Today you set off on your flight to Vietnam.

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s lively capital on the Red River. After landing, you are met individually and taken to your hotel. There, your tour guide or a welcome host is on hand to help you settle in and inform you about the rest of the day. Depending on your arrival time, an early check-in is a good idea so that you can move straight into your room and freshen up (optional, bookable in advance). The start of your trip is deliberately flexible: if you arrive early, you can gain insights into everyday life in the morning on a first orientation walk around the hotel and through a local market. Over lunch with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant, you get to know a first speciality of the country with the traditional pho soup. In the afternoon, your small group is complete and you discover key sights together: a walk through the Old Quarter, a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake with the Ngoc Son Temple and a look at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior visit). To round off the day, you drive to West Lake. In a relaxed atmosphere, you enjoy a refreshing drink and get in the mood for the days ahead together. 1 night in Hanoi. (L) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Located in the heart of Hanoi, The Q Hotel, with its stylish and cosy French architecture, is one of the best boutique hotels in the Vietnamese capital. The Q Hotel’s restaurant offers an extensive menu with a variety of fine dishes and is open around the clock. The modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a minibar and a desk, among other amenities.

After breakfast, you watch a performance of Vietnam’s famous water puppet theatre in a nearby village. After returning, you explore more of Hanoi’s important sights. These include the house of the revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, who is still very popular in Vietnam (exterior visit), and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national academy. You then continue your Vietnam tour towards Halong Bay. You travel part of the way by train. 1 night in Halong. (B) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Your hotel, the “D’Lecia Ha Long”, is located in Halong’s popular Bai Chay district. Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel you will find various hotspots of the city, such as the Cai Dam seafood market, the Sun World amusement park and picturesque Bai Chay Beach, which stands out above all for its turquoise water. Your hotel has everything you need for a perfect stay: in the D’Lusso Lounge you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or a delicious coffee in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. In the hotel’s “Chopsticks Restaurant”, you can enjoy various Vietnamese specialities prepared at live cooking stations. The rooms are cosily furnished and impress with beautiful wood tones. Room facilities include air conditioning, a smart TV and free Wi-Fi.

Early in the morning, you go on board a ship – it’s “cast off”. Your small group glides through the impressive landscape of Halong Bay, whose limestone formations rise up to 330 metres out of the water. During the cruise, you enjoy the view of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its countless islands, rocks and grottoes. Along the way, the ship anchors so that you can visit selected caves (subject to change). Lunch is also served on board during the cruise of about 4 to 5 hours. In the afternoon, you return to Halong and then drive to Hanoi airport. From there, you fly on to Danang and then travel to the trading town of Hoi An further south. 2 nights there. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 215 km; driving time: approx. 4.5–5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Ancient House Resort is located in the picturesque port town of Hoi An and offers you an authentic stay, as the hotel has been family-run for five generations. It is also located on the doorstep of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Hoi An. The combination of traditional Vietnamese and modern style makes this hotel particularly unique. The traditional rooms have a private balcony overlooking the garden or the pool, free Wi-Fi and toiletries. The outdoor pool is available for relaxation.

In the morning, you explore the historic Old Town of Hoi An (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) with your small group. The walking tour gives you insights into traditional craftsmanship: in a lantern workshop, you learn how the colourful lanterns are made and make your own lantern. At lunchtime, an excursion takes you to a herb village outside the town that is known for its organic farming methods. Such villages are usually communally organised farms whose members receive land to use as long as they farm it organically. You get to know various local herbs that are also used in traditional medicine. Together with your fellow travellers, you enjoy a freshly prepared lunch, which you can help to make, followed by a herbal foot massage. Afterwards, you make a short trip to the nearby beach. At a café overlooking the sea, you enjoy a refreshing coconut. The rest of the evening is at your leisure. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 30 min)

You leave Hoi An and drive towards Hue. The first stop is the Marble Mountains, where you visit natural grottoes that have become Buddhist sanctuaries over the centuries. Along scenic roads, you reach the Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass), considered the natural border between northern and southern Vietnam. You take a break at Lang Co Lagoon. Here you enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood and have the opportunity to stretch your legs on the beach. After arriving in Hue, you take a walk across Hen Island and gain insights into the lives of its residents. The day ends with a boat trip on the Perfume River in the evening light. As you take in the surroundings, you reach the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city’s best-known landmarks. 2 nights in Hue. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 165 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Cherish Hue Hotel is a charming, modern hotel in the heart of Hue! It is ideally located near the Perfume River and the famous Citadel and is the perfect base for exploring the historic city. In the spa you can treat yourself to massages and spa treatments, or work out in the fitness centre, which has all the equipment you need. There is also a pool to cool off in. The restaurant serves Vietnamese and international dishes, and in the wine bar you can round off the evening with a delicious drink. The Cherish Hue Hotel offers first-class comfort and warm hospitality. The standard rooms are stylish and cosy and offer the ideal retreat after an eventful day. They have a private bath or shower/WC.

Today you discover the imperial city of Hue (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) with your small group and immerse yourself in the history of the Nguyen dynasty. The day begins with a visit to the Citadel and the Imperial Palace, whose architecture is modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. You then visit a traditional mandarin house. During a tea break with small snacks, you chat with the hosts and learn more about culture and everyday life in Hue. In the afternoon, you see the city from a new perspective on a cyclo tour. Afterwards, you stroll around Dong Ba Market and discover the variety of goods on offer. The evening is at your leisure. (B) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

In the morning, you visit the peaceful Tu Hieu Pagoda. You then visit the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh; Khai Dinh’s tomb in particular stands out for its blend of Vietnamese and French architectural elements. In between, you and your fellow travellers try the local snacks you chose at the market the day before. You then drive to the airport and fly to Vietnam’s economic centre – Saigon. 2 nights in Saigon. (B) (Distance: approx. 16 km; driving time: approx. 45 min)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, in central District 1, the Central Palace Saigon is right next to the main sights. Attractions such as the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market are within easy walking distance, as are numerous shopping and entertainment options. The hotel has an infinity pool, a fitness area and spa and wellness facilities (some for a fee). A restaurant serving international and regional cuisine and a café take care of your culinary needs. Another highlight is the sky bar with a view of the city. The rooms are modern and have a double bed or two single beds. They feature air conditioning, TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer and toiletries.

In the morning, you experience the hustle and bustle of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) with your small group. On the city tour, you see important buildings such as the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Opera House (exterior visits) and the Post Office. In between, you take a coffee break at a local café and try a Vietnamese speciality – such as egg coffee, “salted coffee” or classic drip coffee. You then head to Chinatown with the Binh Tay market hall and the Thien Hau Temple. You also see St Francis Church and the so-called “medicine street”. In the evening, you enjoy a sundowner with your fellow travellers at a rooftop bar overlooking the city. (B)

Today you leave the city and drive into the widely branching Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl”. Vast rice fields and countless waterways characterise the landscape you cross on the way. In Ben Tre, you take a boat trip through the branching river system. You then ride a xe loi to local manufacturers, craft workshops and orchards. There you learn about traditional production methods, for example for rice paper, coconut sweets, woven mats or bricks. For lunch, a family-run restaurant awaits you, where various regional dishes are served family-style. After arriving in Cai Be, at accommodation right on the river, the rest of the day is at your leisure. 1 night in Cai Be. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 215 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Mekong Lodge in Cai Be is an idyllic oasis in the heart of the Mekong Delta! It is picturesquely located on the banks of the Tien River and offers an authentic insight into the life and culture of this fascinating region. Set in the middle of the Mekong Delta and largely untouched by modernisation and development, it lets you experience the region not as a tourist but almost like a local. Visit the bustling river, the floating market and the picturesque villages. If you just want to relax, you can do so with a massage in the spa. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese and international specialities in the restaurant and a tasty drink at the bar. The Mekong Lodge combines rustic charm with modern comfort. The private bungalows have been lovingly built in the local style of rural “garden houses” and are surrounded by many flowers and fruit trees. Each has a private bath or shower/WC.

In the morning, you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Mekong Delta once more before leaving your accommodation. Later in the morning, you leave Cai Be and first drive to Saigon. From there, you fly on to Phu Quoc. With your arrival on the island, the last part of your journey begins, which you spend individually without a tour guide. A shuttle from your hotel takes you straight to your accommodation, where you can arrive at your leisure and take in your first impressions of the island. 3 nights on Phu Quoc. (B) (Distance: approx. 120 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay welcomes you right on the beach in the north-west of Phu Quoc island. Surrounded by tropical vegetation and the fine sand of Bai Dai Beach, the resort offers ideal conditions for a relaxing seaside stay. The extensive grounds feature several outdoor pools, a fitness centre and the resort’s own Hoa Sim Spa. Direct access to the beach invites you to spend restful hours by the water, making the resort an ideal place to enjoy the island’s natural beauty. The hotel restaurant offers a selection of Vietnamese, Asian and international dishes. In the morning, a varied breakfast buffet awaits you, while at lunchtime and in the evening various culinary options provide moments of enjoyment. The modern and tastefully furnished rooms offer a pleasant retreat after an eventful day. They feature a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, minibar and a balcony or terrace. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Today is all about relaxation. Enjoy your time on the beaches of Phu Quoc or make use of your hotel’s amenities. Look back on the impressions of your trip so far and spend the day exactly as you wish. (B)

This day is also at your leisure. Whether you spend relaxing hours on the beach or by your resort’s pool or explore the island more actively is entirely up to you. Phu Quoc offers numerous optional excursions, for example boat trips to the offshore islands, which, depending on the route, include snorkelling stops. You can find out about these options directly at your hotel. Perhaps you can also arrange a joint excursion with your fellow travellers. (B)

There is still some free time until your transfer. At the appropriate time, you transfer to Phu Quoc airport for your flight home. (B) (Distance: approx. 7 km; driving time: approx. 20 min) Day 15: You land back in your home country with lots of impressions in your luggage.