Timeless Vietnam

On arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

There’s no arguing Hanoi is one of Vietnam’s great cities. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage – the Temple of Literature is one of the oldest landmarks. More recent history can be seen in Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, while the man himself, lies embalmed in an austere mausoleum. There are picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Let’s jump right in and experience it all. We’ll even go green and explore the Old Quarter by electric buggy.

In the evening, see a Water Puppet Show – a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi.

Enjoy an early start this morning as you meet your driver and embark on the 3-hour, 160km journey to HaLong Bay. Enjoy a stop en route to stretch our legs and use the restroom at one of the souvenir shops for charity. On arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, board the Bhaya Classic and inspect your cabin before heading to the restaurant for a safety briefing. Enjoy a welcome drink while meeting the Cruise Manager and the crew. Try an assortment of Vietnamese dishes during a buffet lunch as the Bhaya Classic cruises towards the southeast of HaLong Bay, passing Trong Mai islet, Ngon Tay islet, Con Coc islet, and Cua Van Floating Culture Centre. Enjoy a Kayak to Trinh Nu cave – one of the finest sunlight-filled caves in HaLong Bay covering an area of 2,000 m² with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Take a swim or sunbathe on Trinh Nu Cave’s beautiful private beach, before returning to the cruise, freshen up for the evening’s activities. Join the exciting cooking and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck before enjoying a delicious set-menu dinner in the restaurant.

Commence your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck with complimentary tea and coffee being served and enjoy the dawn on the bay. A light breakfast is served on board and then explore Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave inside HaLong Bay with 10,000 square meters of space holding thousands of stalactites and stalagmites and are threaded by a 500-meter paved passageway. Return to the cruise and prepare to check out, and as you disembark from Bhaya Classic at Tuan Chau International Marina, greet your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai Domestic Airport for your onward flight to Hue.

On arrival at Hue Phu Bai Airport, you will greet your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices and was established in the 17^th century.

Commence your day by enjoying a boat cruise to visit one of the oldest pagodas which is called Thien Mu Pagoda. Its iconic seven-story pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city and the temple has often been the subject of folk rhymes about Hue. Continue to the Royal Imperial City, and located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19^th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking, and the original walls stretched for 10 km surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, including a visit to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.  Venture into the countryside around Hue to the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theatre performances. Enjoy some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards, and lotus ponds. Visit Garden House, a special place that reflects the ancient atmosphere of the imperial city, it is the manor of mandarin of the feudal court. The house has a garden covered with full of fruit trees including mangosteens, sapodilla plums, apricots, lychee, baccaurea, figs and grapefruits.

After meeting your driver in the hotel foyer, embark on a famous drive comprising twisting winding curves, sudden bends, and amazing views – welcome to the Hai Van Pass. We get to drive along this incredible mountain pass on the way to DaNang. This city is home to beaches made famous by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, several quirky bridges and the wonderful Cham Museum containing the best collection of Cham sculptures. We will stop at the Marble Mountains – a group of limestone and marble hills filled with caves as we drive to your hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An is a quirky mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and European influences combined to make this ancient town a photographers’ paradise. We’ll walk through the narrow winding streets of the old quarter past ochre-hued stone houses, lantern-filled shops, and colourful fishing boats. One of the most iconic sights is the Japanese Covered Bridge. There are also ancient temples and merchant homes over 200 years old, and in the afternoon, enjoy a lazy cruise along the The Bon river to traditional pottery villages.

Today is at leisure

Enjoy your final hours in Hoi An this morning before meeting your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to DaNang airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Domestic Airport.  On arrival, you will be greeted by our airport representative who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing with your local, accredited English-speaking guide. We’re going underground – deep into the Cu Chi Tunnels, and these hand-dug tunnels changed the course of the Vietnam War. The well-camouflaged entrance holes lead into a network of incredibly narrow tunnels that stretch for over 200 kilometres connecting command posts, hospitals, and shelters. We’ll learn about the life of the Vietcong and venture into some of the tunnels. The deadly, bamboo-spiked booby traps are another must-see. Early afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon city tour.

Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There are classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We’ll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

Early this morning meet your driver and embark on a day exploring the Mekong Delta, a watery world where everyday life floats on the rivers, canals and streams. From Cai Be, we’ll board a local boat to explore the narrow waterways that cut through lush green orchards, and We will go ashore to explore a riverside village to sample locally made, traditional treats including dried longans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies.

Enjoy your final hours of leisure in Ho Chi Minh City before you meet your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight