Vietnam, Vietnam Tours, Travel, Saigon, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Mekong

Days 1-2: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your centrally located hotel. A welcome dinner is included at a local restaurant and introduces one of Vietnam’s greatest highlights – its food. A day is spent exploring this great city, visit Cholon, the Chinese quarter, the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas, Reunification Palace (the residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before 1975 and stroll through the great markets and along boulevards lined with colonial French buildings.

Day 3: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels where you will have the opportunity to get the unique experience of guerillas living and fighting underground during the war. This vast tunnel complex, spanning hundreds of kilometers, originally build to fight against the French rulers and Japanese occupiers. Later it was used by the Vietcong in their battles with American troops.
Tay Ninh is home to the main temple of the Cai Dai faith, a religion that is uniquely South Vietnamese faith amalgamating tenets of Hinduisn, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism and Taoism amongst others. On the way back to Saigon there is time to visit a local rice paper workshop.

Day 4: The Mekong Delta, a major rice producing area is one of the most fascinating riverine deltas in the world. The Mekong splits into nine major arteries, a vast network of rivers and waterways with thousands of ships of all sizes plowing the waters give a very special atmosphere. Join them to visit the Cai Be floating Market, villages and to meet the people of the Mekong Delta.

Day 5: Take a morning boat trip beore returning to Ho Chi Minh City to catch the late flight to Danang. From Danang airport it's only a short drive to Hoi An, the picturesque port formerly known as Faifo.

Day 6: Today explore this charming little town by foot visiting the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, and the Fujian Assembly Hall. Lunch in one of the many riverside restaurants before an afternoon of relaxing, shopping or indulge in a new wardrobe from one of the many excellent tailor shops. Dinner at one of Hoi An’s best restaurants sampling famous local dishes including "cao lao".

Day 7: This morning we drive back to Danang to visit the famous Cham Museum. Continue the drive to Hue, crossing the Hai Van Pass with spectacular views over the South China Sea and savoring a seafood lunch at Lang Co Beach.

Day 8: Board a dragon boat to travel up the Perfume River stopping to visit the characteristic Tien Mu Pagoda and the tombs of the emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. After lunch in a local restaurant explore the Forbidden Purple City.

Days 9-10: Take a morning flight from Hue to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. During the afternoon take a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. In the evening sample more of Vietnam’s incredible cuisine.
Your exploration of Hanoi includes Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). After lunch at Koto's (a restaurant training street children) visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum (note the Mausoleum and Museum are closed October-December). If you wish your guide can arrange tickets for an evening performance of the famous water puppets.

Day 11: Chua Huong (Perfume pagoda) is located on Huong son (Perfume mountain) 70 km southwest of Hanoi. The drive is followed by a boat trip along the scenic waterways to the foot of the mountain. The Perfume Pagoda is a complex of pagodas and Buddhist shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain. Great numbers of Buddhist pilgrims come here during a festival that begins from the middle of the second lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month (March and April).

Days 12-13: Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay, the limestone karst formations are hollowed by intricate caves – aboard your sailing junk visit some of the islands and caves, perhaps a pre-dinner swim and a very 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 head back to Hanoi with time for shopping or further sightseeing.

Day 14: Depart.

Continue your trip to discover some of the many minority peoples of northern Vietnam with our Sapa Extension.