FRI: AUSTRALIA/HANOI

Depart Australia on your flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be transferred to the Medallion Hotel for two nights.

SAT: HANOI

Visit to the Bat Trang Pottery Village where nearly every household is involved in the production of the famous blue and white pottery. Climb onboard a buffalo cart and travel through the village to the pottery workshop. The fun begins when you design and paint your own pottery to take home as a souvenir. After lunch, visit the Ethnology Museum to learn about the diverse culture through a unique presentation of articles, houses and dress used in daily life. At the back of the museum, enjoy wandering into the long houses, stilt houses and traditional Vietnamese houses. For your afternoon treat, taste some of Hanoi’s best homemade ice cream. Tonight visit Hoan Kiem Lake to see the famous Water Puppet performance then dinner at Mam Restaurant to enjoy anything from traditional Vietnamese dishes to your favourite western style meals.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

SUN: HANOI/HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay via the rich farmlands and villages to join your overnight “Victory” cruise. Enjoy fun afternoon activities and as the sun sets, your boat will drop anchor for the night and dinner will be served.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

MON: HALONG BAY/HOI AN

Watch the sun rise over the bay then return to the pier and transfer by coach to the airport. Along the way stop at Thanh Chuong Palace which showcases traditional Vietnamese cultural objects and structures. Fly to Danang and on arrival transfer to the ancient town of Hoi An and stay two nights at the Hoi An Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1

TUE: HOI AN

Described as a ‘living museum’, Hoi An has a unique charm and atmosphere. Enjoy a cyclo tour and visit the Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese communal house and a colourful market. Next stop will be the house of a lantern craftsman who will teach you how to make your very own colourful lantern to take home as a souvenir. Stop at a ‘pho’ shop to watch how pho noodles are made and then enjoy a bowl of ‘pho’ for lunch. Remainder of afternoon is free. Tonight join an hour boat tour to watch fishermen cast their nets and stop at a small house in the river delta and try paddling your own basket boat through a maze of water palms.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

WED: HOI AN/NHA TRANG

Travel to Danang and join your flight to the beach side resort town of Nha Trang. Stay two nights at the Novotel. Remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beach and resort facilities.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1

THU: NHA TRANG

A whole day free to ‘do as you please’. Enjoy swimming and relaxing at the beautiful beaches or join some of the fun optional activities including boat trips, snorkelling, cyclo rides or excursions to nearby villages. (Optional activities at your own expense.)

Meals: Breakfast 1

FRI: NHA TRANG/SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY)

Fly to Saigon and stay one night at the Asian Ruby Hotel. Join a speed boat along the Saigon River to the Cu Chi tunnels. This incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War was used as shelters and to stage surprise attacks. Also visit the ‘Wildlife at Risk’ (WAR) rescue centre, the first multi-species wildlife hospital whose aim is to also stop the trading on endangered animals.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

SAT: SAIGON/MEKONG DELTA

Enjoy a two hour drive to Cai Be, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. Board a local boat to explore the islands of the Mekong and stop at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea whilst listening to local music. Stay overnight at the Mekong Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

SUN: MEKONG DELTA/ SAIGON

Early morning start to the bustling floating market of Cai Be where local boats, loaded with produce are moored and ready for the days trading. Sail through the markets and watch the locals haggle and trade their wares. Return to Saigon and stay for one night. This afternoon, you are invited into the home of a local Vietnamese family for lunch. Share a home cooked meal and stories of their family life and yours. After lunch visit the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street and stop at the lively Ben Thanh markets. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at Indochine Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

MON: SAIGON/AUSTRALIA

Farewell Vietnam as you transfer to the airport to join your overnight flight home.

Meals: Breakfast 1

TUE: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA