Day 1: Arrival into Ho Chi Minh City

Depart Australia and fly to Vietnam. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN), you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some free time before you meet your leader and the rest your group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: The Myst Saigon

Meals: Dinner

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Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City

Today, spend a full day enjoying the sights and sounds of Ho Chi Minh City, including some of the most important attractions in the city, beginning with the Reunification Palace, the residence of the Southern Vietnam President until the end of April 1975. Close to the palace you will find striking French colonial structures, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office.

Afterwards, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam, followed by a visit to the Museum of War Remnants, which provides a riveting perspective of the Vietnam war.

After lunch, end the day at Binh Tay market in Chinatown before an evening at leisure.

Accommodation: The Myst Saigon

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

After breakfast we head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located in an area known during the American War in Vietnam as the ‘Iron Triangle’, due to the strength of its Communist insurgency. Cu Chi was also the conclusion to many caravan paths that traced from the Chinese border across mountain borders with Laos and into the Mekong Delta, which later became known as the Ho Chi Minh City Trail. The network, which is several storeys deep in some parts, includes trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Accommodation: The Myst Saigon

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Danang – Hoi An

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Danang, where you will be greeted and driven to Hoi An, originally a Cham seaport but influenced over the centuries by myriad traders from various cultures. Stop to visit the Marble Mountains, the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum in Danang city before reaching Hoi An.

After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure before you enjoy dinner this evening.

Accommodation: Hoi An Allegro Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 5: Tra Que Village & Cooking Class

After breakfast, we take a short drive through the local countryside to arrive at Tra Que Village, home of your local host. Enjoy a welcome drink made with freshly picked fruits before taking a walk around the village and learning about its history and customs. Visit the organic herb gardens, where hundreds of local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of generations gone by. Find out about these traditional farming methods before picking vegetables and herbs and learning how to wrap them to prevent damage. Many of the local herbs are used by the farmers for traditional village medicines.

Afterwards, join a hands-on cooking class making a village specialty: “Tam Huu” spring rolls. The local herbs and vegetables we picked earlier in the day will be turned into a lovely lunch.

The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Allegro Hoi An - A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 6: Hoi An

After breakfast, explore the ancient architecture of Hoi An, a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional buildings, Chinese and Japanese influences. There is plenty to see in this delightful town, including the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery Museum, 200-year-old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and vibrant market. Take a walking tour, passing the many traditional houses scattered along the small streets and past assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multicultural past. Many visitors cite the food as the highlight of their trip to Hoi An – ask your guide for a recommendation!

Accommodation: Allegro Hoi An - A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 7: Hoi An - Hue

Upon leaving Hoi An we will drive to Hue, Vietnam’s last feudal capital. This small, quiet city is widely known for its magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs. Take the scenic road, which hugs the coastline, before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes.

In the afternoon, take a short drive to explore the massive Hue citadel, built in 1832. Western architecture meets Eastern the citadel contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This Royal Residence was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive but with renovations by a great work of local artist have restored most of it to its former glory.

Enjoy a cyclo tour around Hue city before a visit to the Dong Ba market for some souvenir shopping before an evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 8: Hue

Your discoveries continue today with a trip to Minh Mang Mausoleum located on Cam Khe Mountain by the tip of the Perfume River. The construction took place over three years (1840–1843) with the help of approximately 10,000 workers and artists. Minh Mang emperor was the second King under Nguyen Dynasty, responsible for tightening country relations. He changed the country’s name to Dai Viet to give it more power and influence in the region and internationally.

Next you will enjoy a boat cruise downstream to visit the charming pagoda of Thien Mu, built in 1601 on Ha Khe Hill and hidden behind seven layers of Phuoc Duyen tower.

The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Allegro Hoi An - A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 9: Hue - Hanoi

Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi. Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks, with a population of about four million. The city centre is like an architectural museum, with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town from the 1930s.

The rest of the day is at leisure, followed by dinner with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation: Meliá Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 10: Hanoi

After breakfast, enjoy a full day exploring the city starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder, Ho Chi Minh, and the Presidential Palace.

Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, enjoy the always impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Meliá Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay

After an early breakfast we drive to Halong City (approx. four-hour drive), stopping off for a refreshment break en route. On arrival we check in at the Paradise Lounge – Tuan Chau Island, where you have a chance to refresh before boarding Paradise Elegance, your home on Halong Bay. After a short briefing about your cruise over a welcome drink. enjoy lunch on board while you sail through the stunning landscape of Halong Bay.

The first stop includes a visit to Tung Sau Pearl Farm, an area in Halong Bay dedicated to growing pearls and practising a handmade technique based on Vietnamese tradition and Japanese technology. This is also an ideal destination for kayaking. Alternatively, stay on board and treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea.

Later in the day you can visit Sung Sot Cave, offering breathtaking panoramic view across the bay. This is the largest cave in Halong Bay, and the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years have taken on fascinating shapes.

Back on board, enjoy pre-dinner sunset cocktails as the boat anchors at Coconut Tree Island. Foodies can partake in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before dinner, guaranteed to whet the appetite. This evening enjoy a Royal Bao Dai Dinner.

Accommodation: Halong Bay Paradise Elegance

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

** Please note you can take an overnight bag and leave the rest of your luggage at Meliá Hanoi to be collected tomorrow on the way to the airport.

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Day 12: Halong – Depart Hanoi

Early risers can enjoy Tai Chi on the sundeck as the sun rises. Afterwards, visit Titov Island for stunning panoramic views of the bay. After your hike, go for a refreshing swim in Halong Bay’s emerald waters or sip from a coconut in the shade.

Back on board enjoy breakfast at the restaurant as you sail past Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves and Fighting Cocks Islet before arriving back at Tuan Chau Island, where you will disembark.

Return to Hanoi, where you will enjoy lunch and some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping before you collect your luggage and head to Hanoi airport (HAN) for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch