ULTIMATE VIETNAM

On arrival in Vietnam’s charming capital, you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel. You’ll be staying within easy walking distance of the elegant Opera House – built in the French colonial style over 100 years ago – and peaceful Central Lake.

Stay: Two nights in a Grand Premium Room at the Sofitel Metropole – including breakfast

On your first full day in Hanoi, you’ll take in this city of grand tree-lined boulevards, ochre-coloured European architecture, scenic lakes and gaily decorated temples.

A morning tour with a local street food expert will introduce you to the fantastic sights and sounds of markets like Thanh Cong and Hang Da where you will find the many ingredients integral to Vietnamese cooking. Exploring street food stalls in the Old Quarter and along Ly Quoc Su Street and Hang Manh Street, you’ll also get to sample traditional delicacies such as pan-fried Banh Goi (a mixture of mashed rice, pork and vermicelli), crab-filled Bun Cha (served with fried spring rolls) and O Mai (salted or sugared dry fruits).

Afterwards, continue to the ancient Temple of Literature. It is dedicated to Confucius and hosts the Imperial Academy – Vietnam’s first national university. You’ll make a trip to the famous Hoa Lo Prison (colloquially known as the “Hanoi Hilton”) before enjoying a cycle ride around the 11th-century Old Quarter, still an area of bustling shops and markets selling silks, jewellery and handicrafts. Your tour ends at the Lake of the Restored Sword and a water puppet show – an ancient tradition originating in the riverside villages of northern Vietnam.

A delightful morning drive takes you to Tuan Chau Marina, where you’ll board your luxury vessel for the night, the Heritage Line ‘Ginger’ junk. Prepare to cruise around Halong Bay, where thousands of sculptured limestone towers loom out of the tranquil emerald waters like jagged dragon’s teeth. Local legend says that an enormous dragon gouged out the flooded valley with its tail whilst charging towards the sea. Today it’s listed as a World Heritage Site.

Your stylish floating home sets sail around midday. Enjoy lunch in the light-filled dining room whilst drinking in panoramic views of the passing scenery – including a 100-year-old French-built lighthouse. The first part of your cruise explores Lan Ha Bay, a beautiful part of Halong Bay that recently opened to the public. Relax on the sun deck and soak in the fascinating scenery of this surreal seascape. At the village of Viet Hai on Cat Ba Island, you’ll disembark to explore the area by electric car (or bicycle), a chance to meet the locals as they go about their daily work and school life.

Head back on board for an interactive cooking class as the Ginger pulls into a tranquil anchor spot for the night.

Stay: One night in a Junior Suite aboard the Ginger – including breakfast, lunch and dinner

An early morning Tai Chi session on the sun deck, followed by tea and pastries in the dining room, starts your day. Ginger anchors up and cruises to Frog Lake, a delightfully secluded spot where you can hop into kayaks and paddle through the dreamlike landscape with its tree-topped islands. Returning to the boat, a slow cruise takes you back to the pier, where you alight and return to Hanoi, arriving shortly before midday. You’ll be met for a full-day drive up into the hills west of Hanoi, stopping en route for a quick bite.

Stay: Three nights in a Ferns Grand Mountain Suite at the Avana Retreat – including breakfast and dinner

Over the next two days, enjoy leisurely walks in the local area, taking in the stunning scenery and interacting with the local ethnic groups. Spend the afternoon relaxing on your large terrace, swimming in the main pool or enjoying one of your included daily treatments at the Orchid Spa.

Today you will be driven back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang. You will be met for the 45-minute transfer to your hotel on arrival.

Stay: Two nights in a Deluxe River View Suite at the Anantara Hoi An Resort – including breakfast

Day 8 brings you to beautiful Hoi An, one of Asia’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the city’s centre remains much the same as it was in its heyday.

After breakfast you’ll get a glimpse of Hoi An’s illustrious past in the World Heritage-listed Ancient Town, whose narrow lanes are ideal for exploring on foot. A walking tour will reveal old merchant’s house with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation. Not forgetting the colourful market stalls brimming with silks, handicrafts, antiques and paintings – perfect for souvenir shopping!

The remainder of the day is free for leisure. You might like to visit nearby Cua Dai Beach, popular with locals and visitors for its soft sands, warm sea and seafood stalls.

This morning you’ll head to Danang Railway Station to board The Vietage. Owned by Anantara, this elegant 12-guest carriage bolts onto the back of the local unification express and offers one of the country’s most exclusive railway experiences.

It links historic Hoi An to the unhurried coastlines of Quy Nhon on a six-hour journey that immerses travellers in the romance of the rails. Inspired by the beauty of Vietnam and the luxury of vintage rail travel, The Vietage’s six spacious booths feature two comfortable window seats, offering everyone onboard views of Central Vietnam’s verdant plains, forested mountains and sparkling shores. The beautifully designed carriage also features its own sit-up bar, gourmet dining, private restroom and a dedicated area for head and shoulder treatments.

Departing Danang around in the morning, you can expect to arrive in Quy Nhon at around 3 pm. On arrival at Dieu Tri Station, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Bai San Ho by road.

Stay: Four nights in a Beach Pool Villa at the Zannier Bai San Ho – breakfast included

Your opportunity to experience some true rest and relaxation has arrived. Nestled on a secluded peninsula in Vietnam’s Phu Yen province, your luxury resort is surrounded by tropical reefs, scenic hiking trails and sparkling white sands.

You’ll have two days at your leisure which you can choose to indulge in surfing, fishing, kayaking, snorkelling and cultural visits to nearby villages, temples and markets.

Take a leisurely morning transfer to Quy Nhon Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel at the heart of Vietnam’s busy, young and energetic capital.

Stay: Two nights in a Deluxe Room at The Caravelle – including breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll take a private speedboat ride from Tan Cang port to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels – a vast underground network (complete with trap doors, living areas and storage facilities) which played a vital role during the Vietnam War. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Ho Chi Minh to the Cambodian border, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 – 40km from the capital.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll try some of Ho Chi Minh’s famous iced coffee before enjoying a walking tour around the old colonial quarter, home to Gustave Eiffel’s Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Basilica. Meander along Dong Khoi (formerly Catinat Street) and Nguyen Hue Street to get a great view of the famous city hall. Then, visit the former Presidential Palace, followed by the War Remnants Museum if time permits.

Today is at leisure until your transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for your return flight home.