Vietnam Highlights and Beyond

Day 1: Day 1 - Arrival DayArrival Day

Arrive at any time and step straight into the energy of Vietnam. Your transfer takes you through the hum of Hanoi's streets - the excitement of scooters weaving, street food sizzling, and life unfolding on every corner. Settle in, take it all in, and ease into the pace of the city ahead of your first full day of exploration tomorrow.

Day 2: Day 2 - Hanoi Beyond the Surface

Today, you’re led through Hanoi as it really is. Walk the French Quarter past faded colonial buildings and hidden backstreets, stopping often - for coffee, for stories, for food that defines the city. This isn’t about ticking sights off, but understanding how the city lives and breathes.

As the evening unfolds, continue through Hanoi’s food scene with your guide, tasting your way through iconic dishes, from banh mi to bun cha, always ending somewhere local, sat low, soaking it all in. It’s busy, buzzing, chaotic, and completely unforgettable.

Day 3: Day 3 – Countryside by Bike

This morning, you’re taken out of the city and into a completely different side of Vietnam. After a quick briefing and bike fitting, set off through the narrow back alleys of Bac Bien Village before reaching the Duong River. From here, cross by local ferry, watching daily life drift by as you glide across the water.

Back on two wheels, follow quiet paths along the river and into surrounding villages, where the pace slows right down. You’ll pass traditional homes, stunning rice paddies, small temples, markets, and gardens, stopping often - for photos, for a closer look, or simply to take it all in. A visit to a local family offers a chance to sit down over tea and relax with a genuine insight into everyday life here, before cycling back to the hotel to freshen up, with the evening free to head out and experience Hanoi’s nightlife or simply take it easy.

Day 4: Day 4 - The Land of Limestone Giants

Leave Hanoi behind and head out towards the coast, where the landscape gradually opens up before giving way to the limestone formations of Halong Bay. On arrival, step aboard your cruise and settle in as you begin sailing out into one of Vietnam’s most iconic settings.

Day 5: Day 5 – A Day on the Bay

Wake surrounded by towering karsts rising from the water. The day is spent with time to explore - whether that’s kayaking into quieter corners, swimming, or visiting floating villages tucked between the cliffs. The day unfolds between time on the water and time to relax, with meals served as you cruise through different parts of the bay. It’s unhurried, immersive, and one of those rare moments where you can properly switch off while taking in the scenery around you.

Day 6: Day 6 – From Bay to Lanterns

Wake up for a final morning on Halong Bay, with time to take in the last views before returning to shore. From here, continue south and get a chance to see the Vietnamese jungle from the sky as you take your first domestic flight, leaving the north behind as the journey shifts again as you head down to Hoi An.

Arrive and greet the lantern lined streets - the pace is gentler, and the atmosphere feels completely different. Settle in and enjoy your first evening in one of Vietnam’s most characterful towns.

Day 7: Day 7 – Hoi An at its Own Pace

This morning, you’ll be guided through Hoi An’s Old Town, wandering through narrow lanes, wooden houses, temples, and bustling market streets that reflect its rich trading heritage. It’s a place best explored at a relaxed pace, taking in the sights, sounds, and of course the flavours – home to the iconic banh mi.

Later, head out of town and onto the water by kayak to discover a quieter side of the region. Paddle through mangrove forests and along calm waterways, passing coconut groves and rice paddies far from the crowds.

Return to town for a free evening to explore at your own pace, as lantern-lit streets bring out the true beauty and charm of Hoi An after dark.

Day 8: Day 8 - Hue's Coastal Jungle Railway

Today’s journey is part of the experience. Board the train and travel along one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal routes, where the Annamite Mountains meet the sea and rainforest-clad peaks drift past your window.

Arrive into Hue, the former imperial capital, where the atmosphere feels more refined and steeped in history. This evening, take your first glimpse of the city from the water as you drift along the Perfume River aboard one of the famed river boats. Dinner is served on board, accompanied by live traditional music, offering a deeper connection to Hue’s cultural heritage. It’s calm, atmospheric, and a perfect contrast to the journey so far.

Day 9: Day 9 - Imperial Hue & Onward to the South

This morning, explore Hue with your guide, beginning at the Imperial Citadel where centuries of history still shape the city today. Walk through the grounds of the former Nguyen Dynasty, hearing the stories behind the palaces and the lives once lived here.

Continue out into the surrounding countryside, where a cyclo ride offers a slower look at local life, before visiting Khai Dinh’s tomb - a striking blend of Vietnamese tradition and European design. After the tour, transfer to the airport and fly south to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Day 10 - Into the Mekong Delta

Leave the city behind and travel out into the Mekong Delta, where life revolves around the river. On arrival, board your cruise and settle in as you begin drifting through a network of canals and waterways, the real heart of Vietnam can be found in the Mekong.

Lunch is served as you cruise, passing floating markets, true local homes, and riverside scenes that feel unchanged for generations. Later, step ashore to explore a village and tropical fruit gardens, before returning to the boat for dinner and an evening on board.

Day 11: Day 11 - Morning on the Delta & Night in Saigon

Wake early as the Mekong begins to stir, with boats already moving along the river. After breakfast, head ashore to explore further — walking or cycling through villages and visiting local families to see traditional crafts and ways of life.

Continue by small sampan through narrow canals, getting closer to the quieter corners of the delta before returning to land. From here, travel back to Ho Chi Minh City, where the energy quickly builds again. In the evening, head out to the Opera House for a cultural performance that brings Vietnam’s heritage and story to life through music, movement, and storytelling - the perfect way to celebrate your trip's memories before a big final night out to say goodbye.

Day 12: Day - 12 Departure Day

As the sun sets on your time in Vietnam, enjoy a final morning with a Vietnamese coffee before your included transfer takes you to the airport. It’s time to say goodbye for now—but as they say, once you’ve been, you’ll be back.