Vietnam in depth

A more extensive tour of Vietnam, from north to south, mainly by road so that you better experience the diverse scenery of this fascinating country. As well as the main highlights, the tour includes the beaches and offshore islands of south central Vietnam, and the hill station of Dalat in the central highlands, plus a stay in the Mekong Delta, in order to give you a fuller flavour of the country.

Day 1 Depart UK.
Day 2 Arrive Hanoi. Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free.
Day 3 Morning city tour of Hanoi, first visiting Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and his house in the grounds of the presidential palace. Then visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kien Lake and the Old Quarter. In the afternoon take an excursion out of the city to Bac Ninh, famous for its traditional culture. Visit local houses and enjoy traditional folksongs before travelling on to Haiphong for overnight stay.
Day 4 Drive to Halong Bay. Board your boat for a cruise around Halong Bay, with seafood lunch cooked on board. Return to Hanoi and visit to theatre for traditional music performance.
Day 5 Transfer to airport for flight to Hue. In the afternoon visit the imperial citadel, the palace that was the centre of power for the Nyugen emperors from 1802 onwards.
Day 6 Morning boat cruise on the Perfume River, via the Thien Mu Pagoda, to the tombs of two of Vietnam's emperors, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Proceed to Danang by car over the dramatic Hai Van Pass, stopping at the Marble Mountains before arriving at the ancient town of Hoi An.
Day 7 Half day walking tour around the centre of Hoi An, visiting merchants' houses, temples, the Japanese covered bridge and the colourful riverside market. Afternoon tour to local craft workshops and a boat trip on the Thu Bon River.
Day 8 In the morning travel by road to Qui Nhon, via Sa Huynh beach and Tam Quan and the Cham towers at Ban It, vestiges of the medieval Cham kingdom that occupied Vietnam's coastal strip.
Day 9 Travel by road along spectacular mountain and beach scenery on the road between Qui Nhon and Nha Trang, with stops at beaches and remote Cham ruins en route.
Day 10 Morning boat trip to some of the unspoilt tropical islands off Nha Trang. In the afternoon visit the Po Nagar Cham towers, the Long Son Pagoda, and Nha Trang's cathedral.
Day 11Travel by road up into the mountains to the hill station of Dalat in the central highlands. Visit the former summer residence of Vietnam's last emperor Bao Dai, and view some of Dalat's other unique architecture.
Day 12 In the morning visit Dalat's colourful market for departing by road for Ho Chi Minh City. Stop at Prenn Waterfall and rubber, tea and coffee plantations en route.
Day 13 Morning excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels, created by the Vietcong to hide from American bombing. Return to the city for afternoon tour to include the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, Notre Dame Cathedral, old Central Post Office, Cholon or Chinatown, and Binh Tay Market.
Day 14 Travel out of the city to the Mekong Delta, taking a boat from Ben Tre. View local farm industries like sweet manufacture and bee-keeping. Boat trip through the narrow waterways of the delta, with lunch at Qui At. Continue boat trip to Phu Tuc village for overnight stay in a local house.
Day 15 After breakfast, boat trip to Cai Be to view the floating market, and traditional family-run businesses, before travelling back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 16 Transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.