Day 1London
Today you will catch your overnight flight to Bangkok.
After a brief connection in Bangkok fly onto the charming city of Hanoi with its small narrow streets in the Old Quarter and its beautiful buildings from the French colonial days. You have the day free to relax and explore this great city.
Your guide will meet you early this morning as you begin your exploration of the city as it slowly awakens. Explore the traditional Old Quarter area and Hoan Kiem Lake where you can watch locals practicing Tai Chi. The tour ends by joining the locals for a traditional breakfast of 'Pho' noodle soup.
Later this morning embark on a city tour with your driver and guide. Visit Ho Chi Minh's former home, the Temple of Literature (the first university in Hanoi) and perhaps the Fine Arts Museum which has a wonderful collection of art and sculpture.
Spend the morning with a specialist culinary expert, exploring the highlights of Hanoi's various markets and the various unique ingredients on offer.
Afternoon at leisure.
Day 5Hanoi - Halong City
This morning transfer to Halong City, where you will board your traditional Vietnamese junk. Spend the afternoon cruising around Halong Bay's thousands of limestone islets and caves and see the sun setting over the calm waters before enjoying a wonderful seafood dinner under the stars.
Day 6Halong City - Hanoi - Hue
Wake up to see sunrise over the bay. Continue cruising before returning to Hanoi this afternoon. You will then transfer to the airport and board your flight to Hue. On arrival your guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Cruise along the Perfume River this morning visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and the ancient tomb of Minh Mang along the journey. This afternoon you will explore the Citadel with your guide and learn of its turbulent past and how it has withstood the test of time.
Regarded by many as the culinary capital of Vietnam, Hue takes its culinary cues from its royal heritage. So you will learn to cook some of the central regional specialities. Mrs. Cuc will take you to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how to choose food for your cooking lesson at Y Thao Garden House.
Drive from Hue to Hoi An today taking the scenery along the journey. Pass abundant rice paddy fields and travel over the Hai Van Pass, which on a clear day has spectacular views of the coastline. You have the afternoon to relax and take a stroll around the charming riverside town of Hoi An.
Today you have a full day to learn a little about the source of the fresh ingredients on sale in Hoi An town. Starting at the lively fish market early this morning you can then either drive or cycle to the local village of Tra Que where you can interact with the farmers growing local food for the restaurants and markets of Hoi An town.
Afternoon at leisure.
Drive to Danang airport today for the short flight to Saigon in southern Vietnam. On arrival transfer via the Cu Chi tunnels to learn a little more about the Vietnam war and the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the cosmopolitan city.
You have an early start today to explore the city as it awakens. Stop off for breakfast including the traditional, strong hot coffee with sweet milk.
Later this morning enjoy a half day city tour with your guide. Visit the War Remnants Museum which has an excellent photography exhibition, Cholon Market and more.
Today you will be collected and transferred to Cai Be where you will board your converted rice barge and begin cruising through the Mekong Delta and its tributaries.
Watch life on the river unfold whilst enjoying breakfast cruising along the river to the Cai Rang floating market. On arrival at the market transfer to a smaller boat to weave in between the market and experience everyday life of buying and selling fresh produce on the waters.
After breakfast you will arrive into the border town of Chau Doc. After disembarking from the Bassac, you will be collected by your guide and transferred south to the Cambodia border crossing near Hat Tien. On arrival into Cambodia you will be met and driven to the sleepy, coastal town of Kep.
You have the day free to explore this sleepy coastal town. Rent a bicycle and see some of the surrounding countryside or catch a longtail boat to the nearby Rabbit Island, where you can sample the local delicacy of freshly caught crab cooked with Kampot Pepper!
Break up the journey to Phnom Penh today, by stopping off at one of the numerous Kampot Pepper plantations en route. The farmer will be glad to show you the produce and you will have the opportunity to purchase some pepper to take home.
A full day touring the sights and sounds of Phnom Penh with your private guide and driver. In the morning you will be able to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, home of the Emerald Buddha. The afternoon features visits to elements of Cambodia's recent history which some may find distressing.
After your flight to Siem Reap this afternoon you will be able to explore the incomparable Angkor Wat with your guide and take in the sunset from the top of Angkor Wat itself or view the whole scene from nearby Phnom Bakheng.
In the early morning visit my personal favourite, Ta Prohm. By far the most atmospheric of all the ruins, it has been reclaimed by the jungle and is being crushed by massive tree roots. Seeing this temple at dawn avoids the crowds and allows you to witness the temple emerge slowly from the dark until it reveals itself in all its ruined finery. The rest of the morning is spent visiting the impressive fortified city of Angkor Thom. The most famous temple in this complex is the Bayon, with 216 enigmatic smiling faces.
A day to explore further a field taking in one of Audley's favourites - Beng Melea. Witness here how the jungle has reclaimed its territory with unrivalled ferocity to produce staggering results.
En route back to Siem Reap stop off at Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, the Tonle Sap. Visit some of the floating markets and experience the remarkable daily life of the people's lives which are so entwined with this unique biosphere. Keep your eye out for some rare birdlife too!
Fly to Bangkok this evening.
Overnight flight back to the UK.