World Heritage Indochina

Touch down in Vietnam’s most dynamic city and jump straight into its complex past. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant blend of colonial architecture, buzzing street life and sobering reminders of war. Your first day introduces you to key landmarks, from the Reunification Palace to the War Remnants Museum, laying the groundwork for a deeper dive into the country’s modern history.

In the afternoon, head off the tourist trail with a local scholar who’ll guide you through lesser-known but powerful historic sites.

Swap the fast pace of the city for the gentler rhythm of Hue, once Vietnam’s imperial capital. Set on the banks of the Perfume River, this graceful city blends faded grandeur with spiritual depth. You’ll explore the vast Imperial Citadel by cyclo, tracing the legacy of the Nguyen emperors and wandering through pavilions, gates and gardens filled with history.

Step just outside the city to visit the beautifully ornate tomb of Khai Dinh, the last emperor, and discover the quieter stories of the Royal Court with a guided visit to the resting places of former eunuchs.

Charming and atmospheric, Hoi An invites you to slow down and soak up its old-world beauty. Once a bustling port town, it’s now known for its perfectly preserved 15th-century architecture, winding alleyways and colourful lanterns that glow by night.

A guided walking tour with a local conservation expert brings the town’s heritage into sharp focus. You’ll step inside ancient Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and a 300-year-old mansion undergoing careful restoration, while learning how the town balances preservation with the pressures of modern life.

Vietnam’s capital is a city of contrasts: historic and modern, chaotic and serene, where daily life plays out on the streets. Families perch on scooters, food stalls spill onto pavements and the scent of strong coffee and sizzling pho fills the air.

Your half-day tour with a local guide offers a sweeping introduction to the city’s cultural heart. Begin at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, before visiting Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and passing by his imposing mausoleum.

Skip the Halong Bay crowds and set sail through the quieter, equally breathtaking waters of Lan Ha Bay. Here, limestone karsts rise dramatically from emerald seas, forming one of Southeast Asia’s most striking natural landscapes.

You’ll board a traditional-style junk boat for an overnight cruise with just the right balance of activity and relaxation. Take in the scenery from your balcony, try kayaking to hidden coves or join the chef to learn how to roll the perfect Vietnamese spring roll.

Your next stop is Luang Prabang, the spiritual heart of Laos and a UNESCO-listed gem set between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Life moves at a slower pace here, shaped by saffron-robed monks, quiet rituals and French-Indochinese charm.

A gentle cycle tour will help you get your bearings, weaving past gilded temples, serene monasteries and the former Royal Palace. You’ll visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre for insight into Laos’ many ethnic groups and explore Ock Pop Tok, a beautiful riverside weaving centre preserving age-old textile traditions.

Your journey ends in style at Angkor, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites on Earth. With your expert guide leading the way, you’ll explore the quiet corners of this vast temple complex, from the smiling stone faces of Bayon to the jungle-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm. And of course, there’s Angkor Wat itself – best viewed at sunrise or reflected in its iconic lily-filled moat.

In the evening, drift along the moat of Angkor Thom on a private gondola, glass of wine in hand, as the setting sun casts a golden hue over the ancient stones.