Vietnam South to North - 15 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 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. For a more sobering, but historically important experience, you could opt to visit the Cu Chi war tunnels located just outside the city or War Remnants Museum. If you'd prefer a guided experience today, whether this is a city tour, street-food tour or day trip to the tunnels let us know and can assist with booking this.

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.

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.

Today is again 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)

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.

Between 7:45 and 8:30 am your tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and so the Hue city tour begins! Take a visit to some inspiring monuments including a dragon boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda (the oldest pagoda in the city), exploring the Imperial Citadel (the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty - the Nguyen Dynasty), visiting the Hue Royal Antiques Museum (a collection of ornaments from the Nguyen Dynasty), a visit to Dong Ba Market and a boat trip along the Perfume River to enjoy the views and lifestyle in Hue. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then continue on to visit the tombs of both King Khai Dinh and King Minh Mang's, one is a beautiful blend of Western and Eastern architecture, the other's seamless architectural symmetry will enchant you. Both monuments are symbolic of Vietnam's ancient majesty. We'll then visit a hat and incense making village and head back to the hotel around 4 pm.

Today you have the freedom to explore on your own. Be sure to get a taste of the famous Bun Bo Hue (Beef Rice noodles) and soak in all the historic beauties of this mystic city. We'd also recommend picking up some snacks as you'll be picked up either in the afternoon or the early evening (depending on train times) and taken to the train station to experience a classic Vietnamese highlight: an overnight sleeper train! You'll be in 4 berth shared sleeper cabin where you'll be able to get a real feel for how the locals travel, and see the beautiful scenery flash past. Please note that a guide will not accompany you on the train but will ensure that you board safely. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although many people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. At times, passengers of different genders may be required to share a sleeper train berth and as train travel in Vietnam is very basic, train cleanliness is often not a priority for train staff so please do be prepared for a more basic, but authentic experience.

After a scenic train journey, awaken at the edge of Vietnam's capital city: Hanoi! From the station, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. 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 around 7am and afterwards you'll have the chance to independently take a kayak out onto the bay to explore - just make sure that you're back by 9.30am as you'll need to have checked out of your cabin by then! 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 to return to Hanoi. You'll arrive back into the city around 5pm and after checking back into your hotel, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Today you have the freedom to enjoy a whole day to do whatever you please! You could wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit its neighbouring pagodas and temples, or visit the sacred mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. Get lost in the old quarter, enjoy Vietnamese coffee and street culture. If you're not sure how to spend your day, why not ask us about including some additional activities in to your itinerary? You could join a street food walking tour, Perfume Pagoda tour, or catch a Water Puppet Show! Just let us know.

You'll be collected from your hotel around 8am for today's adventure into the Vietnamese countryside. You'll travel South for around 1 hour and 30 minutes and get off the bus to stretch your legs, grab something to eat and take some photos of the stunning countryside. 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.