Begin your morning by meeting your local guide, who will introduce the city’s complex history and cultural foundations. Your first stop is the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where the late leader’s preserved body rests in its glass mausoleum. Continue across the park to the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, preserved much as it was during his lifetime. From here, make your way to the Temple of Literature, an 11th-century sanctuary dedicated to Confucian scholarship and home to Vietnam’s earliest university.
Later, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where detailed exhibits highlight the traditions and craftsmanship of the country’s diverse ethnic groups. Continue toward Hoan Kiem Lake, crossing the bright-red Huc Bridge to reach Ngoc Son Temple, a peaceful shrine offering views of the lake’s small Turtle Tower. As the afternoon settles in, return to your hotel to relax or explore at leisure.
Please note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays; visits on these days will be limited to viewing from the outside only. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is also closed on Mondays; an alternative visit to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum will be arranged where necessary.
Depart Hanoi this morning for the scenic drive toward the coast, watching as the city’s bustle gives way to open fields and small villages. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, board the Capella for your premium overnight cruise through the UNESCO-listed landscapes of Ha Long Bay. A welcome drink awaits as you meet the crew and settle into your Sky Suite, complete with water-facing views that reveal the bay’s towering limestone formations.
As the vessel glides between emerald peaks and sheltered coves, enjoy lunch on board and take in the stillness of the surrounding scenery. The afternoon brings time to explore the ship’s facilities, relax on deck or simply watch the changing light across the karsts. Later, the Capella anchors among tranquil islets, allowing you to experience the bay in its quietest hours before evening unfolds on the water.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Wake early to the quiet beauty of the bay, where mist drifts between limestone pillars and the water reflects soft morning light. Step onto the sundeck for tea or coffee and join a tranquil tai chi session, easing into the day as the landscape slowly brightens around you. After breakfast on board, continue cruising through Ha Long Bay’s protected areas, gliding past tree-covered cliffs and hidden coves that reveal the region’s unique geology.
As the Capella returns to Tuan Chau Marina, disembark and rejoin your private transfer for the journey back to Hanoi. From here, board your included flight to Da Nang before continuing by road to the riverside town of Hoi An. The evening is yours to settle into your hotel, stroll the atmospheric streets or enjoy dinner independently as lanterns begin to light the ancient town.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours / Flying – approx. 90 minutes / Driving – approx. 50 minutes
Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure, with time to savour a slow breakfast, wander Hoi An’s riverside lanes or simply unwind at your hotel.
In the afternoon, meet your local guide and begin exploring the town’s rich cultural heritage. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, first constructed in the 16th century, before continuing to the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, where archaeological artefacts trace the region’s early history. Step inside the Tran Family Chapel, a 200-year-old ancestral house shaped by both Chinese and Japanese influences, and finish at the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall, originally built as a place of worship for Thien Hau, the sea goddess.
As you move through Hoi An’s ancient streets, your guide will introduce you to the town’s distinctive flavours with a tasting of local specialities. Sample dishes such as cao lau noodles, banh mi and chicken rice, accompanied by a refreshing local beer. After the tour, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Begin the morning with a private transfer to Da Nang Railway Station, where The Vietage luxury train awaits – distinguished by its elegant interiors, warm wood finishes and wide panoramic windows. Step aboard your dedicated carriage, designed to evoke the charm of classic rail travel with a contemporary, premium feel. As the train pulls away, the steady rhythm of the tracks sets a soothing pace, allowing you to relax fully into the journey while the countryside unfolds beyond the glass.
Soon after departure, a gourmet lunch is served, showcasing regional flavours prepared with refined presentation. As the train continues south, the landscapes shift in quiet succession – from rice paddies and rural hamlets to open fields and river crossings – each scene framed by the train’s expansive windows. This unhurried passage offers a rare opportunity to observe everyday life along Vietnam’s central coast in comfort and calm.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy a delicate afternoon tea that complements the leisurely pace of the journey. As the coastline nears, the scenery transitions once more, revealing distant mountains, fishing villages and glimpses of the sea.
Arrive in Nha Trang in the early evening, where your private transfer brings you to your beachfront hotel. Settle into your room and unwind as the relaxed coastal atmosphere welcomes you into the next chapter of your journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 50 minutes / Luxury train: 11 hours
Wake to the gentle sound of waves and the relaxed rhythm of Vietnam’s south-central coast. Today is yours to enjoy entirely at leisure, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind after your rail journey. You might stroll along Nha Trang’s golden shoreline, spend time by the pool, or explore nearby cafes and boutiques at your own pace. With its blend of coastal energy and calm, the city invites you to settle into a slower, sun-soaked rhythm.
If you prefer to explore further, a range of optional experiences (surcharges apply) allow you to discover more of the region’s natural beauty and local culture. Choose to cruise between offshore islands for swimming and snorkelling, or opt for a cyclo-and-street-food tour that reveals the city through its flavours and evening atmosphere.
This morning, depart the coast and begin your private transfer into the central highlands, watching as the scenery gradually shifts from ocean views to rolling hills. The journey offers a striking change in atmosphere, with cooler air and fragrant pine forests welcoming you as you approach Da Lat. Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, this former French hill station is defined by its temperate climate, charming villas and vibrant gardens.
Upon arrival, check in to your villa-style accommodation and take time to settle into the slower, more tranquil rhythm of the highlands. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy independently. Choose to relax on the property grounds, wander nearby streets or perhaps visit one of the local cafes for a taste of Da Lat’s renowned coffee culture.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Begin your day in the refreshing mountain air of Da Lat, a city known for its cool climate, colourful gardens and gentle pace. Your local guide will introduce you first to Da Lat Catholic Church, often called the Chicken Church for the distinctive rooster statue perched atop its bell tower – a symbolic feature inherited from French architectural tradition.
Continue to Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, where preserved rooms and personal belongings offer a glimpse into the life of Vietnam’s last emperor. From here, visit Da Lat’s historic Cremaillere Railway Station, a beautifully restored art deco building once linked to the lowlands by a cog railway, complete with an original Russian steam locomotive on display.
After a local lunch, venture beyond the city to take in more of Da Lat’s scenic beauty. Ride a cable car over pine forests and cultivated fields toward Truc Lam Pagoda, a peaceful Zen monastery overlooking the surrounding hills. Descend on foot toward Tuyen Lam Lake, a serene reservoir often referred to as Paradise Lake for its tranquil setting. Continue to Datanla Falls, where water rushes through a forested gorge, before visiting a local organic farm known for its fresh produce and cool-climate crops.
Return to your villa hotel in the late afternoon to relax at leisure.
This morning, transfer to Lien Khuong Airport for your included flight to Ho Chi Minh City, watching as Da Lat’s cool highland scenery gives way to the warm, energetic pace of southern Vietnam.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, a private transfer brings you into the heart of the city, where colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards and modern towers blend into a vibrant urban mosaic. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore independently.
As the afternoon fades into evening, you may choose to discover Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic nightlife through an optional cultural experience or dining adventure (surcharges apply). From dinner cruises on the Saigon River to acrobatic theatre, a range of optional excursions allows you to tailor your evening to your interests.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 50 minutes / Flying – approx. one hour / Driving – approx. 30 minutes
After breakfast, the morning is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may take time to relax at the hotel, browse nearby cafes or explore the surrounding streets at your own pace. If you prefer a final dose of history, you may opt for a morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels (surcharge applies), offering insight into the underground network that played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War.
Begin your afternoon with a guided exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s landmark sites, each reflecting a different chapter of the city’s rich and complex history. Visit the War Remnants Museum for a powerful look at Vietnam’s wartime past, then continue to the elegant Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office, an architectural gem designed by Gustave Eiffel’s team. Pass the Opera House and City Hall before arriving at the Reunification Palace, where the events of 1975 brought a defining moment in the country’s modern story.
Return to your hotel to relax before your last evening in Vietnam. Tonight, enjoy a memorable dinner at Mandarin Restaurant, a refined setting offering a final taste of southern Vietnamese cuisine.
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at your own pace. You might take time to unwind at the hotel, organise your belongings or step outside for a walk to soak in the city one last time before departing.
When it’s time to leave, your private driver will meet you in the lobby and escort you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 30 minutes