After breakfast, meet your tour director for a full-day exploration that delves into the heart of Vietnam’s history and culture. Your journey begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, a site of immense national importance. Here, you’ll visit the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and view the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh in its glass case (excluding Mondays, Fridays and afternoons when the Mausoleum is closed). Then, wander through the park to see the elegant Presidential Palace and the humble, traditional Stilt House where the revered leader once lived.
Next, find a moment of peace at the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and the country’s first university, founded in the 11th century. Continue your discovery at the fascinating Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country’s diverse ethnic groups. The tour then moves to the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, where you’ll cross the iconic red Huc Bridge to visit the 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple, a sanctuary perched on a small island.
Tonight, you will be formally welcomed to Vietnam with a special dinner at a local restaurant. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with your fellow travellers and share the excitement of the journey ahead while enjoying authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Today marks a highlight of your Vietnamese adventure as you journey from the city to the coast for an unforgettable overnight cruise on the spectacular, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, you’ll step aboard the magnificent Capella Cruise, your luxurious floating hotel for the night. After a welcome drink and a briefing from the cruise manager, you’ll settle in and discover the ship’s incredible facilities, including six decks, a pool, and a jacuzzi.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the restaurant as you begin to glide out into the bay, watching as hundreds of jungle-topped limestone karsts rise majestically from the tranquil, emerald waters. The afternoon is yours to indulge; take a dip in the pool, make a splash on the thrilling waterslide, or find a spot on the expansive sundeck to watch a dazzling sunset over the bay. For those who have booked the Superior Upgrade, this moment is made even more special with an included hour of free-flow drinks. Your day culminates with dinner onboard before the vessel anchors for a magical night spent floating in a quiet cove, surrounded by the bay’s dramatic limestone peaks
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Ha Long Bay Capella cruise
Enjoy dawn on the sundeck with fresh tea and coffee. Connect breath to movement as you energise your body and soul during a tranquil tai chi class, watching the sun rise over the bay.
Continue your morning cruising among the jutting, tree-trimmed cliffs of Ha Long Bay’s Natural Preservation Zone. You’ll have the opportunity to admire the crystal blue waters as you sail through this pristine environment before packing up your things and preparing to disembark. Once the vessel arrives back at Tuan Chau Marina, rejoin your coach for the ride from Ha Long back to Hanoi Airport (HAN) and a flight onward to Da Nang (DAD).
Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Hoi An for an evening at leisure.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 1.5 hours / Driving – approx. three hours
This morning, your guide will lead you on a walking tour through Hoi An’s enchanting ancient town. You’ll visit the iconic 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture where you can unearth the region’s Iron Age history, the 200-year-old Tran Family Chapel, and the traditional Fujian Assembly Hall, a 17th-century structure later repurposed as a temple for the sea goddess Thien Hau.
The afternoon is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. You may wish to indulge in your included spa treatment at Ginger Wellness today (available from 2:00 PM), or save this rejuvenating experience for tomorrow. For your evening, you could choose to join an optional street food tour to sample local specialties (surcharge applies), or perhaps a half-day tour to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed My Son Sanctuary, a religious complex of ancient temples.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up the unique atmosphere of Hoi An and create your own adventure. This is another opportunity to use your included spa treatment if you haven’t already. You could also choose from several exciting optional excursions to enhance your day (surcharges apply).
Embark on a full-day trip to Ba Na Hills to see its spectacular landmarks, including the famous Golden Bridge held aloft by giant stone hands. Alternatively, immerse yourself in Vietnamese cuisine with a half-day Cooking Class & Biking Tour, or explore the peaceful countryside by eco-friendly buggy on a Hoi An Craft and Countryside tour, visiting traditional carpentry and pottery villages. The day is yours to design before your journey continues south tomorrow.
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning exploring the charming streets of Hoi An before being transferred to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City, historically known as Saigon. Upon arrival, you will check into the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, an elegant hotel known for its Parisian-inspired design and prime location in the heart of the city.
The evening is at your leisure to explore the city’s incredible dining scene on your own.
Travellers who have booked a Superior Upgrade 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: Flight – approx. 1.5 hours / Driving – approx. 1.5 hours
Sofitel Saigon Plaza five-star stay
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.
Sofitel Saigon Plaza five-star stay
Enjoy a full day at leisure to dive deeper into the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City and create your own unique Saigon experience. 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 Mekong Delta, a lush, watery world where you’ll cruise along canals, visit local workshops making rice paper and coconut candy, 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 while learning the art of coffee-making (surcharge applies). The day is yours to design as you wish, before your journey continues to Cambodia tomorrow.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Sofitel Saigon Plaza five-star stay
After a final breakfast in Vietnam, today you will journey to the Kingdom of Cambodia, choosing the travel style that best suits you.
The standard tour includes an early morning departure from Ho Chi Minh City for a fascinating overland journey. You will travel by coach to the Moc Bai border, where you will be met by our local Cambodian guide who will assist you with immigration formalities. Once you have crossed into Cambodia, the journey continues to the capital, Phnom Penh, arriving at the Anik Palace Hotel in the mid-afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure.
Flight Upgrade Option: For an additional charge, you can choose to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. If you select this option, you will enjoy a final morning at leisure in Saigon before a transfer (without guide) takes you to the airport for your flight. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be met and transferred to the Anik Palace Hotel to join the rest of the group.
Travellers who have booked the VIP Upgrade will enjoy a memorable sunset cruise on the Mekong River this evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Cambodia’s captivating capital, Phnom Penh, in your own way. You can choose to discover the solemn history of Cambodia’s past with an optional tour to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former prison during the Khmer Rouge regime (surcharge applies).
Alternatively, you can opt for a comprehensive Phnom Penh city tour to see its most spectacular landmarks. This optional tour includes a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, which features a floor made of more than 5,000 solid silver blocks. You would also explore the incredible collection of Khmer cultural material at the National Museum and visit the sacred Wat Phnom temple (surcharge applies). The day is yours to design, whether you choose to delve into history, explore the city’s grand landmarks, or simply wander the riverfront promenade at your own pace
Today you journey to Siem Reap, the gateway to the legendary temples of Angkor. Your morning is a scenic overland transfer by private vehicle from Phnom Penh. Along the way, you’ll make a memorable stop in the town of Skuon, known colloquially as ‘Spiderville’, where you’ll see women carrying large trays of the local delicacy of fried and spiced spiders.
Upon arrival in Siem Reap in the afternoon, you will check in to your hotel in Siem Reap and have some time to relax. This evening, you are welcomed to Siem Reap with an included dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance performance. As you enjoy a meal of classic Cambodian cuisine, you will be captivated by the graceful movements of the dancers in their ornate silk costumes and golden headdresses. The Apsara dance, inspired by ancient carvings at Angkor Wat, tells mythical stories and offers a perfect introduction to the rich heritage of the Khmer kingdom.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Today, Siem Reap’s famous temple complex awaits. Begin with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat. Rising from the jungle, this 12th-century Buddhist temple complex spans 400 acres. Widely held to be one of the great wonders of the world, this incredibly well-preserved site is an architectural triumph.
Continue to Angkor Thom, the last city of the Khmer Empire, whose 12th-century temples and statues are a fascinating remnant of the Cambodian Middle Ages. Study the carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants and the stone statues of the Terrace of the Leper Kings. Explore Bayon Temple, with its collection of smiling stone faces, and the remains of Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple reclaimed by nature with thick vines weaving around its crumbling walls.
To finish the day, climb to the upper terraces of one of the ancient buildings and view the sunset.
Angkor Wat visit
Your adventure comes to an end this morning as you enjoy one last breakfast. Meet your transfer and head to Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) for your onward journey.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 12pm. Please book your flights to depart from Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) at any time. Airport transfers are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour