After breakfast, meet your private guide for a day of exploring Vietnam’s capital. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you’ll see the revered leader’s Mausoleum (viewing dependent on opening hours), the grand Presidential Palace and the humble Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh once lived.
Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in the 11th century, and a serene example of traditional architecture. Your private tour also includes the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, offering fascinating insights into the country’s diverse ethnic groups. Later, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and cross the bright red Huc Bridge to reach Ngoc Son Temple, a tranquil space in the heart of the city.
With your private guide, you’ll enjoy unhurried time at each landmark, with the opportunity to ask questions and connect more deeply with Vietnam’s history.
Tonight, share a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where authentic flavours introduce you to the country’s celebrated cuisine.
Travel time: driving – approx. 75 mins
Today marks a highlight of your journey as you leave the city behind and travel to the coast. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, step aboard the magnificent Capella Cruise, your floating hotel for the night. With six decks, a pool, and a jacuzzi, this premium shared experience brings comfort and style to one of the world’s most beautiful settings.
Settle into your suite before enjoying a freshly prepared lunch as the ship glides into Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site where hundreds of limestone karsts rise dramatically from emerald waters. The afternoon is yours to enjoy — swim from the deck, take a thrilling ride down the waterslide, or simply relax on the expansive sundeck as the scenery unfolds around you.
Though the cruise is shared, your private transfers and guidance ensure the experience is seamless from start to finish. As the sun sets, dine onboard while the vessel anchors in a quiet cove, giving you the rare experience of drifting to sleep surrounded by the timeless beauty of Ha Long Bay’s peaks.
Travel time: Driving – 2.5 hours
Rise early to greet the day with tea and coffee on the sundeck as dawn breaks across Ha Long Bay. A morning Tai Chi session offers a peaceful start, followed by time to soak in the scenery as you continue to sail through the emerald bay. Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina and return by private transfer to Hanoi for your onward flight.
Travel time: Driving – 3 hours / Flight – 1.5 hours
After breakfast, the day is yours to discover the city or take it easy at the hotel with an included one-time spa treatment at Ginger Wellness.
This afternoon, your private guide will lead you through the atmospheric streets of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site where centuries of history are preserved in temples, assembly halls and traditional houses. Cross the iconic 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, step inside the Tran Family Chapel and visit the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture to uncover stories stretching back to the Iron Age.
The evening is free to explore further.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 15 minutes
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Hoi An, giving you the chance to experience the town in your own way. You might choose to revisit the charming lanes of the Ancient Town or simply relax at your boutique hotel. If you haven’t enjoyed your complimentary wellness treatment at Ginger Wellness, today is your last chance.
Optional excursions (surcharges apply) let you dive deeper: take a buggy tour of traditional craft villages, join a cooking class and bike ride through the rice fields of Tra Que Vegetable Village, or visit Ba Na Hills, home to the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands.
With no group itinerary to follow, you’ll have the freedom to shape the day to your interests before returning to your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Danang International Airport for your flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will check into your five-star accommodation.
With private transfers and seamless check-in, the evening is yours at leisure. Begin exploring at your own pace, dine at one of Saigon’s celebrated restaurants or relax and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.
Travellers who have booked an upgraded package will enjoy a special included dinner tonight at ST25 by KOTO, a unique restaurant that supports disadvantaged youth by providing culinary training, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into a flavourful feast.
Travel time: Driving – 2 hours / Flight – 1.5 hours
Your day of discovery begins with a morning journey to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, located 60 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. Considered a powerful remnant of the Vietnam War, this legendary city beneath a city is an extraordinary testament to the ingenuity of the Viet Cong. You’ll have a fascinating opportunity to explore the vast underground network and learn about its crucial role in the country’s history.
After returning to Ho Chi Minh City, you will embark on a guided tour of the city’s most important landmarks. You’ll see a fantastic blend of history and architecture, from the soaring Notre Dame Cathedral and the intricate detail of the historic Saigon Central Post Office to the grand Ho Chi Minh City Opera House and City Hall. The tour also includes a visit to the poignant War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, where the war famously ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. After a comprehensive day of sightseeing, the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour
Enjoy your final full day in Vietnam with a day of leisure to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. You can spend the day shopping for souvenirs, revisiting a favourite landmark, or choosing from one of the exciting optional experiences available.
You could embark on a full-day optional excursion to the lush, watery world of the Mekong Delta, where you’ll cruise along canals, visit local workshops, and cycle through village paths to see a different side of Vietnamese life (surcharge applies). Alternatively, coffee lovers can immerse themselves in the city’s renowned cafe culture on a half-day ‘Vietnamese Coffee Culture Unveiled’ tour, sampling everything from traditional filter coffee to the famous local egg coffee (surcharge applies).
Tonight, your incredible journey through Vietnam concludes with a memorable farewell dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 1.5 hours
After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your onward flight.
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour