The Vietage: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive into Danang and transfer around 50 minutes to your hotel in Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most picturesque towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend the morning exploring Hoi An's old town with a local guide: well-preserved merchant houses, the Japanese Bridge, built more than 400 years ago to connect the town's Japanese and Chinese communities, and a Chinese assembly hall, where visitors can hang an incense coil and make a wish. Wander the smaller laneways before a calming tea tasting to close out the morning. In the afternoon, collect a bicycle and take a short boat ride across the Thu Bon River to the river islands that make up this fertile delta region. Visit a family workshop specialising in pearl wood carving, cycle past rice fields to see how locals craft the traditional thung chai basket boat, and meet a family who weave mats from sedge grass, before riding back through the countryside and crossing the river to Hoi An. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend a half day with Duc Tran, one of Central Vietnam's most celebrated chefs and the name behind Hoi An favourites Mango Mango, Mango Rooms and Mai Fish. Begin with a local market visit for a quick introduction to the region's produce, from farm to sea, before continuing to Duc's rural home and cooking studio for a private demonstration and a lunch prepared by the chef himself. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Transfer around 50 minutes to Danang Railway Station and board the Vietage, Vietnam's most luxurious train, for a 6.5-hour journey along a historic stretch of rail first built by the French during the colonial era. Settle in for a three-course meal and free-flowing drinks as the train winds slowly through Central Vietnam's countryside and coastline. Arrive in Quy Nhon province, a still-undiscovered stretch of coast with long peninsulas, rocky outcrops, secluded bays, fishing villages and historic Cham-era towers, and transfer to your resort. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

A free day to enjoy the resort, with local excursions available to arrange through the hotel at your own expense. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

Another free day to unwind, whether that means the beach, the pool, or simply doing nothing at all. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

Enjoy the morning at leisure before checking out and transferring around 30 minutes to Dieu Tri train station for a second journey aboard the Vietage, this time heading further south to Nha Trang. Settle in for a 5.5-hour ride with a luxury afternoon tea service and free-flowing drinks as the train continues down the coast. On arrival, transfer around 30 minutes to the resort's pier, then a further 30 minutes by speedboat to a secluded resort at Ninh Van Bay. Golden sand, clear water and a scatter of nearby islands make this stretch of coast a favourite for snorkelling. Overnight in Ninh Van Bay.

A free day at leisure. For dinner, we suggest a table on the beach (own expense, reservations can be arranged in advance). Overnight in Ninh Van Bay.

Another free day to unwind. Overnight in Ninh Van Bay.

Enjoy some free time following breakfast before a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still known to locals as Saigon. On arrival, transfer around 30 minutes to your hotel in the city centre, with the rest of the day free to settle in; your guide can suggest a few of the city's best restaurants for the evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Begin at the Saigon Central Post Office, built between 1886 and 1891 to a design by French architect Villedieu, its vaulted ceiling and wrought-iron beams now an icon of the city. Walk along Dong Khoi Street, once known as rue Catinat, and visit Gia Long Palace, home to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, before continuing to Le Loi Street to meet a local artisan who specialises in traditional engraving. Stroll through the old central market before arriving at the city's oldest pre-war apartment building, completed in 1886 and now home to a new generation's boutiques and coffee shops. Sit down with a local resident for a coffee and a conversation, then finish at the former Banque de l'Indochine building, a striking example of the Indochinois style that blends French and Vietnamese design. In the evening, climb aboard a vintage car for a ride to the Opera House to watch the A O Show, a contemporary performance of dance and music telling the story of Vietnam's heritage (subject to availability). Afterward, visit a neighbourhood bar to mix your own signature cocktail under the guidance of a local mixologist, followed by dinner paired with gin-based cocktails, before the final ride back to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, bringing your journey along the Vietage to a close.