Vietnam Discovery

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you do arrive early, head out to see the ancient pagodas and cathedrals near the former Presidential Palace, the historic Dong Khoi Street and the chaotic markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown). After your meeting tonight, why not head out with your new fellow travellers for an optional dinner and tuck into some delicious local cuisine.

Get to know the streets of Ho Chi Minh City with your leader on an orientation walk this morning. You’ll check out some of the city’s highlights, like the Saigon Post Office and the War Remnants Museum, which holds sobering stories of the 20-year-long Vietnam War. The rest of the day is free for you to choose your own adventure. Maybe visit the Reunification Palace, watch the A O Show (a circus performance with a distinctive bamboo set design) at the Saigon Opera House or explore the vibrant local food scene.

Today is a free day for you to choose from the optional activities on offer. There’s the option to go on a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels – this former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, as well as underground life during the Vietnam War. Or, you could go on a day trip to the Mekong Delta. If you opt into this day trip, you’ll board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample some tropical fruits and coconut jams. You’ll then paddle along the delta in sampans (small rowing boats) and go on a tuk-tuk tour of the local villages to learn about rural life. The day trip also includes a lunch of regional specialties at a restaurant in the heart of the delta. This evening, you’ll board an overnight train to Danang.

Arrive in Da Nang by train and travel by minibus to Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to undergo restoration work today. It was a major trading port with the West between the 15th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. Your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit some of the city's major attractions. A sightseeing pass is included in your trip, so you can visit a selection of the major sights. Hoi An is also a great spot for shopping, so head down to the markets and street stalls to browse paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Don’t miss the excellent local cuisine – you could book yourself in for a cooking class to take some culinary secrets home with you. Most local guided tours include a trip to the local food markets, and some take you on a short boat journey along the Thu Bon River. Let your local leader know what you'd like to see and they will be able to recommend some activities to suit your interests.

Wake up for a free day to do as you please. This is a great opportunity to take a trip out to the My Son temples – a UNESCO World Heritage site constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation. In the afternoon, maybe hire a bike for a ride through the countryside near Hoi An. There's no better way to explore this peaceful area than on two wheels – you’ll see places few tourists get the chance to visit and the green rice paddies and small creeks will give you a true insight into rural life in Vietnam. Otherwise, you could spend today relaxing on An Bang or Cua Dai Beach.

Bid farewell to Hoi An this morning and make the drive to Hue. You’ll be travelling on the incredible Hai Van Pass, through lush mountains and past scenic lookouts, and there’ll be some good places for a photo stop. When you arrive in Hue, head out with your leader for an orientation walk, then the afternoon is free for you to explore. Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital and has a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil enclaves. Maybe visit the Dong Ba Market, which sells everything imaginable and is a great place to spend some time browsing. Hue is renowned for its cuisine, with some delicious dishes originating from this region, including bun bo Hue (Hue’s delicious take on pho) and banh khoai (a filled turmeric crepe) – it’s time to give your tastebuds a workout!

Enjoy a free day in Hue. Maybe visit the Imperial Citadel which includes the Forbidden Purple City that was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam War. The gaping holes left by bombs give you an idea of how much destruction occurred in this country. If you'd rather take to the water, hop on a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River and then visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the unofficial symbol of Hue. Here, you’ll see an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601 and a car belonging to the monk who tragically set himself alight in public to protest the treatment of Buddhists. You might also opt to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its central lake set amid a grove of frangipani and pine trees. This evening, take another overnight train, bound for Hanoi.