Essential Vietnam & Sapa Valley nature - Superior

Arrival at your UK/Ireland departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Hanoi. Night on board.*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in Vietnam and transfer to your hotel. Take the opportunity to explore this bustling city and get to know your surroundings and relax ready for your trip to the Vietnamese countryside and to the hill station of Sapa. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early en route to Sapa, located in the hills in Northwestern Vietnam known for lush greenery, rice paddies and beautiful views. Arrive in Sapa and check-in before meeting with a local guide for a trail tour that will take you to Ta Giang Phinh, a remote hill tribe village along a peaceful stream where the traditionals of the H’mong people have been well-preserved despite the influence of modern life. Hike through wild and unspoiled scenery with stunning mountains and endless terraced fields. Stop on the way to meet Blue H’mong people to notice the differences featured in their traditional customs, dress from other ethnic groups. Observe the local villagers engaging in their daily activities, and have your camera ready to photograph friendly villagers and picturesque landscapes formed by terraced fields, streams, and mountains. Overnight stay in Sapa.

After breakfast, depart from the hotel on a beautifully picturesque hike through the landscape of the Sapa Valley. Admire the rice terraces which carve into the hills as the morning mists rise and the sun shines. Continue on to the Muong Hoa River and pass by the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van Giay. Cross a suspension bridge and discover a fascinating collection of ancient rock carvings. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the village before you venture to the bamboo forest of Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. Return to the road and transfer by car back to Sapa. Spend the evening at your leisure and enjoy an overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for the daily Sapa market, which is a real insight into Vietnamese culture and is sure to be a colourful and vibrant sight. After visiting the market, head out of town where you can walk downhill across a charming stream to Suoi Ho Village, which sits beautifully upon a low hill. Visit the local homes and get a great understanding of local life before continuing on to Ma Tra Village, which is home to a stunningly colourful flower farm. Visit the ruins of a French Catholic church before being transferred back to Sapa. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure before taking a shuttle bus back to Hanoi (about 6h ride) for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on an eye-opening full-day tour of Hanoi, famed for its thriving contemporary art scene and colonial-era French architecture. Meet your guide and drive a tthe hotel this morning to pay a visit to the first stop of the day, the historic Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum*, the final resting place of the nation's founder. After a walk through the nearby botanical garden of the Presidential Palace, visit Ho Chi Minh's house, a humble dwelling modelled on a rural Vietnamese stilt house.Next, enjoy a tour of the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 and designed to resemble a lotus blossom. One of the great pleasures of visiting Hanoi is exploring its legendary street food markets, so next up, head to the Old Quarter to discover the authentic heart of the city. See the markets of Hang Be and Dong Xuan and take a culinary journey as you enjoy a traditional street food lunch including an appetizer, main course and dessert. Of course, no Vietnamese meal would be complete without a traditional egg coffee, enjoyed at an authentic coffee stall. The final visit of the day is the beautiful Lake Hoan Kiem before capping off the day with a cold glass of Bia Hoi beer at a local bar. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy Hanoi at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hanoi.*Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is viewed from the outside on Mondays, Fridays and in the afternoon as it is closed at these times.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to begin your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board.Important: The cruise operator will choose one itinerary to either Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations. There will be no guide on board.

A Tai Chi class is available on the sundeck for early risers before brunch on board, as the boat continues cruising around Ha Long Bay. Cruise past many islets named after their unique shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger and so on.Follow the boat staff to explore one of the most magnificent caves, before cruising back to the dock, disembarking at approximately 10:30 a.m. From here, transfer to the airport to catch an afternoon flight to Danang. Arrive and drive to Hoi An, a charming city, known for its pretty lantern-lit streets.Get settled at the hotel and spend the evening enjoying the unique atmosphere and excellent cuisine of Hoi An. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know Hoi An today on a half-day guided walking tour. See the ancient town, famous for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and vibrant culture. Discover historic merchant houses, ancient pagodas and tranquil places of worship, as well as the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, an icon of Hoi An and the beautiful woodcarvings of the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation.Visit a traditional Hoi An tailor shop, where you can purchase made-to-order clothes and learn about the heritage of bespoke clothes-making in Hoi An before enjoying a 1-hour scenic boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Spend the rest of the day getting to know this vibrant city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Hoi An behind today as you embark on a scenic coastal drive towards the city of Hue. Along this spectacular route enjoy the views of passing countryside and daily life in rural Vietnam.Make a stop at My Khe beach, one of the most beautiful in the county and experience breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the famous Hai Van pass. Stop at Lang Co Lagoon to admire traditional fishing methods in action before arriving in Hue in the afternoon. A tranquil city, it was once the Imperial capital, home to an array of palaces, pagodas, royal tombs and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River.On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the impressive Royal Tu Duc Tomb. End the day with an interesting visit to a family-run incense stick-making workshop. Overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the Vietnam-American War.Continue visiting the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and move to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day in this exciting city, exploring at your own pace. We also recommend an optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta*. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.*Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Exchange city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. Depart from Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive to My Tho, known as the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, go to the waterfront pier and embark on an enjoyable motorboat excursion over the beautiful Delta scenery, with houses built on stilts and local fish farms along the way. Trade the boat for a bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and customary cottages.You will have the chance to see a family-run business where they make coconut candy directly in front of the pier. Taste local tea with honey and sample fruits while chatting with local people to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and traditional customs. Cap off the excursion with a memorable cruise by a rowing sampan that will take you along the narrow canals past lush orchards and sleepy villages. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the mid-afternoon.

Breakfast* at the hotel. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip. *Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.