Monday 27th April to 

We recommend that you depart from London Heathrow at 18.55 on Vietnam Airlines flight VN56 to Hanoi. NB. International flights are not included.

Chao Ban! Welcome to Hanoi! Once you arrive in the early afternoon (Vietnam Airlines flight lands at 12.40) you will be welcomed by a representative of Footprint Travel and transferred downtown for a light lunch. After the light lunch, get ready for a day of discovering the atmospheric city of Hanoi. We will start by visiting Tran Quoc pagoda and take a cyclo trip around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi´s fascinating Old Quarter to explore typical Hanoian life and Vietnamese culture. Check-in at hotel for some rest and get ready for the welcome dinner at 19.00 hosted by Footprint Travel. Overnight: Conifer Boutique Included meals: Lunch and dinner

Depart at 08.00 to transfer to Pu Luong (about four hours drive). Upon arrival at Kho Muong village, check in at a local homestay for a brief rest and something to eat. After lunch, we’ll discover local culture and traditions and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. We will also undertake some community work to support the local villages. This will involve small activities such as helping out on the farm, making minor repairs to the school buildings or planting a flower or whatever else is needed by the community. These projects are funded by Footprint to support and give back to the village for their hospitality. In the evening, you will join the family to help prepare Com Lam for dinner. It is a traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cooked inside the fresh bamboo tubes. Overnight: Homestay Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

We wake up early this morning to witness the bustling daily life of local people. After breakfast we will set off for a walk through the beautiful Pu Luong nature reserve. The 9km trek will take about three hours. It will involve some uphill walking, but the difficulty can be tailored to the group’s abilities and interests. The effort will be rewarded with spectacular views of local villages and rice terraces. We will arrive at our eco-lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time before dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Pu Luong Retreat Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast and check-out, you’ll have time to further explore the village, including a visit to a local family who keep the tradition of rice wine making alive. Before heading back to Hanoi, we will stop by some water wheels. Upon arrival, around 14.30, we will refresh at the hotel and get some rest before heading to another corner of Hanoi Old Quarter to attend a Water Puppet Show - a favourite experience for all visitors to Hanoi! Overnight: Conifer Boutique Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast, depart for Ha Long Bay (about 2.5 hours drive). We will arrive at the port around noon. You will be welcomed on board and settled into your cabin before the trip briefing. Enjoy a local lunch while absorbing the magic of scenic Bai Tu Long Bay, an area in the east of Ha Long Bay, which is just as stunning but with far fewer visitors. During the cruise there will be stops for swimming and a cave visit. You will also have the option to kayak in the bay and relax on a secluded beach. You’ll return to the boat in time to watch a beautiful sunset from the top deck, before enjoying a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight: On board on Renea cruise boat Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet, breathtaking beauty of the bay’s landscape with its towering limestone karsts or join Tai Chi session on a sundeck. After breakfast we’ll explore the bay further to visit Thien Canh So Cave. Back on board the boat, we’ll join Vietnamese spring rolls masterclass and enjoy lunch as we slowly cruise back to the pier. Transfer back to Hanoi train station for 19.50 to board the night train to Danang. The group will share sleeper cabins which are air-conditioned. Overnight:On the train Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Enjoy the views and absorb local life whilst on the train this morning. You can buy breakfast from the dining car (at your own cost) but simple snacks will be provided. We will arrive at Danang train station around 12.20 where your local guide will welcome you and take you for lunch near the train station. After lunch, transfer to Hoi An (approximately a one hour drive) for a guided walking tour exploring the streets of Hoi An’s charming old town and the famous sites such as as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Phuoc Kien Pagoda. Here you will learn about the fascinating history and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage site. We can also pay a visit to some local tailors. Hoi An is well known for being a good place to get great tailor-made clothes at reasonable prices! In the evening we will enjoy a street food tour of Hoi An to sample some local delicacies. Overnight: Hoi An Ancient House Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

At 9.00 the guide will pick us up and we’ll drive to Mr Cu’s house in Cam Nam, where you’ll see and experience the life of a fisherman, from preparing the fishing tools to going fishing. Later in the day, we’ll head to Bay Mau for a short basket boat row through coconut forest. We then cycle along the country road through the paddy fields of rice, coconut or corn, heading to Tra Que. Ms Hue will treat us with a delicious lunch. Our afternoon will continue with sightseeing to the famous cultural sites around Hoi An and hotel inspection. Overnight: Hoi An Ancient House Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

After an early breakfast, transfer to Danang airport in time for your internal flight to Ho Chi Minh City. VN107 Departing DAD at 09.00 arrival SGN 10.30. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels. You’ll learn first hand about what life was like for the Viet Cong who lived and fought in these underground tunnels. Afterwards you’ll visit a rice paper workshop to find out how this is produced. In the afternoon, we will head back to Ho Chi Minh City and en route will visit Vinh Nghiem pagoda. After checking in at the hotel, there will be some time for shopping before dinner. On the way to hotel, we’ll pass by Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office and the City Hall. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight:Happy Life Green Hotel

At 6.00 transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for the VN51 flight at 09.35. Arrive in London at 16.55.

Recommended international flights (not included) are with Vietnam Airlines VN56 LHR 18.55 arrives Hanoi 12.40 +1 VN51 Ho Chi Minh 09.35 arrives LHR 16.55

Our intention is to follow the above itinerary as closely as possible but please note that timings and specific excursions may be subject to local factors such as weather conditions.

Transportation and accommodation as stated in the itinerary Professional English-speaking guide throughout the programme Meals as per the itinerary Entrance tickets to places listed in itinerary

International flights Any relevant visa fees Any relevant Covid test requirements Alcoholic beverages Insurance Tips and porterage Services & meals not mentioned as included