Day 1: Hanoi, Vietnam

On arrival,you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Relax or self-exploreHanoi city. Hanoi is over 1000 years old and currently the capital of Vietnam, as well as the country's commercial, political, and cultural heart.

Accommodation: La Storia Ruby Hotel or similar

This morning between 7.45 – 08.15 am approx, our guide will meet you at your hotel for the shuttle bus pick-up for our trip to Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. Get your camera ready to take photos. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours. There will be a comfort break during our journey.

Between 12.00 to 12.30 pm we should arrive at Tuan Chau marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet the captain and crew in the cruise briefing. Afterwards, check into your cabin and have some time to refresh and unwind. We will set sail as a typical local lunch is served in the dining room or at the outdoor dining area.

This afternoon we will arrive at Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, explore the cave and find out how the cave was named. It is one of the biggest, most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.

Next, we head to the Titop island area. Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets. Go swimming and snorkelling or do the short trek to the top of the island to have an overview of Halong bay.

Early this evening relax on the sundeck watching the sunset and enjoy the Sunset party. It’s a great time to make new lifelong friends.

An authentic Vietnamese menu is served for dinner, then afterwards enjoy a cocktail from our large selection at the bar, or join in on the onboard activities: games, movies, and squid fishing and more.

Accommodation: overnight onboard

Meals: B, L, D

For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body. Breakfast will be served between 7.00 - 8.00 am. Afterwards, enjoy the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave (Hang Luồn). You have the option to either explore the cave yourself on a kayak or comfortably on a bamboo boat rowed by the locals.

From 9 am check out of the cabins at leisure, while our cruise takes you past other beautiful highlights in the bay. At around 10.00 am join our cooking demonstration, on how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.

At 12.00 pmreturn to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew says farewell.Transfer back to Hanoi by minibus or private car. On arrival check-in at the hotel around 4.30 pm.

Accommodation: La Storia Ruby Hotel or similar

Meals: B, L

At 7.00 am you'll have an early transfer to Sapa by bus. Arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon, visit Cat Cat village (light trekking required), where you can try the local apple wine or purchase a hand-woven blanket in Sapa town.

Accommodation: Sapa Panorama Hotel or similar

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, enjoy a 5-hour trek to visit Lao Chai – Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai village, explore the local ethnic minorities' life and admire the spectacular natural scenery with the terraced rice fields. Visit Sapa’s ancient rock formations with engraved images big and small, the unique patterns of the ancients, as well as admire the picturesque bridge to the clouds clear over the Muong Hoa stream. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant in the middle of the village.

Return to the hotel in Sapa around 2.00 pm. At 3.00 pm we saygoodbye to Sapa. You will be picked up at the hotel and taken by bus back to Hanoi. ArrivalinHanoi will be around 9.30 pm, and check-in at the hotel again.

Accommodation: La Storia Ruby Hotel or similar

Meals: B, L

After breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure until our driver comes and transfers you to the airport. Take a 1- hour- flight to Danang.

On arrival, you'll be picked up at the airport and transferred to Hoi An by private car.

Arrive in Hoi An and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, discovering the beauty of Hoi An.

Accommodation: Rose Garden Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be picked up for your day trip to My Son, an ancient temple complex built between the 4th and 13th centuries under Cham’s King Bhadravaman.

My Son was chosen as a religious centre, built in the late 4th century under the Cham’s King Bhadravaman. It is a huge religious complex with over 70 towers and temples of different architectures. We will have 2 hours to discover the site by walking through the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the traditional performances of the Champa People.

At 11.00 am, we head to a local house to learn how to make rice paper. Then get back on the bus and have lunch at another local house, relax with cold herbal tea, nice food and fresh air. At 12.30 pmtake a boat trip to Hoi An with a nice cool breeze on board, and enjoy the beautiful river scenery on the biggest river in Central Vietnam named Thu Bon River.

At 1.30 pm arrive back at Hoi An. You will be dropped off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Rose Garden Hotel or similar

Meals: B, L

Today you'll enjoy a free day in Hoi An.

Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. Spend the entire day at your leisure exploring a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colourful French colonial buildings, and ornate Vietnamese tube houses and make sure you visit the the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Accommodation: Hoian Rose Garden Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Hue by bus. It takes around 4 hours. On arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Rosaline Hue hotel or similar

You will be picked up at your hotel around 8:00 am and then have a full day to discover Hue. Visit Emperor Minh Mang Mausoleum and Emperor Khai Dinh Mausoleum. On the way, we will stop to see how conical hats and incense sticks are made. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty: the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum and the seven–storey Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Return by boat on the gentle Perfume River

The tour will end at 4:00 pm. You will be transferred to your hotel by taxi.

Accommodation: Rosaline Hue hotel or similar

Meals: B, L

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before our driver transfers you to Hue airport. You will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh city (formerly Saigon). Check in at the hotel.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, for you to discover the most Vietnam's largest and most active city. With a prominent history going back hundreds of years, skyscrapers now tower above Fench museums and swarms of motorbikes race down the streets. The energy of this place pulsates unlike any other city in Vietnam.

Accommodation: Prague Saigon Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast this morning from 7:30 to7.50 am,our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and start the tour.

Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arriving at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, and view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. We then proceed to Tortoise islet and have lunch in the orchard garden.

Afterwards, enjoya boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, cruiseon a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, and enjoy seasonal fruit andhoney tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals. Visit a family business that epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy andobserve the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Once the tour is finished, meet the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation: Prague Saigon Hotel or similar.

Meals: B, L

Today you have a free day in Ho Chi Minh City. Spend your free time shopping and sightseeing.

Optional Tour: Ho Chi Minh city tour (on request).

Accommodation: Prague Saigon hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast from 7:30 to7.50 am,our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then start driving to Cu Chi which is located 60km from Ho Chi Minh city.

Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti-American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its original tunnel system of over 220km and is a popular spot for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. The peacefully rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffalos swimming in the rivers alongside the road.

Visitors find it hard to imagine the destructions, damage and defoliation all over the area, caused by bombing and mines when Cu Chi was “A Free Target Zone”. The remnants visitors will see show Cu Chi still has her evidence to prove the fierce battleground that took place there. Afterwards, return back to hotel.

Accommodation: Prague Saigon Hotel or similar

Meals: B, L

After breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to Vietnam. You will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

• 13 nights at 3-star centrally located hotels + 1 night on cruise in Halong Bay
• DomesticEconomy flight tickets (incl. 20kg baggage check in) from Hanoi to Danang and from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
• English speaking tour guide at every single destination
• 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 2 dinners
• Entrance fees and sightseeing as per the itinerary
• All pick up and drop off from airport (private car)
• All transportation as per the itinerary (bus / bike/ boat/cruise)

• International airfare
• Personal expenses
• Other meals/drinks
• Visa
• Travel insurance
• High season surcharge of $100 pp applies (from 24th Dec - 05 Jan, 24th Jan - 04 Feb, 27 Apr - 05 May, 27 Aug - 05 Sep)
• Anything not mentioned in ‘inclusions'