Fly to Saigon, Vietnam's largest and most evocative city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Contemplate the horrors of guerrilla warfare at the astonishing Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Saigon. Seamlessly blending past and present, Saigon is the city that is driving Vietnam towards a brighter future. See Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, both legacies of a colonial past. Spend time at the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum.

Pop down to Ben Tre to take a cruise through the Mekong Delta. This area is known as the 'Rice Basket of Vietnam' – paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and enjoy a typical Mekong lunch. Travel to Can Tho for an overnight stay.

Visit the Cai Rang floating market to see the goods on sale and learn how vermicelli rice noodles are made. Return to Saigon.

Head up into the cooler climes and picturesque scenery of the highlands to the colonial town of Dalat, stopping at a Bao Loc tea plantation en route. This afternoon is free to enjoy locally grown coffee and the picturesque views.

Visit the Domaine de Marie Church, the Flower Gardens and an embroidery workshop before boarding an open-air train to journey out through the fantastic scenery to Trai Mat village. End the day with a local coffee by Xuan Huong lake.

Today, take the winding road down from the highlands and along the coast to Nha Trang, Vietnam's beach capital. Take to the turquoise waters for a cruise around the bay's many islands with a stop off at one to enjoy a swim in the balmy waters.

Wander Dam market before visiting the Po Nagar Cham Towers and continue on to the city of Qui Nhon.

The Son My area saw one of the most horrific crimes of the Vietnam War – the My Lai massacre. Pay respects at the memorial placed in honour of these unarmed civilian victims and hear their story before continuing to Hoi An.

Take a morning walking tour of charming Hoi An – a wonderfully laidback and wilfully traditional town that has managed to retain the charms of a bygone era. Visit a historic family home, the Japanese Bridge, a Chinese temple and the market. This afternoon is at leisure.

Take the scenic route to Hue over the Hai Van Pass. Once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, dignified and scholarly Hue is the epitome of Vietnam's dynastic past. Visit the Royal Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a complex of over 40 monuments surrounded by pools and gardens.

Take a drive to the imposing Imperial Citadel to explore. Cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda after visiting the charming An Hien garden house.

Exuding a wonderfully exotic aura, Hanoi is the perfect combination of old Asia and new. Fly here to admire the collections of the Fine Arts Museum and take a cyclo through the atmospheric tangle of streets that make up the Old Quarter. Later enjoy a flavourful Vietnamese coffee.

Explore the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, where you will pass the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visit the Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.

Spend the day aboard your comfortable cruise boat sailing through the awe-inspiring beauty of Halong Bay. You'll even explore one of the bay's many caves. Spend a night on-board before returning to Hanoi the next day. On your last evening, attend the Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia, arriving home the same or the following day.