Grand Tour of Indochina

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Departure
• Day 2
  Arrival in Hanoi - Upon arrival, we check into our hotel. Then, we enjoy a wonderful introduction to Hanoi, taking a trip into the city's old town on cycle rickshaws. Later on, we return to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
• Day 3
  Hanoi - Today we explore Hanoi, past and present. The French created this gorgeous colonial city of tree lined avenues, belle epoque villas, grand public buildings and an Opera house, all built around more than a dozen enchanting lakes. This graceful scene blends beautifully with its old quarter, a tangle of narrow streets, the commercial heart of the city for hundreds of years and now full of tiny shops, pagodas and the ever-present populace astride their bicycles and mopeds. During our guided tour we also see the beautiful Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and Vietnam’s first university, and the imposing marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh himself, embalmed and eerily on display. This afternoon is free for you to explore this beautiful city as you wish. You could even visit a traditional water puppet show (book and pay local)- a real spectacle where, as the name suggests, with the aid of fireworks and music, folk stories are played out by skilful puppeteers.
• Day 4
  Halong Bay Cruise - Today we visit Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Leaving Hanoi, we enter a timeless landscape of rice paddies, following the Red River delta to the emerald seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. Just offshore, some 3,000 limestone islands and outcrops rise almost vertically from the sea, forming one of the most extraordinary and spectacular bays in the world. As we board our converted Chinese junk and glide along the jade-green waters it’s not hard to imagine how the myths of their creation began: a dragon is said to have plunged into the sea and its thrashing tail sculpted the craggy islands. We visit some of the vast and beautifully illuminated caves and grottoes before having lunch on board. We return to Hanoi late afternoon.
• Day 5
  Hue - Today we take an early flight to Danang then continue through the dramatic scenery of Hai Van Pass. Translated as “Ocean Clouds” in Vietnamese, Hai Van Pass is flanked by jungle-clad mountains and spectacular coastal views. Upon arrival in Hue, we check in at the luxurious Senna Hue Hotel, enjoying the comfort and elegance of this five-star haven, including daily breakfast. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Vietnam’s former imperial capital and long-standing centre of religion, culture and education. Hue is a wonderful city, split by the peaceful Perfume River, with its dramatic Citadel dominating the skyline. This ancient fortress, surrounded by an impressive 6-mile stretch of 65-foot-thick walls and a protective moat, encapsulates the grandeur of the past.
• Day 6
  Hue Imperial City - This morning we start with a leisurely river cruise to the magnificent seven-storied Thien Mu pagoda, a working Buddhist shrine, affording beautiful views towards the mountains on the border with Laos. We then visit the incredible complex of the Citadel and within it, the Imperial City. We see the Palace of Supreme Harmony, which contained the emperor’s throne and was the site of the most important official ceremonies and functions. Everything is painted in the royal colours of red and gold and the whole building is a stunning example of the magnificent lifestyle enjoyed by the Vietnamese royal family. In the afternoon we visit Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum. More interested in poetry than running the country, Tu Duc’s lifestyle suggests he had plenty of free time - he had 104 wives, 50-course meals and tea made from the dewdrops of lotus blossoms! It took 3,000 workers three years to build his amazing mausoleum, which includes a large lake, pavilions and a theatre. Lunch is included today, and the evening is at leisure.
• Day 7
  Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Our early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City gives us plenty of time to make the most of the day. Upon arrival, we enjoy a guided tour of the city, which many locals still fondly call Saigon. Set on a wide riverbend, the city is famed for its elegant French-style boulevards and colonial architecture. Exclusive restaurants and chic bars sit side-by-side with streetside hawker stalls, traditional markets and ancient pagodas. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s culinary capital, offering a wide variety of dining experiences and cuisines, from French and Italian to Chinese, Japanese and everything in between. The afternoon is at leisure, so relax at your hotel or head out to explore. Our hotel for three nights on bed and breakfast is the excellent five-star Equatorial Hotel. Signature Tour 2027 only - Saigon dinner cruise  To top off the day, immerse yourself in the unique charm of the Saigon River on an unforgettable evening cruise. As you glide past the sparkling city skyline, enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal while the shimmering lights of the city dance on the water.
• Day 8
  Cu Chi Tunnels - This will be a day to remember! We visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a complex underground network stretching for 200 kilometres, which included hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters and kitchens. Begun during the last years of French rule and vastly expanded during the 1960’s, the tunnels provided a base for the Vietcong from which to attack US forces within just 30 miles of Saigon. Our visit here is a fascinating insight into these times: we see the tunnels themselves and examples of the many mantraps and stake pits which protected them. Despite being carpet-bombed, the tunnels were never really penetrated and should you wish, you may even try out real period weapons on a firing range. We continue through rural farming communities back to Saigon. In the afternoon our city tour covers all the major sights including the colonial-style central post office, the cathedral and the Reunification Palace where famously in 1975, a tank burst through its gates in the final defining moment of the Vietnam War. We also see the War Remnants Museum and the Lively Ben Thanh market a fascinating insight into Saigon daily life, you can find anything here, all at extremely good prices!
• Day 9
  Mekong River Delta - Today we drive out of Saigon towards the great Mekong River delta. The first stop is at one of the many islands where we walk through a typical village and try out several different types of tropical fruit that are grown in the area. Travelling in small boats we continue our exploration through the narrow canals by visiting the aptly named Coconut Island, where locals specialise in producing rice paper, coconut cakes and other local delicacies. Dappled sunlight filters through the wide leaves of the mangroves as we arrive at a typical local restaurant for lunch of local Mekong specialities, including the famous and delicious deep-fried elephant ear fish! We return to Saigon in the afternoon.
• Day 10
  Fly to Phnom Penh - On our final morning in Vietnam, we have little free time to soak in the energy of Saigon with a leisurely stroll through the city centre. You could stop for a fragrant coffee and a delicious pastry at one of the many charming cafés that line the streets for a final taste of the city before we board our short flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival in the capital of Cambodia, we transfer to our hotel, the centrally located four-star Palace Gate Hotel for two nights on bed and breakfast.