Highlights of Vietnam Tour

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart with Cathay Pacific from the UK airport most convenient for you. Choose from London Heathrow, London Gatwick or Manchester. Or, if you prefer, fly with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow or Manchester. If you prefer to fly direct to Hanoi from London Heathrow, flights with Vietnam Airlines may be available. Whichever airline you choose, there is no extra cost.

Included meals: In-flight meals and drinks

Alternative airline – Emirates

If you prefer, you may fly with Emirates via Dubai from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow for a supplement from £195 per person

Day 2: Hanoi, 3 nights

Those flying with Cathay Pacific to Hanoi will travel via Hong Kong. After clearing customs, we transfer to our hotel, the delightful Pan Pacific Hanoi, which will be our home for the next three nights. Those flying with Vietnam Airlines will arrive in Hanoi early in the morning, so may wish to arrange an early check-in – please enquire for details.  Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and its vibrant Asian culture is mixed with influences of its status as a former French colony. This afternoon is at leisure to settle in to your surroundings; maybe stretch your legs and soak up the peace and tranquillity of Hoan Kiem Lake. Tea is an important part of Vietnamese culture and there’s the opportunity to meet Mr Nguyen Viet Hung, former winner of the Tea Masters Cup. Listen to his stories, taste different teas and learn the secrets to brewing the perfect cup of tea. This evening, your Tour Manager will host a welcome drink so we can get to know our fellow travellers and learn more about the adventures which lie ahead.

Included meals: In-flight meals and drinks

Day 3: Hanoi

Our day in Hanoi begins with a morning tour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Cyclos are a traditional form of transport in Vietnam, similar to a rickshaw, and our journey will take us through streets full of charming colonial architecture, past Buddhist temples and pagodas, and along the ancient commercial streets named after the original businesses that were once housed here. Lunch is served at Koto restaurant, a not-for-profit social enterprise that aids disadvantaged Vietnamese youth through its training programme.

We will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Bác Hồ, or Uncle Ho, before viewing the 11th century Temple of Literature and The One Pillar Pagoda, an historic Buddhist temple. Our busy day concludes with a visit to the fascinating Ethnology Museum, together with a traditional water puppet show.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 4: Hanoi Freedom Day

Today has been left free so you can continue to enjoy the delights of the city at your own pace. Budding photographers may wish to join a tour to capture the city’s many incredible photographic opportunities. Or maybe take a cookery class and learn the secrets of Vietnam’s delicious cuisine. Alternatively, take a full-day excursion to ‘Halong Bay on Land’, Ninh Binh.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Ha Long Bay, 2 nights

Tour Highlight

Known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforest, Ha Long Bay has become one of Vietnam’s must-see destinations. We travel to Ha Long, where we board our first class vessel, the Au Co, for a spectacular two night cruise around this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch as we cruise into the bay, and visit the floating village of Cua Van, situated in the heart of the bay. Back on board, end the day on deck watching the sunset, followed by dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Lan Ha and Ha Long Bays

Start your day, if you wish, with a Tai Chi lesson on the sun deck before cruising through the lesser-known, but no less dramatic, Lan Ha Bay. We arrive at Cat Ba Island and cycle a short distance to Viet Hai Village, nestled in the heart of Cat Ba National Park, where we learn about community life. Later, we visit Trinh Nu Cave to view its stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites. This evening we enjoy a buffet barbecue on deck with our fellow passengers.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Hoi An, 3 nights

Following breakfast, we visit Sung Sot Cave, Halong’s largest and most famous cave. Back on board, spend time soaking up the scenery as we cruise back to the mainland. We board our waiting coach and travel back to Hanoi for our flight to Danang. Upon arrival, we continue to the town of Hoi An and the fabulous Hoi An Silk Marina Resort & Spa, home for our next three nights.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Walking tour of Hoi An

Tour Highlight

Once a major trading port, historic Hoi An is a delightful UNESCO World Heritage Site of grand architecture, Chinese warehouses, Dutch and French colonial houses and Japanese temples. The best way to explore Hoi An is by foot. During our walking tour we visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House and the 17th century Japanese Bridge. We finish with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River. The remainder of our day is at leisure. Relax by the hotel pool, or maybe join an optional lantern making class.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Hoi An Freedom Day

Today has been left free, so you may choose how to spend your day. Perhaps visit the local community of Tra Que Village and learn about the techniques used by its farmers, then enjoy a delicious lunch made from locally farmed ingredients. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a cookery class at a local organic farm, visit the enchanting temples of My Son, or simply relax and enjoy your hotel’s facilities.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Hue, 2 nights

This morning we begin our spectacular drive over the Hai Van Pass. This 19km stretch of road climbs 3,000ft (914m), following the Vietnamese coastline. This afternoon we visit the elaborate Minh Mang Tomb and continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, before cruising back to the city along the Perfume River. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Eldora Hotel, centrally located for exploring the city.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 11: Hue’s Imperial Citadel

Originally the settlement of the Cham people, the Imperial city of Hue was capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After breakfast, we visit the Imperial Citadel modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Many of the buildings, as well as the citadel, were destroyed by war, but these are slowly being rebuilt and restored. We then visit Ngoc Son, the former residence of Princess Ngoc Son. Our afternoon is free to spend as we please. Try your hand at the delicate art of Truc Chi, paper made from bamboo pulp, or alternatively travel to the local village of Than Tien to learn the craft of paper flower making, a tradition the local residents have been practicing for over 300 years.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City, 2 nights

It’s an early start this morning as we journey to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the city’s Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, and explore the War Remnants Museum. A stark, and often graphic representation of the impact of the Vietnam War, the museum provides a fascinating insight into this country’s history. We finish the day with a stroll along Dong Khoi Street to the Saigon Opera House. Our home for the next two nights is the perfectly located Liberty Central Riverside Hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels

Tour Highlight

This morning we head out of the city and travel to the countryside which was once the stronghold of the Viet Cong. We visit the Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Village, where we join a Vietnamese cooking class, and continue afterwards to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network of tunnels was used by the Viet Cong, and at its peak, the tunnel system in the district of Cu Chi covered more than 250km. Our visit provides a fascinating insight into how the Viet Cong lived and fought the war. This evening there is an optional dinner at ‘Dining in the Dark at Noir’, a dining experience like no other!

Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 14: Depart Vietnam

As your flight departs in the evening, there is further time to explore Ho Chi Minh City or to purchase any last-minute souvenirs. Our flights to our chosen UK airport operate via either Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, Singapore with Singapore Airlines, Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines or Dubai with Emirates

Included meals: Breakfast and in-flight meals and drinks

Day 15: Arrive UK

This morning we arrive into our chosen airport. Filled with amazing memories to cherish, our Vietnamese adventure comes to an end.

Included meals: In-flight meals and drinks