Flight from UK to Hanoi

Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel at the city centre. In the afternoon explore a little of downtown or enjoy a traditional music performance, and a good, light-hearted introduction to the country’s culture.

"On this insightful day through Ha Noi’s busy tree lined boulevards, you’ll explore such interesting and historic sites as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One pillar pagoda and Temple of Literature. The interesting Museum of Ethnology is also on the list, which give you an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups in anticipation of your trip to Sapa. In the afternoon, take your time to discover the city daily life in whatever you fancy. The Old Quarter is a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans' workshops and cottages. Take a break with at a hidden cafe and enjoy a panorama of Hoan Kiem lake. An alternative for this afternoon or a possible extension is a Vietnamese Cooking Class visit a family restaurant and meet the chef visit a local market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients and try your skills in bargaining and buying among the locals. Returning to the restaurant, you'll try your hands on cooking some typical Northern Vietnamese dishes representative of the North of Vietnam."

Transfer out to the internationally famous and stunningly beautiful Halong Bay from a two day cruise.

Continue your cruise through the bay after lunch return to Hanoi

Depart to the Mai Chau valley (135km from Hanoi). It takes around 4 hours drive through scenic route with stops on the way for refreshment and to take pictures. Upon arrival at Mai Chau, check in at Mai Chau Lodge. Relax and have lunch. In the afternoon, walk around Pom Coong and Lac village of White Thai ethnic minority people. Enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery of majestic mountains, lush rice fields and peaceful life of local people. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Take a 2 hour cycle ride through the verdant rice paddies and the villages of Chieng Sai, Na Phin, Nhot of the ethnic minority people, enjoy your afternoon free at leisure.

Free day in Mai Chau

Transfer back to Hanoi’s airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel to check in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Visit the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnels network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence and reunification. In the afternoon, visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War. The day ends with visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market

In the morning, take 2 hour drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta which is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Upon arrival, take a boat cruise along islets and tropical orchards through the canal of Vam Xep to reach a small islet, followed by a relaxing walk along shady and palm fringed trails passing by local villages where you can see their peaceful daily life. Stop en route to sip special tea with honey and sample fruits with a local family and share their stories of life in the Mekong Delta. They will guide you on a walk through their orchard and explain how tropical fruits are grown. Then continue the journey with a paddled sampan through the narrow, tree-lined canals of Mekong River. Enjoy lunch at the islet then visit handicraft villages and a coconut candy factory before returning on shore for driving back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Free time before your transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK

Arrive in the UK