Day 1-2 Hanoi (B)
Arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.Today is arrival day so no activities are planned.Look out for a Welcome Note in reception from your Tour Leader with details of your meeting,normally at 6pm.If you have time take a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter – a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Late afternoon or early evening of Day 2 we take a Cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and onwards to a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre.

Other suggestions are the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) or Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (the mausoleum and museum is closed October-November). Vietnamese food is one of the world’s most delightful of cuisines, enjoy some of the finest at Little Hanoi.

Day 3-4 Halong Bay (2B,2L,1D)
A 3-4 hour drive from Hanoi brings us to Halong Bay.
Thousands of limestone islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay; further, these limestone karst formations are hollowed by intricate caves. Aboard a sailing junk, visit some of the islands and caves and perhaps take a swim, followed by a peaceful night beneath the stars. In the morning continue the cruise to Man’s Head Island and Tortoise Island and visit Luon cave by small bamboo boat. After an early lunch on board we head back to Hanoi with time for shopping or further sightseeing until the overnight train to Hue (approx 13hrs).

Day 05: Hue
We arrive mid morning and will transfer to our hotel.

Hue was once the imperial capital. We take a tour of the Citadel which also contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968, a significant restoration project has occurred. A great idea in Hue is to take a trip into the countryside by car or better still motorbike.

Day 6-8: Hoi An (3B)
On the morning of Day 6 we take a scenic drive to Hoi An. Driving past Lang Co Beach and over the Hai Van Pass.(approx 4 hours)

The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
Explore this living museum of a town including the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping mecca for tourists in the region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight – clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound. And for sun worshipers,Cua Dai beach is 4kms from town.

Day 09: Ho Chi Minh City (1B)
A short flight takes us to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that once was the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.

We take a short Cyclo tour passing some of the cities main sights stopping for some tradional Vietnamese food.You can also visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Benh Tan Market. Continue if you wish with a visit to Reunification Palace, the residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before 1975.Or better still leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and head to the Saigon Water Park.

Day 10: Mekong Delta (D)
Drive south of Saigon and the change of pace down in the Mekong Delta. Thousands of small islands and inlets are formed down here as the mighty Mekong river splinters up before reaching the South China Sea.
A boat trip through floating markets and small villages shows a different side of Vietnamese life. Be amazed at how the locals rely on the Mekong for everything!
We will spend the night in a small village down in the delta with a great chance to interact with the locals.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Return in the afternoon to Ho Chi Minh City for some last minute shopping before we have our last night dinner together.

Day 12: Depart Ho Chi Minh
Depart Ho Chi Minh City at any time on day 12.

Checklist:

Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travellers cheques
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
Luxury Private Tour vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun hat, Sunblock, Sungalsses
Insect Repellent
Water bottle
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Moneybelt
Shorts
Long trousers
Hiking pants/track pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-Feb. Fleece, Windproof/waterproof jacket
Waterproof clothes for wet season May-Oct. Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
Clothes for temples – long pants or sarongs.
Sleep sheet for trekking or sea safari trips.
Thermarest or sleeping mat and travel pillow for trekking or sea safari trips.
Snorkel gear – optional (also available for hire)
Camera and film
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
Bucket and Spade for the beach