Welcome to Hanoi—a city of layered history, leafy boulevards, and an irresistible street-life energy. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, allowing you to settle in comfortably after your flight. The remainder of the day is free, giving you the perfect gentle introduction to Vietnam without rushing.

If you feel like stretching your legs, start with an easy wander through the Old Quarter, where narrow lanes weave past tiny cafés, silk shops, street-food stalls, and the constant hum of motorbikes that gives Hanoi its unmistakable rhythm. This is the best way to tune into the city—watching everyday life unfold, catching the aroma of grilled snacks, and discovering small corners that feel uniquely local.

Later, slow the pace with a gentle stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, an oasis of calm at the heart of the city. As the afternoon light softens, locals gather for walks, photos, and quiet conversation, and the lake’s reflection creates a beautifully peaceful contrast to the lively streets nearby. If you’re keen, stop for your first authentic taste of Hanoi—perhaps a warming bowl of noodles or a strong Vietnamese coffee served just as the city likes it.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today is your first full immersion into Hanoi—a city that wears its history in layers, from grand colonial-era avenues to centuries-old temples tucked between bustling shopfronts. With your guide, explore Hanoi’s most important cultural landmarks and meaningful monuments, gaining a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s story while still leaving space to enjoy the city’s everyday charm.

Your sightseeing weaves through the capital’s defining contrasts: solemn sites that speak to modern Vietnamese identity, tranquil courtyards where incense drifts through the air, and lively streets where the soundtrack is made of scooter horns, sizzling pans, and café conversations. Along the way, you’ll also soak up the atmosphere of the Old Quarter, Hanoi’s beating heart—an area best explored slowly, where every lane seems to reveal another slice of local life.

As evening arrives, enjoy a classic local performance, a wonderfully distinctive way to end the day. Whether it’s traditional music or a cultural show rooted in folklore, it adds a lively, human dimension to Hanoi—one that stays with you long after the curtains fall and the city’s lanterns begin to glow.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today you leave the buzz of Hanoi behind for a full-day escape into the countryside of Ninh Binh, often called Vietnam’s “land Ha Long Bay”. The nickname makes sense the moment the landscape appears—towering limestone karsts rising abruptly from emerald rice fields, quiet rivers cutting through dramatic cliffs, and a slower rhythm that feels a world away from the capital.

A highlight of the day is your serene Tam Coc experience, where you’ll cruise along gentle waterways beneath limestone formations and through a scene that feels almost cinematic. The river journey offers a beautiful perspective on rural life—water buffalo grazing in the distance, farmers tending fields, and the kind of silence that makes you notice every ripple on the water.

Later, step back in time at Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Here, the story shifts from scenery to legacy, as you discover the region’s royal history and the early foundations of the Vietnamese state. It’s a wonderful contrast to the morning’s natural beauty—proof that Ninh Binh isn’t just picturesque, it’s also deeply meaningful.

By early evening, return to Hanoi with time to relax. After a day of fresh air and open landscapes, Hanoi’s evening lights and café culture feel especially inviting—perfect for a calm dinner and a well-earned rest.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

This morning, leave Hanoi behind and travel towards the coast for one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural wonders: Ha Long Bay. As the scenery shifts from city streets to open landscapes, anticipation builds—today is about slowing the pace and stepping into a world of water, sky, and sculpted limestone formations.

On arrival, you’ll board your overnight cruise and settle into your cabin before the bay begins to reveal itself in full. Soon, the boat glides past dramatic limestone karsts rising straight from the water, their silhouettes changing with every turn. It’s a landscape that feels almost unreal—misty horizons, hidden inlets, and calm channels where the reflections are as beautiful as the cliffs themselves.

The afternoon is designed for relaxed discovery. Enjoy time on deck as the cruise sails deeper into the bay, watching the scenery transform from bright midday blues to warm, golden tones as the sun begins to drop. Depending on the day’s routing and conditions, there is often the chance to experience the bay more closely—whether that means gentle on-water activity, a short visit to a viewpoint, or simply soaking up the atmosphere from a quiet corner of the deck.

As evening arrives, the bay becomes wonderfully peaceful. With fewer boats moving and the light fading across the water, Ha Long feels at its most magical. Enjoy dinner on board and let the calm of the bay set the tone for a restful night—an experience that is as much about stillness and scenery as it is about travel.

Overnight on board your Ha Long Bay cruise.

Wake to the gentle movement of the bay and enjoy a final, magical morning in Ha Long Bay. Early light often transforms the scenery into something truly memorable—limestone karsts emerging through mist, calm waters reflecting the sky, and a peaceful hush that feels a world away from the mainland. After breakfast on board, you’ll continue cruising for a short while longer, soaking up the last views before disembarking late morning.

From here, travel onwards towards Hanoi, typically heading direct to the airport for your onward journey. This is a travel-focused day designed to connect you smoothly from the north to Vietnam’s imperial heartland. Your flight to Hue is scheduled as an evening departure (after 18:00), giving you a more comfortable buffer after leaving the bay and reducing any sense of rush.

On arrival in Hue, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free—ideal for a quiet dinner, a short riverside stroll if you feel like stretching your legs, and a restful night before tomorrow’s imperial sightseeing.

Overnight stay in Hue.

Today you step into Vietnam’s imperial past in Hue, once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and still the country’s most evocative city for royal heritage. With your guide, explore the legacy of emperors, scholars, and court traditions—where architecture, symbolism, and landscape design were crafted to reflect power, harmony, and spiritual belief.

Begin with the magnificent Royal Citadel, a vast fortified complex that once housed Vietnam’s imperial court. As you pass through historic gates and into ceremonial spaces, your guide will bring the setting to life—explaining the significance of the layout, the echoes of Confucian tradition, and how Hue’s royal identity shaped Vietnamese culture far beyond the city walls. Even where time and history have left their marks, the Citadel’s atmosphere remains powerful and deeply memorable.

Later, travel beyond the city to visit selected Emperors’ Tombs, each uniquely designed and placed to align with principles of feng shui and the natural landscape. Some feel grand and formal, others more peaceful and poetic—set among pine trees, lotus ponds, and quiet courtyards. These sites offer a striking contrast to the Citadel: less about ceremony and more about reflection, philosophy, and how emperors wished to be remembered.

To slow the pace, enjoy a scenic boat journey on the Perfume River, a gentle way to see Hue from a different angle. The river has long been the city’s lifeline, and drifting along its waters offers a calmer rhythm—temples and riverside life unfolding quietly as the city’s imperial story continues in the background.

Overnight stay in Hue.

After breakfast, travel south from Hue to Da Nang by train on one of Vietnam’s most celebrated rail routes. This journey is more than a transfer—it’s a moving viewpoint over the country’s dramatic coastline, where the tracks curve between lush hills and the open sea. Settle into your carriage, watch fishing boats dot the water, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of the rails as Vietnam’s landscapes unfold beyond the window.

On arrival in Da Nang, continue by road to Hoi An, a beautifully preserved trading town known for its warm glow of lanterns, riverside cafés, and charming lanes lined with mustard-yellow façades. The change of pace is immediate—Hoi An feels calmer, more intimate, and wonderfully atmospheric, especially as late afternoon light softens and the evening begins to settle in.

After checking in, the remainder of the day is yours. You may choose to unwind after travel, or begin exploring: wander the old streets, browse artisan shops, or simply find a riverside seat and watch lanterns flicker to life as Hoi An starts to glow. If you’d like a gentle first evening, a slow stroll along the water and a relaxed dinner is often the perfect introduction.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

This morning invites you beyond the old town lanes for a gentler, more local side of Hoi An. Begin with a relaxed cultural experience in the surrounding countryside, where waterways, coconut palms, and small village scenes create a calm contrast to the town’s lantern-lit bustle. It’s the kind of morning that feels immersive without being intense—perfect for travellers who enjoy authentic atmosphere, light activity, and a deeper sense of place.

Your first stop is Cam Thanh Coconut Village, a water-bound landscape of nipa palms and quiet canals. Here, daily life unfolds at the river’s edge—simple, scenic, and beautifully photogenic. Continue onwards to Tra Que Village, known for its vibrant market gardens and fragrant herbs. As you walk through the plots and learn about traditional growing methods, you’ll see how this rural community continues to supply the flavours that define central Vietnamese cooking.

Later, enjoy a hands-on lantern-making class, a wonderfully creative way to connect with Hoi An’s iconic symbol. With guidance, you’ll craft your own lantern—an authentic souvenir that carries both the artistry and the memory of the day. It’s relaxed, enjoyable, and surprisingly satisfying, even if you’re not usually “crafty”.

Return to Hoi An and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This is your time to shape the day exactly as you like—perhaps an unhurried café stop, a stroll through the Old Town, a tailoring appointment, or some beach time if you fancy a change of scenery. As evening approaches, Hoi An becomes especially enchanting, with lanterns reflecting on the water and the streets taking on a soft golden glow.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Today is entirely yours—an unhurried, flexible leisure day in Hoi An, designed to let you enjoy this beautifully preserved riverside town exactly as you like. With no fixed schedule, you can set the pace from the moment you wake: slow mornings, relaxed afternoons, and an evening that can be as lively or as peaceful as you wish.

Hoi An is made for gentle exploration. Its warm yellow façades, lantern-lined lanes, and small artisan shops create an atmosphere that’s effortlessly photogenic. You might spend the morning browsing local crafts, popping into galleries, or enjoying a long café pause as bicycles glide past and river boats drift by. If you’re keen on shopping, Hoi An is famous for tailoring and textiles—an ideal day for fittings, fabric choices, and finishing touches.

If the coast calls, you can also choose a change of scenery with some beach time. A few hours by the sea offers a refreshing balance to cultural touring—perfect for reading in the shade, a relaxed swim, or simply enjoying the feeling of being nowhere in a hurry. Later, return to town for an evening stroll as Hoi An’s lanterns begin to glow and the riverside takes on its signature magic.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

After breakfast, it’s time to continue your journey south. Transfer from Hoi An to the airport in Da Nang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City—still widely known as Saigon. The shift in atmosphere is immediate: where Hoi An is charming and calm, Saigon is energetic and modern, with a pace that feels exciting, ambitious, and unmistakably urban.

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you time to settle in, refresh, and begin exploring at your own rhythm. Saigon is a city best discovered in layers—grand boulevards and colonial-era architecture, lively markets, tucked-away cafés, and a street-food culture that turns even a simple evening walk into an experience.

If you feel like stretching your legs, a relaxed first stroll can be the perfect introduction—take in the city lights, browse local shops, or find a café and watch the city’s famous flow of motorbikes stream past. This evening is ideal for keeping plans flexible: a gentle start, a good meal, and a restful night before tomorrow’s Mekong adventure.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today you journey beyond the city into the extraordinary Mekong Delta, a region defined by water, fertile farmland, and a way of life shaped by the river’s slow, steady rhythm. Leaving Ho Chi Minh City behind, the scenery gradually softens—urban edges give way to open countryside, palm-lined canals, and a landscape where boats, bridges, and waterways often matter as much as roads.

Once in the Delta, the experience becomes wonderfully immersive. Cruise along winding channels and broader river stretches, taking in daily life as it happens—locals moving produce by boat, riverside homes perched near the water, and small workshops where traditional crafts and food-making still play a role in everyday living. It’s a gentle, sensory day: the rustle of coconut palms, the glint of sunlight on the river, and the constant feeling that you’re travelling through Vietnam’s living landscape rather than simply observing it.

You’ll also have opportunities to step ashore to explore the Delta’s quieter corners—rural pathways, village scenes, and local flavours that reflect the region’s abundance. Expect a relaxed pace with plenty of time to absorb the atmosphere, take photos, and enjoy the contrast between bustling Saigon and this calmer, water-bound world.

Later, return to Ho Chi Minh City, with the evening free to unwind at your hotel or explore independently. After a day in the Delta, Saigon’s nightlife, street-food scene, and café culture can feel especially tempting—perfect for a relaxed final evening in Vietnam.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today marks the end of your Vietnam journey. After breakfast (time permitting), enjoy any final moments in Ho Chi Minh City—perhaps a last Vietnamese coffee, a short stroll nearby, or simply a relaxed morning before travel.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your homebound flight. As you depart, take with you the memories of Hanoi’s heritage, Ha Long Bay’s extraordinary seascapes, Hue’s imperial legacy, Hoi An’s lantern-lit charm, and the river life of the Mekong Delta—an experience that captures Vietnam’s spirit in all its colour and contrast.

End of itinerary.