Vietnam Explorer 

Day Three: Discover Hanoi's History

Today we continue our tour of Hanoi, beginning with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside visit) and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Museum of Ethnology or Museum of History. Afterwards, we will have a lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins. Continue to visit Hoa Lo prison; commonly referred to as the Hanoi Hilton, Hoa Lo is famous for the significance it holds within the history of the American war. After that, enjoy a water puppet show in the early evening.

• Breakfast and Lunch included
• The Ann Hotel four-star

Day Four: Cruise the otherworldly beauty of Halong Bay

Day Five: Tai Chi & Village Life

We begin our day with a relaxing morning Tai Chi Class instructed by a specialist on the deck. After breakfast, we transfer to a day boat to visit a village nearby and enjoy our time there. We return to the boat in the afternoon to enjoy some free time on board to relax and indulge in delicious cuisine.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
• Peony Glory Cruise

Day Six: Journey to Hoi An

After enjoying breakfast on board, we can enjoy the fresh morning air in the bay. The cruise continues navigating past limestone karsts, many of which form highly photogenic shapes, before disembarking by noon. Transfer back to Hanoi for a flight to Danang. (Please note: Internal flight baggage allowance is 20 kg) Upon arrival at Danang airport, we will transfer to our hotel in Hoi An. (approximately 45 min drive)

• Brunch Included
• Hadana Resort

Day Seven: Hoi An City Tour

Today we explore the charming ancient town of Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port during the 15th to 19th Centuries. Many of the buildings in the town reflect historical architectural styles and the whole town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The old houses and buildings are simply charming and very photogenic, painted in a yellow-hue with wooden shutters and adorned with beautiful, colourful lanterns. We enjoy a walking tour in the Old Town, and visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the Japanese wooden bridge and visit ancient houses. We conclude with a visit to a lantern making cottage and learn how to make this handicraft. 

Day Eight: Day at Leisure

Today can be spent however we wish! We can kick back and relax at the hotel, making use of its facilities, such as its pools, bars or even the wellness and spa area. A personal recommendation would be to hire a bicycle from the hotel and pedal your way through the countryside, surrounded by rice fields being ploughed by water buffalo, all with a  goal to get to the beach. Then you can spend the day relaxing on the sandy shores of An Bang Beach. The more adventurous can take a trip on Hoi An’s famous Basket Boat, where you can meander through a lush greenery of seven-hectare forest filled with water and coconut trees while on board a bamboo basket boat.

• Breakfast Included
• Hadana Resort

Day Nine: My Son Temples Cham culture, architecture & civilization

Day Ten: Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City

Day Eleven: Mekong Delta Cruise

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Saigon for two-hour drive to Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta. We stop visit a Cao Dai Temple on the way. In Cai Be, we board a 'sampan' for a cruise amongst local barges laden with fruit and vegetables. Stopping off at a local home, we'll participate in workshops making rice ice paste, coconut candies and other specialties. Followed up with lunch at 'Le Longanier' - an Indochinese villa by the river, in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations. We then proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. Visiting the Ancient Mandarin House, we head to Vinh Long, passing through beautiful Delta scenery along the Dong Phu Canal. Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh island are famous for fruit orchards. 

Day Twelve: Life On The Mekong River

After breakfast, we board a 'sampan' to visit the Cai Rang floating market. The floating market is now getting smaller due to the urbanisation. Then, we can spend some time at the fruit orchard and taste fresh local fruits before getting to 'Hu Tieu' Noodle Factory to see how noodles are made, ending our morning with a unique encounter with a local family who have been making bamboo baskets for generations. We then transfer back Saigon and have lunch served at a local restaurant, enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

• Breakfast & Lunch Included
• The Odys Hotel

Day Thirteen: Departure Ho Chi Minh City - London

After breakfast, we depart for a two-hour drive to Cu Chi, located on the outskirts of Saigon. We visit the Cuchi Tunnels, the immense 250km network of connecting underground tunnels used as part of the Military Campaigns during the Vietnam War. The Tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat and served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. We spend the rest of the day enjoying our final hours in the city, thanks to a late 6pm check-out. We’ll then transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for our flight home.

• Breakfast & Lunch Included