Welcome to Hanoi! After landing, you'll be picked up at the airport by our brilliant team on the ground and whisked off to your hotel in the city. We've left the rest of your day clear 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 as well as plenty of hidden, local treasures along the way. You'll visit 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. Finish your tour with a wander through the busy and vibrant Old Quarter.

Rise early this morning and enjoy a guided walk through Long Bien market, the biggest fruit and vegetable wholesale market in Northern Vietnam. Next, you’ll have the chance to join in with a 30-minute Tai Chi Class alongside local Hanoians in this ancient practice of preparing for the day ahead. You’ll have worked up an appetite after the Tai Chi, so your guide will whisk you off to a popular local restaurant for a traditional Pho breakfast and cup of coffee. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure before being transferred to Hanoi train station this evening for your overnight train to Sapa, leaving at around 10pm.

You’ll have left the chaos of the city far behind you after your overnight train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai station in the far north. The mysterious and spectacular backdrop of the Tonkinese Alps will be quite the contrast to the bustle of Hanoi this morning. Your guide will meet you at the station and drive you through the scenic valleys to your accommodation, where breakfast and a relaxing day is in store.

We've left today free at your leisure for exploring this magnificent part of Vietnam. You may choose to head into Sapa town itself to explore the local markets and even book the Fansipan cable car ride to the highest peak in Vietnam. Alternatively, you may choose to take a bike from your accommodation and enjoy some independent cycling through the remarkable countryside or just simply marvel at the stunning views from your hotel’s pool. 

Today, you'll get right under the skin of Vietnamese culture with an authentic insight into the Red Dao way of life. Your guide will walk with you from your accommodation to the nearby Lech Village, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet with your hosts and learn about their unique traditions dating back centuries. The villagers are famous for their brightly coloured clothing, beautiful handmade embroidery and intricate basket weaving. After the village tour, you’ll make your way back to your accommodation, passing rice terraces and crossing the picture-perfect suspension bridges linking the communities as you go.

Today, you'll spend the whole day making your way back to Vietnam’s capital using the delightfully comfortable Mountain Express shuttle bus. You can opt to swap this for another overnight train if you'd prefer, but we think it’s nice to do the journey between Sapa and Hanoi both by day and by night, so you can experience the dramatic landscape changes as you move through the country. When you arrive at the other end, you'll check into your city hotel for one final night before heading to the Mai Chau Valley in the morning.

Say goodbye to Hanoi this morning as you depart for your drive to Mai Chau, about 150 km southwest of the capital. The road weaves through mountains, fertile valleys and traditional villages, it won't be long before you feel a world away from the busyness of Hanoi. With its breathtaking landscapes, welcoming communities, and opportunities for gentle trekking and cycling, your stay in Mai Chau will allow for an authentic laid-back experience in rural Northern Vietnam.

Today, you'll enjoy a private guided walk through Mai Chau’s tranquil countryside, exploring ethnic villages, rice fields, and scenic rural paths while learning about local life and culture as you go.

Today, you'll journey onwards to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Located on the border of the Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, it's known for its stunning scenery, cascading waterfalls, waterwheels, rice terraces, and lush forests. It is also home to a variety of hill tribe groups, including the Thai and Muong people. So more glimpses into authentic Vietnamese culture await!

Today, we've included a guided 7km hike through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. You'll walk along the narrow paths through the rice terraces with your local guide, whilst they give insights into the way of life here. Eventually, you'll make it to the Kho Muong village, where 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 en route at the Four Paws Bear Sanctuary as well as the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where you'll 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 for a visit to 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.

Your day starts with a private transfer to Halong today. After arriving at the pier, you’ll be checked in for your overnight cruise and welcomed warmly by the brilliant crew. Check-in to your cabin and enjoy a delicious lunch as your boat begins its gentle cruise into the bay. The afternoon offers time for kayaking, Tai Chi, or just simply taking in the natural beauty of the dramatic limestone karsts. As evening falls, you'll anchor in a quiet cove to enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets. If you fancy it, we'd recommend taking the opportunity to take part in the local tradition of squid-fishing this evening!

Wake up on the bay this morning and enjoy a delicious onboard breakfast amongst the spectacular rock formations. You'll disembark, wave goodbye to your crew and meet with your guide for the transfer back to Hanoi airport for your short flight south to Hue. We've 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’!

This morning, you'll head off on a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel of Hue. 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 local guide will share stories of the intriguing former emperors and explain how the site has changed over the years. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring more of the city. 

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 plenty of photo stops along the way! After arriving in Hoi An, we've included a really fun and unique tour for you – making a Banh Mi Sandwich! 

After all of the adventures so far, enjoy a relaxing day at leisure in Hoi An today. You'll be staying at 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! This can easily be switched to a beach hotel, depending on the time of year you plan to travel. 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.

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. Spend one last evening exploring the yellow-washed streets of Hoi An this evening, before your journey continues tomorrow.

After a short flight south from Hoi An, you'll arrive in vibrant Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), where your driver will be ready to meet you and whisk you off to your hotel in the city. The modern skyscrapers and endless stream of scooters offer a dynamic contrast to the laid-back atmosphere in Hoi An. The city’s rich history, lively markets, and mouthwatering cuisine are all waiting to be discovered – but be careful when crossing the road, there’s definitely a knack to it! 

Today, you'll head off on an insightful excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, just outside Saigon. 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'll enjoy an intriguing coffee tour where you’ll discover the exquisite flavours of Vietnamese specialty coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee. This evening you'll have a real treat in store... 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.

Leave Saigon behind today for a scenic 3.5-hour drive to Can Tho. Here, you’ll have a warm welcome aboard your Bassac boat ahead of your one-night overnight cruise on the Mekong Delta. This is an unmatched opportunity to learn about the fascinating way of life on the banks of the river, all whilst enjoying the charming Vietnamese hospitality and comfort aboard your boat.

You'll return to dry land this morning ahead of your short flight to reach Phu Quoc Island. This island paradise is found just 45 km from the southern coast of Cambodia, yet still retains its Vietnamese charm. The island offers a whole host of accommodation options, from relaxed to lavish, we'll be able to help you decide which would be best suited to you. 

The next couple of days are yours to do whatever you please and enjoy the island paradise at your own pace. If you can tear yourself away from sunbathing by the pool, you could explore some of the island’s local markets, visit a pepper farm, arrange a boat trip via your hotel or even try your hand at night squid fishing. Tonight is your last night in Vietnam, before heading back to the airport tomorrow.

It’s time to begin your journey back to the UK today. You’ll take a short regional flight back up to Saigon ahead of your overnight flight to the UK – time to start dreaming about your next adventure!