Essential Vietnam & Sapa Valley nature

After breakfast, depart for the daily Sapa market, which is a real insight into Vietnamese culture and is sure to be a colourful and vibrant sight. After visiting the market, head out of town where you can walk downhill across a charming stream to Suoi Ho Village, which sits beautifully upon a low hill.

Visit the local homes and get a great understanding of local life before continuing on to Ma Tra Village, which is home to a stunningly colourful flower farm. Visit the ruins of a French Catholic church before being transferred back to Sapa. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure before taking a shuttle bus back to Hanoi (about 6h ride) for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to begin your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board.

Important: The cruise operator will choose one itinerary to either Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations. There will be no guide on board.

A Tai Chi class is available on the sundeck for early risers before brunch on board, as the boat continues cruising around Ha Long Bay. Cruise past many islets named after their unique shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger and so on.

Follow the boat staff to explore one of the most magnificent caves, before cruising back to the dock, disembarking at approximately 10:30 a.m. From here, transfer to the airport to catch an afternoon flight to Danang. Arrive and drive to Hoi An, a charming city, known for its pretty lantern-lit streets.

Get settled at the hotel and spend the evening enjoying the unique atmosphere and excellent cuisine of Hoi An. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know Hoi An today on a half-day guided walking tour. See the ancient town, famous for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and vibrant culture. Discover historic merchant houses, ancient pagodas and tranquil places of worship, as well as the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, an icon of Hoi An and the beautiful woodcarvings of the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation.

Visit a traditional Hoi An tailor shop, where you can purchase made-to-order clothes and learn about the heritage of bespoke clothes-making in Hoi An before enjoying a 1-hour scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Spend the rest of the day getting to know this vibrant city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Hoi An behind today as you embark on a scenic coastal drive towards the city of Hue. Along this spectacular route enjoy the views of passing countryside and daily life in rural Vietnam.

Make a stop at My Khe beach, one of the most beautiful in the county and experience breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the famous Hai Van pass. Stop at Lang Co Lagoon to admire traditional fishing methods in action before arriving in Hue in the afternoon. A tranquil city, it was once the Imperial capital, home to an array of palaces, pagodas, royal tombs and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River.

On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the impressive Royal Tu Duc Tomb. End the day with an interesting visit to a family-run incense stick-making workshop. Overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the Vietnam-American War.

Continue visiting the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and move to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city, exploring at your own pace. We also recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta*. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

*Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Exchange city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. Depart from Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive to My Tho, known as the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, go to the waterfront pier and embark on an enjoyable motorboat excursion over the beautiful Delta scenery, with houses built on stilts and local fish farms along the way. Trade the boat for a bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and customary cottages.

You will have the chance to see a family-run business where they make coconut candy directly in front of the pier. Taste local tea with honey and sample fruits while chatting with local people to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and traditional customs. Cap off the excursion with a memorable cruise by a rowing sampan that will take you along the narrow canals past lush orchards and sleepy villages. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the mid-afternoon.