Guided Touring in Vietnam

Walks are between 1-5 miles with some gradual ascent on some days. There will be a choice of walks around Sapa on two days, with the harder walks up to 9 miles with up to about 1,500 feet of ascent.

Day 1: To Ho Chi Minh City - Fly from London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Morning arrival and transfer to the Sofitel Plaza Saigon for a stay of 2 nights. Take an afternoon walk through the city to Reunification Palace, with its interesting and turbulent history.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels - Travel out of the city to Cu Chi, and see amazing network of tunnels dug by the Viet Cong. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Saigon, including the cathedral of Notre Dame, Vinh Nghiem pagoda, and the historic Chinese district of Cholon.

Day 4: Mekong Delta - Head south out of the city towards My Tho, where the mighty Mekong meets the South China Sea. Take a boat cruise and see the fishing villages of the delta.

Day 5: To Hoi An - Fly to Danang and drive to the picturesque old port of Hoi An, visiting the Cham museum en route. Stay 2 nights at Hoi An Beach Resort.

Day 6: My Son & Hoi An - Journey into the countryside to the ruins of the Champa kingdom at My Son. Return to Hoi An for a walking tour of its ancient winding streets, once the biggest port in Asia, a centre of the spice trade and meeting point between Chinese, Japanese, and European traders.

Day 7: To Hué - Travel up the coast, stopping for a walk at the Marble Mountains for scenic coastal views. Arrive in the ancient Imperial capital of Hué, and take a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda. Stay 2 nights at the Pilgrimage Village hotel.

Day 8: Hué - Enjoy a walking tour of Hué’s ancient city, visiting the Royal Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City and Dong Ba market.

Day 9: To Hanoi - Fly to Hanoi and the Sofitel Plaza hotel for 1 night. Take a walking tour of the capital to the Temple of Literature, including a cyclo ride around the fascinating old quarter. Evening visit to the water puppets show.

Day 10: Hanoi & to Sapa - Morning visit to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, then travel into the countryside around Hanoi and explore the limestone hills around the ancient Thay Pagoda. Return to Hanoi for dinner and to freshen up. Evening transfer to the station to take the comfortable overnight train (2 berth cabins) for an enjoyable journey into the northern hill tribe areas.

Day 11: Sapa - Arrive in Lao Cai and transfer to the Victoria Sapa hotel for 2 nights. Walk to Sapa market and continue with a choice of walks around this scenic area of traditional hill villages of the Black H’mong community. Walk by the rice terraces, narrow rivers and the beautiful scenery of the Muong Hoa valley to Tavan village.

Day 12: Sapa - A choice of walks to the picturesque minority village of Taphin, passing through spectacular landscapes of steep hills and verdant valleys, and remote villages where ancient traditions survive.

Day 13: Bac Ha Market - Morning visit to Bac Ha market, the biggest market in the hill tribes area. Walk to H’mong minority villages and then drive back to Lao Cai to take the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 14: To Halong Bay - Early morning arrival in Hanoi, breakfast and freshen up at a hotel. We then drive to the coast, stopping in rural villages on the way, to the extraordinary scenery of Halong Bay. Board the well-appointed Bhaya Junk for a cruise around the bay, stopping off for a short walk on one of the islands or enjoy a relaxed kayak, with islets dotted all around. We overnight on the junk in the peaceful waters of the bay.

Day 15: Halong Bay & to Hanoi - Wake to the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay and cruise through the waters. Afternoon return to Hanoi and the Sofitel Plaza hotel for 2 nights.

Day 16: Hanoi - Free day in Hanoi to explore the city some more, unwind around the lake or shop for souvenirs.

Day 17: To London - Transfer to the airport for a flight to London via Bangkok, arriving this evening.