HANOI

Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Rest and relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI (B)

Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, spend a day touring the capital. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside visit) and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. End the morning with your group choice of visit the Museum of Ethnology – an insightful museum focusing on 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam OR Hoa Lo Hilton - a site commonly referred to as the Hanoi Hilton by US prisoners of war (based on personal preference).

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins. Follow this with a walking tour through the old quarter of the city. Visit a local house and take your time talking with the hosts and learn about their family’s life and history. Embark on a leisurely ride on a cycle around Hoan Kiem Lake followed by a water puppet show in the early evening. If time permits, pay a visit to a local coffee shop and enjoy Hanoi’s specialty - Egg Coffee.

Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI – HALONG – HANOI (B)

After breakfast, depart for the stunning Halong Bay (3 ½ hour drive) located in the Gulf of Tonkin, a must-see in Vietnam with over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited. Board a junk for a 4-hour excursion through breathtaking views. The junk passes by numerous islets and stops at a natural cave.

Seafood lunch will be served on board before your return to Hanoi in the evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Danang. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, probably the best museum in the world focusing on the ancient kingdom of Champa. Continue on to the charming old town of Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port during the 15th to 19th centuries. Many of the buildings in the town reflect historical architectural styles and the whole town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour in the old town. The Old Quarter has 850 magnificent old structures that still line the streets; old shop houses, shady pagodas and colorful communal halls. Visit Phuc Kien Pagoda and the Japanese wooden bridge. End the day with a fun activity and learn to make a lantern with local artisans and gain a deeper understanding of Hoi An’s history and culture through its art and traditional crafts.

Overnight in Hoi An.

HOI AN – DANANG – HUE (B)

After breakfast, take a journey to Hue via the spectacular Hai Van Pass (2 ½ hour drive). Upon arrival, take a boat for a short cruise on the Huong River. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda which is located on the river bank and is an iconic seven-story pagoda considered the unofficial symbol of the city. And then continue on the visit the Imperial Citadel, the center of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored.

In the afternoon, visit Emperor Tu Duc's Mausoleum, built according to the mystical laws of geomancy. Transfer back to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hue.

HUE – HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). On arrival, proceed to your hotel and check in. Enjoy a full day exploring the city. Visit the former Presidential Palace, or as it is known today - the Reunification Palace. Then head to the historical heart of the city and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside visit only due to its renovation). The red bricks of the cathedral walls were originally from Paris, France. From there, take a short walk to the old Central Post Office. After that, visit the best-preserved buildings from the colonial era, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville now home to Saigon’s municipal authorities. Continue to Catinat building. Built in 1927, in an art deco style, it has once again become a hub for fashion conscious Saigonese and contains many designer boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafés.

In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum and discover some different perspectives on the war. End the day with a visit to Chinatown with its the bustling Binh Tay Market.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

HO CHI MINH CITY – MY THO - HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City and drive to My Tho in the Mekong Delta.

On arrival, enjoy a boat cruise on the Mekong River, through the Long, Lan, Qui and Phung Islands. Stop on the way to visit a fish farm, and then continue the cruise on through the Xep Canal. Disembark and see a traditional local house made of coconut wood and leaves. Enjoy delicious, fresh, local fruit and traditional live music. In the afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

After breakfast, relax until departure to Tan Son Nhat airport.