Essential Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Embark on a day-tour to exploring Hanoi’s fascinating heritage and history. First, witness the marble edifice surrounding the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (Please note: closed Mondays & Fridays) before experiencing a wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then explore Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, rich in the profound teachings of Confucianism. In the afternoon you’ll visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Next, a one-hour tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter showcases ancient Hanoi's traditional Vietnamese architecture. The tour also takes in an ancient Vietnamese ‘long house’. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Internal flight to Hue, once the Imperial Capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, travel to the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. The magnificent Citadel comprises a series of palaces, ornamental halls, libraries, residences and schools. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the poetic mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Next, take a peaceful tour along the Perfume River and kick back on a cruise back to the city. Overnight stay in Hue.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Drive the coastal road via dramatic mountain passes to Hoi An with an en-route photo stop at the picturesque Lang Co village. After arriving in Hoi An, visit one of Hoi An’s famous lantern workshops and learn the skills to make your own before setting out on a walking tour of this World Heritage Site. Highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful riverside market. Take a peaceful boat ride up the Thu Bon River and then take some free time to explore the old town a little further. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Transfer to Da Nang for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

In the morning visit the atmospheric Cu Chi Tunnels where Vietnamese guerrillas dug an intricate tunnel system during the war. Back at Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day tour of the city. Highlights are the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and either the Thien Hau Temple or the Quan Am Pagoda. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Departure