Vietnam: North to South

A free day in the countryside. Cycle between the rice paddies and pagodas, or add a trip to Cuc Phuong, Vietnam's first national park, to walk in the rainforest and visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center.

Climb the 500 steps of Hang Mua, the Lying Dragon Mountain, for the best view in the region, then glide along the river and through its caves in a traditional sampan boat. In the evening, board the overnight sleeper bus south to Phong Nha.

Wake up in Phong Nha, the gateway to a national park with some of the largest caves on the planet. The day is free: visit Paradise Cave, hire a bike to ride out through the villages, or relax by the hotel pool.

An active day. Head to the Dark Cave to zip-line across the river, swim into the cave and wallow in its underground mud bath, then kayak back out into the sunshine. The evening is free to rest.

Travel south to Hue, the old imperial capital, stopping on the way for a swim at Thuan An Beach. Check in during the afternoon and head down to the Perfume River at dusk.

A free day in Hue. Explore the walls and palaces of the Imperial City, visit the royal tombs along the river, or add a guided tour of the city's sights to your booking.

This morning's drive takes you over the Hai Van Pass, where the road climbs high above the sea with views all the way down the coast. Arrive in Hoi An for a first evening among the lantern-lit streets of the old town.

Explore the old trading port, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of yellow merchant houses, temples and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Have clothes made by one of the town's famous tailors, or spend the day at the beach.

Hop on a bike this morning for an easy ride through rice paddies and quiet lanes to An Bang Beach. Swim, have fresh seafood for lunch by the water, then cycle back to town in the late afternoon.

A last full day in Hoi An. Add a cooking class, visit the Tra Que herb village, or take a basket boat through the coconut palms, then watch the lanterns float on the river at night.

Today you swap the centre for the south. After breakfast we take you to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. In the evening, dive into the neon, noise and street food of Vietnam's biggest city.

A free day in Saigon. Visit the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, shop at Ben Thanh Market, or add a trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the network dug beneath the countryside during the war.

A private transfer takes you east to Mui Ne, where red cliffs and sand dunes meet the sea. Check in to your beachfront resort and spend the rest of the day by the pool or on the sand.

An early start for sunrise over the White Dunes, where the desert meets the sea. Then it is sand-sledding on the Red Dunes, a paddle up the Fairy Stream between orange and white cliffs, and a stop at a fishing village before an afternoon back at the resort.

Head up into the cool air of the Central Highlands at Da Lat, a hill town of pine forests, flower farms and old French villas. Add a stop at Datanla waterfall and its alpine coaster, then drive down to the coast at Nha Trang.

A beach day to finish. Relax on Nha Trang's long bay, get a massage, or add a three-island boat trip with snorkelling and lunch on board.

After a slow last morning by the sea, we take you to Cam Ranh Airport for your flight home or on to your next adventure. From Hanoi to Nha Trang, you have seen the whole country.