Spirit of Vietnam with Cox & Kings

Fly to Hanoi by your own arrangements. Our travel specialists will be delighted to assist with flight arrangements if required.

Arrive in Hanoi this morning and transfer to the Grand Mercure Hotel for a 2-night stay with early check-in. This afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is dedicated to Confucius, and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to see national artwork across the ages. Take a cyclo ride through the bustling Old Quarter, then attend your welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Grand Mercure Hanoi
Meals – dinner

This morning, visit Ba Dinh Square for a walk outside Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and to visit his residence, continuing to the One Pillar Pagoda. Meet a former North Vietnamese Army pilot for insights into the war, followed by lunch at KOTO restaurant, which trains underprivileged youths. Then visit the Vietnam Military History Museum in its newer, larger venue. There is an optional evening excursion to a water puppet show*.

Grand Mercure Hanoi
Meals – breakfast, lunch

Enjoy a cruise on Halong Bay, a beautiful karst-strewn inlet within the Gulf of Tonkin. Stay overnight onboard the Indochine Premium (or similar).

Meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner

Continue your cruise in Halong Bay this morning. Disembark after brunch and drive to the airport to fly to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa for 2 nights.

Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa
Meals – breakfast

Morning visit to Hue citadel, which encompasses the numerous pavilions, temples and courtyards of the former Imperial City, including the Purple Forbidden City. Lunch today is at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, then take a short cruise on the Perfume River back to the city centre. In the afternoon, visit the tombs of the Nguyen emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa
Meals – breakfast, lunch

Enjoy a morning at leisure then drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hoi An. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang en route. Stay 3 nights at the beachfront Boutique Hoi An Resort.

Boutique Hoi An Resort
Meals – breakfast, lunch

Tour the ruined temple of My Son, then have lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise that aims to develop sustainable programmes for street children. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the former trading port of Hoi An, which shows its historic Chinese, Japanese and European influences.

Boutique Hoi An Resort
Meals – breakfast, lunch

Day at leisure. Optional activities include cookery classes at a local restaurant, and a cycle tour of nearby villages.

Boutique Hoi An Resort
Meals – breakfast

Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, drive though the southern Vietnamese countryside and visit the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. Stay 2 nights at Grand Hotel Saigon.

Grand Hotel Saigon
Meals – breakfast, lunch

Full-day exploration of the Mekong Delta, including a trip to Cai Be, a boat ride exploring the smaller channels, and walking in the countryside. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Grand Hotel Saigon
Meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner

Take a guided tour with visits to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and a former safe house used by the Viet Cong. After late checkout, transfer to the airport this evening to catch your departure flight.
Meals – breakfast