DAY 1 : HANOI ARRIVAL (-/-/D)
Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! On arrival you will be met by your tour guide and escorted to your hotel. NOTE : kindly note that should you arrive early, an early check-in is not included and subject to hotel’s availability. Your guide will brief an orientation of the city along the way. Once checked in we leave you at your leisure. Relax, settle into your hotel or stroll along tree-lined avenues before meeting your tour guide for your tour briefing. Enjoy your delicious welcome dinner. Overnight in Hanoi
DAY 2 : HANOI (B/L/-)
The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights. See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Hanoi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple and Quan Thanh pagoda as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter and at the end of the day - a water puppet performance.Overnight in Hanoi
DAY 3 : HANOI / HOA LU / TAM COC / HANOI (B/L/-)
Leave the city behind with a short drive through rural northern Vietnam to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a sampan boat ride through the rice paddies and enormous limestone karsts to reach the sacred Tam Coc Caves. (Note: In place of Tam Coc, you can opt to visit either Trang An, a nature reserve, or Thung Nang, a lush valley.) End your visit with a climb up to the Bich Dong Pagoda for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon.Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 4 : HANOI / HALONG BAY (B/L/D)
Travel through rich fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta to magnificent Halong Bay, a World Heritage site and Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonder. Embark on board the traditional junk, for your cruise through the calm waters of Halong Bay, taking in the spectacular scenery. Journey through limestone islets, enjoy picturesque bays, unusual rock formations and glimpse the daily life of local Vietnamese people. Enjoy a special performance by local fishermen before appreciating a delicious dinner as you moor in a quiet and secluded bay
DAY 5 : HALONG BAY / HANOI (B/L/-)
As the ship weaves its way back to Halong Bay, enjoy a delicious buffet brunch on board. Disembark your luxury cruise and drive back to Hanoi where you will have some free time to explore the city. This evening appreciate your Water Puppets performance, a unique Vietnamese art form dating back to the 11th century.
DAY 6 : HANOI / HUE (B/L/-)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue, the 19th century former capital. During this time, Hue became a major cultural centre attracting crafts people, artists, scholars and monks. As a result dozens of ornate pagodas, temples and Imperial gardens remain. Start your tour with a visit to the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument take a cyclo through the 'Old City' to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax
DAY 7 : HUE (B/L/-)
The morning is at your leisure. This afternoon, visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang's tomb and end the day at Khai Dinh's Tomb which boasts a traditional Vietnamese design with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Before heading back to your hotel take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market with your guide. Overnight in Hue
DAY 8 : HUE / DANANG / HOI AN (B/L/-)
Your scenic journey travels via the Hai Van Pass (meaning pass of the ocean clouds) to the fishing village of Lang Co and Danang. En-route join your visit to the open air Cham Museum with artefacts from the Hindu kingdom of Champa before continuing through the picturesque Marble Mountains. Upon arrival into Hoi An take your guided cyclo tour of this ancient World Heritage town. Visit the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the colourful markets and explore the former merchants’ homes who were lured here by the prospect of high grade silk, spices and porcelain.
DAY 9 : HOI AN / MY SON / HOI AN (B/L/-)
Today will be spent discovering Vietnam's rich cultural and historical heritage. The morning begins with a visit to My Son, the capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom, and Tra Kieu (formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel) to view the Cham ruins and artifacts. The afternoon is at your leisure
DAY 10 : HOI AN / DANANG / SAIGON (B/L/-)
Today, fly to Saigon. Begin your sightseeing tour of Saigon at the bustling Chinese district of Cholon, and continue to FITO Museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum, and Ben Thanh Market to see the wide variety of goods for sale. This afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum and the former Presidential Palace. Finish the day with a stroll around the city's colonial architecture, including the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.
DAY 11 : SAIGON / MEKONG DELTA SAIGON (B/L/-)
In the morning, leave Saigon for the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be, where you will board a boat for a tour of the Delta. Proceed to Cai Be floating market and observe the lively atmosphere on the water. After visiting the market continue to a cottage factory where 'pop-rice', rice paper and coconut candies are made. Then head to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, enjoy lunch then head back to the pier for the drive to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.
DAY 12 : SAIGON / CU CHI / SAIGON (B/L/-)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province in the west of Vietnam to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the struggle for independence. You will return to Saigon later in the afternoon.Overnight in Saigon
DAY 13 : SAIGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
The day is at your leisure for last minute sight-seeing or shopping until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight.