Classic Vietnam

DAY 1  Fly to Vietnam

Fly overnight to Ho Chi Minh City (still commonly referred to locally as Saigon).

DAYS 2 - 4  “SAIGON” AND THE MEKONG

Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will welcome you and escort you to your hotel. Immerse yourself in Saigon’s less-explored districts’ vibrant streets and traditional markets. Discover the city’s iconic landmarks alongside your knowledgeable guide.

Venture to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta, where you’ll encounter slices of authentic rural life. Stroll past local vendors peddling fresh produce, explore fruit orchards, and witness houses on stilts along the riverside. Enjoy a delightful lunch with a local family, savouring the unique flavours of the Mekong Delta.

DAYS 5-7 HOI AN  

It's a short morning flight up to Danang, the gateway to Hoi An town and the nearby beaches.

We suggest you allow plenty of time in Hoi An to mooch around and explore. There are miles of beaches, and the town is a great place to explore at leisure with its beautiful lanterns, camellia-lined streets, and excellent restaurants. 

Your tour includes a brilliant introduction to countryside life; board a vintage Vespa bike for a guided drive through rural villages with stops to explore en route. A Vietnamese cookery experience is worth considering, and we have an excellent one, which includes a visit to the colourful morning markets and the chance to try your hand at making typical street-food snacks under expert tuition.

DAYS 8 & 9 HUE    

The journey to Hue is by car via the Hai Van (Cloudy) Pass, a spectacular three-hour coastal drive. On arrival, you’ll check in at your next hotel.

Hue is home to historic and charming Garden Houses. Learn about the fascinating history of the houses and their old timber structures by sharing a meal with one of their owners in a picturesque courtyard surrounded by landscaped gardens. Take a boat ride along the Perfume River to the serene Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam, and visit ancient forts and emperors’ tombs nearby. An evening can be spent sampling local Hue cuisine on a meandering cyclo tour of the town, where your guide will ensure you taste the best the locals have to offer.

DAYS 10-14 HANOI & HALONG BAY

From Hue, fly to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Hoan Kiem Lake is a top place to watch the sunset, and there are several museums, shops and excellent eateries along Hanoi's tree-lined boulevards. 

Hanoi is alive with culture, history and local day-to-day life bustling around you. Travelling by jeep and cyclo, you’ll learn a little about the cultural traditions at the Ethnology Museum, get lost in the hidden alleyways of the old quarter and taste some of the street food for which Hanoi is famous.  

Your stay in Hanoi will be split with a two-night trip to Halong Bay. Two nights here gives you the time to cruise to the less visited Lan Ha Bay. Cruise past striking rock formations and tiny islands and visit secluded caverns carpeted with glittering stalactites. 

DAY 15 FLY HOME

Depart Hanoi for the overnight flight home.