DAY 1

WED
Meet on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel.  Optional Tour to Bat Trang Pottery Village (minimum 2 persons) at surcharge: Afternoon (14:00 -17:00): The famous village is situated approx. 15km outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans form, paint and glaze their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns.

Meals included:

None  

DAY 2

THU

In Hanoi we experience the rich cultural and artistic traditions of Vietnam’s capital.

We visit Ho Chi Minh’s former residence and mausoleum (the Mausoleum closed during Oct-Nov), the One Pillar Pagoda & the Temple of Literature.  

Check out of the hotel and enjoy a cyclo ride through the old quarter past the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple to a local restaurant for lunch. 

Visit the History Museum and drive to Halong Bay (165km east of Hanoi). Halong Bay is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,500 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

Meals included:

Breakfast and Lunch  

DAY 3

FRI

Enjoy a relaxing 4 hours boat trip through Halong Bay with a fresh seafood lunch prepared and served on board (please let us know if you do not eat seafood). Cruise around the islands, relaxing and swimming before returning to Hanoi. In the evening we attend a performance of water puppetry, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century and have some free time to explore Hanoi. 

Meals included:

Breakfast and Lunch 

DAY 4

SAT
At leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Danang in the early afternoon.  From the port town of Danang we drive the short distance south past famous China Beach onto the enchanting town of Hoi An. (Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. )
We take a walking tour to discover Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ancient town, visiting 300 year old Tan Ky and Phuc Kien houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An market.
We soak up the atmosphere of these narrow streets, lane ways and friendly atmosphere before dinner in a local restaurant to sample some of Hoi An’s culinary delights (seat in coach program will have dinner at Hotel).

Meals included:

Breakfast and Dinner 

DAY 5

SUN
We will drive to visit Marble Mountain with lunch at local restaurant and then transfer to Hue, over the most spectacular Hai Van Pass and onto Vietnam’s former imperial capital and charming town set on the banks of the Perfume River. The rest time at leisure (No guide, no tours, no services)

Meals included:

Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 6

MON
Boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and then transfer to visit Imperial Citadel of Hue, Dong Ba market. Lunch at local restaurant and then continue to visit Tu Duc mausoleum.Transfer to Phu Bai airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel to check in.

Meals included:

Breakfast and Lunch 

DAY 7

TUE
In the morning drive to Cu Chi district (75km from HCMC) to visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Saigon for Lunch. Afternoon orientation by foot from the Saigon River past the Opera House, Town Hall & Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit Reunification Palace (museum) and the famous Ben Thanh Market

Meals included:

Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 8

WED
Time at leisure until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City/Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals included:

Breakfast