Day 1 – To Hanoi: Overnight flight from London to Hanoi, via Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific. (N)

Day 2 – Hanoi: Morning arrival. Transfer to the Melia Hotel for 1 night. (N)

Day 3 – To Halong Bay: Morning drive to the world heritage site of Halong Bay and board the Bhaya traditional junk (or similar) for an overnight cruise in the bay. Afternoon visit to Bai Tu Long Bay and Vung Vieng fishing village. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – To Hanoi: In the morning, cruise around the limestone mountain islands and explore Sung Sot cave. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon and stay at the Melia Hotel for 2 nights. (B)

Day 5 – Hanoi: Morning visit to Dao Thuc village for an outdoor water puppet show and a chance to see a typical craft village. Lunch is at Koto restaurant, an organisation that provides vocational training for underprivileged youth in Vietnam. Afternoon tour of the Temple of Literature, with a lecture from a local historian (group only), Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. (B, L)

Day 6 – To Mai Chau: Early morning tour of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum† and One Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards, drive through the rice paddies and mountains to Mai Chau, home of the Thai minority. Afternoon walking tour of Pom Coong and Lac villages. Stay overnight at the Mai Chau Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – To Hoi An: Morning visit to the Hmong hill tribe villages of Xa Linh. This afternoon, return to Hanoi and fly to Hoi An, one of Asia’s most beguiling towns. Stay 2 nights at the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Hoi An: Morning tour of My Son ruins from the Cham period. Lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise initiative for street children. Afternoon walking tour of the former trading port of Hoi An, which has Chinese, Japanese and European influences. (B, L)

Day 9 – To Hué: Morning drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hué, visiting the Cham Museum and the Tomb of Khai Dinh en route. Afternoon visit to the Tomb of Tu Duc and Dong Ba market Stay at La Residence Hué for 2 nights. (B, L)

Day 10 – Hué: Morning cyclo ride to Imperial Citadel and tour the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. Continue to Thien Mu pagoda for a chance to interact with the monks who reside there. Afternoon royal martial arts performance. Dinner at the restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. (B, D)

Day 11 – To the Mekong delta: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to Ben Tre on the Mekong delta for a boat trip to Vuon Dau. Continue to Can Tho and stay overnight at the Victoria Hotel Can Tho (or similar). (B, L)

Day 12 – To Ho Chi Minh City: Early morning boat trip to Cai Rang floating market, Indochina’s largest and most impressive. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and stay 2 nights at the Hotel Majestic. (B, L)

Day 13 – Ho Chi Minh City: Morning drive through countryside and visit the Cu Chi tunnels. In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour that includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, the gothic post office, Reunification Square and the War Remnants Museum. (B, L)

Day 14 – To London: Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly overnight to London. (B)

Day 15 – London: Early morning arrival. (N)

† Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum: Every year Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is closed between October and December for re-embalmment of the body and can only be visited from outside.

Combining south-east Asia Escorted Group Tours: It is possible to combine this tour with Ancient Kingdoms of the Mekong and The Golden Land of Burma Escorted Group Tours on selected departure dates. Please ask for more details.

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals