Welcome to Vietnam and the colourful city of Hanoi.

Hanoi offers a beguiling combination of tranquility and chaos, from the elegance of its crumbling colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards, to the boisterous cacophony of street vendors and motorcycles. Much can be absorbed of daily life by wandering the streets of the old quarter, wandering through the local markets, and people-watching. For the culture buffs there are museums, temples and tombs which offer insight into a city rich in history and character.

Our first full day in Hanoi offers the opportunity to explore the City on the included city highlights tour.

We start at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, paying our respects to Vietnam's famous leader. Afterward, we enjoy the peaceful Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and have a delicious vegan Vietnamese lunch featuring authentic Vietnamese dishes.

In the afternoon, we visit West Lake and the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of Hanoi's oldest temples. Our final destination is the Ethnology Museum, where we learn about the cultures of Vietnam’s various ethnic groups.

This tour is a wonderful mix of history, culture, and local cuisine, offering a great overview of Hanoi’s main attractions.

Today we depart Hanoi for the mystical Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the highlights of Vietnam. The towering limestone islands and beautiful waters are an amazing site and something that every visitor to Vietnam must behold. Our accommodation for the night is is an incredible, traditional junk boat.

Halong translates to Bay of the Descending Dragons and local legend describes a great dragon soaring down from the mountains, gouging out the valleys and spitting jewels which transformed into the various islands. Staying on the boat in the heart of the bay means we have time to explore the caves, go swimming and soak up the beauty and tranquility of the area.

Tonight we are treated to a local dinner aboard the boat followed by time to relax on deck.

This morning we will do some final exploring of Halong Bay before returning to Hanoi. Take the morning to get in some more swimming or relaxing on the boat, and enjoy lunch on board before we get a private minibus back to our hotel.

Tonight you are free to take in the sounds and smells of the Old Quarter, join your tour leaders for a group meal and have a drink in one of the many bars dotted around the area.

Today is our final day in Hanoi and after a few busy days we feel you need a well earned rest, so you're free to enjoy the day as you please. You can visit “coffee street” in the old quarter  for a caffeine fix, grab some hearty vegan bowls of Pho from your tour leader's restaurant recommendations, or cross the red Huc Bridge to visit Jade Island where the Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of Jade Mountain) stands.

During free days, your tour leaders are always around to assist or advise in any way at all and we're always around the hotel ready and happy to help.

Of course we also need to eat so most nights we'll be inviting everyone out to eat with us. No obligation to join but we feel it's nice to have the choice.

Today we take a short flight to Hoi An.

Hoi An is widely considered one of the most colourful and beautiful towns in Vietnam. Largely spared of any major damage during the Vietnamese conflict, the old trading port of Hoi An is a UNESCO Heritage town offering an amazing central old town with small friendly streets dotted with an abundance of family run shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Whether you want to stop for a nice cheap Bia hơi (fresh beer) while watching the sun set over the river or simply wander the quaint streets of this picturesque town, Hoi An has it all within a short walking distance.

Today we'll enjoy a slow paced bike tour through the rice paddy fields, ending up at the beach.

One of the biggest highlights of Hoi An are the many tailors found around every corner. If you love clothes or shoes and want something special or unique Hoi An is the perfect place. Take a photo in to show the tailors or pick an outfit from the brochures and have it ready the next day.

Hoi An is also known for offering some incredible local cooking classes. So today we'll visit the local markets tour and learn the secrets behind the classic Vietnamese spring roll or one of the many other delicacies, before traying our hand at cooking some wonderful Vietnamese vegan dishes ourselves

Today we leave Hoi And to fly South and the incredible city of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, Vietnam's largest city and former capital of South Vietnam.

Still known as Saigon to many locals, Ho Chi Minh is a large city and with much to do. We head into our hotel in the Old Quarter to be located right in the middle of the action.

Time permitting, we'll spend the afternoon enjoying a local City Walking Tour, exploring Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral & Post Office, the Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

In the early evening, we'll head to one of out tour leaders recommended restaurants for an optional group meal and maybe a glass or two of the local Beer Saigon

Today we will visit the famous, or infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.

This network of tunnels was home to around 10,000 people who lived underground for several years during the war. It has living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage facilities and command centres. At its largest the tunnel system stretched over 250 kilometers from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. Today the remaining tunnels have been preserved, giving visitors a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the Vietnam/American war must have been like.

Today is a full day trip and overnight stay to the Mekong Delta.

The Delta is a central part of life in southern Vietnam, with agriculture, trading and markets all everyday practices. The unique ecosystems and communities here make it unlike anywhere else in the world. We will enjoy a cruise along the river, stopping off at markets to enjoy the local produce and soak up the atmosphere. After our day exploring the Delta we make our way to our home for the night by the river here a local family will cook dinner and tell us their stories of life in Vietnam both past and present.

Wake up to the sounds of the river coming to life and enjoy a basic home cooked breakfast before we make our way back along the Mekong, stopping at a few more places to meet the local people and learn about their life on the river.

We then make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City for out final night here in this amazing country

Today your Vietnam Adventure comes to an end but we hope you're leaving with some amazing memories.

Your Tour Leader will be available throughout the day should you need anything at all.

If you're making your own way to the airport, please check out at the allotted time. Luggage can be kept in the luggage area. Please ask your Tour Leader or reception for details.

If you have a transfer arranged with us, please check out by the appointed time and be ready in reception with your luggage at the specified pick-up time, usually 4-hours before your flight time, for international flights

If you wish to return to Hanoi or Bangkok we can arrange flights and accommodation for you at the time of booking or your Tour Leaders can help you book something during the tour

Have a great Flight and we hope to see you again in another amazing Grazing Trails destination!