Highlights and Palm Island - 18 days

Today you'll head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 30km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. You'll travel by minibus, passing peaceful paddy fields and watching delta life, you'll also have a chance to see an unusual floating temple.

The Viet Cong dug the haunting network of the Cu Chi tunnels during the Vietnam War to hide from American forces. The underground labyrinth covers an incredible 250km and enabled the Vietcong to carry out covert attacks. They are very narrow, deep, and unbelievably dark, making them hugely claustrophobic. They include sleeping quarters, kitchens, ammunition stores, weapon factories, and command centres.

You'll be given the opportunity to climb into the tunnels and experience their eerie atmosphere first hand. Many of them have been enlarged especially for tourists, making them far less hair-raising for visitors. However, if you're feeling brave, you can also try the originals. It's a unique, if creepy, experience. The guide will explain the history and the precise uses of the tunnels. In the adjoining Cu Chi Museum, you can also see a video with vintage American film material.

You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh City at about 2pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the city or sip a cocktail on the roof of the glamorous Rex hotel.
 

The next two days are dedicated to the dazzling Mekong Delta. The Mekong River, with its vast fertile delta, is the backbone of the economy in the south. It produces one of Vietnam's most important exports- rice. At 7am, the minibus will arrive to take you in the direction of Cai Be. From here, you'll sail idly around the floating markets aboard a beautiful, traditional boat. Vendors will offer their wares from their boats jammed with produce, dangling their goods in the air from a long pole. You'll also see small flotillas drifting along as traders link up to swap goods amongst themselves.

You'll sail through narrow waterways observing local life on the riverbank. You'll quickly understand why the people of the south are renowned for their friendliness, as they smile and wave from their houses when you pass by. You can also cycle through one of the villages on a river island, catching an even closer glimpse of daily life.

The boat will then take you to a simple but charming hotel for the night. It lies in Cantho on the banks of the Mekong, where you can relax in the evening with a cool drink and watch the delta sunset.

Today is completely free, leaving you to explore Ho Chi Minh or simply chill out. You could have a long breakfast in the hotel and wander to Chinatown for some shopping and a bowl of steaming noodles.

In the evening, you'll leave Ho Chi Minh to catch the overnight train to Nha Trang. This train leaves at about 6.30pm. You will sleep in 4-bedded compartment, lulled by the gentle rocking of the train.

After your early arrival in Nha Trang, you will be collected by minibus and taken to the jetty. From here, the speedboat will take you to Palm Island.

Palm Island is Vietnam at its most exotic. Spectacular white beaches, azure seas, unspoilt corals reefs, quaint wooden bungalows... it's pretty much as close to paradise as you can get. Just imagine a hammock slung between two palm trees, swaying in a gentle sea breeze while you sip a cheeky afternoon cocktail. You can also swim, snorkel, and dive, giving you the option to do as little or as much as you like. In the evenings, wander along the beach with the powdery sand between your toes, and eat fresh fish at the lovely restaurant.

When you arrive, a meal will be served and you can follow this with a drink in the tropical bar, the gentle sound of lapping waves in the background. Bliss.

There are only 15 bungalows on the island, all hidden amongst swaying palm trees. These bungalows are comfortable and secluded, letting you relax completely while you listen to the nearby waves. The bungalow walls are made of bamboo, brick and palm wood, and their roofs are thatched with local palm leaves. The water's edge is only a few short steps from your veranda. The bungalows are tastefully furnished by the French management with a double bed (or two singles) and a mosquito net. All of the bungalows have their own private bathroom and a fan to keep you cool. Children under 8 years old can be accommodated with their parents in the same bungalow for free.

You can rent good snorkels for less than $2 per day. Palm Island is an unbelievably good diving location. Apart from relaxing, there are all sorts of activities you can do. There are surfboards and catamarans for hire per hour, per day or part of the day. You can book boat and snorkelling to the neighbouring bays and islands, or take a walk or go bird spotting on the island or in the surrounding areas.

Today, you'll head to the airport and take a quick domestic flight (1hr) from Nha Trang to Danang, the nearest airport to Hoi An. On arrival, you'll organise your own taxi to Hoi An. This is a very easy transfer. You'll never be short of taxis in Vietnam. Alternatively, you can hop on the bus. For a small extra cost we can arrange a private transfer from Danang airport to your Hoi An hotel, just ask us to add it to your itinerary.

The artistic town of Hoi An lies halfway between the south and north of the country. This makes it a perfect stopping place. It is popular with backpackers, who come for the laid back atmosphere, the quirky cafes, the tailors, and the peaceful nearby beach. The centre of town is easy to explore on foot and has barely changed since the 17th century, when it was an important port and trading post. As the port silted up, the traders abandoned the town, but their influences still clearly remain.

This is essentially a free day, so you can stay in the old town or head for the beach for some sun-kissed relaxation. However, we can also offer you the opportunity to whip up some authentic Vietnamese dishes in the kitchen. If you choose this option you'll be collected from your hotel and head to the colourful Hoi An market to pick up the ingredients for your lesson. There are many different types of vegetables and fruits to appeal to your senses. This is the best possible way to get to know local Vietnamese cuisine and to become acquainted with the friendly vendors at the market. Armed with your purchases, you'll head for the cookery school where you’ll hear all about typical Vietnamese dishes. Then, you will have a go at preparing your own dishes before gobbling them straight down afterwards.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. You'll spend all three nights in Hoi An in comfortable, centrally located hotel in the historic centre of town. Therefore you won't have to worry about taxi cabs or rickshaws to get home, you can simply walk back to your hotel. Walking through the narrow, lively streets and popping into a few of the small souvenir shops is quite a fun way to spend time. The hotel also has a very pleasant swimming pool and breakfast is included during your stay.

Today you'll travel back to the airport in Danang for a domestic flight into Hanoi. On arrival you'll make your own way to your hotel. 

Your hotel is situated in the centre of the Old Quarter- the beating heart of Hanoi-surrounded by food stalls and quirky restaurants. The hotel is a wonderful example of classic Vietnamese architecture. All rooms have a bathroom with warm water, air-conditioning, TV and mini-bar.

The narrow streets of Old Hanoi criss-cross each other, their pavements displaying all manner of local goods. In the 13th century, the 36 original streets were divided up among the craft guilds, each guild claiming its own street. This system remains to this day. Shoe Street has only shoe shops (every girl's dream). All street names begin with 'Hang', meaning trade. You'll find silver on Hang Bac, copper on Hang Dong , and silk on Hang Gai.

The Old Quarter is also home to a fascinating market with a booming trade in live chickens and fish, and a heady aroma of spices. After some retail therapy, visit peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and munch on a typical Vietnamese spring roll.    

Today, your time is your own. Spend your day ambling through the narrow lanes of the Old Quarter, stopping for coffee and cake, and watching the world go by.

If you're in the mood for a strange experience, you can drop in on the preserved body of former President Ho Chi Minh. A mausoleum was built for Ho Chi Minh, or Uncle Ho, after his death. You can see his body entombed in a glass sarcophagus- a huge building fronted by a grand square. Surrounded by guards, you can file in, one by one, to take a look at ‘Uncle Ho’. Every once in a while, his body is flown to Russia for a touch up, to keep him looking good for his guests. Oddly, he has an orange tint. Vietnamese people consider it a great honour to visit his embalmed body, and you can see their emotional reactions as you file past.

You can finish off your day with a visit to the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. This stands on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake and performances take place every evening. Puppetry is a national tradition in Vietnam, and the people are very proud of the artform.

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and taken to the coastal town of Halong (approx. 4hrs). The junk awaits you. Once onboard you'll start with a lunch caught fresh from the sea, and afterwards the boat will begin its superb cruise through the region. You'll anchor off the islands of Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog Island and Sail Island. You'll then visit Sung Sot Cave and take a refreshing swim by the beach at Titov. Fishing enthusiasts can attempt to catch their evening meal with a traditional rod and tackle. During dinner, you can mull over the impressions of the day and watch the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of Vietnamese wine. Life really doesn't get much better than this.

The next morning you'll be woken by the wafting scent of a delicious breakfast. You'll then begin your morning cruise, which features trips to Man's Head Island, Tortoise Island, Bu Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain. This entire area is a photographer's paradise, so be sure to keep your camera at the ready. Following this, you will board a small bamboo boat to explore the spooky Luong Cave. Lunch will be served aboard the junk during your return to the mainland. At Halong, your minibus will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi.

Today is your final day in Hanoi. If you're full of energy, you can get up at sunrise to visit Hoan Kiem Lake, where hundreds of locals gather for their morning workout. There are men and women doing Tai Chi, badminton tournaments, joggers, and groups of women walking around the lake, stopping now and again to stretch their arms and legs. A really inspiring start to the day.

After one last evening in Hanoi, you will depart on Day 18. You can easily arrange the transfer from your hotel to the airport yourself, or simply ask your hotel to call a taxi. When you arrive at the airport you'll check in for your international flight home. Please remember that you'll need to pay departure tax when leaving Vietnam. This comes to $14 USD per person, so be sure to have this much cash at hand.