Maximise your time in Vietnam by flying overnight to Hanoi. We’ll meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel.

During your time in Hanoi you’ll stay at the French colonial-style Sofitel Metropole. Located right in the heart of the city, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Hanoi’s energy, culture and attractions. Spend the day relaxing by the pool or head out to see the city.

Begin your day with a tour of the atmospheric Old Quarter and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Next, sample some of Hanoi’s famous street food with a local expert before visiting a traditional market to try regional specialities and learn a little about how the delicious dishes are made.

Next stop, Halong Bay. Drive from Hanoi to the emerald waters, limestone outcrops and echoing caves of this serene spot. You’ll board the beautiful Paradise Luxury Sails for your overnight cruise through the bay. In the evening, enjoy a freshly made seafood meal as you watch the sunset over the dramatic seascape.

Spend the morning exploring more of the uninhabited islands and craggy caves here. Then, after disembarking and driving back to Hanoi take a short flight south, you'll arrive in the imperial city of Hue. Located on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is the ancient cultural capital of Vietnam. You’ll stay at the former governor's house, where you'll get a feel for the city’s rich history.

Under the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled between 1802 and 1945, Hue was the Imperial capital and you’ll spend the day discovering the glories of Hue's past. Head to the Imperial Citadel and admire the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. You’ll also, pay a visit to the seven-storied Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam.

Travel south to see more of rural Vietnam today. Stop at the scenic fishing village of Lang Co to watch the little boats bring in their catch. You’ll travel across the impressive Pass of Ocean Clouds, a 21 kilometre-long spur in the Annamite Range that juts into the South China Sea. Arrive at your sumptuous hotel in Hoi An. A sundowner cocktail overlooking the Thu Bon River is the perfect way to finish the day.

Hoi An is one of the best-preserved towns in Vietnam. Its jumble of teashops, Japanese merchant houses and Chinese temples feels like a step back in time. Equally intoxicating are its colourful markets, alive with traders touting their wares. Visit with a local guide, to pick up ingredients before joining a cookery class to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. Spend your second day in Hoi An getting lost in its cobbled streets and soaking up the unique atmosphere.

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest and most energetic metropolis. You’ll visit the History Museum, Reunification Hall and the War Remnants Museum. Make a stop at Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of the city before finishing at the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by Gustav Eiffel. Complete your day at the rooftop bar of the towering Pullman Saigon.

Swap the frenetic city for the peaceful market town of Cai Be. Here, you’ll board a sampan and cruise the delta region's network of waterways, bartering from the floating trade boats as you go. Back in Ho Chi Minh, the city’s nightlife is waiting to be explored from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter! Ride the busy streets, before visiting a Vietnamese coffee house and a live music club.

After your late checkout, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast subterranean network was originally constructed by the Viet Minh in the 1940s. Used to great effect by the Viet Cong, it housed whole communities in its unbelievably narrow passages. Meet a veteran who lived in the tunnels to hear a fascinating personal account of the war. Next, you’ll head to the airport for your return flight home.