Independent Vietnam South to North - 20 Days

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh! Upon arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel (please note that check-in isn't until 1pm however if you're arriving earlier you can store your bags) Once you've checked in you have the rest of the day to get your bearings and explore this fascinating city independently. A crazy hub of activity, you can take your time wondering through the streets exploring the mix of traditional pagodas, modern high-rise buildings and French Colonial architecture - the French even imported their own stone from Marseille to build the Cathedral, now know as Notre Dame.

Now that you've settled in take some time to explore all the city has to offer in the company of a local guide. You will begin the morning in the city visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office and the remarkable Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

After lunch, head out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the Vietnam War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road.

However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage and defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a Free Target Zone.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Take your time and discover Vietnam's biggest city at your own pace today. Whether tasting the local street food (be sure to sample the local favourites - pho and Banh Mi) indulging in a classic Vietnamese coffee, or people watching in Ben Thanh Market, see where tradition meets modernity in this buzzing city.

This morning is an early start to pack as much action in as possible! You'll be picked up from the hotel at 07:50 by your driver and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands. Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop. Have lunch at local restaurant and have a break time. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City at 17:00, and dropped off at your hotel.

Today, you'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Da Nang - the cost of the flight ticket is included in the package and you will be advised of the time closer to your departure. It's likely that you will have some free time so you can pick up some last-minute souvenirs or just grab a Vietnamese coffee and people watch before leaving Ho Chi Minh behind. When you arrive into Da Nang, you'll be welcomed by a driver who will then transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An which is around 1 hour away so be sure to take in the magnificent landscape on your way into this picturesque town. Upon arrival, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the stunning "yellow city", whose old town is dotted with colourful lanterns and houses built in the 17th Century, where the mix of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese culture is not only beautiful but tangible. Wandering these streets, you feel like you've stepped into the past, as the old quarter is almost completely vehicle free! An excellent afternoon to seek some peace of mind.

Meet your guide at the hotel at breakfast time and head to the local market to pick up the ingredients for our cooking class and meet some of the vendors. Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car and spend some time exploring the beautiful countryside before boarding a traditional basket boat for a trip through the coconut forest. Enjoy a welcome drink and have a rest at our restaurant, then join the cooking class. Our chef will teach you how to cook some local food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked before heading back to Hoi An.

Today is at your leisure to enjoy Hoi An and one of the best ways of exploring the rich local history and culture is on foot so take the day to explore at your own pace. You might opt to get a tailor made suit fitted, browse the shops for handmade lanterns, indulge in a Vietnamese coffee on Thu Bon riverside or go temple hopping by bike. Or, if you're stuck for ideas, you might consider a rice planting and fishing trip, try your hand at rowing a basket boat and buffalo riding or join a Hoi An city Tour (just ask about adding these on your itinerary)

It's again a fairly early start as you'll be joining a group for a tour to My Son Sanctuary. You'll be collected from your hotel between 07.30 and 8am and once aboard the bus, the journey will take around 1 hour. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, My Son, also known as The Holy Land, was chosen as a religious centre, with construction starting in the late 4th century under the Cham’s King Bhadravaman. The UNESCO site which largely lies in ruin but is considered to be one of best examples of Hindu architecture in Southeast Asia, houses over 70 towers and temples of different architectural styles and you'll spend around 2 hours exploring these with your guide and learning more about the Champa Kingdom and its' culture and civilisation. Around mid-day, you'll leave My Son and catch a boat along the Thu Bon River as you sit back and soak in the scenes of authentic Vietnamese life around you. Lunch will either be served on-board or once you've docked, and afterwards take the bus back to Hoi An and spend the rest of the evening exploring at your leisure.

One final morning to bid Hoi An farewell! Enjoy a walk along the canals or get that last tailor-made item before you go. Your driver will meet you at your hotel to transfer you to the city of Hue and the journey will take around 4 hours. Along the way experience the Hai Van Pass, Vietnams' longest mountain pass. The name means "ocean cloud pass" as it separates the mountains from the East Vietnam Sea so offers breathtaking views, and you'll be able to stop for photos. You'll be dropped off at your hotel in Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, and have the rest of the day to explore independently. There's plenty to see with iconic UNESCO sites such as the Royal Palace, the King's tombs and the Forbidden City easily accessible.

You will be accompanied around the city today by a local guide, beginning in the morning at Khai Dinh King’s Tomb - a blend of Western and Eastern architecture.

After lunch, continue visiting Hue Citadel – The home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty - the Nguyen Dynasty. Then head to the Thien Mu pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue city and constructed by the Nguyen Dynasty, which sits on the northern bank of the Perfume River.

Today you have a day at leisure to explore Hue. Hue is a lovely city with many delicious foods, drink. Take the time to taste a coffee on the riverside, experience the local daily life or visit many historical sites where you can learn a lot about Vietnamese history.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight north to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. You will be transferred to your hotel on arrival and have some time to settle in before being collected by your guide in the early evening for a street food tour. You will explore the incredible street food scene of this atmospheric city with delicacies including but not limited to Pho (beef/chicken noodle), Bun Cha (Grilled Pork With Noodle), Banh Mi (Vietnamese Bread), Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Pancake), Banh Xeo (Fried Rice Pancake), Nom Bo Kho (Green Papaya Salad With Dried Beef), Thit Xien Nuong (Street Pork Barbeque), Banh Ran Ngot (Sweet Rice Donut), Che (Vietnamese Dessert) and Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee).

You will be collected from your hotel early this morning and travel by road north to Sapa, arriving around lunchtime. You then have some time to rest before beginning the scenic trek through rice terraces while your guide explains to you the unique culture of this region. You will pass a beautiful waterfall en route to your guide's house, where you will be staying the night and treated as a member of the family. You may wish to help them prepare the evening meal with produce from the garden and spend the evening listening to stories of traditional village life.

Rise early this morning for breakfast and you have a choice of activities. You can either continue with the scenic trekking or instead help the family with harvesting, planting and taking care of their fields. You will return to Sapa by bus and then board an intercity bus back to Hanoi.

Today you have a day at leisure in Hanoi. Known as the most interesting place in Hanoi city, the old quarter, with its ancient houses, traditional architecture, colourful lives and bustling street-food options, is a great place to get to know the real Vietnam even more. With this free day, take the opportunity to explore the serpentine streets where you can see the layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation, sit and enjoy the views by the central lake or visit the city's many stunning pagodas.

Today you'll leave Hanoi behind you as you explore the majesty of Ha Long Bay and head out on an overnight adventure. You'll be collected from your hotel around 8am and the journey will take around 4 hours with a stop halfway. Once you arrive at Ha Long Bay, you'll board your cruise and settle into your shared cabin. As you set sail, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch and you can sunbathe on the deck or get the perfect snapshot of the many towering limestone pillars and tiny islets rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Around 3pm, you'll anchor in the middle of the Bay and from here you'll have the option to kayak out to the caves, visiting one of the largest in the area. Following this, visit Ti Tov island where you can hike up to the top for stunning views over the bay, or instead opt to sunbathe on the sandy beach and go for a swim. Once you're back on board, take in the sunset and join the on-board chef to learn how make Vietnamese Spring Rolls before enjoying dinner and relaxing this evening.

Wake-up early this morning to enjoy an incredible sunrise over the bay before the daytrippers arrive! Breakfast will be served early and afterwards you'll have the chance to independently take a kayak for a short paddle. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the scenery as you head back towards the mainland. You'll have brunch on board and then once you arrive into port, it's back on the bus and heading this time to Ninh Binh.

Today, you have your own free time to cycle around the local village, fields, taste some coffee and explore the local farms in the countryside of Ninh Binh.

This afternoon your driver will transfer you to Thung Nham Bird Garden where there are many different bird species. It is a pleasant place to enjoy the scenery and wildlife with the option of a boat trip too. You will return to the accommodation at the end of the day.

Your driver will collect you after breakfast this morning. Continue on to Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam during the 10th century under the Dinh and Le Dynasties, visit the King Dinh Temple as your guide explains the history, culture and architecture of the region. After a stop for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant - where you can try the local delicacy of the area, goat meat, you'll travel to Tam Coc and the Ngo Dong River. Here, board a local row boat and you'll meander through the mountains also taking in the caves of Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba. You'll have the chance to meet the local farmers working the rice fields and gain a more personal understanding of their rural lifestyle. You'll then go on a bicycle ride through paddy fields and local villages to discover the simpler daily life of local people, for an awesome countryside experience! About 4pm, it's time to leave the idyllic countryside behind and the bus back to Hanoi will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Today your trip comes to an end so you'll be transferred to the airport in Hanoi to continue with your travels or head home.