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Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll meet a local representative at the airport for the private transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet the group at a welcome meeting at 6 pm, then head out for dinner with your local leader. When you arrive at the restaurant, you’ll step straight into a piece of Vietnamese history – originally an opium refinery built in 1861, this building still holds subtle nods to its past. Feast on a menu filled with classics and southern Vietnamese favourites, like pho (noodle soup) and bun thit nuong (grilled pork and noodles).

Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta – a network of rivers and canals with floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Then, visit with the NGO Green Hub to see how Intrepid’s travel choices can create positive environmental impact beyond the trip itself. Green Hub’s initiatives include mangrove protection and plastic waste reduction to protect coastal ecosystems. Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.

This morning, head out on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km/124 mi) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon walk through central Saigon. Pass the City People’s Committee, Opera House, old CIA building viewpoint and Post Office to contrast important landmarks, civic history and modern city life. Tonight, perhaps visit the renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated, modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

This morning, hop a flight to Hoi An via Da Nang. When you arrive, head to lunch at a local restaurant, then take an Old Town walking tour with your leader. Discover Hoi An’s ancient heritage-listed architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low-tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese Assembly Hall and visit a local museum to learn more about the history you uncovered on the walk.

Take the morning to enjoy some free time, then after lunch, head to Hoi An, once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom and still home to many Cham descendants. Today, you’ll have an after-hours Premium Experience at the My Son Sanctuary – a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Meet with an expert Cham researcher who will explain their work as an archaeologist and monument conservator, give insight into this ethnic group and discuss the significance of My Son. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples and serene surroundings, return to Hoi An and have free time for dinner.

Today is free for you to experience Hoi An at your own pace. You might start with a wander through the Old Town, stopping at assembly halls, heritage houses and quiet backstreets along the Thu Bon River. Maybe head out by bike to nearby villages, visit a tailor for a custom-made piece (the tailors are famous in Hoi An and can sometimes even have your piece ready in 24 hours!) or join a cooking class to get a closer look at central Vietnamese flavours. In the evening, choose a riverside restaurant or see the town lit by lanterns.

Head for Hue this morning – the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam'’s historic past. On the way, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic, mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co Beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war.