They began their trip with two nights in the capital Hanoi with its hectic, colourful Old Quarter, Đồng Xuân Market, and lovely temples. This charming north Vietnamese city begs to be explored in depth and our Travel Counsellors got to experience the must-see sights of Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Presidential Gardens, Temple of Literature, and Hoa Lo prison.

From there they headed to Halong Bay in north-east Vietnam, a UNESCO site with rainforest-topped, towering limestone islands, and wonderful snorkelling. They saw it first on a seaplane flight over the bay, then by small cruise boat, spending a night on board, watching the sun set over the bay, and joining in with a morning tai chi session.

Then it was off to Ninh Binh, dubbed ‘Halong Bay on land’ for its natural beauty, where they explored Bright Cave on a bamboo rowing boat, visited Mua Cave, and discovered Dinh King Temple. From Ninh Binh, they had the unforgettable experience of hopping aboard an overnight train to Lao Cai Sapa, where they spent one night, before visiting the Muong Hoa Valley with its rice-paddy terraces and exploring the Topas Ecolodge on a mountaintop deep in Hoang Lien National Park, with adventures such as hiking, biking, village and market visits, and textile workshops.

Back in Hanoi for one final night, they took part in a local cooking class. The city’s vibrant food scene reflects its fascinating colonial history: its traditional Vietnamese dishes often display French influences, while much of the French cuisine you can enjoy bears the unique imprint of local techniques and flavours.

Feeling inspired?

The experiences our Travel Counsellors had can be included in a bespoke tour fully tailored to you, including transport, accommodation, and English-speaking guides who can help you get under the skin of this intoxicating destination.