Today is departure day, where you will fly to Hanoi with connecting flights along the way.

After arriving in Hanoi, you will pass through immigration before collecting your luggage. You will be met in the arrivals hall by a guide holding a TourCompass sign, who will accompany you to the hotel where you will be spending the next nights. Having checked in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to do with as you wish.

For example, you can saunter along the busy streets and alleyways of the exotic old quarter, stopping as you please to admire the sights and sounds of this amazing city. Hoan Kiem Lake is close by; it takes about half an hour to walk all the way around it – a delightful stroll in the shade of the tall trees.

An exciting sightseeing tour to Hanoi’s top sights awaits you today.

You’ll start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which was built in honour of the Republic of Vietnam’s first president and national icon, Ho Chi Minh, who lived and worked in Hanoi for most of his life. The complex includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.We would like to inform you that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed for approximately two months a year due to renovation work.

The tour continues from here to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which was a centre of political power for more than a century. Research and excavations are still ongoing, and it is also recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Before the sightseeing tour continues, there will be a lunch break when you will be served a light lunch consisting of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) or bun cha (Vietnamese meatballs with noodles).

The next stop is the 11th century Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam’s first university. The nation’s powerful officials, the Mandarins, were educated here in accordance with Confucian teachings.

Finally, you also see the iconic Long Bien Bridge over the Red River before enjoying a 30-minute cyclo tour through the narrow, chaotic streets and alleys of The Old Quarter.

The day rounds off with a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a local café, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.

Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi lies Mai Chau, one of the most beautiful valleys in Vietnam. This is an absolute gem with fantastic paddy fields nestling between limestone mountains, as well as villages that are home to ethnic minorities including H’mong, Thai and Dzao people – and very few tourists. It is the perfect place to experience undisturbed landscapes and villages that preserve the traditional way of life.

After arrival and check-in at the hotel, you will be served a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, it is time to head off on a hike to a couple of the nearby villages – Pom Coong and Lac, for example – and to the Mo Luong grotto.

The day winds up with a delightful dinner featuring local delicacies, served while a local troupe of Muong or Thai provides entertainment.

To start the day a tasty, international breakfast will be served in the restaurant, which provides a magnificent view out over the lake, the paddy fields and the swimming pool. From Mai Chau, the tour proceeds via Tam Coc to Hoa Lu, where you will visit the Dinh and Le temples. These are the only two temples that remain from the old citadel in Hoa Lu. The Hoa Lu citadel was an important imperial palace in Vietnam 1,000 years ago. It was here that the Le dynasty took over from the Dinh dynasty.

After lunch, you will head off on a 2-hour sailing tour along the Ngo Dong River. The landscape along the river is utterly magical. The water flows gently through the flat landscape, which is broken only by ‘sugar top’ mountains – almost like Ha Long Bay; only on land.

From Ninh Binh, you’ll be driven to Ha Long Bay for a mini-cruise featuring two days of sailing and one overnight stay. The drive takes roughly 4 hours, with a stop along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy some refreshments.

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive natural marvels. Here, hundreds of verdant limestone cliffs rise vertically from the sea, which changes colour throughout the year from deep blue to jade green. The largest island, Cat Ba, is home to several villages, while some of the smaller islets host tiny fishing communities. For travellers, Ha Long Bay is first and foremost a breathtaking natural wonder, but for the Vietnamese, it’s also a place rich in dragon legends and dramatic stories. The bay spans an area of approximately 1,500 km² and was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1994.

You’ll arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, where you’ll be checked in and can unwind in the lounge before boarding your cruise ship.

Once on board, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink as the crew gives a brief introduction to your upcoming adventure. After settling into your cabin, get ready to enjoy a delicious lunch featuring both Vietnamese specialities and international cuisine. While you dine, the ship gently glides out onto the emerald waters, giving you the chance to admire some of Ha Long Bay’s most iconic rock formations, including Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock Islet, and Three Coconuts Island.

Later, the boat docks at a local pearl farm, where you’ll get an insight into the traditional art of pearl cultivation. You’ll also have the chance to hop in a kayak and quietly paddle through this stunning natural setting.

The journey continues to Sung Sot Cave, the largest and most impressive stalactite grotto in Ha Long. There, you’ll be rewarded with an enchanting landscape of stalactites and stalagmites, sculpted over millions of years. We recommend wearing sturdy, closed shoes, especially in wet weather.

Back on board, you can enjoy a drink at the bar.

In the evening, a delicious dinner is served, featuring a selection of traditional dishes prepared by the ship’s chefs.

The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish. Relax on deck and take in the sunset’s vibrant colours, or try your hand at squid fishing from the stern. When you’re ready, retire to your cabin and drift off to sleep to the gentle lull of the waves against the ship’s hull.

Please note: In the event of stormy weather, the authorities in Vietnam reserve the right to restrict sailing in Ha Long Bay for safety reasons. This only happens a few times each year. Should this occur, the mini-cruise will be replaced with a hotel stay and an excursion in Hanoi.

Begin your day by experiencing Ha Long Bay bathed in the soft, misty morning light. Take part in a refreshing tai chi session on the sun deck, and awaken your senses to tranquillity, beautiful views and the crisp sea air.

In the restaurant, you’ll be served coffee, tea and freshly baked bread.

Next, you’ll visit Ti Top Island, a small limestone island renowned for having one of Ha Long Bay’s finest sandy beaches. Here, you can take a dip in the emerald waters or climb to the island’s summit for breathtaking panoramic views of the bay.

Once back on board, it’s time to check out. As the boat gently sets course back to Tuan Chau Marina, brunch will be served. Relax in the restaurant or on the deck while you soak up the final magical sights of Ha Long’s enchanting landscape.

On arrival at the harbour, your guide and driver will be waiting to greet you and take you back to Hanoi. You’ll have a few hours at your leisure before being transferred to the railway station to catch the overnight train to Da Nang. We recommend grabbing dinner in Hanoi or purchasing a meal to take with you on the train. It’s also wise to stock up on drinks and snacks before departure.

For a supplementary charge, you have the option to fly from Hanoi to Da Nang instead of taking the overnight train. This choice includes an additional night’s stay in Hoi An.

You wake up to a beautiful view as the train makes its way along the coast. Look out over the green mountains and the beautiful blue sea.

Upon your arrival in Da Nang, you will be greeted by a guide who will drive you to your hotel in Hoi An. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. 

Hoi An is a wonderful experience and you cannot help but fall in love with the city. It is especially well-known for its charming architecture, impressive silk production, great tailors and its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flowing through the heart of the Old Town is the Thu Bon River, which is a glorious example of an international port dating back to the heyday of European and East Asian trading companies from the 16th to the 18th century.

Away from the river, you will find yourself in a maze of cosy, charming streets. Wherever you turn, you will see how the former colonial powers have each made their mark on the district. Colourful lanterns, Japanese houses, Chinese temples and French yellow merchants’ houses fill the cityscape. Shops, street kitchens, cafés and restaurants line the streets, where you can while away several hours connected to the city’s free Wi-Fi.

The fact that Hoi An’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site naturally makes it a major draw for tourists. The streets might be busy, but there is still a lovely calm to the area, and the district has managed to retain its authenticity and charm. It also helps that cars, scooters and motorcycles are denied access.

You spend four nights at this wonderful gem of a place, giving you plenty of time to enjoy and explore different parts of the city.

The days are yours to do with as you wish. Enjoy the beach, go exploring in Hoi An, visit the Cham temple area … there is no shortage of opportunities.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven out to the airport to catch your flight from Da Nang homewards. There will be connecting flights along the way.

You will arrive at your chosen airport after a wonderful holiday.