You fly towards Vietnam.

Today you reach Hanoi, Vietnam’s lively capital on the Red River. You are met individually at the airport 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 flight time, an early check-in is recommended so that you can move straight into your room and freshen up at your leisure (optional, bookable in advance). Your start in Hanoi is deliberately flexible: if you arrive early, you can gather first impressions of everyday life in Hanoi in the morning on an orientation walk around the hotel and through a local market. Over a shared lunch at a local restaurant afterwards, you get to know the first facets of Vietnamese cuisine with the traditional pho soup. In the afternoon, the whole group meets and you discover the city’s highlights together: you stroll through the lively Old Quarter with its narrow lanes and visit Hoan Kiem Lake with the Ngoc Son Temple, among other places. This way – depending on your arrival time – you can spend your first day flexibly and start your travel experience without any idle time. In the late afternoon, you drive to West Lake. Here you enjoy a refreshing drink in a relaxed atmosphere – the ideal moment to get to know your fellow travellers and toast the journey ahead. 1 night in Hanoi. (L) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The De Syloia Hotel is centrally located in Hanoi, making it easy for you to explore the charming Old Quarter and famous Hoan Kiem Lake. Thanks to its excellent location, the city’s cultural and historical highlights are within easy reach. The building, an impressive example of French colonial architecture, was designed as a residence in 1936 and converted into a hotel in 1995, retaining its original charm. At the De Syloia Hotel, excellent service awaits you that will make your stay unforgettable. The hotel restaurant serves delicious Vietnamese and international cuisine. After an exciting day in Hanoi, relax on the terrace or enjoy a cool drink. The hotel also has a small gym. The comfortable standard rooms are tastefully furnished and offer modern amenities to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Today you explore Hanoi’s most important sights together. These include the house and the mausoleum of the famous revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, who is still very popular in Vietnam (exterior visit). Experience the unusual architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda and visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national academy. Afterwards, you leave the capital behind and head for rural Mai Chau, a small town idyllically set in a beautiful landscape of green hills and rice fields. Arrive at your leisure and enjoy the amenities of your charming accommodation. In the evening, you enjoy dinner together in a relaxed atmosphere. 2 nights in Mai Chau. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Your accommodation in Mai Chau is set amid mountains and rice fields in a peaceful atmosphere. All rooms have a terrace, an outdoor shower and free Wi-Fi. Relax by the beautiful outdoor pool, enjoy the view from your resort or go on a little exploration of your own. The hotel restaurant, located at the highest point of the resort, serves traditional Vietnamese dishes among others. There is also a bar where you can enjoy refreshing cocktails, good wines and other drinks.

Today, look forward to exploring the beautiful countryside on foot. On a hike in the Mai Chau valley, you pass rice fields and reach small villages with traditional stilt houses (easy, approx. 5 km, walking time approx. 1–1.5 hrs). Along the way, your tour guide tells you more about the culture of the region. What makes Mai Chau special is that many ethnic minorities live here, above all the White Thai. Their distinctive stilt houses can be recognised from afar, as they traditionally stand on wooden posts almost three metres high. Perhaps you will also be able to admire the colourful traditional costumes of the villagers, worn with pride especially by the older generations. When you start to feel peckish, you stop for lunch with a local family and enjoy delicious local dishes on the terrace that are rarely served in the city. On the way back, you stop at Mai Chau market, where you can stroll past the stalls with fresh local produce as you please. You can spend the afternoon relaxing by your hotel pool or, after the hike, treat yourself to a herbal foot bath, for example (optional, bookable locally). If you are still full of energy, you can of course continue exploring Mai Chau’s beautiful landscapes, for example on the bikes available free of charge at your accommodation. (B/L/D)

Today you continue your tour south-east. On the way to Ninh Binh, you first stop in Hoa Lu, the old imperial city from the 10th century. Although the town’s heyday is long past and many historic buildings have fallen into ruin, the unique historical flair of the site captivates its visitors. Visiting the old Dinh and Le temples and the royal tombs, culture and history enthusiasts alike will get their money’s worth. You then continue to Van Long Nature Reserve, known for its spectacular karst landscape amid green rice fields. On a sampan, a traditional Vietnamese wooden boat, you glide along a river through this landscape, which is also known as “Halong Bay on land” because of its resemblance to famous Halong Bay. In the late afternoon, you reach your next accommodation, a stylish oasis of calm on the edge of the nature reserve. If you like, you can relax in the pool bar in the evening and enjoy a drink. 1 night in Ninh Binh. (B) (Distance: approx. 150 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Look forward to your unique accommodation in Ninh Binh, located in the middle of northern Vietnam’s largest wetland nature reserve. From your cosy room, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, and you can end the day relaxing in the outdoor or indoor pool. The hotel restaurant serves Vietnamese and Western dishes. The extensive grounds, harmonious atmosphere and unique surroundings are ideal for rest and relaxation.

From Ninh Binh, today you head to legendary Halong Bay (UNESCO World Natural Heritage). Here it’s “cast off” as you board a ship that glides through the spectacular limestone landscape. From the deck, you can relax and enjoy the view of the bizarre and imposing labyrinth of rocks around you and the scattered floating villages of the bay. According to legend, exactly 1,969 rocks and islands, some rising hundreds of metres out of the water, were created by a dragon, around whom countless myths still revolve today. You spend tonight on board the ship. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

You wake up on board in the midst of this magical world of limestone islands and start the day with an early breakfast. Glide once more through these unique waters and enjoy the scenery around you. Before disembarking and heading back to Hanoi, you fortify yourself with a generous brunch, which serves as an early lunch today. On the way, you stop in the village of Yen Duc, known as one of the birthplaces of water puppetry. Here you attend a private performance of traditional water puppet theatre, which depicts the daily life of Vietnamese farmers: rice growing, buffalo keeping, fishing, singing and dancing to celebrate a rich harvest. After the performance, you have time for a walk to discover rural life and craftsmen’s workshops before continuing back to Hanoi. You head straight to the airport and take a short flight to the old imperial city of Hue. Once at your hotel, you can let this eventful day come to a relaxed end. 2 nights in Hue. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 180 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The popular Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort is set in quiet surroundings in extensive grounds with a large pool and subtropical gardens. The resort welcomes you with its authentic Vietnamese atmosphere and offers a range of wellness treatments as well as various bars and restaurants. A fitness centre and the outdoor pool provide an active or relaxing balance after an eventful day. The resort is ideally located for visiting the sights of Hue, but also for retreating to this wonderful oasis of calm. Your room offers amenities such as a TV, minibar and seating area.

Today you take a tour of the imperial city of Hue (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and experience the glorious past of the Nguyen dynasty. Around 40% of all Vietnamese still bear this family name today. After breakfast, you visit the Citadel with the Imperial Palace, which was built on the model of the “Forbidden City” in Beijing. You then visit an old mandarin house built in Hue’s traditional style. During a short tea break with snacks, you meet the hosts and hear many interesting stories about the culture and life of the people of Hue. Now sit back, relax and let the atmosphere of the city sink in on a cyclo ride. Afterwards, on the drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, enjoy the charming, hilly landscape around Hue. As one of Hue’s landmarks, the famous seven-storey pagoda stands on a small hill and is dedicated to the Heavenly Lady. To round off the day, you visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh and enjoy the evening atmosphere at sunset. (B)

In the morning, you visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda, set in a secluded forest, and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. You then continue your journey towards Hoi An. During an extended break at Lang Co Lagoon, you can stretch your legs on the beach and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood. Through picturesque landscapes, you next reach the Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass), the natural border between northern and southern Vietnam, and in the Marble Mountains you visit some natural grottoes in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Finally, you reach today’s destination, enchanting Hoi An. 2 nights there. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 150 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The exceptional Legacy Hoi An Resort welcomes you in Hoi An. The resort is set amid rice fields and an impressive natural backdrop that also creates a calming atmosphere. The resort’s traditional décor is reflected in the air-conditioned rooms too. Another special feature is the outdoor pool, which offers you a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside. Treat yourself to one of the many wellness treatments and relax in this green oasis.

This morning, on a walking tour, you discover the diversity of the historic town of Hoi An (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and have the unique opportunity to gain an insight into the local craft of lantern making. In a lantern workshop, you learn how the colourful lanterns are made and can make your own lantern as a unique souvenir. Around midday, you take an excursion to a herb village outside the town that is known for its organic farming methods. Villages like this in the area are usually non-profit farming cooperatives whose members receive land free of charge as long as they farm it organically. Learn about the herbs native to the area, which also play an important role in medicine. Look forward to a freshly prepared lunch of local specialities, which you can help to prepare, followed by a relaxing herbal foot massage. Back in Hoi An, you can spend the evening entirely as you wish. For example, explore more of the Old Town when, at nightfall, countless colourful lanterns light up the narrow lanes, try the culinary delights of the local restaurants or simply relax at your charming hotel. (B/L)

Early in the morning, a transfer takes you to Danang airport, from where you continue your tour south. You reach your next destination, the metropolis of Saigon, after a short domestic flight. Experience the modern metropolis and watch the armies of mopeds and cyclos that are everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, as Saigon is officially called. Worshippers pray in quiet backyards, young people meet in noodle restaurants and many locals relax with walks and exercise in one of the many parks. Marvel at the city’s architectural diversity as you explore it past modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples. Sights such as the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Opera House (all exterior visits) and the Post Office are on the programme. In between, you take a short break at one of your tour guide’s favourite cafés and try a local coffee speciality. Whether “egg coffee”, Hanoi’s speciality, the latest trendy drink “salted coffee” or the classic Vietnamese “drip coffee” with sweetened condensed milk – you are sure to broaden your coffee horizons here. You then continue to Chinatown to visit the Binh Tay market hall and the Chinese Thien Hau Temple. You also see the old St Francis Church and the “medicine street” before heading back towards the centre. On a panoramic boat trip on the Saigon River in the evening, you see the city from a different perspective. As you cruise past the skyline, you can watch the city’s mood slowly change with the setting sun. Afterwards, you visit a trendy rooftop bar. Here, high above the rooftops, you enjoy a sundowner and feel the pulsating metropolis around you and at your feet. 1 night in Saigon. (B) (Distance: approx. 36 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Grand Saigon Hotel is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most traditional hotels. Opened in 1930 during the French colonial era, it combines historic elegance with modern comfort. Its charming colonial-style architecture still shapes the character of the hotel today and gives it a special atmosphere. Its location right on the Saigon River is one of the hotel’s great advantages. Many sights and well-known places are in the immediate vicinity: the riverside promenade, the Opera House, the City Hall, the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and numerous restaurants, cafés and shops are within easy reach. This makes the hotel ideal for discovering the lively centre of Ho Chi Minh City. The rooms of around 32 m² offer generous space for a central location in an Asian metropolis. Large windows let in plenty of daylight and, depending on orientation, offer views of the city or the Saigon River. The rooms are furnished in a classic style and have a spacious bathroom and modern amenities for a comfortable stay. A selection of local and international dishes awaits you in the hotel restaurants. The pool area, the spa and the rooftop bar, with a lovely view over the skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, offer relaxation.

Early today, you leave the city behind and immerse yourself in Vietnam’s unique nature, as an exciting day trip takes you into the mighty river delta of the Mekong. Also known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl”, several million tonnes of rice are produced here every year. The flat land you cross is dotted with green rice fields, and gradually you cross more and more bridges over the branches of the Mekong. In Ben Tre, a boat trip takes you into the tropical “garden” where many families live scattered across the land. By boat, you reach ever smaller arms of the Mekong and then partly switch to a xe loi, a vehicle similar to a tuk-tuk, which takes you to various local manufacturers, craft workshops and orchards. Rice paper, coconut sweets, woven mats and bricks, for example, are made here according to old traditions, and on your visits you can learn more about the local products. For lunch, you are a guest at a family-run restaurant where food is freshly cooked for you. A variety of local delicacies is served family-style, so you can try the traditional dishes of the delta’s inhabitants to your heart’s content and experience Vietnamese hospitality. At the market, you buy fresh local fruit together, which you take back to the hotel and taste in a relaxed atmosphere. You can then end the day at your riverside accommodation and enjoy the unique scenery of the Mekong Delta. 1 night in Can Tho. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 250 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast This luxury resort in the Mekong Delta has 82 rooms and its restaurant serves Vietnamese and European dishes. The Cuu Long Bar serves refreshing drinks both in the bar itself and by the pool, where you can end the day with a cocktail. The spa offers massages (for a fee), and a sauna and steam bath are also available. Located right on the river in quiet surroundings, the hotel offers you the perfect conditions to relax.

Today is an early start, as a unique experience in the Mekong Delta awaits you: your breakfast is served on board a traditional sampan as it glides gently along the Mekong. Enjoy your meal and the breathtaking scenery. In Cai Rang, you can watch the bustle of the floating market and take part in the trading from your sampan. After visiting a rice mill, where you learn more about the product for which the Mekong Delta is so famous, you return to Can Tho. You then head back to Saigon – but not to the centre this time, but to a luxurious hotel with special flair right on the river. Here you say goodbye to your tour guide and can round off the rest of the day and your whole journey in style. 1 night in Saigon. (B) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Mia Saigon is idyllically located in the exclusive Thao Dien district right on the banks of the Saigon River – quiet, yet only a few minutes’ drive from the bustling centre of Ho Chi Minh City. The stylish boutique hotel combines colonial elegance with modern luxury. Enjoy culinary variety in two exquisite restaurants, relax in the spa or by the large outdoor pool with river views. Whether for relaxation or business – the Mia Saigon offers the highest quality in a relaxed atmosphere. The standard rooms are elegantly appointed and offer every comfort for a pleasant stay.

Until your departure, you can enjoy the unique riverside location of your hotel and look back on your travel experiences. Check-out is at 12 noon at the latest. At the appropriate time, you are taken to the airport and start your journey home from Saigon. (B) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 30 min) Day 15: You land back in your home country with lots of wonderful impressions in your luggage.