Welcome to Hanoi! You'll be met at the airport by your private transfer and guide and whisked off to your hotel in the city. The rest of your day is yours to relax, acclimatise, and settle in after your journey. You can simply take it easy at your hotel, enjoying the pool and gardens, or head out to explore the town at your own pace, soaking up its local markets and getting your first taste of the street food.

This morning, you’ll be collected by your private guide and taken on a fascinating tour to explore Hanoi’s highlights and hidden treasures. Stops will be made at the Temple of Literature, a peaceful oasis and Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1076, as well as the Vietnam Women’s Museum, which celebrates the vital role of women in Vietnamese society. Your tour concludes with a wander through the vibrant Old Quarter of Hanoi, where we're sure you’ll pick up lots of recommendations for where to eat this evening! 

Begin your journey through Northern Vietnam’s dramatic countryside today, with a four-hour transfer to Pu Luong. Pu Luong Nature Reserve is located on the border of the Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, known for its stunning scenery. Expect cascading waterfalls, rice terraces, and lush forests. It's also home to a variety of hill tribe groups, including the Thai and Muong people. So there will be plenty of opportunities for authentic encounters here!

Today, we've included a guided 7km hike through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Walk with your guide whilst they give insights into the way of life here as you wind your way through the narrow paths and rice terraces all the way to the Kho Muong village. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the charming locals.

Today is an exciting day as you begin to make your way from Pu Luong across to Ninh Binh. You’ll make stops along the way at the Four Paws Bear Sanctuary as well as the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where you'll get to learn all about the incredible care given to some of the most endangered species in Vietnam. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit Cuc Phong National Park and the ‘Cave of Prehistoric Man’, where human skeletons and stone tools dating back 7,500 years have been found. In the early afternoon, you’ll arrive at your next hotel in Ninh Binh. 

This morning, we've included a half-day guided tour of Tam Coc, a UNESCO-listed gem known as ‘Halong Bay on Land’. During your tour, you’ll enjoy a peaceful sampan cruise through limestone caves, followed by a scenic bike ride past rice fields. You’ll also visit Bich Dong Pagoda and climb to Ngu Nhac Mountain for panoramic countryside views.

Take it free and easy today, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh at your own pace. You may opt to include another cycling experience or a sampan cruise along the waterways, which can be arranged in advance or during your stay. In the early evening, you’ll be collected by your guide, who will assist you with boarding your overnight train to Dong Hoi Station. It’s likely that this won’t offer the best night's sleep of your journey, but what an experience to say you've had!  

In the early morning, you’ll arrive at Dong Hoi Railway Station, where you’ll be greeted by your private transfer to Phong Nha National Park (we'll make sure early check-in to your room is included and arranged!). Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your lodge and enjoy a slow morning ahead of your afternoon activities. After lunch, we've included a half-day biking adventure around the Bong Lai Village and the surrounding countryside.

Start your day with a 3km cruise down the Son River to the mouth of the impressive Phong Nha Cave today. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the world's two largest limestone regions and is the oldest major karst in Asia, so make sure you have your cameras ready for your visit to these remarkable grottos.

This morning, you’ll start to make your way south to Hue via the Vinh Moc Tunnels. This scenic route passes through quaint villages and skirts along Cua Tung Beach. The village of Vinh Moc found itself tragically positioned in one of the most heavily bombed areas of Vietnam. In order to escape this bombardment, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels, which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings. Three hundred people lived in the tunnels between 1966 and 1971. It's a truly fascinating place to stop en route, and a slightly less visited site than the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon in the south. This evening, we've included a food tour by vintage Vespa, where you’ll whizz through the streets of Hue and indulge in some of the region’s best dishes such as Banh Beo, Banh Nam and other Banh Uot. Be sure to come with an appetite!

This morning, you'll have a guided tour of the highly impressive, UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Just a few minutes’ drive from the modern city of Hue, you’ll discover the ancient grounds and buildings formed in the once mighty Nguyen Dynasty. Your guide will share stories about the intriguing former emperors and explain how the site has evolved over the years.

Set off this morning for a scenic private drive south to Hoi An. This 2.5-hour journey will take you via the infamous Hai Van Pass (also known as the Pass of Ocean Clouds) and through the fishing village of Lang Co, making for a very picturesque journey. Your driver will make photo stops along the way! Add a thrill here by upgrading your journey to a Vespa transfer (don’t worry, we'll make sure your luggage gets to you this afternoon)! You can opt to stay on the beach in Hoi An or in the ancient Old Town, we'll be happy to walk you through the options for your accommodation to ensure we get the right one just for you.

Rise early this morning for your paddleboarding (or kayaking) adventure at sunrise. This experience will take you just outside of Hoi An to rural Cam Thanh on the Thu Bon River, where you’ll pick up your equipment and make your way across to Palm Island. During your water sport experience, your guide will explain how the palm forests provide locals with fish, shells and Nipa leaves – commonly used for roofing on homes.

Today, you have a free day at leisure in Hoi An, with its lantern-lit streets, riverside charm, and timeless architecture. We recommend staying at one of the beautiful beach resorts here (if you are looking to incorporate some relaxation on the coast during your adventure), if not, you could always swap to a stay in the Ancient Old Town – just a few minutes’ drive away. You may want to test out some of the fantastic local eateries in the town, have something tailored or book one of the infamous basket boat rides!

Bid farewell to Vietnam today as you'll be transferred back to the airport in time for your connecting flight back to the UK from Danang Airport. We'll talk you through the different flight options, or, if you have the time, you may even opt to extend your holiday with a city break in Saigon.