Vietnam - Land of the Ascending Dragon

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Singapore/ Singapore to Hanoi – by air

Arrive into Singapore and connect onto a Singapore Airlines flight to Hanoi where you will stay for two nights. A handsome city of tree-lined boulevards, temples, lakes, parks and a frenetic, vibrant old colonial centre, Hanoi’s charm lies in the preservation of a distinct North Vietnamese culture and way of life distinct to that of the south of the country. (N)

Accommodation in Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel

Upgrade option: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

Day 3 Hanoi

Today explore Hanoi with your guide starting at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before continuing to his house, in the compound of the former Presidential Palace, and nearby One Pillar Pagoda which was originally built during the 11th century AD. From here continue on foot to the wonderful Temple of Literature – the largest temple complex in the city. Nearly 1,000 years old, the temple was dedicated to Confucius and the cult of literacy and education. End the day exploring the narrow lanes and historic buildings of the atmospheric old quarter. (B)

Accommodation in Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel

Upgrade option: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

Day 4 Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay – 165kms

This morning leave Hanoi and travel through the countryside by road to Lan Ha Bay where you will board your boat for a two-night cruise. Lan Ha Bay is a serene and wonderful alternative to the busy Ha Long Bay which receives hundreds of tourists every day. At Lan Ha Bay, over 300 limestone-karst islands protrude from the sea to create a labyrinth of channels, secluded beaches and yawning caves. The scenery here is unlike anywhere else in the country. Spend the remainder of the day cruising the bay and enjoying a bike through the untouched countryside of Cat Ba Island. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Ha Long Bay: Ylang Boat by Heritage Cruises

Day 5 Lan Ha Bay

Wake up early and enjoy Tai Chi on the terrace deck overlooking the stunning surroundings. After breakfast sail to one of the area’s authentic fishing villages near Ben Beo. This fishing village is home to 300 families living in floating houses who still make a living from aquaculture and fishing. In the afternoon travel to a secluded island beach where you can kayak through the limestone karsts, take a swim or enjoy a guided meditation session.

Accommodation in Ha Long Bay: Ylang Boat by Heritage Cruises

Day 6 Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi – 165kms/ Hanoi to Hue – by air

Leaving the boat, return to Hanoi and fly to Hue for a two night stay. With one foot planted firmly in the past, Hue represents the best of Vietnam and is a city of infinite charm and personality. Home to the powerful Nguyen dynasty, Hue sat at the centre of a vast Vietnamese empire and underwent a building programme designed to reflect its power. Despite the damage caused by the 1968 Tet Offensive, much of this magnificence remains and later travel by boat down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest religious structures in the city. (B)

Accommodation in Hanoi: Pilgrimage Village Hue

Upgrade option: La Residence Hotel and Spa

Day 7 Hue

Hue is dominated by its spectacular Imperial City and in the morning explore this complex with your guide. Similar to Beijing’s Forbidden City, the ancient walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site enclose a vast complex of palaces, pavilions, gardens and temples. In the afternoon visit the Dong Ba Market then travel to the countryside outside of the city to explore some of the astonishing tombs of the ancient emperors of Vietnam. In Hue a visit to a local Garden House can also be arranged as can scenic cycle rides through the outlying rural villages to the beautiful Thanh Toan covered bridge. (B)

Accommodation in Hanoi: Pilgrimage Village Hue

Upgrade option: La Residence Hotel and Spa

Day 8 Hue to Hoi An – 140kms

Leaving Hue drive south following Highway 1 as it winds its way up the Hai Van Pass – the historic border between the kingdoms of Vietnam and Champa. With fabulous views along the coast, descend to Danang and the Cham Museum which houses the largest collection of Cham art in the world. Continue to China Beach, close to Hoi An, and where you will stay for three nights. (B)

Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 9 Hoi An

This morning visit Hoi An – a quaint, picturesque town of winding cobbled streets, pretty wooden merchant houses, pagodas and silk merchants. Around two-hundred years ago Hoi An was a bustling little port home to Chinese traders and a strong commercial link to Japan which, over time, influenced the town’s architecture and design. Spending time in the town, spend the rest of the day relaxing on China Beach. Visits can also be made to one or two of the local fishing villages outside of Hoi An. (B)

Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 10 Hoi An

At leisure to relax and enjoy the beach and hotel. The majority of resorts provide a free shuttle service into the old town of Hoi An should you wish to return. A day trip to the ancient Cham city of My Son can also be arranged as can a cookery class in the town. (B)

Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 11 Hoi An to Danang – 30kms/ Danang to Ho Chi Minh City – by air

After breakfast transfer to Danang Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you will stay for the next three nights. Renamed at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the city is still known to many as Saigon. Growing from a small 15th century Khmer trading port, today Ho Chi Minh City is the modern face of Vietnam – a bustling dynamic metropolis of crumbling colonial buildings, chaotic streets, colourful markets and informal pavement cafes. (B)

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City

This morning explore Ho Chi Minh City with your guide. Places of interest include the former Presidential Palace, now Reunification Hall, famously occupied by the army of North Vietnam in 1975, the city’s colonial centre including Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office and colourful Chinatown with its historic pagodas. In the afternoon take a walking tour through the busy side-streets ending at a small shop, formerly the secret weapon storage of the Viet Cong that was used during the Tet Offensive of 1968. (B)

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City – visit Mekong Delta

Leaving the city, today drive south to the Mekong Delta and Cai Be to board the Cai Be Princess, a traditional riverboat made of bamboo, wood and rattan, for a private cruise. Spend the day cruising the winding canals and stopping to visit isolated riverside villages, returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. (B/L)

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore/ Depart Singapore

Today is a day at leisure in the city. Early risers may wish to take a special morning tour to experience the city as it rouses, watching the morning public exercises, relaxing over a cup of hot Vietnamese coffee at Ben Thanh market and an authentic breakfast of pho noodle soup. Alternatively a cookery class can be arranged or you may simply wish to further explore the city under your own steam. Later catch the onward flight to Singapore and connect onto the Singapore Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

Day 15 Arrive in the UK

In the morning arrive back into the UK. (N)

Vietnam - Land of the Ascending Dragon

15 days from £3160 per person

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Itinerary: Vietnam - Land of the Ascending Dragon

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