Hanoi - Ha Long - Cat Ba - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Phan Thiet - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI

Arrive at Noi Bai airport, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. In the afternoon, we will get the first feeling of Hanoi by visiting the peaceful lake of the Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple. Then we take a cyclo tour for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI (B)

Today we enjoy a full day city tour of this charming capital city including the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful West Lake, the Tran Vu Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the impressive Ethnologic Museum. In the evening, we enjoy a fantastic traditional water puppet show.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: HANOI - HA LONG (B, L, D)

Overland to Ha Long Bay (165 km), the most wonderful scenic sight of Vietnam, the World Natural Heritage Site with over 3000 limestone islands and islets rising fantastically from the clear and emerald water. Board a traditional-style wooden junk to travel around this magnificent landscape visiting its amazing grottoes and caves. Opportunity to dive off the boat and have a pleasant swimming in the deep blue water of South China Sea. Enjoy excellent fresh seafood.

Overnight on board.

Day 4: HA LONG - CAT BA (B)

Continue a leisure boat trip through the bay to explore some of the many islands, caves and grottoes. On the way, anchor for a relaxing swim in a secluded cove, then continue our boat trip to Cat Ba, stopping at a vibrant floating village. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel. Stop on the way to visit Cat Ba National Park exploring a wide range of the tropical fauna and flora which make us impressed by its beauty. Opportunity to meet some rare animals named in Red Book

Overnight in Cat Ba.

Day 5: CAT BA - HAI PHONG - HANOI - HUE (B)

Free at leisure for relaxing on the beach until transfer to the ferry to take a hydrofoil to Hai Phong for our return to Hanoi. Upon arrival transfer to the airport for flight to Hue, Vietnam's last feudal capital where Nguyen Dynasty once ruled Vietnam during period 1802 - 1945. Arrive in Hue, pick up and transfer to the hotel. Free for relaxing.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: HUE (B)

Morning boat trip on the romantic Perfume River visiting Hue’s oldest and most revered site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, the mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the bustling Dong Ba market.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: HUE - DA NANG - HOI AN (B)

Drive south to Hoi An town, a recognised World Heritage Site, which famous by its ancient architecture of mixed Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese style from the 16th century, with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets. Stop-over at Da Nang’s Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.

Upon arrival, we walk around this ancient town of 600-year old visiting the 200 year-old Tan Ky house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful riverside market.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: HOI AN - NHA TRANG (B)

Transfer to Da Nang airport for morning flight to Nha Trang. The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of offshore islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue, and the impressive Ponagar Cham Towers, a secret Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD.

Overnight in NhaTrang.

Day 9: NHA TRANG (B)

Enjoy a whole day free on the blue clear water enjoying swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling or lazing on the beach.

Overnight in NhaTrang.

Day 10: NHA TRANG - PHAN THIET (B)

Morning free at leisure to enjoy our last minute swimming on the Nha Trang beach. Then transfer to the Railway Station to take an afternoon train to Phan Thiet, home to the largest sand dunes in the country, one of the most idyllic seaside resorts in Vietnam well-known for its spectacular sand dunes, endless beaches and beautiful streams and cliffs. Arrive in Muong Man Station in Phan Thiet, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Rest of the day is free for relaxing on the beach.

Overnight in Phan Thiet.

Day 11: PHAN THIET (B)

Enjoy a whole day free for relaxing on the beach or sun bathing.

Overnight in Phan Thiet.

Day 12: PHAN THIET - HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

Morning free at leisure  until transfer to Phan Thiet Station to take the train to Ho Chi Minh city, the biggest industrial and commercial city of Vietnam.  Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 13: HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

Today we visit the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office and Ben Thanh market. In the afternoon continue to visit this dynamic city including the China town with Thien Hau pagoda and Binh Tay wholesale market where we have 30 minutes free time for shopping. Then visit a lacquerware factory and Vinh Nghiem pagoda to see the 4p.m ceremony. Late afternoon stroll down the fashionable Rue Catinat of old Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 14: DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight.

End of services.