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jon8406 · Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Posts: 15

Vietnam is a country of contrasts. A rich colonial history dominates its cities, sitting side-by-side with scenes that characterise the spirit of Southeast Asia. The countryside is a stunning portrait of varied landscapes, from the waterways leading to the South China Sea to terraced green paddy fields with the hilly central highlands in between.

To fully appreciate the region, this tour has been designed to accommodate everything that makes Vietnam special, giving you time to stay in the country's fine accommodation, both on land and water, whilst admiring the wealth of unique and vibrant sites on offer.
Begin your tour of Vietnam in the atmospheric capital of Hanoi. Here the wide streets buzz with motorbikes and street vendors, yet peaceful parks and scenic lakes can also be seen around the city. An overnight cruise on Halong Bay unveils a spectacular landscape of dramatic limestone formations jutting out of the emerald waters.
In central Vietnam, the UNESCO heritage towns of Hue and Hoi An await your discovery. Having served as the old imperial capital city, Hue still remains the cultural heart of the country with its many ancient buildings, museums and buildings. Hoi An was once an important trading port town and the traditional shop houses and small laneways offer a glimpse into Vietnam's storied past.
Your tour concludes in the bustling south. Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the fast-paced commercial capital of the country yet is still filled with architectural remnants of the French Indochina period. Travel to the nearby Mekong Delta and experience the rustic lifestyle of this region as you explore the labyrinth of waterways, floating markets and fertile rice fields.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon take a short sightseeing tour by cyclo to see the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. Enjoy water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Hotel Check in - Check out time is usually at 12h00 am. Extended check in - check out time may be granted subject to availability and agreement by the participating hotels.

Day 2: Hanoi (B)
In the morning a city tour introduces you to the historical and cultural highlights of Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (closed on Mon & Fri), and his former residence on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature as well as Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc around West Lake. This afternoon, visit the museum of your choice: the Ethnology, Army or National Fine Arts Museum (some museums are closed on Mon & Fri). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)
Leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board your traditional junk boat. Have lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay and visit 'Sung Sot', one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay. After sunset, enjoy dinner before retiring to your cabin for a good night sleep.
Overnight on board.

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Danang – Hoian (B)
As your boat cruises back to Halong City through the spectacular karsts and limestone rock formations, have a leisurely morning before enjoying brunch on-board. Your driver will meet you upon disembarkation for the transfer to the airport and your flight to Danang. En-route visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of one of Vietnam's most celebrated artists. Flight to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An – Hue (B)
After your breakfast drive to the ancient port town of Hoi An. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to see this marvelous town. In the afternoon leave Hoian for drive to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. In Danang visit the Cham Museum, before climbing over the 'Pass of Ocean Clouds'. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue (B)
In the morning, take a boat trip on the romantic PerfumeRiver to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue by car to visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Mausoleums. In the afternoon visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. Evening, take a cyclo to Y Thao garden for dinner. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Late morning transfer to Hue airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, have a city tour to visit Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh (B)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province in the west of Vietnam to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple.
In the afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the struggle for independence. You will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B, L)
Today, leave the bustle of the city behind for a day of exploring scenic rice fields, waterways and colorful markets of the Mekong Delta. Cruise along the Mekong tributaries to Cai Be floating market and visit cottage industries that make 'pop' rice, rice paper and coconut candies. Cruise deeper to Dong Hoa Hiep Island and discover the rural lifestyles and daily activities of the delta inhabitants. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late this afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)
At leisure until transfer to airport for onward flight.
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