Journey Through Vietnam 8165

Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge before we depart from London to Hanoi, Vietnam on our overnight flight.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, we transfer to our hotel and have the rest of the day to relax. We gather this evening for a welcome dinner.

This morning after breakfast we embark on a city tour of Hanoi, the cultural heartbeat of Vietnam. Accompanied by our local guide we explore ancient temples and bustling markets from the exterior we view the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and the Presidential Palace. We later visit the Temple of Literature, founded over 1000 years ago as a temple dedicated to Chinese philosopher Confucius. It later became a school for the elite and eventually what is considered to be the first university in Vietnam. We also visit the Ethnology Museum which focuses in the 54 officially recognised ethnic groups who call Vietnam home.  
We return the hotel in the early afternoon for some time at leisure.  
In the early evening, there is the chance to join an optional ‘Street Eats’ tour. We explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter with our local guide who will pass on their knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine and everyday life, as well as sampling some of the local dishes that may include Banh Trung, Bun Cha, Bai Hoi, Banh Chuoi and Vietnamese Coffee.

After breakfast today we depart Hanoi and travel west through rolling hills, verdant rice paddies and charming villages to Mai Chau, home to a White Tai community (the third largest of the 54 ethnic groups). This afternoon we have a walking tour of Pom Coong, a which offers a more off-the-beaten-track experience compared to better-known villages. Next, we head through paddy fields to the village of Lac 2 where we visit Mrs Thuan, who runs a local workshop set up to support those with disabilities in the village. Here we will have an opportunity to speak with Mrs Thuan and learn about her life and work before enjoying a dyeing class with the chance to dye your own items.

This morning, we depart on a leisurely walk (approximately two hours) through handpicked White Tai villages. Meandering along predominantly paved roads, we will navigate weaving villages, scenic rice fields and idyllic rural landscapes, granting us a first–hand glimpse into the daily lives of the local White Tai community of the area. After lunch we return to Hanoi.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hue, where on arrival we visit the Minh Mang Tomb, located on the west bank of the Perfume River.  Said to be one of the most majestic of the Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs, consisting of around 40 palaces, temples and pavilions. There will also be some tie to explore the landscaped gardens, terraces and lakes that surround the complex. 
This afternoon we visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. The mausoleum was built for the 12th Emperors of the Nguyen dynasty of Vietnam and features a blend of both Vietnamese and western architectural styles

This morning, we depart for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Imperial Citadel, a vast complex of monuments encompassing a collection of 140 important public buildings, opulent residences and places of worship located on the northern bank of the Huong River. We have some time to explore the remains of the Purple Forbidden City at the centre the former residence of the founding Emperor Gia Long.  Later this morning it’s time to get creative! We join an expert master craftsperson with a wealth of experience as we discover the traditional art of paper flower-making in an informative and interactive class.  We uncover the rich history of the 300-year-old art form traditionally used today as offerings at altars.  
After lunch, we take a short boat ride to view the Thien Mu Pagoda which is situated on a small hill overlooking the Perfume River. This seven story Pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and each of its storeys is dedicated to a Manushi-buddha.  
Later we visit the Ancient Garden House, a traditional residence of the Mandarins who lived in the vicinity of the Imperial City. Thanks to Feng Shui principles, families living in a Garden House were afforded a protective shelter and a more harmonious living with nature.  Each house is highly individual, set within formal gardens surrounded by plants and water features.

Today we have a long but rewarding day as we travel from Hue to the Ba Na Hills. On arrival we take a cable car ride to the summit, from where we enjoy spectacular views across the mountains, along with a visit to the Linh Ung Pagoda and the Giant Buddha statue. We then visit the flower garden at Le Jardin D’Amour, located on the top of Chua Mountain, the highest in the Truong Son range with an altitude of 980m. The garden is split into nine smaller areas including Suoi Mo Garden, a gentle sloping garden with panoramic views combining romantic purple arapang flowers and bright yellow daylilies; the Secret Garden, filled with tree lined walkways and the Eden Garden, where we find a variety of plants from around the world.  
After lunch, we visit the 150-metre long Golden Bridge, one of Vietnam’s newest attractions. The bridge is held up by two giant moss-covered hands and allows guests spectacular views of the hills. Due to its French colonial history, this region present a mixture of European and Vietnamese styles. We later continue to Hoi An.

This morning, we explore Hoi An Ancient Town, whose impeccable preservation has earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. On today’s walking tour we will gain an insight into the kaleidoscope of cultures that have shaped this former port city and what keeps it thriving today. Our guide will start by taking us to the iconic 16th Century Japanese covered bridge with pagoda (Chùa Cầu). This bridge is an important symbol of Vietnam’s history and is featured on the 20,000VND note. We will then learn the history behind the bridge’s origin and how it continues to function as a place of worship today. 
Meandering through the ancient town towards our next stop, our guide helps us recognise all the cultures that have influenced the design of the building, both indigenous and foreign. We will then get the opportunity to go into one of Hoi An’s ancient homes where we will meet the 14th generation of the family still living here. 
From vibrant past to bright future, we will finish our tour by understanding the current state of Tailoring within the town and its importance for local businesses.   
The remainder of the day is at leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to join the optional Ky Anh Tunnels Experience. We follow in the footsteps of Mr Ta, one of the wartime witnesses, to discover the tunnel networks. The incredible Ky Anh Tunnel network sits underneath the village of Thach Tan and while there are numerous entrances to the network of tunnels scattered throughout local villages, the main access is found here. In the past, there were as many as 32 kilometres of tunnels stretching through the area, although now the restored sections are much shorter, totalling a few hundred metres.

Today is free to explore at your leisure. Alternatively, this afternoon you may with to join the optional Vietnamese Cooking Class, including a guided tour of Hoi An’s colourful central market, a boat trip on the Hoi An River and a hands–on cookery class.

This morning after breakfast we transfer to the airport for a flight via Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat in southern Vietnam’s central highlands. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today, after breakfast we visit the picturesque Fresh Garden, considered one of the largest green gardens in Da Lat, where many different flower varieties such as lavender and chrysanthemum are grown. Following our visit, we have the opportunity to visit a local flower field, at a time when lavender and sunflowers will be in bloom. Our final visit of the day is to a hydrangea garden where we can see these beautiful flowers in vast quantities. The elevation of Da Lat at 1500 metres above sea level and the mild temperature make it the ideal location for hydrangeas to flourish.

After breakfast, we visit the Da Lat Flower Park, with more than 300 species of flowers blooming throughout the year. In additional to the stunning floral displays, we also have the chance to see rare species of Bonsai and African cactus.  
 
Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Upon arrival, we start our Story of Saigon tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Here, our guide will tell the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs. Although many of Vietnam’s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society.

Today we have an early start, as on today’s walking tour we immerse ourselves in the local culture, witnessing the lives of resident population through their daily exercise routines, vibrant flower markets and religious observance, taking time to understand the history behind the places we visit. Our first stop is a central park where we observe the morning habits of the locals before heading for a nearby monument commemorating a revered monk who made the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs. We then continue on to a famous flower market where we meander through the maze of sights and scents, understanding the significance and importance of different flowers as we go. We’ll dig further into the market and also see some of the snacks on offer to the morning shoppers and sellers. Later, we head to a local coffee shop where we will have the chance to sample a small, yet potent, cup of Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. Well caffeinated, we then head to a temple of religious significance where we learn how the locals pray and worship. Here our guide will acquaint us with the religious culture as we watch coils of incense that can burn for three days perfuming the air and sending the locals prayers skywards. 
This afternoon is at your leisure. Alternative you may wish to join the optional Bean to Bar Chocolate Tasting experience at Maison Marou, learning all about what it takes to make one of the world most popular treats.  
We later reconvene for a farewell dinner

This morning is at leisure before we transfer to the airport in time for our return flight to London.

Arrive in London.