Jewels Of Vietnam

Fly overnight to Saigon. On arrival you will be accompanied by one of our experienced escorts to the hotel.

Saigon has evolved from war-torn city to thriving metropolis, the powerhouse driving Vietnam towards its ever brighter future. See the French-built Notre Dame Cathedral; the Central Post Office, a neoclassical edifice designed by Gustave Eiffel; the Reunification Palace, the site of the end of the Vietnam War; and the harrowing War Remnants Museum. After browsing through Chinatown and Ben Thanh Market, enjoy a three-course dinner at Xu Restaurant.

Travel south of Saigon for a fast and scenic speedboat trip through the Mekong Delta. The delta region is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, supplying the country with huge amounts of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruits. Life here revolves around the river and you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of it as you explore the maze of palm-lined canals. Take a cycle tour amongst the verdant fields and meet the local people. Return to Saigon.

Experience the Cu Chi Tunnels, part of the elaborate network of excavations used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Continue to Tay Ninh to see the striking Holy See of the Cao Dai religion. Native to Vietnam, it is a fascinating blend of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism and Islam. Return to Saigon.

Fly to Danang and transfer to the charming town of Hoi An, stopping en route at the Marble Mountains. Dine this evening on the creative Vietnamese cuisine of Ancient Faifo Restaurant. 

Once an influential port on the Silk Road, Hoi An is a rich fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles, its narrow streets retaining a quirky, old world charm. This morning, tour the market to choose fresh ingredients from a colourful array of local produce for your Vietnamese cookery class, where you’ll learn to create a number of local dishes. This afternoon wander the old streets, visiting the Quan Cong Chinese Temple and the elaborate Japanese Bridge before taking tea at a traditional tea house. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Hoi An where you can further explore, relax by the pool or take a trip to the beach.

Taking the scenic Hai Van Pass, travel to the Imperial City of Hue. Long considered a seat of culture and learning, Hue is dominated by its immense Imperial Citadel, home of emperors from 1802 to 1945. A cyclo will deliver you to its grandiose entrance and you’ll be able to explore before taking a cruise on the Perfume River to the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda. This evening, sit down to a dining experience at Ancient Hue Restaurant. 

Visit the extravagant Royal Tomb of Minh Mang, an emperor whose reign is remembered for his opposition to French colonial rule. Travel to the airport to fly to Hanoi.

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, evokes the days when Asia was at its most chic, a heady mix of the exotic and European elegance. Explore the Ho Chi Minh Quarter and learn about the life of ‘Uncle Ho’. Visit the revered Temple of Literature and meet a water puppeteer who will introduce you to this traditional 11th century art and put on a private water puppet show. This evening take a cyclo tour of the bustling alleys of the Old Quarter in search of the unique flavours of Vietnam’s extensive cuisine.

Halong Bay’s thousands of limestone islands project from the tranquil depths of emerald waters creating a vision of beauty to which very little compares. Board a traditionally-designed junk and enjoy a seafood lunch before setting sail into the bay. Cruise amongst the karst pinnacles, stopping to explore mysterious caves as we go. Spend the night anchored amongst glorious scenery.

Rise early to see the sun rise over the karst-scapes of the bay and savour the serenity of the early morning. Continue cruising through the bay, heading back to the wharf where there’ll be time for brunch before disembarking. On the way back to Hanoi there will be a stop en route at the Bat Trang Ceramic Village, a traditional handicraft village where you can visit workshops and meet the local craftsmen. Dinner this evening will be at the classically designed Press Club.

Transfer to the airport for your flight arriving home the same or following day.