Day 1
Arrive Hanoi; rest of day at leisure.

Day 2
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Hanoi. This will include visits to the Temple of Literature, the site of the oldest university in Vietnam with over 2000 graduates; Hoa Lo Prison & the Old Quarter of the city. This rest of the day is free to stroll amongst broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial charm to soak up, and many good cafes and restaurants to discover throughout the capital.

Day 3
We make an early start for the approximately 4-hour journey to Halong Bay. This is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights in South East Asia with roughly 3,000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea. We cruise amongst this amazing karst scenery, stopping to swim in the sea (weather permitting) and enjoy a seafood lunch. We overnight on board.

Day 4
We continue to cruise around Halong Bay this morning, with optional kayaking (weather permitting) before returning to port. We then drive back to Hanoi where the evening is free to explore or relax. There is the option of seeing a performance of the famous Water Puppets, which your leader can arrange.

Day 5
After breakfast we transfer to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Danang. In Danang, we climb the Marble Mountains where we explore the large caves which were used by the Viet Cong as a hospital base during the war. From the mountain peak, there are fantastic views over China beach and the surrounding countryside leading on to Hoi An, our final destination. Hoi An is a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside market and great silk / cloth shopping. If you have anything you want making up in mind, you should consider taking a picture of it along with you, or a sample.

Day 6
This morning we enjoy a short walking tour of Hoi An, the original European trading port in Vietnam dating back to the mid-sixteenth century and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant's houses and pagoda style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. The afternoon is free to enjoy a town that has become a favourite for so many travellers to Vietnam.

Day 7
We spend the morning at the wonderful Red Bridge restaurant, located on the bank of the Thu Bon River. Visiting the colourful local market first, we shop for ingredients before taking a boat ride to the restaurant. Here we learn the intricacies of Vietnamese cooking. Under the supervision of an English-speaking Vietnamese chef you have the opportunity to create your own dishes. You don't need to be a proficient cook to enjoy this activity but be warned, you get to eat your creations at the end of the morning! You may choose to stay on and enjoy the idyllic garden at the restaurant or make you way back into Hoi An town for an afternoon at leisure.

Day 8
This morning we transfer to Danang Airport for the flight to Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City. This is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free market city where anything goes. Our hotel is in the heart of this incredible city. The Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, are within easy walking distance and are highly recommended. This afternoon a city tour will include a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

Day 9
After breakfast we drive into the Mekong Delta to the small market town of Cai Lay. The Mekong Delta, known as the rice bowl of Vietnam, produces much of Vietnam's tropical fruits such as rambutan, water apple and jackfruit which you will have the chance to sample. We will also visit some small cottage industries manufacturing local products such as rice paper and popped rice before enjoying the local speciality, 'Elephant Ear Fish', for lunch. We return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon.

Day 10
This morning we drive to the white sand beach of Mui Ne, a costal resort town in the Binh Thuan Province. This small town is a great place to relax on the beach and take some time to unwind. There is a chance to try out some watersports such as kayaking, kite surfing or jet skiing if you wish, or its possible to hire a bicycle and cycle to nearby fishing villages, all are optional and your leader will help you to make arrangements. This evening, we drive to the nearby sand dunes and enjoy sunset over the South China Sea.

Day 11
Today we have a full day at leisure to fully enjoy this peaceful area. Your tour leader will be on hand to provide advice and assistance with organising optional activities. For food lovers there are plenty of restaurants offering fantastic fresh seafood, as well as the typical rice, noodle and vegetable dishes.

Day 12
This morning we transfer to Saigon Airport for the flight to Siem Reap. On arrival at Siem Reap, we will be met by our Cambodian tour leader. After checking into our hotel, we will drive to the fascinating Angkor complex and watch the sunset over the magnificent ancient monuments from Phnom Bakheng Temple.

Day 13
A full day spent exploring the complex. We will visit the incredible Angkor Wat, the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon comprising 54 intricately carved towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an early traveller in 1925 who stated 'we stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in the land.' We will also see other less-visited outlying temples. Particularly impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, which is still covered in jungle as it was first found. Re-discovered in the 1870's and famously described as being 'grander than anything of Greece or Rome' by the French explorer Henri Mouchot, this world heritage site stands alongside Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu as one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites. A truly magical experience and a photographer's paradise.

Day 14
End Siem Reap.