Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. There are no planned activities, have a look around the city and get used to the frenetic pace of Vietnam. Some suggestions include: Taking a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry.

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Day 2: Hanoi city tour

Ho Chi Minh died before the conclusion of the Vietnam War, but the reverence in which he was held was such that his body was preserved and a grand mausoleum created in Hanoi to allow the Vietnamese people to pay their respects. Our exploration of the city commences here, at the complex that houses the Stalinist mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's more humble private residence. Our next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university constructed in 1070, with lovely gardens and well-preserved architecture. After lunch you are free to head off under your own steam, or see what your Tour Leader has planned. You may like to stop in at one of the city's excellent museums - the recently-opened Ethnology Museum, where Vietnam's diverse minority cultures are explained in a thoughtful and hands-on manner, and the Women's Museum are both highly recommended. Later this afternoon a visit to see the unique Water Puppets, a traditional northern Vietnamese folk art is included.

Day 3 : Halong Bay - Sleep on Boat

After early morning pickup from your hotel, we depart from the capital for Halong Bay – an approximate four-hour drive by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival at Halong Bay around midday, you’ll be greeted by a tour representative and transferred to the traditional junk boat.

Settle in with a complimentary welcome drink as you begin your cruise around majestic Halong Bay. Meet the expert crew and get acquainted with your small group while you dine on a delicious seafood lunch, including tea and coffee. After lunch, unwind and soak up the sun on the top deck – a great spot for photographing the natural wonders of the bay – as your captain finds a secluded area, perfect for swimming in the clear waters.

You’ll have the chance to try your hand at kayaking and explore some of the ancient limestone caves dotting the bay. As you glide along the most secluded lagoons, admire the surrounding limestone karsts amid unforgettable scenery only accessible by kayak! The modern kayaks are lightweight and easy to maneuver, and all participants will be issued water buoyancy vests. The junk boat will be nearby at all times, serving as a back-up vessel for those who need it.

After exploring, retire to the boat for more relaxation on the deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar if you'd like. In the evening, your cook will prepare a splendid meal comprised of fresh seafood dishes as well as traditional Vietnamese fare as your crew weighs anchor in the heart of the bay. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to try some night fishing from the boat.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay, there’s time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Then, head to the Cave of Surprises – the biggest cave in Halong Bay – where you’ll discover magnificent stalagmites and stalactites as you walk along the lit paths on a guided tour.

After another delectable lunch around midday, start your cruise back to the main harbor before transferring to your awaiting vehicle for the four-hour journey back to Hanoi. We have a quick dinner before boarding the Reunification Express, the train that links north and south Vietnam, for our overnight journey south to Dong Hoi. Facilities onboard are simple but clean, and very much part of the Vietnam experience!

Day 5: Phong Nha National Park

We arrive early this morning, and after a chance to freshen up and have a spot of breakfast we drive an hour inland to the towering peaks of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the region's most spectacular cave systems. We spend the day exploring this remote and beautiful jungle region; swimming at Nuoc Mooc Spring, where warm waters usher forth from a nearby cavern, and experiencing some of the largest and finest caves in Asia. An undoubted highlight will be the vast cathedral-like edifice of Paradise Cave, deep in the mountains of the park.

Day 6: Dong Hoi- Hue

From Dong Hoi where we have stayed overnight we head south this morning toward Hue. En route we stop in at the DMZ and Vin Moc Tunnels, constructed at the height of the war by local villagers living close to the notorious 17th Parallel of the Vietnam War-era, to protect themselves from the relentless carpet-bombing. We cross the Ben Hai River and continue to Hue, arriving mid-afternoon; after checking in to our hotel overlooking the Perfume River the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore.

Day 7 : Hue

We discovery Hue today, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start out with a visit to the colorful and energetic Dong Ba market, an ideal place to soak up everyday Vietnamese life. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the market as your guide introduces your small group to some of the traditional foods and local vendors who sell produce and other ingredients.

After sampling enough Vietnamese delights to fill you up, meander to the Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s former capital. Within the high stone walls that measure 6 miles (10 km) long and 6 feet (2 meters) thick, explore the massive palace complex of this Imperial City with your guide. Find decorative pagodas and temples amid hundreds of ornate royal tombs where Hue’s Nguyen Emperors ruled until the early 20th century.

Marvel at the ruins overgrown with foliage inside the Forbidden Purple City, located in the center of the vast compound. Badly damaged during the Vietnam War, this former royal residence was only accessible to the emperor and his royal concubines, as well as eunuch servants who posed no threat.

Once you’ve seen the best sites of The Citadel, stop for a small-group lunch at a local nunnery for a traditional meal. Enjoy the chance to chat with the nuns and discuss the finer points of Buddhism as you gain insight into their daily lives. After lunch, take a short minibus ride through the Hue’s gorgeous surroundings, passing rice paddies and traditional towns en route to a village that specializes in incense production. Learn all about this ancient art before continuing on to see an impressive royal tomb.

Visit the 17th-century sprawling temple complex of Bao Quoc Pagoda, perched on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. Upon entering the triple-gated hall, view the seven-tiered pagoda before walking to the Tiger Arena. Here, duels between elephants and tigers were arranged for the emperor’s entertainment until 1904!

Complete your day tour with a relaxing afternoon cruise along the enchanting Perfume River, taking in the natural splendor of the area as you meander past. Afterward, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Hue’s city center, where you can spend your evening at leisure.

Day 8 Hue - Hoi An

After breakfast today we head onward to the ancient port town of Hoi An, on one of the most scenic drives in the country, passing the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before ascending the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Our hotel in Hoi An is located on the edge of the pedestrianised Old Town, making it an ideal spot for personal exploration. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 9: Hoi An

A short walking tour of the Old Town this morning helps you get your bearings sufficiently to make the most of your afternoon at leisure. The pool at the resort hotel is inviting, or the many wonderful riverside cafes and restaurants might appeal for a spot of people-watching. For those of a more active persuasion bikes can be hired to get out into the countryside, or your Tour Leader could help you to arrange a cookery class or a visit to the Cham Dynasty ruins at My Son, an hour's drive from town.

Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh city

This morning we continue our journey south with a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's most energetic and electric city. We are staying at a great value hotel in a fantastic location just behind the Opera House and surrounded by bustling streets full of cafes, restaurants and shops. District One, where our hotel is located, is an incredibly accessible area with many of the city's highlights, including the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Benh Thanh Market and Dong Khoi Street, all within walking distance. Take your pick and head out this afternoon to make your own discoveries.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta Tour

After a high-paced few days, we slow things down today as we head south from the city into the evocative Mekong Delta. There are few more relaxing experiences than a cruise through the laid-back tropical world of the delta - we board in Ben Tre and sail downriver past mountains of coconuts and heavily-laden rice barges to the Mango Homestay where we stop for a tasty home-prepared lunch. After lunch we explore the local villages and fruit orchards on foot or by bike, seeing local handicrafts and cottage industries, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. A final group dinner rounds off our adventure, with a last chance to reminisce on the highlights of the trip and exchange addresses before parting ways the following day.

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh Departure

Today, you will be taken to Ho Chi Minh International Airport by your tour leader or a guide and waved off on your return flight home.