Old Hanoi

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the capital at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a symbolic building that preserves the remains of the Vietnamese President of the same name, located at the heart of Ba Dinh Square where the Declaration of Independence was read in 1945.

We continue to the Presidential Palace, built in colonial style, and to the One Pillar Pagoda, whose name derives from its singular structure resting on a single pillar — a symbol of the purity of the lotus flower. It was erected by Emperor Ly Thai Tong as a good omen for the birth of a son to inherit the throne.

We then make our way to West Lake, Hanoi’s largest natural basin covering four square kilometres, to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in the capital built in the 6th century, and to the Temple of Literature, the country’s first national university, founded in 1070 in honour of Confucius and serving as the Imperial Academy.

In the afternoon, we explore the Old Quarter aboard a traditional cyclo, weaving through the historic lanes that intersect in the old town and take their names from the goods once sold there. We stop at Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, and cross the iconic red wooden The Huc Bridge leading to the Ngoc Son Temple, or Jade Mountain. The day concludes with the world-famous Water Puppet Show.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel

Ninh Binh

In the morning, we head to Ninh Binh, approximately 100 km south of Hanoi, in the southern area of the Red River Delta. Celebrated for the hundreds of limestone cliffs rising from the earth amid vast rice paddies, this region is rightfully nicknamed “the inland Ha Long Bay”. Beyond its breathtaking scenery, the visit offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the typical rural way of life in Vietnam.

We visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital until 1010 AD — a place of remarkable historical significance, witness to numerous events that changed the course of the nation’s history. We then continue to the Bai Dinh and Le temples. Bai Dinh and Le.

In the afternoon, we explore the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its network of caves, valleys and historical remains. We board a boat on the river to relax and take in the spectacular scenery of the natural park. At the end of the day, we check into our hotel in Ninh Binh.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, boat, private transfers and hotel

Halong Bay

In the early morning, we transfer to Ha Long port (approximately 4 hours). On arrival, we board our junk boat for an unforgettable cruise through Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World since 2008.

Covering an area of over 1,500 square kilometres, it is home to thousands of monolithic limestone islands, extraordinary caves, and a rich biodiversity with countless marine flora and fauna species.

While sailing through the bay’s magnificent natural scenery, a range of activities are available according to the cruise company’s programme, including swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, visiting a limestone cave and a fishing village — or simply relaxing and soaking in the unforgettable panorama.

Meals and overnight stay on board.

Included: Ha Long Bay junk boat (private cabin with AC), lunch, dinner

Halong Bay

The cruise offers the rare privilege of witnessing a spectacular sunrise over Ha Long Bay. For those who wish, a Tai Chi class on the deck of the junk is available at 6:00 in the morning.

After breakfast on board, further activities are available depending on the cruise company’s itinerary.

We then make our way back to Ha Long port, where a farewell brunch on board brings this unforgettable experience to a close.

Upon arrival at the port, we transfer to Hanoi airport in good time for the domestic flight to Hue.

Included: Tour guide, brunch on board, regional flight, hotel

Cittadella di Hue

After breakfast, we visit the Imperial City, the fortified palace within the Citadel. Construction began in 1623, though the completion of the entire project took a further 203 years.

We then visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, or “Pagoda of the Celestial Lady” — as it is known according to an ancient legend — built in the 17th century during the Le dynasty and today one of the most recognised symbols of Hue.

In the afternoon, we visit the mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh.

We then transfer to Hoi An via Da Nang, the third largest city in Vietnam.

Historically, Da Nang held decisive strategic, military and political importance as the dividing line between the Kingdom of Dai Viet to the north and the Kingdom of Champa to the south. Today it represents above all a geographical, climatic and cultural boundary between North and South Vietnam.

The transfer crosses the Hai Van Pass, known as the Pass of the Clouds. On arrival, we check into our hotel in Hoi An.

Included: Tour guide, boat, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel.

Hoi An

After breakfast, we visit the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, where buildings that still preserve the classic style and character of trading towns from the 15th to 19th centuries stand side by side, reflecting Chinese, Japanese and European architectural influences.

We visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and its adjoining Cau Chua Pagoda, built at the end of the 16th century by the Japanese community.

We then proceed to the ancient Phung Hung House, built in 1780 and one of the finest examples of traditional architecture in Hoi An. We conclude with a visit to the Fukian Temple, built at the end of the 17th century by the Fujian Chinese congregation.

We then transfer to Da Nang airport in good time for the domestic flight to Saigon. On arrival, we check into our hotel in Saigon.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers

Mekong Delta

Our journey continues south to the Mekong Delta provinces. For millennia this area played a pivotal role — initially as a commercial hub thanks to its advantageous geographical position along the maritime route between India and China, and today above all as an economic powerhouse that has earned it the title of “the rice bowl of Vietnam.”

After breakfast, we transfer to Ben Tre. On arrival, we explore the rural areas to discover the daily activities that still follow age-old traditions. Fishing and agriculture undoubtedly prevail as the key sectors of the region, and along the way we stop to observe several production processes that illustrate the way of life of the communities living along the Mekong. We visit a kiln used for the traditional firing of bricks, a workshop for the processing of coconut and its derivatives, and a weaving house where straw mats are still made entirely by hand.

We then board a sampan — the traditional wooden boat — and navigate through the narrow waterways of the Delta, mooring at a village to visit a local home and savour the exquisite cuisine of southern Vietnam.

We then return to our hotel in Saigon.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, lunch, boat, private transfers and hotel

Notre Dame Cathedral

After breakfast, we transfer to Cu Chi, the district most devastated, bombed and poisoned by napalm during the Vietnam War.

We visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the celebrated network of underground passages that played a crucial role in the survival of many people. The earliest tunnels date back to the 1940s, when the Vietnamese began digging underground galleries to escape forced conscription, resist French attacks and maintain contact between villages. In the 1960s, the Viet Cong extended the network to over 250 kilometres, and since then the tunnels have become legendary in the history of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, we visit Saigon — the ancient royal capital of Prey Nokor during the Khmer Kingdom, later the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, and subsequently renamed Ho Chi Minh City after its iconic leader.

Among the most symbolic landmarks, we visit the Central Post Office, built in the late 19th century with Renaissance and Gothic stylistic influences. We continue to the Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior only due to ongoing restoration works), the Catholic church built during the French colonial period.

We then transfer to the airport in good time for the regional flight to Siem Reap.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, regional flight, private transfers and hotel

Banteay Srei temple

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the Angkor archaeological site at the Vishnuite sanctuary temple of Prasad Kravan (921 AD), renowned for its brick sculptures found nowhere else within the complex.

We stop at the Pre Rup temple, built in the 10th century during the reign of Rajendravarman, an unmistakable example of the “Temple Mountain” architectural style.

We then proceed to Banteay Samré, erected in the late 12th century as the last Hindu temple built at Angkor, and to Banteay Srei (10th century), the “Citadel of Women”, celebrated for its exquisite and delicately carved bas-reliefs — widely regarded as one of the unmissable highlights of the entire site.

In the afternoon, we visit the Buddhist temples, the last to be built during the Khmer Kingdom.

We explore the small yet captivating Ta Som, modest in size but utterly enchanting for its atmosphere of serene quietude; the Medicine Temple of Neak Pean, a wholly atypical structure from an architectural standpoint, designed to replicate the mythical lake of Anavatapta, the sacred Himalayan lake; and the temple of Preah Khan, “The Great Sword”, built on the site of Jayavarman II’s final battle to reclaim his kingdom from the invading Champa Empire.

Included: Tour guide, private transfers, entrance tickets, hotel.

Bayon temple

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the archaeological site at Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, spreading across a surface area of approximately two million square metres. We then make our way to the picturesque temple of Ta Prohm, one of the most fascinating and photographed in the entire complex, still engulfed in vegetation and wrapped in the enormous roots of centuries-old banyan trees.

In the afternoon, we visit “The Great City” of Angkor Thom, a vast complex of buildings dominated by the Bayon temple, renowned for its 216 gigantic stone faces carved atop its 54 sanctuaries.

The day draws to a close with a visit to the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the temple of Phimeanakas.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel.

Kompong Kleang floating village

In the morning, we transfer to the village of Dom Dek. Weather permitting, we make a stop at the colourful and authentic local market. Taking a detour, we immerse ourselves in the surreal atmosphere of Kompong Kleang : a long dirt road lined with wooden stilt houses rising over ten metres high, built to shelter their inhabitants from flooding during the rainy season.

We observe the daily life of the local community engaged in a variety of traditional fishing activities that, as if frozen in time, have remained unchanged for centuries. We then board a traditional wooden boat and navigate along the canal that flows into Tonle Sap lake. Continuing further, we reach the floating village — an entire community that has lived and worked on the water for centuries. Alongside private homes, we find floating schools, shops, workshops and restaurants.

In the afternoon, we head north to visit Beng Mealea, one of the last Hindu temples predating the Buddhist religious reform. The visit is among the most captivating in the area, as the temple has undergone little restoration and remains almost entirely swallowed by the surrounding forest.

We then return to the hotel in Siem Reap.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private boat, private transfers and hotel.

Banteay Chhmar temple

In the early morning, we leave Siem Reap heading towards Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia.

During the transfer, we stop at another unmissable masterpiece of Khmer architecture: the temple of Banteay Chhmar, built in the late 12th century and still to this day engulfed in vegetation and well off the beaten tourist track.

On arrival in Battambang, we explore the town and its colonial buildings lining the riverfront.

We then continue to the traditional Wat Kor village, where we visit several authentic wooden Khmer houses built around 100 years ago — among them the former home of Nuon Chea, one of the most prominent figures of the Pol Pot regime.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel.

Bamboo Train

We spend the day to the most important sights in and around Battambang.

We begin with a visit to the Ek Phnom temple, built in the 11th century, passing through an enchanting rural landscape along the way. We stop at a local home to observe the production process of the rice paper discs used in the preparation of delicious spring rolls.

We then continue to Prasad Banan, the Angkorian hilltop temple reached by climbing the original stone staircase of 358 steps.

In the afternoon, we experience the thrill of the “bamboo train” — an exhilarating ride through the Cambodian countryside aboard a motorised bamboo platform on the old railway line.

We conclude the day with an extraordinary visit to the cave on Phnom Sampeu hill to witness the incredible spectacle of a dense cloud of bats that takes flight every day at 5:30 pm, heading towards Tonle Sap lake to feed.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel.

Oudong Monastery

We continue our journey towards the capital. The long transfer from Battambang offers a wonderful opportunity to observe the daily life of the Khmer people going about their everyday activities.

We stop in the town of Pursat to visit a soapstone (or “soap rock”) craft workshop, where religious statues and various objects are produced. We then visit the terracotta craft workshops in Kompong Chhnang village.

In the afternoon, we reach Oudong, the former capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia from 1818 to 1866. We visit the Oudong Monastery, the largest in Cambodia, and the adjacent hill where sacred stupas preserving relics of the Buddha stand alongside breathtaking panoramic views.

On arrival in Phnom Penh check in at the hotel.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers and hotel

Throne Hall – Royal Palace

We explore the captivating capital Phnom Penh, once known as the “Pearl of Asia” — one of the most beautiful cities built in Indochina in the 1920s, which still retains its colonial charm and traditional Khmer character.

We visit the Royal Palace, still the residence of the King today, where the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda stand out as unmissable highlights. We then visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as “S-21 School”), a powerful testimony to the dramatic period of the Khmer Rouge regime.

We conclude the day with a visit to the colourful local market.

We then transfer to the airport in good time for the international departure flight.

Included: Tour guide, entrance tickets, private transfers