Highlights of Vietnam

Begin your Vietnam holiday with a tour of Hanoi, in the north of the country. Explore the country’s capital city over the course of two nights that includes traditional performances, excursions to artisanal villages and an exploration of Hanoi’s beautiful ancient and colonial architectural heritage. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, the country’s first university, lovely old neighbourhoods, and romantic waterfront promenades along Hoan Kiem Lake and buzzing night markets.

Next, visit Hanoi’s Ethnography Museum and the Tran Pottery Village to learn about the life and culture of the local communities. During your time here, you will also get to savour Hanoi’s famous fish noodle soup, crab spring rolls and delicious barbequed pork with rice noodles.

After uncovering the charms of Hanoi, go on a one-night and two-days cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, or the more tranquil Lan Ha Bay. Spend your days swimming, snorkelling, visiting local villages in bamboo boats and trying your hand at cooking traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Soak in the spectacular karst landscape of emerald islands, mysterious limestone caves and dramatic outcrops. While aboard, savour sumptuous meals, relax on deck lounges overlooking the bay, enjoy a variety of entertainment and spot the local flora and fauna. Look out for the local weeping fig trees, casuarina pines and Cat Ba langurs that inhabit the islands and villages you will pass.

Your next stop is the old imperial city of Hue that lies along the Perfume River. Wedged between the Mekong and the Red River deltas, Hue sits astride the country’s two major rice producing regions. Explore the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel with its royal gardens, ornate tombs and Buddhist pagodas.

Go on dragon boat rides down the Perfume River and stop by traditional workshops to watch artisans make incense sticks. You will also get to visit the magnificent Thien Mu pagoda and the lively Dong Ba market. While here, try rice noodle rolls with grilled pork, or the crispy rice pancakes, which Hue’s royalty used to love.

Your next stop is what was once the thriving trading port of Hoi An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largely pedestrian city centre enshrines lovingly preserved architecture in the old Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese styles. Hoi An is perfect for a relaxing holiday by the seaside. Enjoy leisurely river boat rides and heritage walks around weathered tea houses, pretty shopfronts where traditional lanterns hang, and grand old merchant houses cloaked in flowering creepers.

Explore the popular tailoring shops of Hoi An’s local market area, which is famous for its traditional silks and textiles. You can also sign up for a Vietnamese cooking class to learn how to make Hoi An chicken rice and white rose dumplings.

Take a small break from exploring Vietnam's history and culture on the white sand beaches of Nha Trang. Spend a few leisurely days at this popular Vietnamese seaside town, swimming, snorkelling, sun bathing and taking long walks along the beautiful coastline.

There’s a treasure trove of marine life to be discovered among the colourful reefs here. Nha Trang is also a great place to try some scrumptious seafood, along with some local wines and spirits.

Explore the historic city of Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as we know it today. Walk about and admire the city's buildings that are a mix of traditional Khmer, French colonial and modern architecture.

Visit landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built with material bought all the way from France, and the Opera House. There is also the old Presidential Palace, which was used as the Government headquarters during the Vietnam War. Soak in the atmosphere of De Tham Street with its aromatic food stalls and traditional cafés, stopping to savour Saigonese grills, seafood, Vietnamese coffee and local craft beers.

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