Rich in history, scenery and cuisine, the people are what keeps us coming back to Vietnam. From north to south, it’s a contrast of distinctly local cultures, and our local guides make sure you don’t miss a beat. In the Da Lat market, exploding with more produce and people than the mind can process, we wade into the crowds to barter and buy. On the backstreets near the Citadel, we bike with trusted friends past friendly villagers and groups of laughing schoolchildren. In a private home, we sit down to dinner with royal descendants. And at the Six Senses Hideaway, our every indulgent whim is catered to with a smile.

• For a life-altering exploration of the legendary Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines of Angkor, check out our Cambodia Post-Trip.

• Learn more about some of the exotic flavours and scents you will encounter in Vietnam, in our newsletter The Slow Road

Day 1 Having explored Hanoi by cyclo, we head south for our first ride on the outskirts of Hue 
Day 2 Board our private riverboat and cruise up the Perfume River to the tomb of Minh Mang
Day 3 Ride into Da Nang to meet our friend Anh for lunch before continuing on into the majestic Marble Mountains
Day 4 Pedal past traditional rice paddies and fish farms on the outskirts of Hoi An
Day 5 Sip Champagne from the privacy of your boat-access-only beach villa as you take in an unforgettable sunset
Day 6 Indulge in luxury at the Six Senses Spa (this is a vacation, remember)
Day 7 Enjoy lunch today with a local friend of ours in rural Nha Trang, before heading on to the glitz that is Saigon
Day 8 A private speedboat journey along the Mekong, another stunning ride, then back for cocktails and a final night party
Day 9 Breakfast and tam biêt in Ho Chi Minh City