Day 1: Arrive HCM
Arrive Ho Chi Minh. Transfer to hotel. Check in. The balance of the day is free for walking and sightseeing around city. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. (D)
Day 2: HCM – CU CHI
After breakfast, head out to the famed Cu chi Tunnels, a remarkable labyrinth of underground tunnels stretching some 200kms, built in late 1940’s during the war against the French and extended in the early 1960’s, the Tunnels are a majors attraction and provide interesting insight to the Vietnamese wars of independence. Lunch at restaurant in Cu Chi. Afternoon, continue the city tour including the Reunification Conference Hall, the President Palace for former South Vietnam. Afterwards visit the interesting Revolutionary Museum, Thien Hau Pagoda, Cho Lon – the old Chinese district of the city. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Sai gon. (B, L,)
Day 3: HCM – Dalat (Road)
Morning, start to Dalat. Arrive in Dalat, check in hotel. Half day city tour visit to Cathedral, Dambri Waterfall, Summer Palace and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. Dinner and overnight in Dalat. (B,L)
Day 4: Dalat – Nha Trang (Road)
Leaving for Da Lat in the morning. Arrive in Nha Trang. Check in hotel. Lunch at restaurant. PM, visit Po Nagar Cham Towers (just 1.5 km north of the city center contructed by the Cham on Cu Lao Hill between the 7th and 12th centuries). Continue to visit Long Son Pagoda. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Nhatrang. (B,L,)
Day 5: Nha Trang – Danang (Air)
After breakfast. Free time for swimming. Lunch at restaurant on the beach. Transfer to airport to take the flight to Danang. Drive to hotel and check in. Visit the Cham Museum, free time to explore Danang. Dinner at restaurant and overnight in Danang. (B,L,)
Day 6: Danang – Hoi An
Morning, visit the ancient city of Hoian – a former international trading port during the 17th, 18th century. Hoian is a charming small town with an eccentric mix of western and eastern- influenced architecture. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon, take a walking tour on its narrow cobblestone streets visiting former merchants’ houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar. Return to Danang . Dinner at restaurant and overnight in Hoi An. (B, L,)
Day 7: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (Road)
Departs from Hoi An to Hue. Drive over the Hai Van Cloudy Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit. Arrive in Hue, check in hotel. Afternoon, taking a dragon boat to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Dong Ba market, The rest of the day is free for leisure and shopping. Overnight in Hue. (B, L,)
Day 8: Hue – Hanoi – Haiphong – Halong Bay
After breakfast. Free time at leisure and go shopping at Dong Ba market. Then take the flight from Hue to Hanoi airport. By road from Hanoi via Haiphong to Halong Bay. En route,visit Du Hang Pagoda and Hang Kenh Temple. Continue to Halong. Check in Halong hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon free for sightseeing in Halong city. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Halong. (L)
Day 9: Halong Bay
Early morning boat cruise for a 4-hour in Halong Bay, enjoying a fresh seafood lunch on board. Afternoon return by road to Hanoi. Stop at Dong Trieu Pottery Village. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)
Day 10: Hanoi
Full day Hanoi city tour including “Ho Chi Minh- His life, Times, and Beliefs” followed by visit Ho Chi Minh’s House on stilt, Mausoleum and Museum. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon, visit to Temple of Literature, One-Pillar Pagoda, Old Quarter. Dinner at restaurant with traditional folk music, followed by Cheo drama performance. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,D)
Day 11: Hanoi – Handicraft villages – Hanoi
Full day excursion to visit handicrafts villages in the rural outskirts of Hanoi, Bat Trang, 12 km from Hanoi, is a village entirely devoted to the pottery making ceramic production of exquisite dining wares and vases. Lunch at restaurant. Continue visiting Ha Khe and Dong Ky villages where beautiful hand-carved wooden furniture is made. Then visit Dong Ho village to observe the ancient art of woodblock printing. Return to Hanoi. Dinner at restaurant. Early evening enjoy a water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi. (B, L)
Day 12: Departure
Free time for leisure and shopping until transfer to airport for departure.