An Intro to Vietnam, from North to South

Private transfer and a two-night stay in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Your hotel is a quiet oasis located in an area that is both buzzing and peaceful, due to its famous 'Lake of the Returned Sword' (Ho Hoan Kiem), which offers a great escape from the stresses of modern life. The lake is also home to one of the last remaining known Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei).
In your itinerary - Afternoon with a local guide, including a trip to the Vietnam Museum Of Ethnology, which documents the history and culture of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, followed by a scooter ride through the colonial district. With the city's tree-lined avenues and small streets, it feels like a little provincial France on Hanoi's Red River. On the way, stop off at the Ngoc Son Taoist Temple (15th century) in the middle of Hoan Kiem lake.

Get up early and sit by the lake, watching the locals perform tai chi, a martial art practised in the morning. This is followed up by arguably the most popular Vietnamese dish there is: pho (broth of beef, noodles and coriander). Then, start to tick off the top sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the communist leader's stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda (Mot Cot - 13th and 20th centuries), the Temple of Literature and the Quan Thanh Taoist Temple (both founded in the 11th century).
Your itinerary includes - a dinner reservation in a former Jesuit residence recently renovated by a French chef, which serves Vietnamese cuisine with a French twist.

Take a private transfer to the bay and immediately embark on a traditional wooden junk boat for the Halong Bay cruise to the less-crowded area of Bai Tu Long Bay. Nearly 2,000 karst islands topped with thick jungle vegetation make up a stunning landscape that UNESCO has added to its list of World Heritage Sites. Explore the caves and take a dip. Overnight stay and meals on board: all courtesy of the bay!

In the morning, practise a few tai chi exercises on the upper deck. Explore the Sung Sot cave, where fascinating rock formations are lit up with bright colours.
Return to the port, private transfer to Hanoi airport through the rice paddies of the Red River Delta. On the way, stop at the splendid But Thap Temple (17th century), which may just be Vietnam's most beautiful religious building.
Domestic flight to Hue, private transfer and two-night stay in a small rural village nearby. The village is lined with beautiful traditional buildings and is surrounded by forest. Your hotel's restaurant serves magnificent local cuisine which is spicy, mostly vegetarian and beautifully presented. If you really want to treat yourself, head for a pampering session in the spa.

The former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty is a wonder to behold, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive citadel, located on the banks of the Perfume River, was home to the Purple Forbidden City, which was the Emperor's legendary residence. Although it was severely damaged during the Tet offensive during the Vietnam War (1968), it has nevertheless retained a lot of its original features. On a different note entirely is the Quoc H?c – Hue High School for the Gifted, which was built in 1915 by the French. Just two miles from the citadel is the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (17th century), which is one of the city's iconic sites. Enjoy a free day where you can discover all this (and more) at your own leisure.
Optional - Explore the unspoiled beauty of Tam Giang Lagoon, just a short distance from Hue.

Private transfer to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. This famous road is called the 'Ocean Cloud Pass' for a reason; it offers impressive views of luscious mountains and beyond. Stop off at two great locations on the way: Lang Co beach and the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang. The Chams were a civilisation that flourished along the coasts of what is now central and southern Vietnam, and whose ancient culture was strongly influenced by India, as illustrated by a magnificent collection of religious statues (8th-13th centuries). In Hoi An, spend two nights just one mile from the city centre, in the rice paddies of an eco-village on the banks of the De Vong River. The hotel is a fantastic example of a family-run business, combining simplicity and warmth.

Included in the itinerary - A morning cruise around Hoi An, split in two parts; first, embark on a fishing boat, which is a great way to watch the locals fish with lift nets and cast nets. Then, board a basket boat, which is a round, bamboo-woven boat tied to a fishing boat, sailing peacefully through landscapes of mangroves, lagoons, and palm trees.
You'll then have time to stroll through the ancient trading port (famous for its silk and spices) of Hoi An, which has been exceptionally well preserved. Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and French traders have all left architectural footprints here. In the evening, the yellow facades of houses on the dock line the river with copper reflections.
Your evening itinerary includes a dinner at the house of a local in the small agricultural village of Tra Que, just one mile from Hoi An. A family welcomes you into their home for a meal, where you'll sample Vietnamese cuisine and immerse yourself in local life.

Private transfer to Da Nang airport and flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Two-night stay in a central hotel with all the modern comforts... this is definitely needed in the high-octane city of Ho Chi Minh City, also widely known by its former name of Saigon.
The city's iconic sites: Giac Lam Pagoda (18th century), Ho Chi Minh City Hall (1902-1908), the Central Post Office (1886-1891 - designed by Gustave Eiffel), Notre Dame Cathedral (1880 - built of bricks from Toulouse), and the large Ben Thanh marketplace (1912). However, you're not a real Saigonese if you haven't travelled around the city on a scooter.
So, in your itinerary, we have included the opportunity to become Saigonese for the night with an expert guide. Climb on behind the driver and head to Cholon and districts Four, Three and One. Stop off for a 'banh xeo' (Vietnamese tortilla) and a drink (don't worry, the driver will stay as sober as a judge). The permanent buzz of Vietnam's largest city is not a myth: it's as bustling at night as it is during the day.

Some iconic sites on the tour include Giac Lam Pagoda - City Hall (with a bell tower, which isn't that common for this part of the world) - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Central Post Office designed by Eiffel - Central Market - Cholon Chinatown - Indian Mosque.
Optional - The art of tea in Vietnam: an introduction to tea by a specialist in the Le Thanh Son art gallery, tea and calligraphy house.