Taste of Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Please arrive at your hotel by 3.30pm for your included two-night stay. This evening choose between two DiscoverMORE options to experience the night life of HCMC.

DiscoverMORE Evening - Saigon street food tour (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE Evening – One night in Saigon (extra expense)

Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city's most iconic building, the Reunification, or Independence, Palace. Formerly the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese.

Then, stroll through Ho Chi Minh City's colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and the old Saigon Post Office and listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture.

This afternoon, head to Cu Chi Tunnels. Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi's rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the French and American Wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves, such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits.

Included Excursion An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)

Today, transfer from your hotel to the airport to catch your connecting flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda before checking into your hotel for the night. This evening, experience a Royal Dinner with full ceremony at a local restaurant.

EmeraldPLUS A cyclo ride through Dai Noi

EmeraldPLUS A boat tour on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda

EmeraldPLUS A traditional Vietnamese royal dinner at a local restaurant

Included Excursion A visit to the Imperial Citadel (B/D)

Begin the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. As part of EmeraldPLUS, take a cyclo (bicycle-style rickshaw) from Dai Noi “Old City” to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Leaving Hue, drive through the picturesque Hai Van Pass, then Danang and other small fishing villages to reach Hoi An. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for your three-night included stay in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed port town of Hoi An, where you can enjoy a relaxing evening.

EmeraldPLUS A cyclo ride through Dai Noi

Included Excursion A visit to the Imperial Citadel (B)

Today, start with our EmeraldPLUS visit to the Reaching Out Project. Reaching Out is an NGO established in 2000, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Visit the workshop and get a glimpse how this NGO helps them to integrate fully with their communities and lead independent and fulfilling lives. In the afternoon, enjoy a half day tour of Hoi An and see the old merchant's houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation.

EmeraldPLUS A visit to the Reaching Out NGO

Included Excursion A walking tour of Hoi An (B/L)

Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An and its surroundings. Perhaps take the time to compare the tailors of Hoi An or take a cyclo to An Bang Beach. Alternatively, choose one of the optional DiscoverMORE experiences of a Vietnamese cooking experience, life as a farmer and fisherman in Hoi An or a visit to the Cham ruins of My Son. The choice is yours.

DiscoverMORE A Vietnamese cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE A visit to My Son (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE Hoi An Rural Life - Bikes, Basket Boats, Farms & Fields (extra expense) (B)

Transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Hanoi. As part of our EmeraldPLUS programme, lunch in Hanoi will be at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a restaurant set up to train and educate disadvantaged children in English and hospitality skills.

This afternoon, you'll embark on a city tour of Hanoi. Enjoy the view from outside ‘Uncle Ho's' mausoleum, considered the father of modern Vietnam, and continue to the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda and to the Temple of Literature. The Temple of Literature was Vietnam's first university and it was established to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

• EmeraldPLUS Lunch at KOTO Restaurant
• Included Excursion A half day city tour of Hanoi (B/L)

This morning after breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay, where you will board your traditional-style junk boat. Cruise through the bays and islets enjoying the stunning scenery of this magnificent region. Enjoy some tours offered on board, learn more about the main livelihood of the locals in the area, or simply take some time to relax. Towards the end of the day, the boat anchors for the night in the Trinh Nu area amongst the karst formations, and dinner will be served on board.

Included Excursion A Halong Bay cruise (B/L/D)

Today, continue sailing further into the region’s more untouched areas towards Lan Ha Bay. From a smaller boat, enjoy swimming on quiet beaches and kayaking in Ho Ba Ham Lake. Then visit Cua Van fishing village by rowing boat. Return to your traditional junk boat after full day of exploration. Tonight, try squid fishing.

Included Excursion A private boat tour to local beaches and activities on Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Enjoy the sunrise and breakfast before beginning your cruise back through the magnificent rock formations, visiting Sung Sot Cave and arriving back at port. Bid farewell as you transfer back to Hanoi with a stop for lunch en-route. Upon arrival, visit Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets'. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, and stop at Ngoc Son temple. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It is a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.

Later, enjoy a traditional water puppet show. The Water Puppets are a unique Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 11th century depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of historical significance. Afterwards enjoy your farewell dinner.

• Included Excursion A half-day city tour of Hanoi
• Included Excursion A traditional water puppets show (B/L/D)

Today, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, the tour may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)