TUESDAY - ARRIVE HANOI  

WEDNESDAY – HANOI CITY TOUR

After breakfast embark on a guided half day tour to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. Visit the one Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Lunch is at a local restaurant. This afternoon is at leisure or Optional Half day tour: Quan Ho Folk Song: Drive to Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. On arrival take a horse-drawn cart through country lanes to visit the Dinh Bang communal house and Do Temple. Enjoy local folk songs before returning to Hanoi. BL

THURSDAY - HANOI/HALONG BAY/BOAT CRUISE

Early breakfast at Hotel and travel overland to Halong Bay. Board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for cruise through magnificent Halong Bay. Fresh seafood lunch is served on board. Take a swim in the emerald waters (weather permitting). Afternoon visit a Grotto and spend the evening and overnight on board boat. BLD

FRIDAY - HALONG BAY/HANOI/HOI AN

Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong bay. After brunch on board, disembark and return to Hanoi, stopping en route at the Dong Trieu ceramic factory. Transfer to airport for evening flight to Danang. Transfer to Hoi An and check-in at the hotel. B

SATURDAY - HOI AN TOURING

Breakfast at the Hotel. Take a half day walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient merchant’s houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400 year old Japanese Covered bridge and the colorful riverside market. Visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An’s famous lanterns. Guest learns how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create their own lanterns, from designing the frame to gluing the cloth. This afternoon can be spent at leisure or embark on an optional half day tour to My Son. Visit the extraordinary ruins of My Son in a jungle Valley. Formerly the religious centre of the Cham Kingdom, now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. B

SUNDAY - HOI AN/HUE

After Breakfast, travel overland to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. On arrival, visit the elaborate tomb of Emperor Minh Mang before checking into the hotel. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to the Imperial Citadel, built on the same principles and design as Beijing’s Forbidden Place. The spectacular citadel contains a series of palaces, ornate halls, libraries, residences and colleges. Proceed to the Thein Mu Pagoda to witness daily Buddhist prayer recital. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the river before returning to the Hotel.BL

MONDAY - HUE/HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfers to airport and leave Hue on board flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, enjoy a city orientation tour visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, central Post Office. In the afternoon tour the Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. B

TUESDAY CU CHI TUNNELS option

After breakfast enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city or take an optional tour of the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. During the war of independence, Vietnamese Guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath the U.S bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Return to Ho Chi Minh City where your afternoon is at leisure. B

HO CHI MINH CITY DEPART or Take Extension

After breakfast transfer to the international Airport to board your flight or extend your stay to visit Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Singapore etc. B