Welcome to Hanoi! You'll be met at the airport by our friendly team on the ground and whisked off to check into 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. 

Capture the essence of Vietnamese culture with your local guide today, as you head out into Hanoi on your first foodie excursion of the trip. On this tour, you’ll meander through the alleyways of historic Hanoi, browsing endless food stalls and learning all about the local culinary culture with the opportunity of sampling unusual Hanoi delicacies along the way. It's a delicious start to your adventures in the country! 

Start your day at a local teahouse today, for a traditional tea ceremony conducted by a Vietnamese Tea Master. Learn all about why tea has been a staple drink in Vietnam for centuries and how the practice of drinking and enjoying a master blend has evolved over time. This evening, we've included a truly local experience for you to enjoy. You’ll travel to a residential neighbourhood in the southwest of the city for a memorable dining experience with a welcoming family in their home. Enjoy home-cooked local specialities whilst swapping stories and hearing all about what it’s like to live & work in Hanoi. 

Today, you'll start making your way south through the country with a short flight to Hue. We have included a unique street food tour of Hue by cyclo this evening. The cyclo (also known as a cycle rickshaw) is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi which is hugely popular in Vietnam. It has a seat for passengers at the front, attached to the front wheel, with a driver sitting behind and pedalling the vehicle. Your tour will take you to hand-picked local family-run venues that serve the best authentic local foods. Be sure to try one of Hue’s savoury ‘wet-cakes’!

Stepping away from the food tours today, it's time for a bit of history. Whilst you're in Hue, it would be such a shame to miss out on a visit to the highly impressive, UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Just a few minutes’ drive from the modern city, 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.

You'll 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! Upon arrival in Hoi An, we've included a really fun and unique tour for you – making a Banh Mi Sandwich! 

We've included a full-day culinary experience for you today. You’ll shop where the locals shop and can select local produce from an authentic market, picking up fresh herbs, spices and seafood. Once the shopping has been done, you’ll board a boat for a scenic cruise along the Thu Bon River to the renowned Red Bridge Cooking School. The expert chefs will then lead a hands-on cooking class where you’ll be taught traditional Vietnamese techniques for creating a range of delicious dishes which you’ll tuck into for lunch. 

Spend a relaxing day at leisure in Hoi An today. We've included one of our favourite central hotels within easy walking distance of the town’s historic streets, ancient temples, and vibrant markets. Plus, it’s just a short bicycle ride to the beach!  Erin’s favourite thing to do here is to enjoy a traditional Ca Phe Sua Da (Traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee) by the river and watch the blend of tourists and locals going about their day.

After a short flight from Hoi An, you'll arrive in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The modern skyscrapers and endless stream of scooters are a far cry from the tranquility of Hoi An, but you'll love it. En route from Saigon airport to your city centre hotel, we've included an insightful excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover this vast underground network used during the Vietnam War, where you’ll learn about its history and strategic significance. Explore the tunnels (if you’re brave enough to go in!), hidden traps, and exhibits, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s wartime resilience.

This morning, you enjoy an intriguing coffee tour where you’ll discover the exquisite flavours of Vietnamese speciality coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee. This evening, you'll have a real treat in store for you... Set off in the early evening for an exhilarating vintage Vespa tour through the lively streets of Saigon, travelling like the locals do! Ride pillion through hidden alleys, sampling sizzling Banh Xeo, fresh seafood, coconut ice cream and all the local favourites with your guide. This is our team’s favourite activity in Vietnam, a truly thrilling culinary journey that we are sure will be a real highlight for you.

Bid farewell to Saigon, Vietnam and all of the delicious local food you've sampled, as you board your overnight flight back to the UK with a full belly and a full heart. Time to start dreaming about your next adventure!