Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival in HO CHI MINH CITY, you will be met by your guide and driver then transported to the hotel for check in. Enjoy an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel if the time permits. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on your own.

OPTIONAL: This evening, embark on a fascinating discovery of Saigon on the back of a Vespa as part of a small group tour. You will sample delicious street food, enjoy local music and experience the city from the viewpoint of your experienced local guide.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Start the Essential Vietnam Tour today with a depart from the hotel then head out to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the remarkable underground tunnel network where Vietnamese guerrillas (Viet Cong) hid out during the Vietnam War. Containing over 170 miles of networks and just 20 miles away from Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels continue to burrow through the countryside, constructed deep enough below ground to not have been affected by rumbling tanks or aircraft. You’ll see secret trap doors, living areas, meeting rooms and underground kitchens while you can also view excavated areas if you prefer to remain above ground.

Return to the city for lunch break at a restaurant and then continue with a half day tour, visiting city landmarks starting with Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Enjoy a stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale.

Continue to the War Remnants Museum (or History Museum, up to personal preference) and the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace.

NOTE: The History Museum is closed on Mondays.

From the Presidential Palace, stroll to the other major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the elegant 19th century Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House. The Palace was also where the Vietnam War concluded in 1975, when a Communist tank of the North Vietnam crashed through its gates. Afterwards, head back to the hotel then rest.

Overnight in HCMC.

This morning leave bustling HCMC then embark on an excursion to the Mekong Delta Region, often referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’. It takes you 2 hour drive to reach the delta town of CAI BE in Tien Giang Province.

Upon arrival, board a local vessel for the day’s cruise in the Delta’s waterways, stopping to visit a small handicraft factory on Turtle Island and to visit a tropical fruit orchard. There is also a chance to visit a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Later we will take a horse-drawn cart ride along country roads, admiring the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers and enjoy a taste of the locally-produced honey, and explore the Xep Canal by boat.

Lunch will be served in the local Mekong style with specialties of the area. After lunch we pay a visit to the Vinh Trang Pagoda, surrounded by beautiful gardens, in My Tho Town, before heading back to HCMC.

Overnight in HCMC.

After breakfast, transfer to Nha Trang Airport for a short flight to the central port city of DA NANG, travelling on from there to nearby Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries.

HOI AN is a destination with two faces – the charming, old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses; and the beach with its new resorts and long stretch of clean white sand. In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shophouses host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday.

Later, embark on a walking tour of the Hoi An ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, temples, warehouses, workshops and the colourful market. The exceptionally well-preserved old town, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

This morning, embark on a leisurely excursion to the peaceful village of Triem Tay, located close to town on Cam Kim Island, in the Thu Bon River. Escorted by your guide, you will visit some of the traditional houses, meet the locals and learn about their culture and traditions.

Enjoy an authentic Vietnamese lunch here and later take a walk back to your hotel in the old town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, en route stop in Da Nang for a visit to the Cham Museum, which contains and exhibits the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. A visit to the museum gains you the rich insight into the Champa Empire’s culture and arts. You also can get the comparison of Champa Empire and its once the biggest rivals to the Khmer that typical Cambodia and Vietnam tours normally deliver.

Afterwards, continue with a drive climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds or Hai Van Pass in the Vietnamese language, dropping down to the beautifully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. After a short break for a drink in Lang Co, continue the drive one hour to reach Hue, former imperial capital of Vietnam.

Arrive in HUE, then take a half-day tour of the former imperial capital. Commence at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The Citadel was heavily bombed and badly damaged in the latter stages of the French and American wars but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. It also reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern.

After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, continue to another highlight of Hue city, 17th-century Thien Mu Pagoda which overlooks the Perfume River. Visit the 21-meter tower which is the centerpiece of the pagoda, representing seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the pagoda grounds, you will see the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self immolation is one of the most well known images of the war. After the tour, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

This morning, pay a visit to the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market which is full of fresh produce. Enjoy a leisurely cyclo ride (or rickshaw) through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to relax. The lake is abundant of lotus flowers in summer and is surrounded by local style coffee shops, a favourite local spot to pass the time.

Once in Hue, you should not miss a visit to the mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of Vietnam’s last emperors reveal the fascinating insights into the lives of the royal families and their subjects. Firstly, visit the former Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Next, continue to Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Take a break for the relaxation before enjoying a 30-minute transfer to Phu Bai Airport for the flight north to HANOI. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will provide you with transport to the hotel for check in.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Following breakfast, leave Hanoi for the 3hr 30mins drive towards HALONG BAY, travelling through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. Upon arrival around noontime to Halong City’s pier, check in formalities and board the junk for a five-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of beautiful Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dotted with more than 2,000 towering karst islands topped with dense jungle foliage. Lunch (with fresh seafood) will be served on board while cruising into the bay.

In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing, on-board activities or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Wake up early to enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy the delicious breakfast while the junk cruises back towards the port through more limestone formations. Upon arrival to port, disembark and being transported back to Hanoi.

After arriving back to the hotel in Hanoi, check-in then embark on a soft sightseeing tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, a bustling area home to literally thousands of small businesses and shops. End the day with a Water Puppet Show. This is a uniquely north Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning, continue your exploration of Hanoi, Vietnam’s charming capital today. After breakfast, depart for a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Founded in 1076, the site, initially named Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Proceed towards the monumental Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the embalmed body of the communist leader in a glass coffin then pass the modest wooden stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived in his later years. Nearby is the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples, founded by fatherless King Ly Thai Tong in 1049.

NOTE: Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from October - November

After lunch, if time permits, continue to picturesque West Lake and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, originally built in the sixth century then the Taoist Quan Thanh Temple, dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism. Alternatively, visit the Fine Arts Museum which displays a vast and wonderful collection of art and sculpture, ancient stone carvings, Buddhist statues and contemporary artworks.

End your Essential Vietnam Tour with deep insights into Vietnam's colourful cultures and its people. The remainder of the day is at leisure until your guide and driver transfer you to the Noi Bai Airport for the onward flight.