Day 01: HO CHI MINH CITY

• Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, where a complimentary private airport transfer and fast-track arrival service are included, subject to the applicable conditions.

• Attend the important 06:00 p.m. welcome meeting to meet your leader and fellow travellers.

• Highlight: Enjoy an included welcome dinner in a historic building originally constructed as an opium refinery in 1861.

• Sample southern Vietnamese favourites including dishes such as pho and bun thit nuong.

• Hotel rooms in central Ho Chi Minh City can be relatively compact because of the city’s building styles and central locations.

• Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Dinner.

Day 02: BEN TRE, MEKONG DELTA, HO CHI MINH CITY

• Travel south via Ben Tre to the Mekong Delta, a network of rivers, canals, floating markets and rice-growing communities.

• Board a private boat and cruise through the waterways, stopping at coconut gardens and a local home.

• Sample tropical fruits and coconut jams before continuing aboard traditional sampans past coconut trees and stilt houses.

• Take a tuk-tuk through local villages and learn about the importance of the coconut industry to the community.

• Highlight: Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant while experiencing rural life in the Mekong Delta.

• Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.

• Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Travel: Approx. 4 hours.

Day 03: CU CHI, HO CHI MINH CITY

• Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network originally dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong.

• Learn how the approximately 200 km tunnel system contained hospitals, dwellings and schools and was used for refuge, storage and military purposes.

• Explore the tunnels with a war veteran, who shares a first-hand account of life during the conflict and knowledge of the tunnel system.

• Your leader will also provide context about the tunnels and the 1968 Tet Offensive.

• Highlight: Gain a personal insight into Vietnam’s wartime history through a guided exploration of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

• Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a free afternoon.

• Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Breakfast.

Day 04: HO CHI MINH CITY, HOI AN

• Explore Ho Chi Minh City by bus and on foot with your leader before continuing to central Vietnam.

• Visit Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, with a stop near Notre Dame Cathedral.

• See French-influenced landmarks including the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall.

• Later in the afternoon, take an included domestic flight before continuing to riverside Hoi An.

• Highlight: Combine the historic landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City with the transition to one of Vietnam’s most celebrated heritage towns.

• Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 1.5 hours.

Day 05: HOI AN

• Join your leader for an included walking tour through Hoi An’s heritage-listed Old Town and its distinctive mix of architectural influences.

• Visit an ornately decorated historic merchant’s house.

• Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge and stop at a Chinese Assembly Hall.

• Visit a local museum to learn more about Hoi An’s history as an important trading centre.

• Enjoy an included lunch with the group before a free afternoon.

• Highlight: Explore Hoi An’s preserved streets, historic architecture and multicultural trading heritage.

• Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 06: MY SON, HOI AN

• Travel with your leader to My Son Sanctuary, a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa from as early as the 4th century.

• Explore the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and learn about the history of the Champa Kingdom.

• See evidence of the conflict-era damage that remains around the sanctuary.

• Attend an included Apsara dance performance featuring traditional costumes, panpipes and drums.

• Highlight: Experience the cultural heritage of the Cham civilisation through its temples and traditional performance.

• Return to Hoi An for a free afternoon.

• Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 07: HAI VAN PASS, HUE

• Travel north towards Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

• Cross the scenic Hai Van Pass, with views towards Lang Co Beach.

• Arrive in Hue and visit the historic Imperial Citadel.

• Explore the Forbidden Purple City, where surviving ruins reflect both the city’s imperial history and later wartime damage.

• Highlight: Step into Vietnam’s royal past while exploring one of Hue’s most significant historic complexes.

• Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Hotel or similar | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 3 hours.

Day 08: HUE

• Begin with bun bo Hue, the city’s famous spicy noodle speciality.

• Meet a local chef and explore a market while learning about the herbs, ingredients and traditions behind Vietnamese cuisine.

• Enjoy lunch before continuing to the chef’s home for an included hands-on cooking class.

• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601.

• Continue to the elaborate Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, surrounded by a lake, frangipani and pine trees.

• Highlight: Experience Hue through its cuisine, market culture, Buddhist heritage and royal history.

• Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Hotel or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 09: HANOI

• Take an included domestic flight from Hue to Hanoi, with departure most likely in the morning depending on flight schedules.

• Join your leader for a walk through Hanoi’s historic 36 Streets and shop-lined lanes.

• Attend an included traditional Ca Tru performance in an ancient temple.

• Learn about this northern Vietnamese musical tradition, which dates back to the Tran Dynasty and was historically performed at royal courts.

• Highlight: Experience a rare acoustic performance of a cultural tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

• Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar | Meals: Breakfast | Travel: Approx. 1 hour.

Day 10: MAI CHAU

• Leave Hanoi by private coach and travel to Mai Chau, a peaceful valley surrounded by green mountains.

• Enjoy the scenery before sitting down for an included lunch.

• Visit Vun Art, a social enterprise employing people with disabilities to create art using recycled silk scraps.

• Check into your accommodation and enjoy free time during the afternoon.

• Highlight: Experience Mai Chau’s mountain setting while supporting a meaningful local social enterprise.

• Accommodation: Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Travel: Approx. 3.5 hours.

Day 11: MAI CHAU

• Walk with your leader through a series of Mai Chau villages, passing terraced rice fields and traditional stilt houses.

• See traditional cotton textile-making techniques and hear insights from a local artisan about Thai garment craftsmanship.

• Learn how Ruou Can, a traditional fermented rice wine, is made and understand its cultural significance.

• Enjoy an included lunch hosted by a local family.

• Highlight: Connect with Mai Chau’s local traditions through village life, textiles, food and traditional rice-wine production.

• Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

• Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 12: HANOI

• Return to Hanoi and join your leader for a guided half-day exploration of the capital.

• Visit the Temple of Literature, one of Hanoi’s most significant historic and cultural landmarks.

• Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the former Ho Chi Minh Stilt House.

• Enjoy an included lunch at KOTO, a social programme providing hospitality training to disadvantaged young people.

• Highlight: Explore Hanoi’s cultural landmarks while supporting a meaningful local hospitality initiative.

• Enjoy the evening at leisure.

• Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Travel: Approx. 3.5 hours.

Day 13: HA LONG BAY

• Travel approximately 3 hours to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.

• Board your Feature Stay, The Au Co Cruise or similar, and sail through limestone karsts, islets and caves.

• Depending on the day’s route, you may visit a fishing village or cave before enjoying an included seafood lunch onboard.

• Kayaking is available at additional cost in designated areas; swimming directly from the boat is prohibited.

• Highlight: Dine on deck and spend the night cruising among one of Vietnam’s most celebrated natural landscapes.

• Main luggage can remain at the hotel in Hanoi during the overnight cruise.

• Accommodation: The Au Co Cruise or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 14: HA LONG BAY, HANOI

• Enjoy breakfast onboard and take part in the included Tai Chi experience if you wish.

• Sail back to port before travelling approximately 3 hours to Hanoi.

• Enjoy free time to revisit the capital or explore attractions you may have missed earlier.

• You may independently browse Hang Gai Street or enjoy afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel.

• Highlight: Gather with your group for an included farewell dinner in Hanoi and reflect on the journey.

• Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 15: HANOI

• Enjoy breakfast before the organised journey comes to an end.

• Additional accommodation can be arranged separately if you would like more time in Hanoi.

• Optional extensions include a street-food experience, Ninh Binh Mini Adventure or hiking in Sapa.

• Highlight: Extend your stay independently to explore more of northern Vietnam.

• Meals: Breakfast.

IMPORTANT TRIP INFORMATION

• Group Size: 1 to 12 travellers.

• Minimum Age: 15 years.

• Arrival Transfer: Complimentary airport arrival transfer and fast-track arrival service are included for Day 01 arrivals or eligible pre-tour accommodation; flight details must be supplied at least 14 days before travel.

• Single Supplement: Available subject to availability but excludes Day 13, when accommodation aboard the overnight boat is twin-share.

• Domestic Flights: Internal flights are included as scheduled in the itinerary.

• Flight Baggage: Maximum allowance is 20 kg checked baggage and 7 kg carry-on.

• Flight Ticketing: Full names, including all middle names shown on the passport, must exactly match the passport; amendments within 45 days may incur fees or require a new ticket.

• Ha Long Bay Cabins: The overnight boat uses twin-share cabins with ensuite facilities and air-conditioning; single supplement does not apply onboard.

• Ha Long Bay Operations: Boat availability may require use of a larger shared vessel, splitting the group between vessels or moving the overnight cruise one day earlier; the route and inclusions remain the same.

• Ha Long Bay Activities: Swimming directly from boats is prohibited and kayaking is restricted to designated zones.

• Ha Long Bay Access: Some sightseeing involves staircases and uneven or slippery pathways, so suitable walking footwear is recommended.

• Accommodation Changes: Similar-standard accommodation may be substituted when preferred properties are unavailable.

• Early Check-In: Immediate room access cannot always be guaranteed; luggage storage or shared day rooms may be used until rooms are ready.

• Lunar New Year: Departures around 17–20 February 2026 may experience business closures, crowded attractions and heavily booked transportation.

• Travel Insurance: Compulsory for international travellers, with at least medical expenses and emergency repatriation cover required; specific waiver provisions apply to travellers residing in the EU, Switzerland or USA.