer artwork.
You’ll learn about the haunting history of the Khmer Rouge years too, involving visiting the former school turned torture and execution centre of Tuol Sleng, and the Museum of Genocide. Finally, you’ll visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, the memorial that was built to honour the 17,000 victims who died during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The evening is free to enjoy at leisure.
Breakfast included
Overnight: La Rose Suites Phnom Penh
Day 18
Phnom Penh
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast included.
