Highlight of Vietnam

• Sightseeing in Cholon (Chinatown)
• The sprawling, densely packed CHOLON (CHINATOWN) constantly bustles with activity and retains a traditional feeling, unlike the more modern Saigon city center. Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with CHINESE MEDICINE MARKET and BINH TAY MARKET, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of goods from dried food to T-shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, build by the Cantonese and dedicated to the heavenly goddess.
• Overnight in Saigon.

• Breakfast: Hotel
• Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
Never discovered by American forces, the CU CHI TUNNELS were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Today, you can walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists.
• Sightseeing in Saigon
• A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek-by-jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense.

Begin your tour into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this ‘60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates.

• Afterwards drive to the historic centre to visit the EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA, one of Saigon's most interesting pagodas. Proceed to pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Pass by the classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside). Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.
• Overnight in Saigon.

• Breakfast: Hotel
• Excursion to Ben Tre with boat trip on Mekong River
• After a journey through Ben Luc and Tan An, take a boat trip on Mekong River to Vam Xep canal in Ben Tre, where local handicrafts and coconut sweets are produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits, a performance of traditional songs, and observe the local life. Take a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Proceed by sampan through the small canals to observe the daily life of local people along the riverbanks with some stops for a leisurely stroll.
• Overnight in Saigon.

• Saigon - Hue (Breakfast: Hotel )
• Transfer
• Flight from Saigon to Hue.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Hue
• Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century.
• Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda with a boat trip on the Huong Giang river
Embark on a local boat and cruise down the PERFUME RIVER to the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. During the early 1960s, this became a centre of anti-government protest, and the site of the famous self-immolation of the monk Thich Quang Duc.
• Visit the Old Imperial City
Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings are destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag proudly waves overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence (Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen Mother lived, visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites.
• Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
TU DUC TOMB: Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theatre performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.
• Overnight in Hue.

• Breakfast: Hotel By vehicle from Hue to Hoi An with sightseeing in Danang
• Visit Cham Museum
• CHAM MUSEUM: This houses probably the best collection of Cham art to be found anywhere in the world. There are more than 300 artifacts in the museum, many dating to the 4th century. There are beautiful sculptures reflecting the 1,000 year Cham period.
• Visit Marble Mountains
MARBLE MOUNTAINS: Consist of five stone hillocks, once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines. TAM THAN: located in Marble Mountain near Thuy Son.
• Sightseeing in Hoi An
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The walking tour includes: JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun.
• SA HUYNH MUSEUM: Located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: This house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.
PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese clans that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen).
LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP: Visit one of the lantern workshops in Hoi An. The framework of the lantern is made by the industry itself and clients can observe locals making silk cloth on the lantern.
• Overnight in Hoi An.

• Breakfast: Hotel
• All day at leisure.
• Overnight in Hoi An.

• Breakfast: Hotel
• Transfer to Danang airport.
• Flight from Danang to Hanoi.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Hanoi
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop-houses invite exploration by cyclo, while its many beautiful public spaces; lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals.
• Visit the Temple of Literature
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: A peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, this monument is one of the country’s best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam’s first university. In one courtyard, giant stone tortoises bear stelae on their backs, listing the accomplishments of graduating scholars.
• Visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and the Rising Sun bridge.
HOAN KIEM LAKE: Hoan Kiem means ‘Lake of the Returned’, which is a lake in the historical centre of Hanoi. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. Legend has it that King Le Loi handed a magic sword called Heaven's Will which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming dynasty back to the Golden Turtle God in the lake. The Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua)standing on a small island near the centre of lake is linked to the legend. Ngoc Son Temple: The temple was erected in the 18th century. It honours the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in battle against Yuan
Mogol invaders, Van Xuong, a scholar and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge (‘Huc’, meaning Morning Sunlight).
• Visit the Old Quarter by cyclo
Discover the old quarter of Hanoi by cyclo (1 hour). It is also called ‘36 streets’ most of which are named after the crafts or merchandise traditionally sold there.
• Visit a Water Puppet Show
WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in the northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi.
• Overnight in Hanoi

Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam)/Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam)
• By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Cruise aboard traditional junk through Halong Bay, Day 1 of 2
• Overnight in cabin / onboard (Vietnam).

• Breakfast: Hotel
• Cruise aboard traditional junk through Halong Bay, Day 2 of 2
• By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi
• Overnight in Hanoi.

• Breakfast: Hotel
• Sightseeing in Hanoi
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex.
Begin at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed in the afternoons, on Mondays and Fridays, and closes annually in October and November for restoration (can only be viewed from the outside). Continue to the PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (may be viewed from the outside only). Stroll through the park to HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1948 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Visit the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh's final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials.
• Visit the Museum of Ethnology.
MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY: This museum brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings.
• Afternoon at leisure