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. After checking in, the rest of the day will be free at leisure for you to relax after your flight and start exploring the bustling city of Hanoi independently.

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.

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

Private road journey to Ba Be National Park: After an early breakfast, depart Hanoi on the long drive (around seven hours) to Ba Be. Initially you will pass through the Red River Delta, travelling north along Highway 3, bound for Thai Nguyen. Here you will make a stop to visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups. After seeing the museum you will have lunch in a local restaurant and then leave the delta area behind to begin climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. On arrival you will check into your overnight accommodation for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Mr Linh Homestay (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exploring Ba Be Lake: After a simple breakfast set off on a morning hike in the park. Descend into the scenic valley, home to the Tay minority people and encircled by rock formations. A packed lunch will be taken en-route. Later board a boat and cruise through the Nang River past rolling hills and Hmong and Red Dao villages until reaching the Dau Dang Waterfall. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon for dinner and a well-earned rest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Mr Linh Homestay (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private road journey to Cao Bang: After a leisurely breakfast surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, you will have a bit more time to explore the area around the lake before setting off on the three hour drive to Cao Bang. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant en route and on arrival you will check into your hotel and then have a brief exploration of the surrounding area, after which you will have dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hoang Anh Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guided tour to the Ban Gioc Waterfall: This morning set off on a scenic drive, of around two hours, north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall, on the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 metres high and has an impressive span of 300m. At the falls you will enjoy a picnic lunch and afterwards there will be time to explore the surroundings. The unique landscape includes limestone karst formations which soar from the verdant rice paddies - the farmland of Tay, H'Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. On the way back to Cao Bang you will stop to explore the expansive 2144m Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its famous stalactites. On your arrival back in Cao Bang you will have dinner waiting at the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hoang Anh Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private road journey from Cao Bang to Lang Son with sightseeing: Before departing Cao Bang this morning, you may like to consider climbing a hill up to the local war memorial where you can get a great panoramic view over the region. Afterwards set off on the famous Highway 4 which winds its way through steep mountain passes offering spectacular views along the way to Lang Son. Lang Son, the capital of this mountainous area, is an important crossing and trading route with China. The area is home to a number of ethnic minority groups and it has two markets: the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market, where shoppers can find everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Just a couple of miles from town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel that you will stop to visit. The Tam Thanh Cave contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands whilst the Nhi Thanh Cave, formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. After the sightseeing you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. Dinner will be served in the hotel tonight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hoang Son Hai Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Halong Bay: This morning, set off early and drive for approximately 4 hours to the coast and the Gulf of Tonkin, where the waters of Halong Bay are found.

Halong Bay Cruise: Board the Bhaya Classic in time for lunch, settle in to your private cabin and set sail across the bay. After lunch, you will explore some of Halong Bay's famous islets, caves, and grottos. There will also be the opportunity for swimming, kayaking, or sunbathing on the sundeck. All activities arranged by the cruise are on a shared basis. Return to the boat in time for a pre-dinner drink as the sun is setting, followed by a sundeck cooking demonstration. After dinner, you will be at leisure to watch a film in the restaurant, relax in the bar, or partake in some night-time squid fishing.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Bhaya Classic (Deluxe Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Halong Bay Cruise: This morning you have the option to rise early to view the beautiful sunrise over the bay. Breakfast is served before you sail to Three Tunnels Lake - a deep grotto with three inland lakes accessible only at low tide by kayak. After lunch back on board, paddle to Three Peaches Beach, where three small sand beaches embrace small islands, so named because when seen from afar the islands resemble peaches. Return to the boat in the evening to enjoy sunset and dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Bhaya Classic (Deluxe Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Halong Bay Cruise: After some morning activities, you will enjoy brunch on board. Return to Tuan Chau Marina late morning to disembark.

Private transfer: After disembarking, you will be met and transferred by private boat to Cat Ba Island. On arrival at Cat Ba Island, you will be escorted to your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cat Ba Sunrise Resort (Ocean Deluxe Room)

Meals: Brunch

Day at leisure: You will spend today at leisure to do as much or as little as you wish. Excursions and activities can be arranged at your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cat Ba Sunrise Resort (Ocean Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After a morning at leisure you will be met at your hotel and transferred by shared hydrofoil to Hai Phong, where you will be driven the two hours back to Hanoi airport in time to check in for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast