Itinerary

Day 1 Depart London

Day 2 Morning arrival in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi. Check-in to a downtown hotel with the afternoon free to relax by the pool and recover from your jet-lag or explore the area and perhaps check-out the local coffee shops before an evening trip to see the City’s unique water-puppet show.

Day 3 Day tour of this beautiful old city with its French colonial architecture: lakes, parks and temples and a stroll through the bustling backstreets of the old quarter.

Day 4 Explore the incredible scenery of World Heritage Halong Bay by boat on a day cruise through the dramatic limestone scenery.  Evening return to Hanoi.

Day 5 Leaving the capital we’ll head into the scenic mountainous region of Hoa Binh Province where we’ll continue along forest trails by 4WD to Pu Luong – one of Vietnam’s remotest and most spectacular national parks. Afternoon jungle hike to discover the regions amazing flora and fauna and overnight in the ethnic White Tai village of Mai Chau.

Day 6 Scenic drive through the lush paddy fields and jagged limestone escarpments of this region, sometimes known as the ‘Halong of the rice fields’, to the remarkable cave system of the Trang An Grottoes. Rowing boats will take us through the labyrinth of caves, tunnels and emerald streams for a fascinating visit before continuing to Ninh Binh Town to board the night sleeper train.

Day 7 Morning arrival at Dong Ha and a chance to discover the country’s more recent history with a day trip to the infamous DMZ, (demilitarized zone), to visit some of the key sites of the Vietnam War, including the Vietcong tunnels at Vinh Moc, Hien Luong Bridge on the 17^th parallel, which marked the border between former South and North Vietnam, and Khe Sanh Combat Base – scene of some of the most intense fighting of the war. Overnight in Hue.

Day 8 Time to check out the numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites of this historic city and former imperial capital: morning cruise by ‘dragon boat’ along the Perfume River to visit some of the majestic tombs of the former emperors and afternoon walk around the ancient Citadel.

Day 9 Short, scenic drive to nearby Hoi An Town with stop-offs on the way at mountainous Bach Ma National Park and the beautiful and spectacular beach at Lang Co.

Day 10 Well-preserved and charming, World Heritage site Hoi An was one of SE Asia’s most important ports during the 17^th – 19^th centuries. A half-day tour of the old town and waterfront area and a free afternoon to discover the picturesque old streets at your leisure or bicycle down to the nearby beach for a dip or massage.

Day 11 Morning relaxing or a visit to the bustling silk market with an afternoon trip to the atmospheric ruined temples of ancient My Son City – Vietnam’s most important site of the former Cham Empire. The city was occupied from the 4^th to 13^th centuries before succumbing to its powerful Khmer and Vietnamese neighbours.

Day 12 Time to explore some of the sites of the Danang region with a visit to the famous China Beach, Marble Mountain and the fascinating Cham Museum before an evening departure for Saigon.

Day 13 Day tour of some of the City’s sites including the bustling Ben Thanh Market, the War Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda and Saigon’s own Notre Dame Cathedral.

Day 14 Departure from Saigon for a visit to the fascinating Vietcong tunnel system at Cu Chi before continuing south to the scenic riverside, Delta town of Cai Be for an afternoon boat cruise through the maze of waterways. Discover the region's picturesque scenery, and the local cottage industries and handicraft manufacturing of the, still very traditional, villages. Overnight in Cai Be Town.

Day 15 Morning visit to Cai Be’s traditional floating market followed by a canoe tour of the former Vietcong jungle base at Xe Quit. After lunch we’ll head for Can Tho – the Delta’s most important commercial and administrative centre.  Afternoon at leisure to explore this friendly riverside town or check-out the interesting Mekong Delta Museum.

Day 16 Early morning boat ride to check out the nearby morning market; one of the busiest and most photogenic of the Delta’s floating markets, before returning to Saigon.

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