Overview
A holiday focused on North and Central Vietnam packs in some of the country's most iconic sights, history rich cities, natural beauty and beautiful beaches. Weatherwise perfect for those visiting between February and September.
Hanoi, the northern Capital city, stands out against many of its larger Asian cousins, maintaining an authenticity of national character that’s becoming harder to find as the world becomes increasingly homogenised. Halong Bay is the natural wonder of Vietnam and an overnight cruise is a must do for most. Majestic and mysterious in equal measure, over 1,600 limestone karsts dramatically dot this UNESCO World Heritage site.
From here it's a short flight to Hue, a small city on the Perfume River that was home to the last royal dynasty and the UNESCO Citadel. Head down the dramatic coast road to conclude your holiday in Hoi An a UNESCO World Heritage town with beautiful beach hotels.
Day 1: Depart on your choice of overnight flights to Hanoi
Day 2: Arrive Hanoi for 2 nights. Private transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day to settle in
Day 3: Full Day Hanoi City tour. Evening Street Eats & Market Tour.
Day 4: Board your overnight Halong Bay cruise exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site
Day 5: Morning cruise then fly to Hue for 2 nights
Day 6: Private guided tour of the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda & Monastery and Perfume River
Day 7: Private transfer down dramatic coast road over Cloudy Pass to Hoi An for 5 nights on the beach
Days 8 - 11: Free days to relax on the beach, explore the UNESCO Old Town and countryside
Day 12: Overnight flight home
Day 13: Arrive home
Full Itinerary
Day 1: UK Airport / Hanoi
Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Hanoi.
Day 2: Arrive Hanoi
On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to the city centre where you check in to your choice of hotel for 2 nights.
Hanoi offers the chance to enjoy authentic old school Far East. The hotel is in the centre and we’d recommend that you take a walk through the Old Quarter. Don’t be put off by the thousands of motor scooters, just dive in.
Day 3: Hanoi - City Tour & Evening Street Eats & Market Tour (B / L / D)
After breakfast you’ll be collected for a small group full day city tour. The day kicks off at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum where you join thousands of Vietnamese as they pay their respects filing past in 
solemn silence. The complex is also home to his former stilt-house, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. From here you walk a short distance to the archaeological site of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty and was the centre of regional political power for almost 13 centuries without interruption. Its history will be explained as you explore the site. After this, break for lunch in a lovely local restaurant.
The afternoon starts at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Originally built as a temple dedicated to Confucius, it became the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Then you’re off to Hanoi’s Old Quarter where you’ll visit Long Bien Bridge that was built between 1899 - 1902, whilst under French occupancy.
Your guide will take you across to the other side where you can see how close Hanoi is to countryside life. Back in the Old Quarter enjoy an hour’s exploration aboard a cyclo (Vietnamese cycle rickshaw). Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling warren of narrow streets is home to thousands of small businesses, including galleries, craft shops and restaurants. Back at hotel mid-afternoon.
This evening meet your tour guide for an introduction to Hanoi life that explores the flavours of northern street food amongst the alleys of the Old Quarter. 
Walk through a local night market, watching the bustle and array of goods on display, before setting off into the maze of alleys. Stop at a famous pho stall to try this world renowned beef noodle soup, before grabbing a stool at a ‘bia hoi corner’ where you can try the local brew (or soft drink) while watching the busy streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Bia Hoi is a draft beer that is brewed daily and usually drunk by locals sat on small plastic stools. Continue through the Old Quarter stopping to try some local delicacies such as savoury steamed rice rolls with wood ear mushroom and pork before you head for a Vietnamese style barbeque dinner. Here your guide will select an array meats, tofu and vegetables on skewers while you sit down as they flame grill the food for you. Dessert will be fresh tropical fruits over shaved ice, drizzled with condensed milk as a perfect way for Hanoians to finish off a street food evening. Finishes approx. 9pm.
Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B / L / D)
This morning you’ll be transferred by minibus to Halong Bay (3.5/4 hours). Meet the crew and board the traditional wooden junk for 1 night,
then relax and enjoy lunch while the boat heads toward the secluded islands. Visit ancient limestone caves and go sea kayaking and swimming (weather permitting). Return to the junk refreshed & invigorated to relax on deck with a drink watching the sunset and enjoy a seafood dinner under the stars.
Day 5: Halong Bay (B) - Fly Hanoi to Hue
Enjoy breakfast as you continue to cruise through Bai Tu Long and visit the floating fishing village of Vong Vieng to learn more about daily life living on the bay. Cruise back to the dock whilst enjoying a light lunch for return drive to the city and onward flight to Hue for 2 nights.
Day 6: Hue - Private Guided Citadel, Tien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River Tour (B / L)
This morning your private guide will collect you for the tour to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Straddling the Perfume River, this was the Nguyen capital, the last dynasty in Vietnam. It dominates Hue and its 
moated walls protect the forbidden Purple City, the former home of the royal family that’s modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Take your time wandering through the fascinating tombs, temples and museums and past pagodas, lakes and pavilions. As you walk around you’ll also see the scars still visible from the Citadel’s prominent role during the Tet Offensive. You may also have time to visit the Minh Mang tomb, perhaps the most majestic of all Hue’s elaborate Nguyen mausoleums that are scattered around the countryside.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant, then short cruise down Perfume River to Hue’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda. Built on a hill between the river and pine forest the distinctive seven-tiered octagonal tower is the focal point of the complex and is one of the oldest and most attractive in the country. Continue through the working monastic complex to a beautifully kept garden and cemetery at the base of the Truong Son Mountains. Back at the hotel late afternoon. This evening perhaps take a walk through the small night market that runs through the town.
Day 7: Hue (B) to Hoi An by car
This morning your guide will pick you up for the private car transfer to Hoi An via the dramatic Hai Van Pass, with plenty of time to stop and take some pictures looking down along the dramatic coastline. On arrival check in to your choice of beach hotel for 5 nights (or more / less).
Days 8-11: Hoi An (B) - Beach, UNESCO Old Town & Beautiful Countryside
4 days to relax on the beach, explore the Old Town and perhaps add an optional excursion out into the countryside or enjoy an informal cooking course. Hoi An’s Old Town is beautifully preserved and car free in the evening, so you can leisurely explore the historic streets, watching local artisans at work with silk, ceramics, paint and wood. Hoi An is famous for its tailoring heritage and is a popular place to have a little something run up.
Historical highlights include the Chua Ong Pagoda dating back to 1653, the Jinshang Temple that is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors, Tam Ky House a 200 year old ancestral house and the 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen and is a major landmark of Hoi An. The historic streets also house some beautifully atmospheric restaurants and during your stay we recommend that you come back for dinner when the town is lit by lantern light.
Day 12: Fly Home Overnight
Morning free then airport transfer and overnight flight home. Arrive back in UK the following morning.
Inclusions
What's Included:
Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.
We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.
The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.
General Inclusions:
- Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
- English speaking, local guide & driver
- Choice of hotel accommodation
- Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
- Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
General Exclusions:
- Entry visas (if applicable)
- Optional Tours / Excursions
- Any meals not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
- Travel insurance
- Any camera or video fees charged at sites
Where You'll Stay
Hotels
The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.
Vietnam
Hotels in Hanoi
Halong Bay Cruise Boats
Hotels in Hoi An