Hanoi is well known for its history, architecture, charm, tranquility and cuisine. Our first visit is to the most well respected site of the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, and includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Then visit the 11th century Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first University. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.

Afternoon, we drive approximately 25minutes to the Ethnology Museum. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting a historical perspective of the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

End your day at a by walking through the Hanoi Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Your Vietnam Beach vacation begins with trip to Halong Bay, a collection of almost 2000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars in the Tonkin Gulf. Called “Bay of Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese, the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous travel destination.

Leave hotel and go ahead Halong with pass through wonderful scenery en route for tranquil villages and buffalo on fields.

Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious freshly caught seafood lunch whilst sailing out of the Bay passing amazing shaped mountains. Enjoy the seascape from the sundeck or even in your private cabin through glass window. Take swimming, kayaking and visit caves on the island to get more experience. In the late afternoon, we take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs and enjoy the seafood feast for dinner as stars emerge from behind those jungle-clad limestone pillars.

Spending night on board in elegant cabin and handicraft wooden interiors with air-conditioning. Or there is an option of night fishing before an overnight stay aboard.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise

Rise early to catch sunrise over Sung Sot Cave while taking part in a Tai Chi class with the boat’s Tai Chi guru.

Enjoy a light breakfast and sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. Then, you can explore Sung Sot Cave, swim and relax. Cruise back to the jetty while brunch is served as you are cruising through the bay and observing more fascinating rock formations.

Back to Hanoi in late afternoon, check in hotel and free at your leisure 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

This morning we take a flight to Da Nang.

On our drive to Hoi An, we make a stop in Da Nang to visit Cham Museum, built in 1915, which contains intricate ancient Champa sculptures.

After stopping for lunch at Da Nang Beach, where you have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the ocean we take a short drive to the stunning Marble Mountains.

We climb the marble stairs to reach the peak of the largest mountains of the 5 elements, Thuy Son or more commonly known as ‘Water Mountain’.

We admire the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, countryside and Da Nang Beach and continue on to ‘Huyen Khong’, an underground cave, which was a former hospital through the War.

After our scenic climb we continue on a further 20minutes, reaching Hoi An.

Upon arrival in Hoi An we stroll through the quaint streets of Hoi An, visiting an Ancient Chinese Temple, The Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese covered bridge.

The rest of the late afternoon is free at leisure for you to enjoy the peaceful ambience of this quaint ancient town or spend some time with the skillful tailors, treating yourself to tailor made clothes, which Hoi An is renowned for.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Today, we have great privilege of being able to spend today at a local family home within a small farming village, just outside of Hoi An town.

Biking from hotel to Tra Que village. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by the family and enjoy a traditional herbal drink, before setting out on our guided walk through the local farmland. We learn about the history of the village, observe the processes of harvesting, and discover the many traditional uses, in both cooking and Vietnamese medicines, with the herbs and vegetables grown.

For those who have a ‘green finger’, you have the opportunity to join the farmers in preparing the land, seeding, watering, and picking the crops.

After trying your hand in harvesting a crop, what better way than to take a rest, freshen up and soak your feet in a traditional lemongrass and rose petal foot bath, before sitting down for a delicious lunch of local delicacies, using the fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden.

The family also love showing off their skills in whipping up your lunch, giving you a very creative cooking demonstration.

In the early afternoon we bid farewell to the family and head back to town.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

After a relaxing morning we take a flight to Saigon.

Tonight is free at leisure to explore this bustling city of Saigon

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps.

 This morning, we set a half city tour with your guide on hand to offer their own insight into everyday life in Vietnam. Famous landmarks include the colonial-era government quarter, with its vibrant yellow French-style post office. Continue get off of the tourist track to experience the local life of bustling Saigon. Learn about Vietnamese and Chinese communities as you travel to Cho Lon, one of the world’s largest and oldest Chinatowns.

Afternoon, traveling out of town to see the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where thousands of Viet Cong soldiers lived during the Vietnam War. It's possible to enter a few of the tunnels if you are comfortable with narrow spaces, as well as see exhibitions and videos of the tunnels when they were in use.

In the evening is your leisure, head to a trendy restaurant or cocktail bar, or try street food near central Ben Thanh Market.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Today we head to Cai Be floating market, to explore the typical Vietnamese life of the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival at Cai Be land market and go to rice factories in An Cu Village for visiting and go to Dong Hoa Hiep to visit the ancient house. After that you will go straight to Cai Be floating market and handicraft workshop by boat. After leaving these places you will be straight to Tan Phong Island to take the rowing boats along the small canals. Passing through Mekong Ecolodge in order to take a short break and then you will take the bicycles to start exploring and taking in some activities with the local people on the island.

You will be straight to the local house to learn how to make jack leaves cakes which is known as the specialty on this island. You will join hands to make cakes and enjoy them. You will be freely to lie down on the hammocks under the shades of 200-year old milk fruit tree to enjoy the atmosphere there. You will also have experience of going over the Monkey bridge which is popular in the Southwest of Vietnam. Surely, you will have unforgettable memories here.

Say goodbye to the local house you will keep going to other house to learn how to knit water hyacinth. You can use water hyacinth to knit a beautiful hat by yourself with the guidance. Finally, you will be back to Mekong Ecolodge to join the cooking class and enjoy your lunch as well.

In the middle afternoon, take the ferry station and get on the car to come back to Sai Gon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

All good things must come to an ends, you have free time until transfer to airport for a departure flight with a bid farewell (Late checkout is exclusive and subject to availability).

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip ends.