Meet your tour leader at the hotel (or airport pickup if booked) to cover the 15-day itinerary, inclusions and safety brief — total tour cost from GBP1899 per person (twin-share), single supplement GBP450, deposit GBP300. This meeting clarifies what is included (accommodation, most transport, selected meals, excursions) and what is extra (international flights, visas, some meals).
Enjoy a classic Hanoi bowl of pho at a well-known local spot; pho shops typically open from early morning (around 6:30am) and serve until late morning. A gentle way to ease into Vietnamese flavours.
Check in and relax after your journey; standard hotel check-in is usually 2:00pm, early check-in subject to availability and often arranged by the operator. Use this time to change and freshen up.
Guided walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter to see traditional shops, colonial architecture and visit Hoan Kiem Lake; many shops open from 8:00am to late evening, and the walking tour helps set the scene for the country’s culture.
Try bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), a famous Hanoi dish; the restaurant typically opens mid-morning and serves through the evening. Excellent first-night introduction to Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
Traditional Vietnamese water puppet theatre at Thang Long Theatre; shows usually run 6:00pm–8:00pm with multiple performances in the evening and last about 50 minutes. Book in advance in peak season.
Simple Vietnamese breakfast of strong coffee and a freshly made banh mi; many street vendors open 6:30am onwards. Quick, tasty and a good start for a full day of sightseeing.
Visit the 11th-century Temple of Literature (opens ~8:00am) and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (open mornings, closed on Mondays and Fridays for preservation). These sites explain Vietnam’s Confucian and modern history.
Sample cha ca (turmeric fish fried tableside) — a Hanoi speciality served at established local restaurants that open for lunch and dinner. Unique flavours tied to the city’s culinary identity.
Choose the Ethnology Museum (open 8:00–17:00) to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, or visit Hoa Lo Prison (approximately 8:00–17:00) for modern history; both provide deep cultural context.
Guided evening tour sampling local street snacks around the Old Quarter — usually runs 5:30pm–9:00pm. Great way to try multiple dishes safely with a local guide.
Coach transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long (approx 3.5–4 hours), departing early to maximise time on the bay; comfortable coaches usually leave between 7:00–8:00am.
Check-in and board a mid-range overnight cruise that explores limestone karsts, caves and floating villages; cruises typically operate 24-hour itineraries with lunch served after boarding.
Optional kayaking or visiting limestone caves and floating villages — these excursions run in the afternoon and are supervised by crew (typically included or small supplement).
Dinner served on the cruise with local seafood and Vietnamese dishes; dining hours vary but evening meals usually served around 7:00pm. Relax on deck under the stars.
Optional sunrise viewing and morning tai chi on deck; many cruises offer a short wellness session before breakfast. Sunrise is usually early (around 5:00–6:00am depending on season).
Brunch on board and return to port; disembark around late morning after a scenic cruise segment. Transfer back to Hanoi for flight connections to central Vietnam (Hue or Da Nang).
Short domestic flight from Hanoi to Hue (approx 1 hour 15 minutes) — flights run frequently; operator will book an afternoon flight to connect with hotel check-in. Flight times vary by schedule.
Taste the spicy central-Vietnamese noodle soup bun bo Hue at a reputable local spot, typically open for lunch and dinner. A perfect introduction to Hue’s bold flavours.
Guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City (usually open 8:00–17:30); discover royal tombs, palaces and pagodas, giving insight into Nguyen dynasty history.
Try popular Hue dishes like com hen (clam rice) or fresh river fish at riverside eateries open for lunch and dinner. Cuisine here is refined and historically royal-influenced.
Early breakfast and hotel checkout before a scenic road transfer south along the coast via the Hai Van Pass toward Hoi An; allow 3–4 hours driving with photo stops.
Stop for panoramic views at Hai Van Pass and a walking visit to Marble Mountains (open 7:00–17:00) to explore caves, pagodas and artisan stone workshops.
Arrive in UNESCO-listed Hoi An, check into your hotel and take a short orientation walk through the Old Town; Hoi An’s Old Town is best enjoyed on foot and is generally open to visitors all day (shops 8:00–22:00).
Dine at a celebrated Hoi An restaurant serving regional specialities such as cao lau and white rose dumplings; most popular restaurants open for dinner from around 5:30pm.
Breakfast in Hoi An Old Town with local coffee and banh mi or tropical fruit — cafés generally open from 7:00am. A relaxed start before full-day activities.
Guided walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, merchant houses and traditional assembly halls; the heritage area is open throughout the day and photo-friendly.
Enjoy lunch at a market stall or riverside café sampling local snacks such as cao lau and banh xeo; markets usually operate from early morning to mid-afternoon.
Participate in a popular Hoi An cooking class (afternoons typically 2:00–5:00pm) or cycle to Tra Que herb village to learn traditional farming techniques; both give strong local culinary insight.
Evening riverside dinner with lantern-lit views; Hoi An’s riverside restaurants open late and create a romantic atmosphere. Consider a short boat ride on the Thu Bon River after sunset.
Early breakfast then short transfer to Da Nang International Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City; domestic flights run multiple times daily (flight ~1h20m).
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), transfer to hotel and a brief orientation walk. City hotels typically allow luggage drop-off if early check-in isn’t available.
Lunch at a friendly local spot such as Pho 2000 (famous for serving international visitors) or a popular Vietnamese cafe; open for lunch through the afternoon.
Afternoon walking tour of central Saigon to see colonial landmarks and the vibrant streets; most sites open 8:00–17:00 with evening options in District 1.
Sample modern Vietnamese dishes at a popular contemporary restaurant or enjoy dinner with skyline views at a rooftop bar; many restaurants open until late evening.
Early departure to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approx 1.5–2 hours drive); the visitor centres are generally open 7:00–17:00 and include a guided tour explaining tunnel life and wartime history.
Explore the tunnels with a local guide, see preserved trapdoors and displays; the standard tour lasts ~2 hours and includes short walk sections and optional narrow-tunnel experience.
Visit key city museums including the War Remnants Museum (open 7:30–17:30) and Reunification Palace to understand modern Vietnam’s history and post-war transformation.
Enjoy street-food favourites like banh xeo, com tam, or Vietnamese clay-pot dishes in District 3 or 1; many street vendors and eateries open late into the evening.
Morning coach transfer (approx 1.5–2 hours) to the Mekong Delta for river boat cruises, local orchards and village visits; boat tours normally operate 8:00–16:00.
Take a motorboat along the Mekong River, visit coconut processing workshops, family-run orchards and traditional homes — a full-day trip typically includes guided village walks and snacks.
Lunch at a respected social-enterprise restaurant serving Khmer dishes and training vulnerable youth; open midday to evening. Great place to try fish amok or Khmer curry.
Guided visit to the Royal Palace complex and Silver Pagoda (open 8:00–17:00) showcasing Khmer architecture and royal artifacts. A culturally significant and photogenic stop.
Visit Tuol Sleng (S21) museum (open 7:30–17:30) to learn about Cambodia’s tragic recent history under the Khmer Rouge; powerful, educational and emotionally heavy, so allow time for reflection.
Short transfer to the Choeung Ek memorial site (open 8:00–17:00) to visit the stupa and audio-guide displays documenting the atrocities — typically combined with Tuol Sleng as a half-day tour.
Visit the National Museum (usually open 8:00–17:00) for Khmer artefacts or explore the bustling Central Market for souvenirs; both offer cultural insights and shopping.
Enjoy dinner with optional traditional Apsara dance performance at a restaurant or cultural centre; performances and dinner packages usually run in the evening.
Morning flight (approx 1 hour) or comfortable coach to Siem Reap depending on group preference — flights depart several times daily and reduce travel time significantly.
Arrive in gateway town for Angkor, check in and relax; Siem Reap’s town centre is compact with many cafés and restaurants open from morning to late night.
Short afternoon visit to Angkor Thom and the sculptural Bayon temple (Angkor Park open 5:00–18:00), exploring iconic faces and the historical city entranceways. A great first taste of the Angkor complex.
Evening dinner on lively Pub Street or quieter riverside eateries; Siem Reap offers a range of international and Khmer options open late into the night.
Depart very early (pre-dawn) to watch sunrise over Angkor Wat; the Angkor Archaeological Park opens at 5:00am, and sunrise is a highlight requiring an early start. Bring your camera and wear comfortable shoes.
Explore the inner gallery of Angkor Wat and then visit Ta Prohm (famous for tree roots overgrown the temple) — both are open until 18:00 and form a dramatic full-day itinerary.
Lunch near the site (some tours provide a boxed lunch) or return briefly to town for a restaurant meal; options operate midday and are convenient between temple visits.
Visit more remote temples like Banteay Srei (known for intricate pink sandstone carvings) or Preah Khan in the afternoon; allow for driving time as these sites are further out but very rewarding.
Finish the day with a special Khmer dinner at a recommended restaurant; many fine-dining and social-enterprise options serve evening meals with local performance choices.
Optional last early-morning visit to a favourite temple for final photos or a short walk; temples open from 5:00am and a short visit fits before departure schedules.
Short optional visit to Siem Reap Market for last-minute souvenirs (open 7:00–18:00) or the Angkor National Museum (open ~8:30–18:00) for deeper context before departure.
Group transfer to airport for onward flights; international departure times vary — allow recommended check-in times (2–3 hours before international flights). End of tour service includes airport drop-off.