VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS 10 DAYS

Start your Vietnam Highlights this evening in Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to as Saigon, a cosmopolitan city that combines Vietnamese flair with US influences post the Vietnam War and is one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in Asia with great places to eat and drink. The French also left their fingerprints all over this ‘Paris of the Orient’, from architecture like Notre Dame Cathedral to the best pastries this side of the Eiffel Tower. 

Today you’ll hear Vietnam’s history in a nutshell on a city tour that starts from colonial times. Check out the Notre Dame Cathedral, a relic left from French rule. We also see the Presidential or Reunification Palace, the former political heart of the country, from where various leaders have ruled. Learn how the loss of this building marked the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War. Then look through the sobering War Remnants Museum and find out about victims of the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, the group flies to the seaside resort town of Nha Trang, famous for its sweeping, golden beach, turquoise waters and fun water sports. 

A free day gives you time to sink into the laid-back beach lifestyle. Snack on fresh pineapple or other tropical fruits from the area. Try a massage and soak up the sun or cool off in the Vietnam sea, there’s a chance to get out among the gorgeous offshore islands on our optional cruise. With swim stops and snorkeling off the island of Hon Mun, this is a fun way to explore the area. Your Tour Manager can also organize you a treat - experience a mineral mud bath and hot thermal springs! Tonight, find yourself a spot on the beach or at a waterfront bar to watch the sun set over the sea. 

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Da Nang. You are welcome at the airport then drive to Hoi An town. Hoi An is a pretty little town, with history written all over it. Blending Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, this former port town is an unusual mix of architectural styles. You’ll get a real feel for this town when you walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Listed old quarter with our local guide, who’ll tell you the story behind the old merchant shops, the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and the pretty pagoda.

This afternoon, it’s free time to either relax back at the hotel pool or get some clothes made. Hoi An is known for its beautiful cloths and colourful silks, and there are loads of tailors ready to whip up some made-to-order threads in record breaking time. One tip is to bring some clothes you like from home with you - the tailors can make almost exact copies of the patterns! They also have designs in their shops to choose from.

As the sun sets, we head out on bikes with a local guide into the surrounding countryside for a look at the gorgeous scenery. Cruise past rice fields and traditional homes before riding riverside back into town. Enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class tonight at Red Bridge and taste why this food has such a good reputation. Cook up 4 traditional dishes - you’ll even get to enjoy eating them afterward.

It’s a free day today, so explore more of Hoi An and its surrounds. For a day away from it all, head to untouched Cham Island on an optional trip through this UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve. With a speed boat cruise, fantastic snorkelling, secluded beaches, wildlife and delicious local food for lunch in a small village - this is a great way to spend the day.

Alternatively, you could visit the ruined Hindu temples of the Champa Empire at My Son. Our optional excursion takes in the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that was built between the 4th and 14th century. You’ll see overgrown temples in a location that was once a leading spiritual centre in this part of Vietnam.

You can enjoy a lots of cool cafés serving great food to snack on, as well as coffees and beer.

Breakfast at hotel. We travel through the “Pass of the Ocean Clouds”, on to the former imperial city of Hue. Keep your camera handy for the incredible coastal views and rolling green hills along the way.

We start our time in mellow Hue with a visit to the imperial Tu Duc Mausoleum. Our local guide will give you the story on this 'poet Emperor' and ancient burial rites as you walk around the intricately decorated pavilions, gorgeous gardens, and lotus flower ponds. Take your time to view the statues and colourful artwork. The next spot we stop at is the 7-story Thien Mu Pagoda. Learn about the legend behind its construction plus the events surrounding the notorious Hue Buddhist massacre.

It’s a unique experience tonight with our included dinner, as we enjoy the hospitality of the Lac Thien restaurant operated by a local disadvantaged family. Feast on authentic Hue food in this low-key restaurant that is also popular with locals.

Breakfast at your hotel. We transfer to the airport to take a short flight to Hanoi capital. After a short flight, we land in the Northern capital of Hanoi. Hanoi is completely different to its southern counterpart, Ho Chi Minh City. It combines French flair, Chinese culture and Vietnamese vitality.

We will visit to some of the 36 trade streets. Walk the wide Parisian-style boulevards and take in the shuttered mansions, balconies and other leftovers from a by-gone colonial era. For a real slice of Vietnamese culture, sit down at one of the simple bia hoi (draught beer) sidewalk bars, pull up a stool and hang out among the locals.

Breakfast at hotel. First up this morning is a visit to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh – former president of Vietnam. Be part of the solemn procession of onlookers paying their respects to the leader who fought for the country’s independence (seasonal).

We then drive to picturesque Halong Bay where we’ll board a Chinese-style junk boat for an overnight cruise through the absolutely stunning waters of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. This natural wonder doesn’t come up short on views: traditional sampans and junks sail the crystal waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, where nearly 2,000 limestone islands dot the sea. Kick back on deck and soak up views of grottos, lagoons and thick forests. Our boat passes hidden coves, sheer cliffs and stunning beaches before arriving at the Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave where we'll visit the limestone interior and take in the fantastic views. Back on board there’s a little more cruising before we stop for a swim in an idyllic remote lagoon and dock at Ti Top island for sunset.

Tonight enjoy some fresh seafood with the group for dinner before settling in to your air-conditioned cabin on board the junk.

After a relaxed breakfast we take a local boat to explore a small, hidden grotto. We then cruise back to port and return to Hanoi, with free time this afternoon. Escape the busy streets with a visit to the Temple of Literature – a quiet haven of walled gardens, red-lacquered pillars and golden painted dragons. Nearly 1,000 years old, the Temple is Vietnam’s most important Confucian sanctuary and it's historic seat of learning.

For more culture we can enjoy Hanoi’s world-famous water puppet performance.

Tonight is the last night on tour, so perhaps enjoy a memorable dinner at KOTO Restaurant - this eatery helps support an organisation that works to improve former disadvantaged childrens' lives by training them in hospitality. 

Breakfast at hotel. Free time to relax or visit the exciting Dong Xuan covered market, the oldest and largest market in Hanoi. Here you can buy anything from ‘ghost money’ (usually fake $100 bills!) to replica Louis Vuitton bags. Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.