Day /1
Fly to Hanoi
Depart from London Heathrow with Emirates to Hanoi.
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon /Itinerary
Day /2 - 3
Hanoi
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole. Explore the city on an excursion that begins by joining a group of local people practicing tai chi and aerobics at Hoan Kiem Lake, then head to a traditional cafe where you can try Vietnam's local iced coffee and on to a street food stall for a delicious banh mi. Explore Hanoi's famed Old Quarter and meet legendary pilot Nguyen Hong My - the first Vietnamese pilot to shoot down an American fighter jet in 1972. Now retired and living a simple life in a small house on the Red River, he welcomes guests with tea and fascinating stories from the Vietnamese perspective. (BB)
Sofitel Legend Metropole HanoiDay /4
Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi by road or aboard a shared seaplane transfer to Halong Bay (optional). Here, board Ginger, a traditional deluxe junk, for an overnight cruise along the World Heritage Site. Explore one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba before returning to the boat for a cooking class with the chef and sundowners on the deck before dinner. (FB)
Halong Bay CruisingDay /5 - 6
Hue
Begin your morning with an early swim, Tai Chi on the deck before returning to Hanoi for your flight to Hue. Transfer to La Residence Hotel & Spa for a two night stay. Here, explore emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, followed by an enchanting look at the Garden Houses of Hue and fascinating collection of artefacts from the days of the former Royal Empire. (BB)
La Residence Hotel & SpaDay /7 - 9
Hoi An
Depart Hue, travelling overland via the Marble Mountains and Hai Van Pass to beautiful Hoi An stopping en route to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Your base for three nights is at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. Go on a guided walking tour through this ancient town, meet a local family who will teach you how to make your own handmade lantern, take a boat to An Nhien farm, which is a sustainable gardening, low-impact communal living and youth education project and cycle along quiet countryside trails meeting local families. (BB)
Four Seasons Resort The Nam HaiDay /10 - 12
Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, with two nights accommodation at the Park Hyatt Saigon. The best way to explore the city is from the back of a vintage Vespa with a guide zipping you around to the best street food eateries and coffee shops. Take a trip to Saigon’s most historic landmarks and opt for an underground tour of the Cu Chi tunnels led by a Viet Cong veteran. Escape the high-energy city to spend your last day with local families, exploring the rice paddies and fruit farms along the Mekong Delta. (BB)
Park Hyatt SaigonDay /13
Return to London
Transfer to the airport to connect with your return flight to London Heathrow.