Vietnam Discovered & Angkor - 12 Days

Hanoi – with a thousand years of history and the charm of a large village – has grown into a dynamic metropolis of more than seven million people, where lakes, lively markets and the atmospheric Old Quarter still echo a graceful colonial past.

On arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, we welcome you and transfer to your hotel to check in. You have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi. Note: rooms are available from 14:00.

After breakfast, we meet the local guide in the hotel lobby for an introduction to the city, beginning at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university – a tranquil sanctuary of ancient trees, altars popular with students seeking good luck, and immaculate gardens. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, an inviting place to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a cosy setting.

In the afternoon, we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence – closed on Mondays and Fridays – then the One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus blossom, followed by Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi. We continue to Ngoc Son Temple, beautifully set on Hoan Kiem Lake and reached by a charming wooden bridge. In the late afternoon, we enjoy a water puppet performance by talented local artists. Overnight in Hanoi.

After an early breakfast, we transfer by shared shuttle bus to Tuan Chau Port for embarkation. On arrival we check in and enjoy a welcome drink, then begin our cruise through majestic Halong Bay – a seascape of limestone karsts, islets, peaks and hidden caves recognised in 2011 as one of the seven natural wonders of the world – continuing towards Lan Ha Bay while lunch is served on board.

In the afternoon, we explore the tranquil Tra Bau area; you may choose to kayak. We return to the boat for sweeping views of the Gulf of Tonkin, followed by a cooking demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Dinner and overnight on board. Note: the return shuttle bus service operates on a shared basis.

For early risers, we start the day with Tai Chi on the upper deck before breakfast. We then continue with a visit to one of the bay’s most impressive caves. While cruising back, we enjoy a late breakfast before returning to the southern side of the bay to disembark, then transfer by the boat’s shuttle bus to Hanoi.

On arrival, you have some free time before the transfer without a guide to the airport for the flight to Da Nang (flight not included, we can assist with booking this flight). Later, we transfer without a guide to Hoi An – the ancient Chinese and Japanese trading port of the 17th century – and check in at the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Once a bustling maritime hub on the Silk Road, Hoi An blends Asian and French influences and is especially captivating at night when countless lanterns cast a magical glow over the streets.

After breakfast, we explore Hoi An’s old town with a local guide, wandering lanes lined with traditional houses and a historic harbour recognised by UNESCO. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with lovely views. Later in the day, we visit a lantern making workshop for an introduction to this delicate craft, then return to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, we depart by road for Hue – the former imperial capital. On arrival, we have lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the hotel for check in. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hue. Note: rooms are available from 14:00.

After breakfast, we take a one hour rickshaw ride to discover Hue, then explore the Imperial City, a vast complex of remarkable temples, pavilions, museums and galleries. We continue to the elegant seven storey Celestial Lady Pagoda, often celebrated in romantic poetry and lyrical songs, and savour a traditional family lunch served in a lush garden.

In the late afternoon, we visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc – magnificent buildings and gardens arranged according to geomancy – and pause at a family workshop where traditional incense sticks and conical hats are made. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, we transfer to Hue airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (not included, we can assist with booking this flight). On arrival, we are welcomed by a local guide and continue to Thien Hau Pagoda, noted for its graceful curving roof and said to be protected by two resident land turtles, a shrine honouring the guardian goddess of sailors. We then stroll through vibrant Binh Tay Market.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we explore the old colonial quarter – the red brick neo Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral with stained glass and interior devotional tablets, the Central Post Office designed by Eiffel, and the contemporary Independence Palace for an interior visit amid royal palms. We also admire the grand Opera House before ending at the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Also today, consider joining an optional tour of the city by Vespa motorcycle.

After breakfast, we drive to Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta. On arrival, we board a sampan for a scenic cruise along the Mekong River. We begin at a local fruit garden to taste seasonal fruits, then continue through winding canals with views of lush southern countryside. We cruise on to a lively floating market and visit a local handicraft workshop, finishing at an old colonial house. We enjoy lunch featuring regional specialities. In the afternoon, we return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

We transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap (not included). On arrival, we are welcomed and transferred to the hotel for check in. You have the rest of the day at leisure.

Angkor – the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – was first built for Hindu worship and later became Buddhist before lying for centuries in the tropical jungle. Today its monuments astonish with their majesty and grace, and a walk through Angkor feels like stepping back in time.

After breakfast, we visit Angkor Thom, a vast archaeological city with the Bayon at its centre – once 54 towers, 37 still standing, each with four enigmatic faces. We also discover Ta Prohm, where kapok roots envelop the ruins. If time allows, we visit another Angkor temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Angkor Wat, the most celebrated of the mountain temples, dedicated to Vishnu and built in the early 12th century by Suryavarman II – a masterpiece of Khmer art and architecture.

Note: if the visit falls on Buddha Day, access to the third level is closed to the public and the visit may be moved to another day. In the early evening, we transfer to an exceptional dinner with an Apsara dance performance – a mesmerising tradition handed down through generations. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we visit the National Museum to trace the history of the Khmer Empire and the Angkor site – an ideal introduction to an exceptional heritage. Afterwards, if you wish, enjoy a stroll through the local market for some shopping before departure. We have lunch at a local restaurant. Depending on your flight schedule, we transfer to the airport for departure. End of our services.