Vietnam tour: food & culture in a nutshell

hanoi

Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam

Arrive into Hanoi Airport, where you will meet your tour guide and transfer to your hotel in the city centre, for an overnight stay.

hanoi

Day 2: The sights & street food of Hanoi

After breakfast, meet your guide at 8.30am to begin your city tour: visit incredible sights such as the Temple of Literature with its tranquil gardens, Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Museum of Ethnology.

In the afternoon, venture into the historic Old Quarter before enjoying a stroll around the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake - over here, don't miss your chance to sample some street food as you soak up the atmosphere. Next you'll wander around the bustling Hang Be Market for a true sensory experience - why not try a serving of nom bo kho (green papaya salad with dried beef) or cha ca (grilled marinated fish with noodles and sweet-and-sour dipping sauce)? Top it all off with a cup of famous egg coffee, a local speciality.

hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Day 3: Journey to scenic Lan Ha Bay

After breakfast, depart at 8am from your hotel to Tuan Chau Pier, where you will board a cruise ship for an overnight experience on the waters of Lan Ha Bay - a no-less-stunning extension of Ha Long Bay, situated in a different province.

Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise the beautiful waters, surrounded by surreal limestone islets. Join in on activities such as swimming and kayaking, or simply relax on deck as you soak up the sun. Dinner is included on board, comprising fresh seafood.

Ha Long Bay - hanoi - hoi an

Day 4: Journey to Hoi An

After enjoying a light breakfast and beautiful sunrise over the bay, you'll sail back to the pier, tucking into brunch as you go. Disembark your cruise ship and meet your driver for a transfer to Hanoi's Noi Bai Domestic Airport, where you'll join a short flight to Da Nang. On your arrival here, another driver will be waiting to take you to your next port of call: Hoi An.

hoi an

Day 5: Explore Hoi An's vibrant countryside

At 8am, jump onto a Vespa for a stunning tour of Hoi An's countryside: cross to Cam Kim Island, driving along the river's edge and experiencing local cultural traditions as you go.

Rice paddies and farmland will surround you today, as you visit local cottage industry workshops, learn to make delicious rice crackers, and meet local families for insight into their way of life. Refuel with a cup of drip coffee at a local cafe, before reaching the coast at the mouth of the Thu Bon River. Soak in spectacular views of Hoi An from a newly-built bridge, before returning into the city's heart at around 1pm.

Back in Hoi An, take some time to explore the Ancient Town, a UNESCO-listed site filled with architectural intrigue. End the day's tour with a cup of tea at Reaching Out Tea House, before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

hoi an - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 6: The wonders of Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to Da Nang for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you'll meet your tour guide and begin an exciting tour spanning several of the city's districts.

First up is the FITO Museum (Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) or the War Remnants Museum, both offering unique albeit very different glimpses into local culture and heritage. You'll then make a stop at Do Phu cafe, once the operational base of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, to enjoy a drink amidst its atmospheric setting.

Up next are the hidden Van Phat Pagoda in the heart of Chinatown, and the Saigon Central Post Office in the historic French Quarter. End the tour by strolling along the bustling Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Streets, before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre

Day 7: Rural bliss in the Mekong Delta

Today, depart at 8am and leave the city behind to explore the rural delights of Ben Tre, about two hours' drive away. Known for its coconut plantations, here you'll experience the Mekong Delta in all its glory, surrounded by fruit orchards, rice fields and narrow canals. Arrive at the pier in Ham Luong for a boat trip offering insight into local life along the river - as part of this tour, you'll stop to visit a brick kiln followed by coconut and sleeping mat workshops. Later on, take a motor cart or ride a bike along shady paths, before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a rowing boat across small canals to reach Hung Vuong pier, and journey on to your homestay in Ben Tre. Enjoy an evening cooking class, learning how to make bánh xèo pancakes, before sitting down for dinner and ending the day with a lemongrass and ginger foot bath.

Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 8: A final day of tradition & culture

After breakfast, set out for a peaceful two-hour cycle to Oc Island, where you'll witness the daily life of the locals as you venture down small paths lined with huts and lush vegetation. Stop at a fish farm to learn about two local species of catfish, before returning to your homestay in the Mekong Delta for some time to relax. You'll depart upon check-out at 12pm, to journey back to Ho Chi Minh City for your onward flight.