Spirit of Vietnam

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Ho Chi Minh City

Morning arrival. Transfer to the Grand Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. 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. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Mekong Delta

Full-day exploration of the Mekong Delta, including a trip to Cai Be, a boat ride exploring the smaller channels and walking in the countryside. (B, L)

Cu Chi Tunnels

Morning drive through the southern Vietnamese countryside and visit the Cu Chi tunnels. Continue to the airport for an afternoon flight to Hue. Stay at the Pilgrimage Village for 2 nights. (B)

Hue

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. In the afternoon, visit the tombs of the Nguyen emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Lunch today will be at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. (B, L)

Hue - Danang - Hoi An

Enjoy a morning at leisure then drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hoi An. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang en route. Stay 3 nights at the beachfront Boutique Hoi An Resort. (B, L)

Hoi An

Tour of the ruined temple of My Son. Lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise 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)

Hoi An

Day at leisure. Optional classes at the Vy's Market Restaurant*. (B)

Fly to Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi and transfer to the Grand Mercure Hotel for a 2-night stay. Optional evening excursion to a water puppet show*. (B, D)

Hanoi

Morning tour of the National Museum of History, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple and the Temple of Literature. Next visit to Ba Dinh Square. Walk outside Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, then visit the residence and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Military History Museum and meet former North Vietnamese Army pilot, Nguyen Hong My. (B, L)

Cruise on Lan Ha Bay

Cruise today in the lesser known Lan Ha Bay, home to Cat Ba Island, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Stay overnight onboard the Indochine. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Fly to London

Morning cruise in Lan Ha Bay. Disembark and drive to Hanoi, where a hotel room is available for the rest of the day. Early evening transfer to the airport, then fly direct to London, arriving the following day. (B) 

Arrive London

Arrive in London (N).

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Ho Chi Minh

Morning arrival. Transfer to the Grand Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. 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. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Ho Chi Minh

Full-day exploration of the Mekong Delta, including a trip to Cai Be town, a boat ride exploring the smaller channels and walking in the countryside. (B, L)

Cu Chi Tunnels and Hue

Drive through the southern Vietnamese countryside and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Continue to the airport for an afternoon flight to Hue. Stay at the Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa for 2 nights. (B)

Hue

Visit 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. In the afternoon, visit the tombs of the Nguyen emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Lunch today is at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. (B, L)

Hue - Danang

Enjoy a morning at leisure then drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hoi An. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang en route. Stay 3 nights at the beachfront Boutique Hoi An Resort. (B, L)

Hoi An

Tour of the ruined temple of My Son. Lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise 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)

Hoi An

Day at leisure. Optional classes at the Vy's Market Restaurant*. (B)

Fly to Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi and transfer to the Grand Mercure Hotel for a 2-night stay. Optional evening excursion to a water puppet show*. (B, D)

Hanoi

Morning tour of the National Museum of History, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple and the Temple of Literature. Next visit to Ba Dinh Square. Walk outside Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, then visit the residence and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Military History Museum and meet former North Vietnamese Army pilot, Nguyen Hong My. (B, L)

Indochine Cruise

Cruise today in the lesser known Lan Ha Bay, home to Cat Ba Island, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Stay overnight onboard the Indochine. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Fly to London

Morning cruise in Lan Ha Bay. Disembark and drive to Hanoi, where a hotel room is available for the rest of the day. Early evening transfer to the airport, then fly direct to London, arriving the following day. (B)

Arrive London

Arrive in London. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.