Impressions of Vietnam

On arrival in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Relax in the afternoon before enjoying a welcome dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

After breakfast travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive network of underground tunnels spanning 75 miles in length, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Pass through a traditional rice paper-making village before lunch, then start your city tour with a visit to the Reunification Palace. Continue to the Notre Dame Cathedral and travel past the grand French-style Saigon Post Office.

This morning drive to My Tho, stopping on the way at the Thien Hau Pagoda, an intricately designed temple. On arrival in My Tho, you will board a boat for a cruise down the Mekong River, passing floating markets and local villages. Your boat will dock at Unicorn Island, giving you the chance to visit fruit farms and a coconut sweet workshop where you can sample these local delights. Visit a bee farm to enjoy traditional honey tea, before making your way to Can Tho for the night.

Your morning in Can Tho will begin with a gentle trip through the picturesque canals and waterways in a small boat, taking in the sultry scenery and daily activities of the small boat vendors of the floating markets who live along these Mekong canals, as well as stopping at the spectacular Cai Rang floating market - the largest in the entire Mekong Delta. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred to the airport in Can Tho for your flight to Hanoi where you will then have the night to settle in.

Your full-day tour of Hanoi begins with the ancient Temple of Literature, then the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. A short drive out of the city centre follows where you can take part in a local Vietnamese cooking demonstration and enjoy your delicious creation for lunch. The afternoon continues with a visit to the Vietnam History museum, and a photo opportunity at the Hanoi Opera House, a beautiful colonial building, then a walking tour of the Old Quarter. In the evening sit back and enjoy a thousand-year-old Water Puppet Show.

This memorable day takes you to the awe-inspiring UNESCO Listed Halong Bay where you will explore these tranquil islands on a luxury cruise boat, passing local towns and intricate limestone formations on the way. Sail to the narrow arched Luon Cave and embark on a kayak or bamboo boat to get closer to this impressive formation which has a maximum height of 4 metres - depending on the tide! After, enjoy some swimming at Ti Top (Titov) beach. Back on board, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail party and a cooking demonstration class before savouring a delicious set dinner in the dining room. Evening activities are available including night time squid fishing. Please note: the Halong Bay cruise itinerary may change depending on the boat used.

Depending on the weather and which beaches can be accessed, there is an opportunity to climb up the side of Titov Mountain and witness an impressive view over Halong Bay. There are roughly 450 steps to reach the top. This is optional and not a guaranteed activity, but if you do wish to do it, then please pack suitable shoes just in case.

Awake to the rising sun's glistening reflection from the centre of Halong Bay and begin your day with some calming Tai Chi. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave - one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn't be found anywhere else. Return on board and sail towards Tuan Chau Marina where you will disembark and head back to the capital of Hanoi. Please note: the Halong Bay cruise itinerary may change depending on the boat used.

Following breakfast the day is left at leisure before transferring to the airport for your evening flight back to the UK.