Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Hanoi airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon cyclo tour of the Old Quarter: The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by "cyclo" (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the "36 Streets District", it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. This is still reflected in the names of certain streets: like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Junior Suite)

Morning tour of Hanoi: Today's tour of Hanoi starts with a visit to the 900 year old Temple of Literature, Vietnam's principal Confucian sanctuary and its historical centre of learning. Continue to the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation's independence in 1945. Visit the museum dedicated to Ho Chi Minh before passing through the mausoleum. The rest of the day will be free at leisure.

Afternoon at leisure: You have an afternoon at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, take in a water puppet show, go shopping in the Old Quarter, or sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Lan Ha Bay: This morning, you will be met at your hotel and driven for approximately two hours through the Red River delta to the coast and the Gulf of Tonkin, where the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay are found.

Overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise: On arrival at Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong, you will be transferred to  the Peony Cruise boat on a smaller boat up the Cai Trap Canal. On arrival, board the main boat and enjoy a welcome drink while a safety briefing is conducted on-board before settling into your cabins and being served lunch on-board. This afternoon the cruise will set off through Lan Ha Bay stopping at a number of interesting islands including Da Chong where you can see an old French colonial lighthouse. In the mid-afternoon, the boat will moor up at Ba Trai Dao beach in Lan Ha Bay and you will have time to kayak, swim in the ocean or just relax on the beach. Back on board this evening there is a happy hour at the bar, followed by a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Peony Cruise (Deluxe Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Lan Ha Bay cruise: After further optional activities and brunch on-board, you will disembark back at Dinh Vu Port at around midday and meet up again with your driver and guide.

Road journey from Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi: Upon arrival at the quay, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to Hanoi Airport. Depending on time, en route you may have an opportunity to stop off at the Phu Lang ‘ceramic village’ where the villagers have been practicing this traditional craft for generations.

Flight: VN1545 Hanoi - Hue 18.30 - 19.40

Private transfer: On arrival in Hue you will be met by your guide & driver and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Moonlight Hotel Hue (Superior Room)

Meals: Brunch

Morning visit to Dong Ba market and the Imperial Citadel: This morning, stroll around the hectic Dong Ba market with your guide. The market is best explored in the morning when a sea of conical hats, colourful fabrics, produce of every description and an array of vendors offer delights for the senses await you. Continue to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence.

Afternoon tour of the Royal Mausoleums, Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River cruise: This afternoon visit the Royal Mausoleums, the final resting places of the Nguyen Emperors, which are dotted around the hills surrounding the south bank of the Perfume River. Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city. In the late afternoon, enjoy a cruise downstream on the Perfume River, named after the tree resins and blossoms it carries on its way to the Pacific.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Moonlight Hotel Hue (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: You will be driven south, along Highway 1, to Hoi An, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en-route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam's turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Danang Bay. En route pass through the port city of Danang with the option of stopping to see the famous 'Danang Beach' before continuing south to Hoi An where you will check-in to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: You have these days free to relax in Hoi An. Alternatively there are opportunities to visit the beach, cycle in some beautiful countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An or see a tailor to get some clothes made. 

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport in Danang in time for your onward flight.

Flight: VN113 Danang - Ho Chi Minh City 08.45 - 10.10

Journey through the Mekong Delta to Can Tho, via Ben Tre: On arrival you will be met by your guide and depart south into the Mekong Delta region. After 1-2 hours, you will stop in Ben Tre province in the heart of the delta. On arrival you will board a short cruise on the river, a great way to see local life. A stop will be made to visit a traditional brick workshop where people still make bricks by hand. At another point on the river you will disembark and be provided with a bicycle to set off with your guide on a gentle ride along the picturesque village roads. There will also be a stop to visit local gardens and fruit orchards as well as a visit to Mr Sau Khanh, a local character with an interesting collection of antiques and stories to tell. After lunch in a local restaurant continue your journey on to Can Tho, a drive of between 2-3 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Victoria Can Tho Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning visit to Can Tho floating market: After an early breakfast this morning, depart by road to a nearby dock, and board a sampan boat to explore Cai Rang, the largest floating market on the Mekong. The seemingly chaotic gathering is mostly large boats wholesaling vegetables and fruit, but there are also local traders selling groceries to the larger boats.

Road journey from Can Tho to Saigon: After the morning sightseeing, travel by road back to Saigon, a journey of approximately 3 hours.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon you have time at leisure in this bustling Asian metropolis to relax at your hotel, or explore independently. Great shopping opportunities can be found in busy Ben Thanh market as well as numerous glitzy modern malls, while great food can be found on every corner either on the street or in a number of fantastic upmarket restaurants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Grand Hotel Saigon (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels: After breakfast travel out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast network of tunnels, stretching for over 150 kilometres, was built by the Viet Cong in the battles for the South. The tunnels are a sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who virtually lived in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels whilst the war raged. Nearby, a chilling demonstration of the traps and weapons that were used against the Americans is given. The Cu Chi tunnels have been widened in places for visitors, however they can still be dark, hot and claustrophobic inside so please bear this in mind if you do not like enclosed spaces.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is free for you to relax at your hotel, or explore Saigon independently. A late check-out from your hotel can be arranged subject to availability and additional cost, please ask for more details.

Private transfer: This evening your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast