Best of Vietnam - Premium Adventure

Begin your adventure in Hanoi, the culture-rich capital of Vietnam. Stroll the broad tree-lined avenues, perhaps in search of great coffee being sold from the doorways of grand buildings. Around 6pm, say xin chào to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Vietnamese welcome by arranging dinner at Com Viet Heritage, a high-end restaurant specialising in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly from the north. Want to explore Hanoi further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a lounge premium room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Embark on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi this morning, visiting the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple built to resemble a lotus blossom. For lunch, we head to a local eatery that serves excellent bun cha, a Hanoian classic of noodles, broth and meat served with greens. Then explore Dong Xuan Market, the largest in Hanoi, where you can shop for souvenirs and sample street food. There may also be time to wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and perhaps enjoy the view from a lakeside cafe. Upgrade to a lounge premium room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Our first destination today (after a two-hour transfer) is Hoa Lu in the Ninh Binh province, capital of Vietnam during the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and early Le Dynasty (980-1009). Here we visit the Dinh Le King temples, among the most sacred structures in the district and dedicated to the founders of these important dynasties. We then head to the town of Tam Coc, which sits within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Here we board row boats, embarking on a one hour to 1hr 30min journey down the Ngo Dong River. Our adventure takes us through caves and past local villages – the surrounding limestone mountains make for a stunning backdrop.

After breakfast, we take a one-hour transfer to Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, a non-profit dedicated to wildlife and ecosystem conservation. At the centre, we meet a SVW co-ordinator who takes us on a tour to learn more about their preservation efforts and the endangered animals. We also meet some of the rescued animals and visit a half-wilderness area to see how they adapt before release. Then we visit Cuc Phuong National Park, where you can choose your own adventure. Options include: exploring the Cave of Prehistoric Man, where 7,500-year-old human relics were discover in the 1960s; visiting the Endangered Primate Rescue Center; or taking a leisurely walk in the jungle.

We make an early start for the approximate 81mi (130km) journey to Lan Ha Bay, where incredible karst islands and limestone outcrops mirror those at the better-known (and busier) Ha Long Bay. After arrival, we board our Premium boat and spend the afternoon cruising the waters. Hopping into a tender, we also visit the Dark and Bright caves, either by kayak or in a bamboo boat. The day ends with sunset drinks back on our Premium boat – a chance to relax and soak in the extraordinary views together.

Rise early for tai chi on deck, followed by our final chance to relax and take in the beauty of the bay. As the boat heads back to the harbour, we enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we transfer to Cat Ba Island to join a tour of Trung Trang Cave. Here we see impressive limestone formations and learn about the wartime history of the cave, when it served as a military base and command post. This afternoon, we transfer (approximately 2hr 30min) to Hanoi Airport to take a flight (approximately 1hr 15min) to Hue. Upon arrival, we transfer to the Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa, where we spend the next two nights.

After breakfast, we visit Thanh Tien village, which has been making paper flowers for more than 300 years. We also experience a Hue-style tea tasting at Tra Dinh Vu Di teahouse, learning from our host about the benefits of drinking royal tea and how to make a cup. This afternoon, we visit the royal tomb of Emperor Minh Mang – a World Heritage site, offering a peak into Vietnam’s imperial past and the Nguyen Dynasty’s rule.