Deal

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon, a thriving, youthful metropolis on the edge of the Mekong Delta, and a great place to get to grips with Vietnam’s recent history. Dive straight into the US-Vietnam War at the former Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum. This lays the foundations for an afternoon with a well-respected local scholar who’ll show you hidden history spots off the tourist trail.

Visit Pho Binh, a private house where the Viet Cong Commanders gathered to plan the infamous Tet Offensive in 1968. You’ll also see a restored opium factory which played an important role in Vietnam’s power struggles during the first half of the 20th century.

After the skyscrapers and car horns of Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, on the banks of the Perfume River, is a breath of fresh air. Women in conical hats tend market stalls laden with tropical fruit, students pour over textbooks in cafes and Buddhist monks and nuns gather to pray in the pagodas. Hop in a cyclo to explore the Imperial City, once the seat of the Nguyen dynasty.

The last emperor, Khai Dinh, built a beautiful palace just outside the city which you’ll visit with a knowledgeable guide, who’ll also show you the tombs of eunuchs who lived in the Royal Court. In the afternoon, discover Hue’s garden houses, designed to create harmony between architecture and nature.

Welcome to Hoi An, a place of mouth-watering cuisine, backstreet tailors, gondalas and tea shops. But it’s the 15th century architecture that makes it so special. Find out how the Japanese merchant houses and Chinese temples have been preserved on a walking tour with a conservation expert. He’ll explain the difficulties Hoi An faces – annual flooding, urbanisation, overcrowding – and you’ll get a glimpse inside the preservation work of a 300-year-old mansion.

Today you have a full day at leisure. Spend the day on An Bang beach, have a suit made to measure or simply soak up the restaurant scene beneath hundreds of coloured lanterns.

Next up is Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Life plays out on the streets here; you’ll see haircuts on street corners, pho noodle stalls at every turn and whole families balancing on the back of scooters. A half day tour with a Hanoi insider will help you get your bearings, historically as well as geographically, starting with the Temple of Literature built in 1076. You’ll also see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969, and pass by his final resting place, an imposing mausoleum. As the sky gets dusky, catch a breeze by West Lake, home to sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.

Set sail for a day and night aboard a traditional junk boat. We’ll whisk you away from the crowds of Halong to Lan Ha where you can really soak up the scenery without all that rowdy company. Across the emerald sea, hundreds of limestone outcrops rise vertically from the water like dragon’s teeth. Watch the scenery drift past your balcony, or try your hand at some of the activities on offer, like kayaking or squid fishing. Learn how to make spring rolls with the head chef, join in tai chi on the top deck or take a trip to one of the islets to swim off the snow-white beach.

After 24 hours at sea, you’ll retrace your steps for another night back in Hanoi.

It’s now time for Luang Prabang, the spiritual centre of Laos. Buddhism is the heartbeat of daily life here, as you’ll discover on a gentle cycle tour around the old town, filled with temples, monasteries and saffron-robed monks who collect alms every morning. You’ll visit the former Royal Palace, the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, as well as Ock Pop Tok, a non-profit centre for traditional Lao weaving.

Today you’re free to wander independently, exploring the gorgeous cafés and boutiques. We love climbing 100m high Mount Phousi for a bird’s eye view of the old town peninsula, and a great spot to see the sun sink over the Mekong.

Finally, feast your eyes on Angkor, the most magnificent ancient city in Asia. Each monument has a different flavour, from vine-tangled Ta Prohm and the enigmatic stone faces of Bayon Temple, to Angkor Wat reflected in the lily pond beneath. We’ll pair you with an expert guide who’ll bring the archaeology to life, pointing out intricate details in the rock carvings and weaving stories of sun-worshipping kings. As your first day draws to a close, take a private gondala ride on the moat of Angkor Thom to see the sun set over the ruins, glass of wine in hand.