Highlights of Vietnam

Day 1- Thai Airways flight to Hanoi via Bangkok.

Leave London Heathrow in the afternoon by Thai Airways International flight via Bangkok (11 hours 20 minutes) to Hanoi (1 hour 45 minutes)

Day 2- Arrive in Hanoi for a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter and an evening water puppet show.

Arrive in the morning where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Silk Path Hotel Hanoi (Premium Deluxe room) for early check-in with breakfast included. Begin your exploration of the Vietnamese capital by taking a cyclo ride through the bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its myriad of artisans and craft shops. Afternoon at leisure. This evening attend a water puppet performance.

Day 3- Tour of Hanoi and depart for Pom Coong.

Before breakfast an optional early morning Tai Chi lesson with your guide in a park with the locals is available. An included tour of the city this morning takes in the 11th century Temple of Literature, the beautiful setting of Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will also be visited. Depart on a 4 hour scenic bus ride to Pom Coong, a village of the Thai ethnic minority in Mai Chau valley. Spend 2 nights at the Mai Chau Lodge (Deluxe Mountain View room.

Day 4- Leisure time and a visit to a Thai ethnic minority village.

Free leisure time in the morning before enjoying lunch in Pom Coong Village. In the afternoon take a light walk on the village road to Xo, a Thai ethnic minority village.

Day 5- Local walk and return to Hanoi.

After breakfast at the home stay, walk on village roads which run between mountains and rice paddies. We reach our lunch stop, Van Mai Village, around 11:30am. Lunch in a local house before taking a bus ride back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in the early evening for an overnight stay in the Silk Path Hotel.

Day 6- Overnight cruise at Halong Bay.

In the morning transfer to Halong Bay (approximately 3 hours) to board the Bai Tho Cruise (cabin on-board) for an overnight cruise. Halong Bay is one of the most unique landscapes in South East Asia, with more than 3,000 islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong means, “Where the dragon descends into the sea” and legend has it that the 3,000 islands rising from the clear waters of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon who formed the visible rock outcrops with its flailing tail. On embarking your boat, enjoy a trip through the spectacular rocky scenery, with lunch served on board. The one night cruise provides views of stunning mountain scenery and floating villages as well as opportunities to explore the natural wonders of the bay such as Surprise Cave and Titop Island.

Day 7- Morning cruise before flying to Danang and Hoi An.

Early risers may like to enjoy watching the sunrise from the deck. After breakfast continue cruising through Halong Bay admiring the beautiful scenery and visit one of the caves. Mid morning check out of your cabin and after brunch on board disembark at around 11am and return by road to Hanoi (approximately 3.5 hours). Transfer to the airport for the flight to the city of Danang (1 hour 15 minutes), in Central Vietnam. On arrival at Danang Airport you will be met by and transferred to the captivating nearby trading port of Hoi An (30 km/approximately 45 mins). Stay at the Life Heritage Resort (Superior Garden View room) for 2 nights.

Day 8- Walking tour of Hoi An and time to see the Full Moon Festival.

This morning enjoy a walking tour through the picturesque narrow streets of the city, including a visit to the Japanese Bridge. Stop at the home of a craftsman in the old quarter for a silk lantern making workshop. Enjoy a brief introduction to the history, shape and colour of the lanterns, as well as the many stages of making them. Make your own lantern to take home as a souvenir. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or spend further time exploring the old town. Hoi An is renowned for its tailor shops and for its production of cotton cloth providing an ideal opportunity to purchase made to measure clothes and shoes. There is also an optional excursion to My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A number of the 70 towers dotted around this remarkable complex were damaged during the Vietnam War, but it still remains an important testimony to a unique culture. This evening enjoy the Hoi An Full Moon Festival when the town turns off any excess lights and decorates the streets with candles and lanterns. Traditional music fills the air whilst tea lights float down the river in a truly magical evening. All of our tours are timed to coincide with this ancient event.

Day 9- Morning at leisure before leaving for Hue.

This morning is free at leisure. Return to the hotel to check out by 12 noon, and then transfer to Danang (30 km/approximately 45 mins) to visit the fascinating Cham Museum displaying a diverse collection of Champa sculptures dating from the 7th to 15th century. Afterwards continue over the Hai Van Pass to the city of Hue, the capital of Vietnam under the powerful Nguyen Dynasty (approx. 3 hours/110 km). You will be staying for 2 nights at the Morin Hotel (Premium City Deluxe room).

Day 10- Boat trip along the Perfume River. Visit the moated Citadel and Imperial City.

A morning boat trip along the Perfume River brings you to the enchanting Thien Mu Pagoda and the impressive tomb of Minh Mang. In the afternoon visit the moated Citadel and Imperial City, including the Forbidden Purple City reserved for the private life of the Emperor.

Day 11- Fly to Saigon and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Fly this morning to Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour 15 minutes)). Enjoy an afternoon visit to the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnels. Stay at the Majestic Hotel (Colonial City Deluxe room).

Day 12- Day trip to the Mekong Delta.

Today includes a full day trip to the Mekong Delta. Essential to the very livelihoods of its people, the myriad network of channels and tributaries that make up the Mekong Delta offers a spectacular window upon life along the banks of this mighty river. Rich in cultural diversity and scenic splendour, the lush landscapes present an ever-changing tableau of village life, offering a stark contrast to the colonial grandeur and vibrancy of some other parts of the region This evening an optional ‘Saigon by Vespa’ tour is available for those who are keen to experience this vibrant city the way the locals do – on two wheels!

Day 13- At leisure with an evening departure to London via Bangkok.

At leisure, with a choice of optional excursions available this morning, including a half-day cookery course which includes a visit to a local market and preparing your own lunch, or a fascinating half-day Saigon Art History tour. Your room has been booked for a late check out until 6pm (late check-out after 6pm is available at an additional charge). This evening fly to Bangkok to connect with the Thai Airways International flight to London.

Day 14- Arrive in London Heathrow.

Arrive in London Heathrow early this morning.

Silk Path Hotel

Silk Path Hotel is a 4 star boutique hotel located a 10 minute walk from the Hoam Kiem lake. Premium deluxe rooms are tastefully designed room with luxurious furnishings. All rooms are equipped with a long working desk, bath tub & shower, safety box, hair dryer, mini bar, and plasma TV. The hotel boast 2 onsite restaurants, 2 bars and a fitness centre equipped with a steam bath and sauna.

Mai Chau Lodge

Bai Tho

Bai Tho offer a variety of traditional style 'junk boats', small enough to be intimate but large enough to be comfortable, and are the perfect way to explore the bay with between 9 and 18 cabins each. The Bai Tho boat cabins are cosy with twin or double beds, air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and picture-windows. The Vietnamese food on board is exceptional, served by friendly local staff. There is also a top deck for those who love sunbathing.

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

The Life Heritage Resort Hoi An is situated in the French colonial quarter of the UNESCO world heritage town Hoi An. Just a few minutes walk from the old town this tranquil property is set in landscaped gardens and situated right on the riverbank. All 94 rooms consist of a bedroom, living area and a private porch and some of the rooms also have a river view. As well as the swimming pool there is a wellness area with a Traditional Chinese Medicine pavilion as well as a reflexology massage pavilion. The Life Resort is perfect for those looking for comfortable surroundings within easy reach of the centre of Hoi An.

Morin Hotel

Morin Hotel in Hue, is situated by the Perfume River and has 180 en-suite rooms and suites. There are several restaurants and bars in the hotel, which serve a mixture of Asian and Western food. Rooms overlook either the bustling street or landscaped garden and are equipped with IDD telephone, Satellite television, bathtubs and hair dryer. The hotel also features a swimming pool and a beauty and fitness centre.

The Majestic Hotel

The Majestic Hotel in Saigon, is an original French colonial building, located in the heart of the city and overlooking the Saigon River. There are several restaurants and bars to choose from, including a rooftop restaurant and bar with fantastic views. The rooms are en-suite and have electronic safes, IDD telephone, mini-bar, hairdryer and satellite television. Other services include same day laundry service, currency exchange, florist and gift shop. (www.majestic-saigon.com)

Cambodia Extension - 4 nights

Extra Days:5Cost:from £ 660

A recommended extension is for 4 nights into Cambodia, taking in the capital city and the jungle temples of Angkor. Explore the magnificent Khmer temples and jungle ruins of Angkor, surely one of the most breathtaking and magical sights in South East Asia. During your time here you will visit the major ruins of the Khmer civilisation, including the Royal City of Angkor Thom, containing the impressive Bayon and the Ta Prohm Temple, romantically overrun by the verdant jungle vegetation. Angkor Wat itself is the very symbol of Cambodia and one of the greatest archaeological sites anywhere on earth with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build and is best enjoyed at sunset. Visit Banteay Srei; the citadel of women - a tiny, enchanting temple and take a cruise between the floating homes and many fish farms of Tonle Sap.

Thailand Beach Extension

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 420

From the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand, these tropical havens are amongst the finest beaches in the world. Served by some of the best resorts in Asia, the golden sands of Koh Samui, Krabi, Koh Lanta and the royal favourire Hua Hin offer a choice of idyllic getaways. (Price based on 4 nights at Sheraton Krabi)

Thai Airways - Business Class

Cost: from £ 1590

Thai Airways currently has two types of business class seats available on long haul flights: a cradle style 'old' seat, and a new lie flat style which reclines to 170 degrees for sleeping, with each seat having telephone and laptop power point. The new seating is available on the A340-600, B747-400 (Selected aircraft), B777-300 (Selected aircraft),B777-200 and B777-200ER.