Highlights of Vietnam: From Hanoi to Halong Bay

Xin chào and welcome to Hanoi. A mixing pot of French and Chinese influences, with ornate temples and colourful markets lining the streets, this eclectic city offers some excellent opportunities for cultured adventures. Arrive at your hotel and meet your fellow travellers and guide, before heading out together for a safari around the city’s markets. Feast your way through Hanoi’s streets with your group, down a maze of hidden alleys and bustling stalls. Then pay a visit to Bia Hoi corner, ‘beer corner’, to see the night in.

This morning, you’ll leave Hanoi behind to uncover the vast beauty of Halong Bay, an archipelago of islands and a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated three hours east of Hanoi. Arriving at noon, hop straight onto an Indochina junk boat as you sail around a labyrinth of 2,000 islands. After lunch onboard, explore the bay by kayak with your group, paddling between ancient limestone karsts, hidden grottoes and secluded lagoons. Enjoy a sunset dinner with your group, before turning your hand to squid fishing (season dependent).

After a peaceful night’s sleep, wake to a sunrise breakfast with breathtaking views of the bay. Immerse yourself in an onboard tai chi class, with majestic limestone cliffs rising around you. Then it’s onto Thien Canh Son Cave, one of the lesser known caves in Bai Tu Long Bay. Here, you’ll see first-hand why this mysterious underworld is steeped in local mythology; eerie stalagmites drip from the cave walls and natural statues take the shape of baby elephants and lotus flowers. Back above ground, settle into a four-hour drive back to Hanoi, where the rest of the evening is yours to relax.

This morning, catch your airport transfer to Hoi An: your new home for a couple of nights. Layered with Chinese, Japanese, French, Portuguese and Arab influences, you’ll find a rich blend of architectural styles and crafts here. Find your bearings on a walking tour, passing a variety of enchanting sights from the Chua Ong Pagoda to the Jinshang Temple (dedicated to the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors). Your afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the surrounding countryside on a scenic bike ride, before catching a short boat ride across the river to Cam Kim Island. Continue your cycle along its quiet roads and rice paddies, before returning to the hotel for a cool drink and a dip in the pool.

Hoi An is a beautiful place to explore at a leisurely pace – which is why we’ve left this day free for you. We suggest heading to the markets to hunt down local handicrafts, or browsing the famous textiles and fabrics that the city is famed for. This evening, dinner is on you; learn how to cook up a range of regional delicacies, following the guidance of a local chef. Then, enjoy the fruits of your labour with an extra two courses made especially for you using the secret recipes of a local family.

Swap the serene charms of Hoi An for vibrant Ho Chi Minh today, catching a short flight south to Vietnam’s largest city. Check into your hotel, then you’ll dive straight into the streets on a Vespa sightseeing tour. Passing Ho Chi Minh’s most iconic sights, from Bình Tây Market to the Reunification Palace, make a series of stops to sample the street food, before returning to your hotel for an afternoon dip in the pool.

This morning, come face to face with Vietnam’s war legacy with a visit to Cu Chi Tunnels. Here, you’ll learn how guerilla soldiers lived during the infamous war, weaving through a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels. Back in Ho Chi Minh, make your way to one of the city’s stylish rooftop bars for sunset cocktails, before heading to a nearby restaurant for your final meal together – with one last stop at a craft ale bar afterwards.

It’s now over to you to arrange a transfer to the airport. Interested in exploring Southeast Asia further? Take a peek at our popular South Thailand adventure, which will see you rock-climb the cliffs of Krabi and explore the streets of Bangkok.