15th October 2015
Depart Sydney at 11.15am arriving in Hanoi at 8.30pm. We'll meet our guide Tinh and transfer to the Tirant Hotel in Hanoi.
16th October
Depart for Sapa by coach after breakfast on the new Highway 2. Check into the Sunny Mountains Hotel and afternoon free to explore the town.
17th October
After breakfast, a trekking tour to Laochai and Tavan Villages. We will have lunch in Tavan and watch a traditional show. In the afternoon we'll drive to Bac Ha and stay overnight at the Sao Mai Hotel.
18th October
A pleasant walk from the hotel to the Bac Ha Markets to capture the atmosphere of this impressive place. Lunch will be in Laocai on the Chinese-Vietnam border and then a relaxing drive back to Hanoi and check in at the Tirant Hotel.
19th October
A busy day in Hanoi with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Lunch at the famous KOTO restaurant, the Temple of Literature and a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. There will also be a late visit to the Water Puppet Theatre.
20th October
A 4 hour drive this morning to Halong Bay where we'll board the 5 star Golden Cruise Junk for our overnight experience. We'll visit the Sung Sot Cave and swim at Soi Sim Beach. The evening meal should be a grand affair.
21st October
Check out is around lunchtime and the afternoon will be at leisure as we are staying in the Saigon Halong Hotel nearby.
22nd October
Depart Halong Bay for Vinh in the morning, stopping at Tam Coc (Dry Halong Bay) on the way. Check in at the Muong Thanh in Vinh
23rd October
Depart Vinh for Hue, stopping at the UNESCO heritage Phong Na Caves on the way. Check in at another Muong Thanh Hotel in Hue.
24th October
Our city tour will include the Citadel, ancestral home of the Nguyen Dynasty. Overnight in Hue.
25th - 27th October
Travel via Da Nang to the beautiful town of Hoi An. Over the 3 days there will be a city tour, a cruise on the Thu Bon River, cooking classes and the opportunity to relax and shop at one of the 250 tailors in town. All 3 night's accommodation at the historic Hoi An Hotel.
28th October
Today we fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The rest of the day is at leisure before a dinner cruise on the Saigon River. Overnight at the Huong Sen Hotel.
29th October
A city tour this morning taking in the Opera House, Post Office, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, Presidential Palace and War Remnants Museum. (Optional) Lunch is at Pho 2000 and afternoon at leisure to visit the Ben Thanh Markets, Intercontinental Hotel etc.
30th October
A morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels and a shopping afternoon at leisure.
31st October
Today we drive south to the Mekong Delta. In My tho we will board a traditional boat for a trip to an island for a canoe ride, a visit to a coconut candy factory and then lunch at a bee farm. Overnight at the Muong Thanh Hotel in Can Tho.
1st November
Today we drive to Chau Doc, visiting the floating markets along the way.
2nd November
A trip up the mighty Mekong River to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon, a visit to the Royal Palace and its adjoining Silver Pagoda. Overnight at the Queen Grand Boutique Hotel.
3rd November
A 4.5 hour drive to Siem Reap this morning and then a boat ride on Lake Tonle Sap to a floating village. Overnight at the Tara Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap.
4th November
A big day today visiting Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. A farewell dinner at the Royal Angkor Restaurant along with the Aspara Dance Show.
5th November
We depart Siem Reap in the late afternoon and there will be time for some sight seeing in the morning.
We catch the 6.30pm flight to Saigon and then the 9.15pm flight to Sydney.
