Spirit of Vietnam

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines on new state-of-the-art Dreamliner aircraft. (N)

Morning arrival. Transfer to the Sofitel Legend Metropole for 2 nights. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Morning tour of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum†, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple. Lunch is at KOTO restaurant, an organisation that provides vocational training for underprivileged youths in Vietnam, followed by a visit to the Museum of Ethnology (subject to local conditions). Optional evening excursion to a water puppet show (payable locally). (B, L)

Cruise today in an area similar to Halong Bay but with far fewer visitors, known as Lan Ha Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Stay overnight onboard the Era. (B, L, D)

Morning cruise in Halong Bay. Disembark and drive to Hanoi airport and fly to Hoi An, one of Asia’s most enchanting towns. Stay 3 nights at the Hotel Royal Hoi An, which is located within walking distance of Hoi An Ancient Town. (B, L)

Morning tour of the ruined temple of My Son. Lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise initiative with the purpose of developing sustainable programmes for street children. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the former trading port of Hoi An, which has historic Chinese, Japanese and European influences. (B, L)

Day at leisure. Optional classes at the Red Bridge cooking school (payable locally). (B)

Morning drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hue, visiting the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang en route. Afternoon at leisure. Stay at the Azerai La Résidence Hue for 2 nights. (B, L)

Morning visit to Hue citadel, which encompasses the numerous pavilions, temples and courtyards of the former Imperial City, including the Purple Forbidden City. Continue to Thien Mu pagoda, then take a short cruise on the Perfume River back to the city centre. After lunch, visit the tombs of the Nguyen emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Dinner this evening will be at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. (B, D)

Morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the Caravelle Hotel for a 3-night stay. (B)

Full-day exploration of the Mekong delta, including a boat trip along smaller creeks. (B, L)

After breakfast, drive through the southern Vietnamese countryside and visit the Cu Chi tunnels. Afternoon city tour with visits to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and a former safe house used by the Viet Cong. Farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day at leisure. Transfer to the airport then fly direct to London, arriving the following day. (B) (N)