MON: AUSTRALIA/SAIGON

Depart Australia on your flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). On arrival you will be transferred to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza for one night.

TUE: SAIGON/CAN THO (MEKONG DELTA)

Spend a day exploring the colourful floating markets, emerald rice fields and lush back waterways of the Mekong Delta. Journey to Cai Be and Vinh Long and cruise through the many tributaries of the Mekong. Walk along the famous ‘Monkey Bridges’ that link the villages together and wander amongst vibrant tropical fruit gardens. Continue onto Can Tho and stay one night at the Victoria Can Tho Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

WED: CAN THO/SAIGON

An early morning visit to the bustling floating markets of Cai Rang where countless boats, loaded with local produce, are moored alongside the riverbank ready for trading. Sail through the markets and watch the locals haggle and trade their wares to interested buyers. Explore the rural city of Can Tho, passing the local market and Khmer Pagoda. Return to Saigon and stay two nights at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

THU: SAIGON

Travel to Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War, these tunnels ran directly under military bases and were used both as shelters and to stage surprise attacks. Continue onto the Reunification Palace, History Museum or Revolutionary Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street and the Ben Thanh Market. This evening enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

FRI: SAIGON/HOI AN

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang where you will stop at Non Nuoc Beach and Cham Museum. Continue onto the charming ancient town of Hoi An where you will spend two nights at the Life Heritage Resort.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

SAT: HOI AN

Described as a ‘living museum’ with narrow winding streets and rows of carefully preserved ancient houses, Hoi An has a unique charm and atmosphere. Enjoy a cyclo tour, visit the Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese communal house, take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River and visit Thanh Ha where skilled locals produce beautiful pottery.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

SUN: HOI AN/HANOI

Travel by coach to Danang airport for the flight to Hanoi where you will stay overnight at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel. Lunch today at KOTO Restaurant, an ongoing project to help street children gain work and independence in the hospitality industry. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Literature and the Museum of History. This evening visit Hoan Kiem Lake to watch the skilled puppet masters entertain the crowds at the Water Puppet Theatre.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

MON: HANOI/HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay via the rich farmlands and villages to join your overnight cruise onboard the “Emeraude”. Observe the natural beauty of the unique grottoes that rise towards the sky as you leisurely sail the emerald green waters of the bay.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

TUE: HALONG BAY/HANOI

Watch the sun rise over the bay before your return to the pier and transfer by coach to Hanoi. Stay two nights at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast 1

WED: HANOI

Today visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his wooden cottage and the One Pillar Pagoda. Enjoy a walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and continue onto Hao Lo Prison, formerly known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and the Museum of Ethnology. This evening enjoy dinner at the Press Club.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

THU: HANOI/AUSTRALIA

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

Meals: Breakfast 1

FRI: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA