The Very Best of Vietnam (16 days)

Our ‘Very Best of Vietnam' tour is a luxury holiday aimed at those looking to stay in the finest accommodation that Vietnam has to offer. The trip begins in Hanoi with a two-night stay at the world famous Sofitel Metropole, before you take an exciting journey by seaplane to the UNESCO protected Halong Bay. Enjoy a two night cruise on a luxurious junk boat marvelling at the natural beauty of Halong and Lan Ha Bays. You will then make your way down the gorgeous Vietnamese coastline with extended stays at two of Vietnam’s most outstanding hotels – the Four Seasons Nam Hai in Hoi An and the Amanoi close to Nha Trang. This is your chance to relax in some serious style!

Guide Price

From £7,225 per person.

Day by Day Itinerary

Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Hanoi

Flight: VN54 London Heathrow - Hanoi 11.00 - 05.10 (overnight)

Day 2: Arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel

Private transfer to your hotel: Upon arrival at Hanoi airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car. Early check-in will be included so you can access your room right away and rest after your journey.

Time at leisure: After checking in you have the rest of the day free to settle in to your hotel, relax after your journey, and begin exploring Hanoi Old Town at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sofitel Legend Metropole (Premium Room)

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

Day 3: Morning tour of Hanoi, with special dinner at Green Tangerine

Morning tour of Hanoi: Start today's tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam. Continue to the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation's independence in 1945, and which is now home to his mausoleum. After looking around the square you will be able to walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace before seeing Ho Chi Minh's house, the modest dwelling he built based on a rural Vietnamese stilt house and where "Uncle Ho" lived for the last years of his life. You will also be shown the One Pillar Pagoda which is nearby, and Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Afternoon at leisure in Hanoi: You have an afternoon at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, take in a water puppet show, go shopping in the Old Quarter, or sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights.

Special Dinner: This evening you will be taken for dinner at the charming Green Tangerine Restaurant which serves French fusion cuisine. The restaurant is set in a restored French colonial style building that dates from 1928, and is somewhat of an oasis in the heart of the chaotic Old Quarter. Green Tangerine specializes in modern French fare with a Vietnamese twist, so you can expect stylishly presented dishes bursting with flavour.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sofitel Legend Metropole (Premium Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi

Day 4: Seaplane transfer to Halong Bay, and board your cruise boat

Seaplane transfer to Halong Bay: After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the airport to board a 12-seater Cessna seaplane for the short flight to Halong Bay. The flight departs at 11.30am and takes around 30 minutes. On arrival you are then treated to a spectacular 15 minute scenic flight around the bay before landing in the water and transferring to Tuan Chau Marina to board your cruise boat.

Lan Ha Bay Cruise On arrival at the port, board your cruise and set sail around noon. As your journey begins, lunch is served in the dining room on the terrace deck, which offers offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. You will pass an ancient lighthouse built by the French more than a century ago. While heading deeper and further south into the maze of Lan Ha Bay, you can enjoy the activities offered on-board - take a plunge in the pool or make use of the spa or the bar.

The first stop is a local pier on the south of Cat Ba Island which is the entry point for a visit to a charming village named "Viet Hai". Hop on bicycles (or electric cars) for a scenic exploration along small paved pathways, which meander through the lush tropical forest towards the village nestled in the valley. Meet and interact with the local inhabitants doing their daily work around their homes or gardens and get to know the way of life of the area.

Back on board, set sail again to a tranquil place and moor up for the night. The chef will serve a multi-course dinner and afterwards you can join fellow passengers for a movie night in the dining room or help the crew fishing for squid

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Ylang Cruise (Signature Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Halong Bay

Day 5: Lan Ha Bay cruise

Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Early this morning there is an optional Tai Chi session or a yoga class in the dedicated yoga room. Breakfast is then served in the dining room or in your suite before you set off to visit one of the few remaining local floating fishing villages. After the visiting the villages, set off on a leisurely hiking tour in Cat Ba National Park. Learn more about the endemic flora and fauna and the island itself as the largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Lunch is served back on board, while Ylang continues to sail through the bay to a secluded cove. The afternoon is free to choose from a range of activities: you may like to swim and sunbath on a natural beach, or join a kayaking tour - or a bit of both. Or simply just kick-back on board and relax.

This evening there will be another delicious multi-course dinner, and an optional guided meditation activity.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Ylang Cruise (Signature Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Floating village

Day 6: Return to Hanoi and fly to Hoi An

Lan Ha Bay Cruise: After more optional tai chi or yoga, the Ylang will moor up and allow you some more time to kayak or swim before passing back through Lan Ha Bay to the pier while you have breakfast. On arrival, disembark and meet up with your driver.

Road journey to Hanoi Airport: Upon arrival at the quay, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to Hanoi Airport. Depending on time, en route you may have an opportunity to stop off at the Phu Lang ‘ceramic village’ where the villagers have been practicing this traditional craft for generations.

Flight: VN181 Hanoi - Danang 16.20 - 17.45

Road journey to Hoi An: Upon arrival at Danang Airport, you will be met by a guide and transferred to Hoi An and your hotel on the beachfront. This is a drive of around 45 minutes.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (One-Bedroom Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Lanterns, Hoi An

Days 7-9: Time at leisure at Hoi An

Days at leisure: You have several days free at leisure to relax or explore more of the area independently. Your hotel is located on the beachfront, but the charming Old Town is easily accessible. There are also opportunities to cycle in the countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An, or go to one of the town’s tailors to get some clothes made.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (One-Bedroom Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

An Bang Beach, Hoi An

Day 10: Fly to Nha Trang and transfer to your resort at Vinh Hy Bay

Private transfer to the airport: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Danang Airport in time for your onward flight. This is a journey of around 30km and, depending on traffic and road conditions, the driving time should be around 45 minutes.

Flight: VN1947 Danang - Nha Trang 12.40 - 13.45

Road journey to Vinh Hy: On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Amanoi in Vinh Hy. This is a drive of around 1.5 hours from the airport, depending on conditions.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amanoi (Lake Pavilion)

Meals: Breakfast

Nha Trang Beach

Days 11-14: Time at leisure at Vinh Hy Bay

Days at leisure: You have several days free at leisure to relax and enjoy the spectacular setting of the Amanoi. Activities can be arranged locally through the hotel, or you can make use of the extensive facilities at the resort, such as the exceptional spa.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Amanoi (Lake Pavilion)

Meals: Breakfast

Fishing boats

Day 15: Transfer to Nha Trang and fly to Hanoi

Road journey to Cam Ranh Airport: At the appropriate time today, you will be transferred to Cam Ranh Airport, a journey of around 1.5 hours, in time to check in for your departure flight.

Flight: VN1562 Nha Trang - Hanoi 19.55 - 21.45

Meals: Breakfast

Beach, Nha Trang

Day 16: Fly from Hanoi to London Heathrow

Flight: VN55 Hanoi - London Heathrow 01.05 - 07.15

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The Very Best of Vietnam

The Very Best of Vietnam (16 days)

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