Day 1 Hanoi - Arrival
On arrival in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, you will be met at Noibai International Airport by your guide and driven to your hotel in the city centre. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest after your flight or commence your exploration of this fascinating city

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Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour

This private full-day Hanoi tour takes in all the key sightseeing, starting in the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex. The complex comprises of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam's first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone steles mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university's graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles.

* Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. On these days, visitors will tour Hoa Lo Prison instead.

After a sumptuous Vietnamese lunch, tour the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the Vietnam which houses a display dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Afterward, head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.

End the day with a one-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.

Day 3 Hanoi – Halong Bay

After early morning pickup from your hotel, 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 - Hue

Relax with a morning tai chi class on the sundeck, following the fluid movements of your instructor as you practice this ancient martial art.

Then unwind and soak up more sun on the top deck, a perfect spot for photographing the natural wonders of the bay as your light breakfast (think pastries, coffee, and fruit) is served on the boat. From there, visit the Cave of Surprises (Sung Sot Cave), located on Bo Hon Island, which is actually an array of linked limestone islets. Upon arrival, climb the hundred stone steps to the mouth of the cave and explore the lit paths inside on a guided walking tour. The cave is the widest grotto in Halong Bay and features multiple stalactites hanging from its high ceiling!

See more stunning sights on your return to the Halong wharf as you enjoy a buffet brunch on the junk. When you arrive back at the Tuan Chau Marina, you'll be met by a vehicle for the four-hour journey back to Hanoi Airport.
We arrive in time for our flight south to Hue , a popular coastal city home to China Beach, made famous as the GI R&R location during the Vietnam War. On arrival a coach will be waiting to transfer us down the city

Day 5 Hue

Following a morning guided exploration of the huge Citadel, home of the Nguyen Emperors, and a cyclo tour through the Old Town, we take a picturesque boat ride up the Perfume River, named for the fragrance of tropical flowers carried down from orchards upriver, to the Thien Mu Pagoda. The afternoon is then yours to continue your exploration. The countryside surrounding the city is dotted with the tombs of the former emperors, and you may wish to add one or more of these into your itinerary. Two of the finest are the imposing Mausoleum of Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh's Tomb; the European-influenced resting place of the final Nguyen Emperor

Day 6 Hue - Hoi An

After a leisurely start to the day we head onward to the coast to one of Vietnam's most magical destinations: the ancient trading port of Hoi An, stopping en route at the excellent Cham Museum in Danang. The road from Danang is one of the most scenic drives in the country, ascending the Pass of Ocean Clouds after passing the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co beyond. After checking in to our hotel overlooking the Thu Bon River the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore. Our hotel is located on the edge of the pedestrianised Old Town, making it an ideal spot for personal exploration

Day 7 Hoi An Walking & Cooking Day Trip

Discover the history and flavors of Vietnam during this walking and cooking tour in Hoi An. Oozing with charm and having largely escaped the destruction of successive wars, Hoi An is lined with streets and architecture that are a delight to explore. After meeting your guide, head straight for Ancient Town, ready to hit its enchanting streets.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ancient Town is packed with buildings of historical and cultural significance, and boasts a number of streets that are off-limits to cars. Stroll past the many Chinese assembly halls, from the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its impressive main altar, to the Hainan Chinese Congregation, which serves as a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in the 1590s by the town’s Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.

At the end of the walking tour, head to a family-run restaurant for your Vietnamese cooking class. The chef will run through the range of delicious dishes that you will prepare, and then it’s time to hit the local market to stock up on all the fresh produce needed to create the feast. Learn how to choose the best supplies and discover some of the less-familiar ingredients before heading back to the restaurant, ready to cook.

Under the watchful eye of your chef, make favorites like spring rolls and grilled tuna (see below for a sample menu), and grab some recipes to take home so you can wow your family and friends. Your experience ends as you sit down to feast on the delicious dishes you’ve created.

Day 8: Siem Reap Arrival – Angkor Thom – Siem Reap

We wave farewell to Vietnam this morning and take the short flight over the border to Siem Reap in Cambodia. After completing customs and immigration procedures, we meet our local guide and drive the short distance to town where we check in and freshen up before our afternoon adventure commences.
Hop in a private remork (tuk-tuk) for the 15-minute ride to the South Gate and walk along the ancient city wall with your guide, stopping for photos of magnificent demons lining the causeway. Explore the lost temple of Prasat Chrung for approximately one hour before continuing to the 12th-century Bayon Temple, surrounded by 51 stone towers; each features four serene faces of a smiling bodhisattva.

Your knowledgeable guide then accompanies you the Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Palace and the Terrace of the Leper King, where you can spend up to two hours. Hear fascinating stories about the Khmer kings that once ruled the ancient city.

After your private tour, spend your evening at your leisure. If you're feeling social, take a dip in the outdoor pool that hosts a happy hour. Otherwise head to your air-conditioned room and enjoy dinner and drinks ordered from the room service menu.

Day 9: Siem Reap – Ta Prohm – Angkor Wat– Banteay Srei – Pre Rup – Siem Reap

Rise early and depart from your hotel approximately 30 minutes before sunrise, traveling by remork to the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. The UNESCO-listed temple complex is one of the most popular at Angkor. The monuments have been left in the same condition in which they were discovered in the 19th century.

Return to your hotel for breakfast, after which you visit the world-famous Angkor Wat, another UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved of all the temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Your private tour around this magnificent 12th-century structure lasts a few hours. Discover numerous surviving stone temples, once surrounded by wood palaces, public buildings and houses that have since disappeared.

Following lunch at a local restaurant in the afternoon, drive to the temple of Banteay Srei, built in the 10th century. Located 19 miles (32 km) from Siem Reap, the small UNESCO-listed temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, but is dubbed ‘Citadel of Women’ for its ornate sandstone carvings, a crown jewel of Angkor art.

After your 1.5-hour private tour, take some time to explore on your own and enjoy a provided lunch. When it's time to head back to Siem Reap, you might even catch the sunset descending behind prongs of Pre Rup.

Day 10: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake – Siem Reap

Following breakfast, take a 30-minute morning drive by remork to the edge of Siem Reap for a 15-minute ox-cart ride through the countryside. Then continue by air-conditioned vehicle to reach Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake, Tonle Sap. Classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the lake feeds the Mekong River during the dry season and swells during monsoons.

Board a local boat at the riverbank for an approximate 30-minute ride to Kompong Phluk, the largest floating village on the lake, where you’ll spend the rest of the morning. Here, observe the fascinating daily activities of the Cambodian villagers who reside along the shore, gaining a better sense of how their lives are shaped by the water’s rhythms.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the rest of your day is free to spend as you like.

Day 11 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. Your Tour Leader will arrange for an optional tour out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, north of the city, a remarkable underground tunnel network constructed by the Viet Cong during both the French and American wars.

Day 12 Mekong Delta

Explore the Mekong River - the rice bowl of Vietnam - by boat on this full-day tour from Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong Delta. Travel by Boat along these canals and visiting the floating markets, a truly memorable experience. Cruise through the lush green vegetation of the Mekong canals to an orchard, where you are treated to a delicious lunch complete with tropical fruits, before continue along to the town of Vinh Long town, where you are picked up for your return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh Depature

Sadly your trip comes to an end today, and your guide will collect you at a pre-arranged time today for the short transfer back to the International Airport for your onward flight.