Back Roads Flavours of Vietnam

• 10 nights in boutique accommodation, 1 night on an overnight cruise
• Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
• Tours by air-conditioned vehicle
• Internal flights
• Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
• Walking tour of Hanoi
• Papier-mâché mask making in Hanoi
• Street food tour in Hanoi
• Vietnamese cooking class and demonstration
• Guided tour in Hoi An
• Food tour in Hoi An
• Build coloured silk lanterns in Hoi An
• Guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City
• Street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City
• Boat cruises as mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrance included to: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hue’s royal tombs, Imperial Palace and Minh Mang Tomb, Cham Museum, Saigon Opera House show, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels

• Meet a traditional papier-mâché mask-making family in Hanoi’s Old Quarters and make your own mask
• Taste the world’s best street food on an evening walk through the old winding streets of Hanoi
• Meet with local families and learn about their way of life, sampling authentic home-cooked meals

Day 1: Hanoi

Meet the rest of the group in Hanoi and enjoy an evening of Vietnamese cuisine together.

Day 2: Hanoi

Today, your guide will lead you through Hanoi, where you’ll see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh

This morning, we travel to the beautiful Ninh Binh Province. We’ll take a short boat trip through the Van Long Nature Reserve, which is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and rolling jungle hills.

Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

Today, we journey through lush rural scenery to Halong Bay where we board a traditional paddle steamer for an overnight cruise.

Day 5: Halong Bay – Hue

After breakfast on board, the morning is yours to relax and explore. Later, we’ll catch a flight to the imperial city of Hue.

Day 6: Hue

After a free morning we’ll explore Hue’s famous royal tombs and the illustrious examples of grand dynasties past: the garden houses. Before lunch we’ll take a boat trip on the Perfume River and visit the tombs of Emperors Khai Dinh and Minh Mang.

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An

After a visit to the Cham Museum, we make our way along the Han Vai Pass on our way to Hoi An. This afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour before hopping on a boat trip along the Thu Bồn River.

Day 8: Hoi An

It’s time to put your skills to the test as we learn the craft of coloured silk lanterns at the Lifestart Foundation, a local social enterprise.

Day 9: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

Relax this morning before we fly to Ho Chi Minh City. After heading to the magnificent Opera House to see the spectacular A O Show – a fusion of Vietnamese culture and performance art – we’ll end the day with a culinary feast.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City

Today’s journey begins with a ride to Cho Lon Chinatown, where we’ll hop on board a cyclo to take in the Cha Tam Church and the Chua Ong Pagoda.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City

Today we embark on a journey to the Cu Chi tunnels: a strategic operation base during the Vietnam War. After, we meet in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City for a final street eats adventure.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City

The tour ends today with free time to explore the city by yourself.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.