VIETNAM
PACKAGE TOURS

Start from $3059* per Person - Twin Share Private Tour

Start from $3680* per Person - Twin Share Private Tour

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Dalat
The drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat (approx. 7 hours) passes through spectacular countryside as the road weaves through plantations, villages and mountains to the plateau of the Central Highlands. There will be opportunities to stop at silk weaving farms and coffee and tea plantations en-route as we explore this verdant region. Check in to your hotel.
Late afternoon visit the town's bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country they even grow strawberries here and environs. Take a tandem or horse ride around Xuan Huong Lake (on your own expenses).
Overnight Dalat.
(Lunch)

Day 2: Dalat
This morning you will explore Dalat highlights tour. Much delight will be taken in an exploration of Dalat's architecture - from the villas of the 'French Quarter' to the unusual guesthouse shaped with each annex shaped like a different animal, known as the 'Crazy House'!
You will visit the Tuyen Lam Lake and its pagoda, the former Railway Station (in use only for an optional steam train ride) and Dalat Cathedral. Continue to visit Bao Dai's Summer Palace that sits on a hill just outside the main centre. Bao Dai was the Last Emperor of Vietnam and the Palace has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself. Afterward, you go to visit. Subject to opening times, also
visit the Ethnic Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and traditional costumes.
Lunch at local restaurant and afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight Dalat.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Dalat - Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Dalat airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Saigon - Cai Be - Can Tho

Journey south of Ho Chi Minh City by road for approximately 3 hours to the Cai Be township where you will board a local boat to one of the Islands.

We will proceed by the visit of some local home factories such as rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, longans drying processing.

You will then return on board to proceed the excursion to Dong Phu, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh islands located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and remaining unknown to many people.

Fresh fruit and lunch will be served at a garden house. Afterward, enjoy a walk along riverbank through local communities, passing schools, markets etc. before rejoining the boat for a continued journey through the maze of tributaries.

Arrive Vinh Long then continue overland to Delta's economic hub city of Can Tho crossing a ferry.

Check in to your hotel and rest of day at leisure
Overnight in Can Tho
(Lunch)

Day 2: Can Tho

In the morning, you go to visit for Cai Rang floating market. We take a short walk to see boat building alongside the river and boarding small local boats for a river cruise.
Later, return to Can Tho and visit Khmer Pagoda, Can Tho Museum and local market.

Lunch at local restaurant

This afternoon, you journey approximate 40 km to visit Binh Thuy temple, ancient house and the Bang Lang stork sanctuary.
Overnight in Can Tho
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Can Tho - Chau Doc

After breakfast, continue journey to Chau Doc and lunch at hotel after check in.
In the afternoon visit the nearby Sam Mountain, a popular pilgrimage centre for many Vietnamese and home to a collection of ornate and colourful temples and pagodas.

Climb or drive to the top of the hill for an unparalleled 360-degree vista of nearby Cambodia.

The Mekong River at this point is decorated with hundreds of floating homes, each a self contained farm where local families raise and sell fish to passing boats. We have the opportunity to visit such a before returning to our hotel.

Overnight Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (deluxe river view room)
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Chau Doc - Saigon

After breakfast at hotel, take a glance at local market before returning to Saigon with lunch en-route (Mekong Rest Stop restaurant)
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau

A 5-hour drive takes you past the provincial capital of Hoa Binh from where the road winds its way over mountain passes until the green, fertile valley of Mai Chau comes into view. There are ample opportunities for photo-stops along this scenic stretch of road.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau we complete formalities and settle into a traditional White Thai long house for the afternoon meal. Mai Chau is known for its production of colourful embroidery, which can be seen being woven by hand in many of the nearby homes. You will enjoy a walk through the community inspecting the intricacies of this craft and will be able to see the many activities of rural life in this part of the north.
As the Mai Chau valley is surrounded by fields of rice, you will have the opportunity to see its cultivation, planting or harvesting depending on the season.

Trails lead off through the fields to other communities and make for ideal
exploration. As dusk settles the fields become a blaze of fireflies, seemingly lighting up the path in the stillness of the air.

Accommodation is in a traditional White Thai long house nestled in the centre of the community village and provides easy access to the many trails that spread out over the valley floor and its nearby hills.

Dinner and overnight at White Thai long house
(Lunch and Dinner)

Day 2: Mai Chau - Hanoi

The village rises early. After a simple breakfast you may have the opportunity to visit the nearby colourful market place where Vietnamese jostle with local ethnic groups over a variety of fresh food produce.

If time permits embark on a walk to take you deeper into the valley to explore the outer areas before returning to the long house for lunch. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Note on accommodation: Whilst accommodation at the long house in Mai Chau is basic it does provide visitors with the best opportunity to experience a taste of typical village life. There are no private rooms, only a large open area which may accommodate other guests on the day. Mattresses, head rests and mosquito nets are provided. There are private washroom facilities, however, again are very basic.

Only cold water is available for showering although the homeowners are pleased to provide hot water if requested and depending on resources at the time. Electricity is connected throughout the day and night.

Day 1: Arrival Hue
On arrival in Hue, you will be transferred to your hotel and (subject to arrival time) commence your introduction to this history filled city with visits to the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. The Imperial Citadel was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, however unfortunately suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the pavilions, bridges, libraries and great halls are now being carefully restored with help from UNESCO. In the evening you will enjoy a banquet fit for kings as you sample some of the famous 2000 dishes particular to Hue?s cuisine.
Overnight Hue (Dinner included)

Day 2: Hue
Today you will have a full day touring, including a boat trip down the Perfume River, and visits to the Royal Tombs with lunch.
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda by boat, then continue to the less visited, but perhaps most majestic of all Hue?s tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape, this is an ideal location for lunch. Continue in the afternoon with the Emperors of Contrasts, combining visits to the tombs of Tu Duc and Khain Dinh.
Overnight Hue (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 3: Hue
At leisure until your airport departure transfer (Breakfast included)

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

On arrival in Hanoi, you meet and transfer to your hotel by your local guide.
Overnight Hanoi.
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Hanoi

Today, you will have a combining a morning tour of Ba Dinh Square and an afternoon visiting the city highlights.
Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. (Subject to opening times the interior of the mausoleum can be visited). See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.
Lunch at local restaurant
This afternoon enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.
Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!
Overnight Hanoi.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda

Rich in Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country's most colourful and revered pagodas and temples. Located 40 kilometres southwest of Hanoi lies the Thay Pagoda (Master's pagoda). Whilst a temple is a place worship the dead, a pagoda is a place to worship the Lord Buddha. Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues in lacquer and gold of Buddha in his past and present form and for its colourful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar. Water puppetry is also occasionally performed in the courtyard of the pagoda but this is generally limited to festivals and holiday periods.
Only 6 kilometres further away lies Tay Phuong Pagoda situated at the top of a small hillock. Built in 1794 the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century.
Return to Hanoi and rest of the day is your free time. Lunch on your own today.
Overnight Hanoi.
(Breakfast)

Day 4: Depart Hanoi

At leisure until you are transferred to your onward flight.
(Breakfast)

Start from $1159* per Person - Twin Share Private Tour

Start from $5110* per Person - Twin Share Private Tour

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon is surely one of the most evocative place names in Asia and definitely one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. The most Western in atmosphere of Vietnam's cities, Ho Chi Minh City (to use its official name - although to residents and visitors alike it is universally and affectionately known as Saigon) has a population of 5 million, and a booming free-market economy. It is a city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels, exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside noodle stalls, street children, and vociferous cyclo drivers.

Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable markets, pagodas and karaoke rooms. Bustling, booming, crowded, noisy - all words that barely scratch the surface of the addictive and often mesmerising chaos that is Saigon, and yet there are the elegant colonial French boulevards and buildings, the Cathedral, the riverfront, the quiet moments at a sidewalk cafe watching the world literally go by you at breakneck speed.

On arrival you will be met by your tour guide and transferred by private car to your chosen hotel.

The balance of your day is at leisure, until it is time to go for dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: dinner

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City

After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, this morning you will take a journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare, and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms, and the more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.

We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!

Return to Saigon for a late lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a half day tour of this exciting city. In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the War.

Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese, then visit the War Remnant Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of Vietnam War. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Fine Art Museum, which is indispensable for those who are keen on Vietnam arts and culture.

Next, you will visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the 'wedding cake' styled Hotel d'ville, and Dong Khoi Street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast in your hotel you will head out along the bustling highway into the surrounding countryside, where you will pass lush rice paddies carefully tended, before boarding a motorised sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways. You will see how, to the people of Delta, the water is a lifeline - the focus of all daily activity - as you journey through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Enjoy a sample of delicious fruit in the shade of a fruit farmer's garden before continuing via small canals on to lunch, where the speciality is a remarkable dish of 'elephant's ear fish'. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by the late afternoon, with the rest of the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City ~ Da Nang/Hoi An

This morning, you will be collected from you hotel by your guide and transferred to Saigon airport for the one hour flight to Da Nang.

One of the most ancient cities in Vietnam, Da Nang was the centre of the Cham Dynasty from the 2nd century and today boasts the largest and most impressive collection of Cham artefacts anywhere in the world. Da Nang's rich cultural history, its proximity to the extraordinary ruins of My Son, its atmospheric riverfront promenade, and its world-famous Cham Museum all continue to draw visitors. Unwelcome visitors have made their mark here too - Da Nang was the first landing-point for the invading French troops and again decades later for the US Marines. Close by Da Nang is China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia. Also nearby are the Marble Mountains, the 5 craggy limestone peaks that are said to represent the 5 elements of the universe. A climb inside through the hundreds of natural caves and grottoes is a must.

On arrival in Da Nang, start with a visit to the Cham Museum, before continuing with the Ancient Civilisations walking tour of Hoi An, including lunch at one of the many lovely restaurants in Hoi An. Hoi An is an extraordinary jewel of a town. In a country so ravaged by war, Hoi An managed to remain untouched, and as you wander the completely traffic-free streets of this ancient seaport it is not hard to imagine yourself amidst the sailors and merchants of the 18th Century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Afterwards you are transferred to hotel or you are free to further discover the town on your own.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Da Nang/Hoi An ~ Hanoi

The morning will be spent at your leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your short flight to Hanoi. Here you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the city, with a stop for lunch at local restaurant, followed by an afternoon of sightseeing, with visits to some of the highlights of Hanoi City.

Enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword, en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference).

Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, later became becoming Vietnam's first university.

Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter.

This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce, where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Hanoi
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Hanoi

This morning visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked, then visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country', and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example.

See also the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.

After lunch at a local restaurant the afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Hanoi
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Hanoi ~ Luang Prabang

This morning is at leisure, until it is time to transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Once immigration formalities have been completed, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your accommodation. After checking in, head out to see some of the sights that have made this town the World Heritage Jewel that it is! Visit Vat Visoun, the site of the impressive That Makmo stupa. Continue on to the nearby Vat Aham, one of the city's major tutelary shrines, then climb Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.

This evening head out for a delicious dinner at Tamnak Lao restaurant for a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner, take a tour around Luang Prabang's fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer.

Accommodation: at selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

DAY 8: Luang Prabang

After breakfast take a visit to the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, where you will view the lovely collection of personal artefacts of the royal family, including many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. You will then be driven up to the Tad Kuang Sii waterfalls, a journey of approximately one hour, passing through very scenic Laotian countryside.

The waterfalls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Enjoy a local style lunch at the waterfalls, before returning to Luang Prabang town. En route it is possible to visit one of the many small ethnic minority villages along the way.

Accommodation: at selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

DAY 9: Luang Prabang ~ Vientiane

After breakfast at the hotel you have some free time to relax, before transferring to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel for the next two nights. After check-in you are free to relax, or you may choose to enjoy a cool drink on the nearby banks of the Mekong as the sun sets.

Accommodation: at selected hotel in Vientiane
Meals included: breakfast

DAY 10: Vientiane

After breakfast at your hotel your local guide will take you on a full-day city tour, which visits the highlights of the capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane, which features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew, once the royal temple of the Laotian monarchy, which contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artefacts in the country. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patuxai, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Another famous landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa, which was built by King Sethtathirat in 1566 and is considered the national symbol. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Take a visit to the Talaat Sao, Vientiane's morning market, which is open all day and is a wonderful venue for shopping and meeting the charming and fun-loving Laotians.

After lunch at a local restaurant we journey out of town to visit one of Laos' slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Built on the banks of the Mekong River is the site of a large collection of many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. En route we stop to visit the impressive Friendship Bridge and the National Cultural Park, also on the Mekong River bank.

If time permits, you can then pay a visit to Carol Cassidy at her gallery and weaving workshop.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: at selected hotel in Vientiane
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

DAY 11: Vientiane ~ Phnom Penh

After breakfast at the hotel your time is free until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel to check in and freshen up, followed by dinner at your hotel

Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

DAY 12: Phnom Penh

In the morning, take the Cyclo Tour to visit The Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom. The Palace is made up from a number of structures within a pagoda-style compound one of which is The Silver Pagoda, which takes its name from its 5,000+ silver tiles. The building itself holds a number of national treasures, perhaps most notably a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, weighing in at 90 kg. Continue to the National Museum, a Khmer temple inspired building that houses the world's largest collection of Khmer art sculptures, ceramics and bronzes.

Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artefacts, most notably the legendary statue of the 'Leper King.' Finish the morning with a local shopping experience at Toul Tom Pong Market where you can find silk, silver and countless souvenirs.

Lunch is taken back at your hotel, and will be followed by a visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheung Ek. During the Pol Pot regime Toul Sleng, formerly a high school, was converted to a detention centre known as S21. After interrogation and often torture, prisoners were transferred to the 'Killing Fields' where they were often tortured again and brutally killed. Today Cheung Ek is a Memorial site for Cambodians and visitors from all over the world to pay their respects for those lost. A memorial stupa has been erected and displays over 5,000 human skulls, bones and clothes of the victims. During the Khmer Rouge years, thousands of Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned in detention centres around the country the visit is a profoundly moving experience.

Dinner will be at Malis Restaurant
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 13: Phnom Penh ~ Siem Reap

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy your lunch. This afternoon, experience the Remok tour to visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom - last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple.

This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs but the highlight is the ''faces'', more than 200 of them, silent but with the famous half-smile playing on their lips. Continue to sunset at Pre Rup temple, about 2 kilometres northeast of Srah Srang and 500 meters south of the East Baray. This temple was built in 961 during the reign of King Rajendravarman, dedicated to Shiva Brahmanism. The boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion.

Dinner will be at your hotel
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

DAY 14: Siem Reap

This morning, you will visit Angkor Wat, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylised on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king, and has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk, which is located on the east wing, the guide will explain this mystical tale.

Lunch is taken at your hotel, after which you will take the Remok tour to visit Ta Prohm. Built in the 12th century this temple has been left largely in its natural state since its ''re-discovery'' by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees. Continue to Preah Khan, ''The Sacred Sword'', an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. This is the site of the World Monuments Fund 'prime' Asian project, a painstaking renovation that aims to maintain its mysterious allures and superb original structure.

Dinner will be at local restaurant
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner

DAY 15: Siem Reap

Depart early morning to visit Banteay Srey 'the Woman's Citadel' - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor. Continue to Banteay Samre, built under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Named after the Samré, an ancient people of Indochina, the temple uses the same materials as Banteay Srey. Lunch is taken at your hotel, and is followed by a drive to Tonle Sap Lake.

Every year, during the monsoon season, the flow of water from the Mekong River changes direction forcing water back into the Tonle Sap Lake, bringing nutrients that fertilise the rice fields and support the breeding of the 200+ fish species. You will board a comfortable boat to visit one of the floating villages of Tonle Sap, where they can see how Khmers and Vietnamese live and work side by side.

If time allows, the tour will visit a development project teaching young adults stone carving, wood carving, and lacquer application. Artisans d' Angkor is a heart warming reminder that progress in Cambodia can go hand in hand with traditional crafts. Dinner will be at a local restaurant Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner

DAY 16: Siem Reap ~ Departure

After breakfast you will have some free leisure time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 1: Arrive Saigon
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Saigon
Full day at leisure
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Breakfast)

Day 3: Saigon
Full day at leisure
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Breakfast)

Day 4: Depart Saigon
At leisure until your airport departure transfer.
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Dalat
The drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat (approx. 7 hours) passes through spectacular countryside as the road weaves through plantations, villages and mountains to the plateau of the Central Highlands. There will be opportunities to stop at silk weaving farms and coffee and tea plantations en-route as we explore this verdant region. Check in to your hotel.
Late afternoon visit the town's bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country they even grow strawberries here and environs. Take a tandem or horse ride around Xuan Huong Lake (on your own expenses).
Overnight Dalat.
(Lunch)

Day 2: Dalat
This morning you will explore Dalat highlights tour. Much delight will be taken in an exploration of Dalat's architecture - from the villas of the 'French Quarter' to the unusual guesthouse shaped with each annex shaped like a different animal, known as the 'Crazy House'!
You will visit the Tuyen Lam Lake and its pagoda, the former Railway Station (in use only for an optional steam train ride) and Dalat Cathedral. Continue to visit Bao Dai's Summer Palace that sits on a hill just outside the main centre. Bao Dai was the Last Emperor of Vietnam and the Palace has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself. Afterward, you go to visit. Subject to opening times, also
visit the Ethnic Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and traditional costumes.
Lunch at local restaurant and afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight Dalat.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Dalat - Phan Thiet
Enjoy a spectacular drive through the lush Ngoan Muc mountain pass to the coastal plain near Phan Rang (5 hours). The highland crops of coffee, tea and vegetables are replaced with that of tobacco, grapes and rice as the road descends into the dry climate.
At Phan Rang we pause by the roadside to visit the nearby Cham towers of Po Klong Garai. Built in the 13th Century, they have been carefully restored by Polish architects and command a dominating position atop a hillock overlooking the town and coastal strip. The region continues to be the home to many of the 99,000 descendants of the Cham civilisation in Vietnam today and the towers remain an important religious site at times of festivities.
Continuing our drive south we pass through many local plantations of the unique 'dragon fruit' found only in this dry southern region of Vietnam. The road veers off from the highway to join the waterfront at the town of Phan Thiet. Known for its fishing industry and production of the infamous 'nuoc mam' (fish sauce), Phan Thiet has recently become a newly discovered beach retreat. Canopies of coconut palms dot the waterfront inter-sped with seafood restaurants where you can dine and relax in a hammock under the shade near the water.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Overnight Phan Thiet.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Phan Thiet
Five kilometres along the beachfront lies the small fishing community of Mui Ne known for its sweeping sand dunes that form a backdrop to the coast. We enjoy a short but rugged jeep ride over the dunes for those who are looking for an aspect of adventure, followed by a delicious seafood lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Overnight Phan Thiet.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5: Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh City
Morning at leisure before the return drive to Ho Chi Minh City (4 hours).
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

After clearing custom procedure, Destination Asia & tour guide will pick you up at the gate and transfer you to the downtown and check in to your hotel.
This afternoon enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!
Dinner tonight is at Wild Rice restaurant
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Dinner)

Day 2: Hanoi

This morning you begin city tour of Hanoi.
Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed on every Friday and Monday and October and November). See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked, Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.
Lunch at Indochine Restaurant
Afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own or go shopping what you like!
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 3: Hanoi & Hue

At leisure in hotel or explore the city on your own until departure transfer to airport for mid-noon flight HAN/HUI.
Enjoy box lunch today.
Arrival transfer from Hue airport to hotel for check-in
This afternoon you have a city tour to visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. In the very early 19th Century, when the Nguyen Dynasty administered Vietnam from Hue, the Emperor Gia Long commenced construction of a mighty citadel from where he could both live and rule. The resulting Imperial Citadel was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, however unfortunately suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the pavilions, bridges, libraries and great halls are now being carefully restored with help from UNESCO. Marvel at the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. Followed by a visit to the local Dong Ba market, known for the prettiest conical hats in Vietnam.
Overnight Hotel in Hue
(Breakfast, box lunch)

Day 4: Hue

Today you will have a full day tour of Hue including boat trip on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb. One of the most notable features of Hue is the meandering Perfume (Huong) River that divides the city. As both the Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb are situated on the river banks, boating on a simple, yet comfortable, vessel offers a relaxing alternative to the Imperial Hue tour. Thien Mu Pagoda - an octagonal tower of seven tiers rises majestically over the tranquil Perfume (Huong) River. Beyond you may see robed monks chanting their mantra, or novices carefully tending the bonsai garden. One unusual feature of this temple is the blue Ford Austin motor car in the grounds - the same car that appeared on television screens around the world when a revered monk self-immolated in central Saigon, in protest of a repressive Diem regime in the 60's. Followed by most majestic of all of Hue's tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Built between 1841 and 1843, this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape, and is the ideal location for a picnic lunch. Enjoy picnic lunch there before continue to the afternoon tours. Emperors of Contrast (Tu Duc and Khai Dinh's Tombs). The hills surrounding Hue are dotted with the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Built not only as an eternal resting place, the tombs were designed for recreation somewhere the Emperor could fish, hunt and enjoy the company of concubines in his twilight years. This tour combines visits to two of the most contrasting tombs. Visit first the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. In stark contrast, continue to Khai Dinh's Tomb. Remembered as the 'Puppet Emperor' because of his affiliation with the French, this tomb was designed with colonial flair, and a glass mosaic frieze dominates the interior.
Overnight Hotel in Hue
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Hue & Danang & Hoi An

Overland transfer to Danang via spectacular Cloudy Pass then visit Cham Museum upon arrival. Cham Museum in Danang, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Hindu in origin, the Cham people left a legacy of excellent sculptures, now housed in the only museum if its kind in Danang, as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders. Proceed to Hoi An for lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon you do a walking tour of Hoi An. Hoi An, an extraordinary jewel of a town. In a country so ravaged by war, Hoi An somehow managed to remain untouched and as you wander through the completely traffic-free streets of this ancient seaport it is not hard to imagine yourself amidst the sailors and merchants of the 18th Century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Chinese, Japanese and European architecture bears witness to this cosmopolitan past and allows today&rsquos visitors a glimpse of a mediaeval Vietnam that no longer exists anywhere else in the country. Enjoy an orientation walk through this charming town before spending some time at leisure strolling the maze of tiny streets and exploring the numerous local art galleries that have evolved in recent times.
Overnight Hotel in Hoi An
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 6: Hoi An & Saigon

Early morning you are transferred out to Danang airport for onward flight DAD/SGN. Meet at the airport upon arrival and have an orientation tour. In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Lunch at Lemongrass restaurant. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Take the opportunity to see a delightful performance of Water Puppetry in the grounds. Visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque Cathedral in the centre of city, the 'wedding cake' styled hotel d'ville and Dong Khoi street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.
Check in to your hotel and rest of day is at leisure
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 7: Cu Chi Tunnels

Journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!
Return to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant followed by at leisure the rest of day.
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 8: Departure

At leisure until departure transfer to airport for onward international flight
(Breakfast)

Cu Chi Tunnels, discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City, taking in the former Presidential Palace, preserved as a museum. Visit also the Notre Dame Cathedral. Shop at Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street - best shopping streets in Saigon

Day 1: Arrive Saigon
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning, enjoy a half day tour to the Tunnels of Cu Chi.
This amazing underground camp served as a refuge for thousands of Viet Cong during the war. For years the American military had no idea that the enemy lived literally beneath their feet in 125 miles of tunnels, staging camps, hospitals, operations bunkers, and more. Today we can climb down into the tunnels to view their rooms and passageways. (This is not for the claustrophobic, as it is a very close space and you must slide along on your stomach at times.) Beforehand, watch a documentary that explains Cu Chi?s importance during the war.
Back to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. You will visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. A water puppet performance is housed in the grounds. Visit also the Notre Dame Cathedral, a Neo-classical structure dating back to the 19th century, with the beautiful Post Office building opposite Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) where you will wander the colourful stalls and stands of this central area of trade and commerce. After the market, stroll down Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street, ?the shopping street in Saigon.?
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Depart Saigon
At leisure until your airport departure transfer.
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Arrival Hoi An
On arrival at Danang airport, meet your guide for a highlight tour of Danang. Visit the Cham Museum in Danang, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. From here continue to the Marble Mountains for a photo stop en-route to Hoi An. Just a short drive from Danang, this unique trading town was a civilisation cut off by destroyed rail lines and a silted river, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Lunch at a local restaurant is followed by a visit to the unique Japanese covered bridge, and finally some afternoon shopping in the numerous galleries of Hoi An.
Overnight Hoi An (Lunch included)

Day 2: Hoi An - Hue
Morning overland transfer to Hue (approximately 3 hours) via Cloudy Pass, followed by lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit the Imperial Citadel, modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, where you will marvel at the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who built the fortress and lived between the moated walls for nearly 150 years.
Overnight Hue (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 3: Hue
Today you will have a full day touring, including a boat trip down the Perfume River, and visits to the Royal Tombs with lunch.
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda by boat, then continue to the less visited, but perhaps most majestic of all Hue?s tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape, this is an ideal location for lunch. Continue in the afternoon with the Emperors of Contrasts, first visiting the tomb of Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions, lotus ponds, and a small hunting forest. Following this you will visit the tomb of Khai Dinh, remembered as the Puppet Emperor because of his affiliation with the French.
Overnight Hue (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 4: Hue Departure

Start from $4655* per Person - Twin Share Private Tour

(WED-SUN OR FRI-TUE)

Day 1: Hanoi - Sapa

You will board on a night train of Victoria Express depart from Hanoi railway station at 9:30 p.m. and settle on your 4-berth sleeper compartment.
Overnight on train in superior cabin.
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Sapa

Early arrival in Lao Cao station where you&rsquore overland transferred in approximate 1 hour to SAPA.

Escape to the rugged mountain region north of Hanoi inhabited by ethnic groups seemingly a world away from the fast pace of urban life. Located near the Chinese border, Sapa lies at an elevation of 1650 metres and is a former French hill station that has recently grown in popularity as a destination for those seeking adventure among Vietnam's highest mountain ranges.

Primarily Vietnamese in character, Sapa comes alive during the weekend market when the local ethnic Hmong and Dao people trek in from nearby villages to sell their wares. Surrounded by the vista of Vietnam's highest peak, Fansipan (3142 metres), the region holds countless trails and walks for all levels of enthusiasts and provides an introduction into the lives of the isolated communities of the north.

Enjoy a walk through Sapa's colourful market (weekends only) and stroll down into the valley to visit the small community of Cat Cat. The Hmong that have settled here are a shy and private people although are welcoming to visitors. A short trail leads off to a waterfall nestled in the ravine below.
In the afternoon you do a trekking to Ta Phin village.

This walk commences with a short walk through Sapa and along a trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. You will then pass through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Ma Tra, where you will have the opportunity to observe and experience the daily life of the friendly villagers.

You will then continue your walk through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery.

During the day you will also be able to visit a local school for children from the ethnic minority hill tribes. Your guide will then prepare lunch for you before you begin your afternoon trek to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin. There you will have the opportunity to meet the Red Dao and Black Hmong hill tribes living with each other in the same village, as well as visiting a workshop and a nearby cave.
Overnight Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa - Hanoi

Full day walk with packed lunch to Dao, Giay and Hmong settlements in Lao Chai and Ta Van Ray districts. The walk is moderate to intermediate descending down into a scenic valley of cascading water crossed by suspension bridges. Enjoy a picnic lunch today.

Late afternoon you will return to Lao Cai station and board on a night train with a journey back to Hanoi
Overnight on train in superior cabin.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Arrival Hanoi

Early this morning, you arrive Hanoi and transfer to your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.
(Meals: none)

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Meet and greet at airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel, with the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner is at a local restaurant with a traditional music performance.
Overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (Dinner included)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels and Highlight of Ho Chi Minh City
Take a morning journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels, with secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, you will spend the afternoon touring the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Presidential Palace, now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, with a water puppet performance housed in the grounds. See Notre Dame, the 'wedding cake' styled hotel d'ville, and Dong Khoi Street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Danang / Hoi An
Morning transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Danang. On arrival at Danang airport, meet your guide and proceed to the Cham Museum, once the centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. From here continue to the Marble Mountains for a photo stop before checking into your hotel in either China Beach or Hoi An, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you take a Hoi An walking tour, where you will see architecture heavily influenced by the different nationalities of traders that frequented this town in the past, including the Japanese covered bridge and Chinese communal house.
Overnight Danang or Hoi An (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 4: Danang / Hoi An - Hue
This morning you will drive overland to Hue City, checking into your hotel and enjoying lunch on arrival. Hue was once the religious, economic, and cultural epicentre of Vietnam, however was reduced almost completely to rubble as a result of war. In the afternoon you will visit the Imperial Citadel, modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, and will finish your afternoon with a visit to the Dong Ba Market.
Overnight Hue (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 5: Hue
Today you will take a boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda, an octagonal tower of seven tiers rising majestically over the Perfume River, and one of the most famous sights in Hue. From here you will continue by boat to perhaps the most majestic of all Hue's tombs - that of Minh Mang. With a harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape, this is an ideal location for lunch. In the afternoon you will first visit the tomb of Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions, lotus ponds, and a small hunting forest. Following this you will visit the colonially styled tomb of Khai Dinh, remembered as the " Puppet Emperor " because of his affiliation with the French.
Overnight Hue (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 6: Hue - Hanoi
Morning transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, then to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you will take a tour of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Continue to the Temple of Literature, then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District.
Overnight Hanoi (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 7: Hanoi
Today you are taken for an early morning visit to Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked, and the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum. The final stop is the One Pillar Pagoda, before lunch is taken at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Overnight Hanoi (Breakfast and Lunch is included)

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast transfer from your hotel to the airport for your departure, or onwards with one of our many tour extensions. (Breakfast is included).

Day 1: Arrive Saigon

Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
(Meals: none)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels

In the morning, enjoy a half day tour to the Tunnels of Cu Chi.
This amazing underground camp served as a refuge for thousands of Viet Cong during the war. For years the American military had no idea that the enemy lived literally beneath their feet in 125 miles of tunnels, staging camps, hospitals, operations bunkers, and more. Today we can climb down into the tunnels to view their rooms and passageways. (This is not for the claustrophobic, as it is a very close space and you must slide along on your stomach at times.) Beforehand, watch a documentary that explains Cu Chi&rsquos importance during the war.

Back to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant.

This afternoon discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. You will visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War.

Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. A water puppet performance is housed in the grounds. Visit also the Notre Dame Cathedral, a Neo-classical structure dating back to the 19th century, with the beautiful Post Office building opposite Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) where you will wander the colourful stalls and stands of this central area of trade and commerce. After the market, stroll down Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street, &lsquothe shopping street in Saigon.

Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Saigon &ndash Hanoi

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.
On arrival in Hanoi, you meet and transfer to the city and begin a full day sightseeing tour with your local guide.

Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. (Subject to opening times the interior of the mausoleum can be visited).
See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked.

Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.

Lunch at local restaurant.

This afternoon enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it enroute to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference). Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.

Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!

Overnight Hanoi.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda

Rich in Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country's most colourful and revered pagodas and temples. Located 40 kilometres southwest of Hanoi lies the Thay Pagoda (Master's pagoda). Whilst a temple is a place worship the dead, a pagoda is a place to worship the Lord Buddha.

Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues in lacquer and gold of Buddha in his past and present form and for its colourful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar.

Water puppetry is also occasionally performed in the courtyard of the pagoda but this is generally limited to festivals and holiday periods. Only 6 kilometres further away lies Tay Phuong Pagoda situated at the top of a small hillock. Built in 1794 the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century.

Return to Hanoi and rest of the day is your free time. Lunch on your own today.

Day 5: Depart Hanoi

At leisure until you are transferred to your onward flight.
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Hanoi to Sapa

An early departure from Hanoi by land cruiser transverses rough roads as it winds its way up through the highlands. After a long drive about 12 hours we settle into our hotel in Sapa. SAPA - Escape to the rugged mountain region north of Hanoi inhabited by ethnic groups seemingly a world away from the fast pace of urban life. Located near the Chinese border, Sapa lies at an elevation of 1650 metres and is a former French hill station that has recently grown in popularity as a destination for those seeking adventure among Vietnam's highest mountain ranges. Primarily Vietnamese in character, Sapa comes alive during the weekend market when the local ethnic Hmong and Dao people trek in from nearby villages to sell their wares. Surrounded by the vista of Vietnam's highest peak, Fansipan (3142 metres), the
region holds countless trails and walks for all levels of enthusiasts and provides an introduction into the lives of the isolated communities of the north.

Day 2: Lao Chai and Ta Van trekking

Departure hotel and transferred to Lao Chai by coach (distance 7km takes a drive 15 minutes) Arrive Lao Chai, start trekking in 4 hours of the nearby villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van. This scenic valley is home to Dao, Giay and Hmong settlements, each distinguishable by their colourful everyday dress. The Dao originated in China. The men are traditionally skilled at metalwork and woodwork and make their own tools and a variety of wood and bamboo goods. The women are excellent embroiderers and can sew complex patterns entirely from memory - the pattern having been handed down through the generations. They practice ancestor worship, although the traditional Vietnamese trinity of Buddhism, Taosim and Confucianism has also influenced them. The walk is moderately paced with some descents into valleys of cascading water.
Picnic lunch on stream/by the river
Pick up at Ta Van village, transfer back to hotel (depend on time or clients' request then a trekking can be available including Hau Thao Ethnic village and Bai Da Co about 17 km from Sapa town). Rest of day is at leisure.
Overnight hotel, Sapa
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Sapa

Morning visit to Sapa local ethnic market (Weekend only) BAC HA MARKET: on Sunday&lsquos we can offer an excursion to see the Flower Hmong ethnic market in Bac Ha as an alternative to further walking in the Sapa valley Check out hotel and then our coach pick up transfer met and driven to Bac Ha to see the Hmong Hoa market in full swing. Bac Ha is home to several &lsquomontagnards&rsquo, the French term for the local hill tribes. In addition to the Hmong and the Hoa, there are Giay, Dzao, Nung, Phula Tai and Kinh minorities to name a few. It is not for nothing that certain of these tribes got a reputation for imbibing vast quantities of alcohol. The village is renowned for its fermentation of alcoholic brews, in particular rice and corn wine! Bac Ha in late spring is especially pretty when the numerous plum trees are in full blossom
Lunch at local restaurant in Bac Ha
In the afternoon depart for the 4-hour drive to Lai Chau. Stops are made en-route at waterfalls and scenic spots as the road winds its way through Vietnam's most spectacular stretch of mountain scenery. Overnight Lai Chau (basic accommodation)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 4: Lai Chau to Dien Bien Phu

Early morning departure for Dien Bien Phu (approx. 3 hours) the revered site of the deciding battle against the French army in 1954. The town spreads out, rapidly modernising in its isolated valley setting and is scattered with remains of the Viet Minh victory over the French. Visit General de Castries bunker and Hill A1 (known more romantically as Eliane 2). French tanks and US made artillery casings lie in place where the defeated army surrendered. Nearby lies the war memorial and cemetery to fallen Vietnamese soldiers. Inside the Dien Bien Phu museum is an excellent collection of military weapons and artillery from both the French and the Vietnamese guerrillas. In contrast to the battle site on the ground you will make a visit to the underground headquarters of General Giap, the mastermind behind the strategies that led to the resistance success who still resides in Hanoi to this day.
Overnight Dien Bien Phu
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu to Son La

Continue the drive south through valleys and hills inhabited by villages of ethnic groups. Our drive allows time to break the journey in the most attractive spots and explore at our leisure.
Overnight Son La (basis accommodation)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 6: Son La to Mai Chau

We leave the provincial capital of Son La behind us and continue to the relaxed and scenic settlement of Mai Chau in the lower hinterlands. Upon arrival in Mai Chau we complete formalities and settle into a traditional White Thai long house for the afternoon meal. Mai Chau is known for its production of colourful embroidery, which can be seen being woven by hand in many of the nearby homes. You will enjoy a walk through the community inspecting the intricacies of this craft and will be able to see the many activities of rural life in this part of the north. As the Mai Chau valley is surrounded by fields of rice, you will have the opportunity to see its cultivation, planting or harvesting depending on the season. Trails lead off through the fields to other communities and make for ideal exploration. As dusk settles the fields become a blaze of fireflies, seemingly lighting up the path in the stillness of the air. Whilst the name of the White and Black Thai suggest a direct link to nearby Thailand, these people have long been nomadic over the centuries. As with many ethnic minorities they have simply known no border and continue to freely travel between neighbouring countries to this day. Much of the written language is associated with Thai script though each group has it's own distinct spoken dialect. Many of the 'Thais' speak Vietnamese as their second language. Traditionally the lowland Thai welcome visitors to their home and, with their hospitality make a stay in Mai Chau highly rewarding to those who wish to gain a brief understanding of their existence. Whilst accommodation at the long house in Mai Chau is basic it does provide visitors with the best opportunity to experience a taste of typical village life. There are no private rooms, only a large open area that may accommodate other guests on the day. Mattresses, head rests and mosquito nets are provided. There are private washroom facilities, however, again are very basic. Only cold water is available for showering although the homeowners are pleased to provide hot water if requested and depending on resources at the time. Electricity is connected throughout the day and night.
Dinner and overnight at White Thai long house.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7: Mai Chau

The village rises early. After a simple breakfast you may have the opportunity to visit the nearby colourful market place where Vietnamese jostle with local ethnic groups over a variety of fresh food produce. For the adventurous we embark on a day of walking and exploring along the valley edge to numerous minority villages and scenic vistas. The people are very hospitable and welcome foreigners into their home. If time permits embark on a walk to take you deeper into the valley to explore the outer areas before returning to the long house for lunch. Overnight Mai Chau village Longhouse Or continue to Hoa Binh and overnight hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 8: Mai Chau to Hanoi

The final leg of the journey is no less scenic than that previously travelled. After a 5-hour drive we enter the urban landscape of Hanoi and reflect upon our adventure over a well-deserved buffet meal at Hanoi's premier hotel.
(Breakfast)
Note: Adventurous travellers only. Will appeal to those re-visiting Vietnam for a second time wishing to see another aspect of the country

Day 1: Hanoi - Vietnam

Vietnam surprises most American visitors. In fact, it is difficult to recognize this country if you&rsquore familiar only with the televised images that flooded American living rooms for the better part of a decade during the war. Whatever the expectations, the reality is something else, indeed. Vietnam's capital is described by almost all who go there as "an old-fashioned city".

Old-fashioned in style, it is a city of lakes, parks, trees, villas, mansions and an area called the Old French Quarter where crumbling houses are crammed into narrow alleyways that are still named after the goods that were traded there - Silk Street, Gold Street, even Fried Fish Street! Old-fashioned in atmosphere, Hanoi has sidewalk cafes, pavement barbers, less traffic than Saigon, less frenetic rushing about, less noise, simply less people.

Wide tree-lined bicycle-filled boulevards, elegant colonial French mansions, the grandeur and solemnity of Ho Chi Minh's monumental Mausoleum, the incongruous rustic simplicity of the house in which 'Uncle Ho' lived out his final years, the barely concealed misery of the Hoa Lo Prison, the 'Hanoi Hilton' where so many prisoners of war were incarcerated, the religious pride that constructed the beautiful temple of Literature compound - it's all here in Hanoi, a microcosm of the Vietnamese culture.

The speed with which this country has been able to put the past behind it is nothing short of amazing. The Vietnamese people have been intent on healing and rebuilding as they look with hope toward the future. We are met upon arrival in Hanoi. Drive into town, and check in to the Metropole, the city's most elegant and historical hotel. Built in 1911 and recently renovated, it sits in the heart of the city near the theatre and Hoan Kiem Lake. Lunch is on your own today.

This afternoon, you begin your meandering, a tour by cyclo around the city's lovely French Quarter, filled with artefacts from Vietnam&rsquos colonial past. At the end of the day, freshen up at the hotel before we sit down to a traditional Vietnamese dinner at local restaurant popular with the locals and visitors alike.

Overnight: Sofitel Metropole Hotel, Hanoi (classic room)
(Dinner)

Day 2: Hanoi

No visit to Vietnam would be complete without a visit to this historical monument (closed on Friday, Monday and Oct/Nov). When it is open, you can join the silent single file queue of Vietnamese and foreign people going to pay their respects to Ho Chi Minh&rsquos embalmed corpse. The tomb is monumental, built of marble, granite and precious wood. Behind the Mausoleum, you can see Ho Chi Minh's house. The simple house where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked is made of wood and enjoyed a tranquil setting, with a view of a lotus pond. Ho Chi Minh&rsquos belongs, including books, radio and hat are on display and you can walk up the steps of his house to see his bed room.

Close by, you will see a famous pagoda built since 11 Cent. The One pillar pagoda and next door is Dien huu pagoda &ndash very good image of Buddhism in Vietnam. You continue to visit Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature, serves as a pleasant respite from the bustle of Hano&rsquos street scene. Emperor Ly Thanh Tong built it to honor academicians and men of literary accomplishment, and it served as Vietnam&rsquos first university, educating the sons of mandarins. Its five courtyards, the temple itself, and its 82 steal represent Vietnamese architecture at its finest. Lunch today is at a charming Vietnamese restaurant, the Indochine.

Afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight: Sofitel Metropole Hotel, Hanoi (classic room)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 3: Hanoi & Hue

At leisure this morning until transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Hue. One of the country&rsquos foremost cultural, religious, and educational centres' Hue began its existence as the citadel of Phu Xuan in 1687, just northeast of the present-day city, and assumed the role of capital city of southern Vietnam in the mid-1700s. More than a century later, French forces encircled the city, and the Vietnamese were powerless in their battle to keep their homeland. A colony was born. Hué suffered some of the bloodiest battles of the 1968 Tet Offensive, and it was the only city to be held by the Communists for more than a few days. By the 1970s, much of the old city was decaying, but the local government recognized its value, and in 1993 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. Restoration and preservation work continues.

On arrival, we begin to explore the city. Take a boat trip on Perfume River and go to a local island village (Con Hen). Stop at a local morning market and walk around local areas. Enjoy box lunch at a riverside café then continue boarding to go to Thien Mu Pagoda. Late afternoon, visit to Imperial Citadel. Kinh Thanh, the citadel, is perhaps the most well-known site in Hué. Begun in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, it is actually a complex comprised of the Imperial City, several museums, lakes, and lovely gardens, all laid out in a series of concentric circles.

Specialist local guide in Citadel. We also visit the Forbidden Purple City, originally built in the early 1800s for the personal use of the emperor and staffed by eunuchs who posed no threat to the royal concubines. Nearly destroyed in the Tet Offensive, today the ruins house the Royal Library and the grounds flourish with mimosa plants and vegetable plots.

Overnight at Saigon Morin Hotel in Hue (deluxe river view room)
Tonight you will enjoy an Imperial Dinner at the hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch box and Dinner)

Day 4: Hue

This morning, you will visit Thien Mu Pagoda by boat then continue by boat to the less visited and perhaps most majestic of all of Hue's tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Built between 1841 and 1843, this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and natural landscape.

After enjoy picnic lunch at the tomb, we&rsquoll drive just outside the former capital to the tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. The tomb of Tu Duc, a 19th century Emperor who lived in the most splendid opulence, is regally set among groves of frangipani and pine trees. The tomb of the 20th century Emperor Khai Dinh is grandiose but, unlike that of Tu Duc and the others, is a melange of Eastern and European architectural styles which perhaps accurately reflects the changing political currents which were taking place in the country at the beginning of the century.

Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight at Saigon Morin hotel in Hue (deluxe room)
(Breakfast, Lunch box and Dinner)

Day 5: Hue & Danang

After breakfast, leave Hue for Danang, around 3.5 hours transfer by coach then to Hoi An. Hoi An is an extraordinary jewel of a town. In a country so ravaged by war, Hoi An managed to remain untouched, and as you wander the completely traffic-free streets of this ancient seaport it is not hard to imagine yourself amidst the sailors and merchants of the 18th Century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Chinese, Japanese and European architecture bears witness to a cosmopolitan past and allows today's visitors a glimpse of Vietnam that no longer exists elsewhere.

We wander the cobbled streets to visit former merchant homes, temples, art galleries and absorb the atmosphere of one of the country&rsquos most colourful marketplaces. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant then proceed for walking tour of Hoi An. Drive back to Danang and check into the most beautiful beach resort in China Beach &ndash the Furama.

Dinner and Overnight Furama Resort, Danang (garden view room)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 6: Danang & Saigon

This morning transfer to the airport for the onward domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. If Hanoi and Hué represent the colonial past of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City stands for its future. This city is booming with new economic opportunities, new construction, new technology, and newly arrived Western influences. More and more, cars are replacing bicycles, and cell-phone sales are on the rise. Situated on the northeast edge of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City is poised and ready for a new millennium of growth.

We begin our touring with an orientation of the city. Get your bearings as we view the colonial General Post Office (1886), City Hall (now the HQ of the People&rsquos Committee), and Notre Dame Cathedral (closed by the Communist regime after the 1975 takeover, but now flourishing again, with services each day at dawn).

Thereafter continue to visit the War Remnants Museum, which offers a different perspective on the "American War." Military equipment and evidence support allegations of war atrocities committed by the enemies of Communism in the 1960s and 1970s. Lunch at Tan Nam restaurant. This afternoon, visit Reunification Palace, once known as the Presidential Palace. It was toward this building that the first Communist tanks rolled into Saigon on the morning of 30 April, 1975

.

After crashing through the gate, a soldier ran into the building and unfurled a VC flag from the fourth-floor balcony. The rest, as they say, is history. Next, you&rsquoll explore Ben Thanh market at the end of the day for shopping.

Dinner will be taken nearby at Maxim&rsquos Nam An restaurant, a stunningly designed French villa serving impeccable Vietnamese cuisine.

Overnight Majestic Saigon Hotel (superior room)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

This morning we explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, just beyond the city limits. This amazing underground camp served as a refuge for thousands of Viet Cong during the war. For years the American military had no idea that the enemy lived literally beneath their feet in 125 miles of tunnels, staging camps, hospitals, operations bunkers, and more. Today we can climb down into the tunnels to view their rooms and passageways. (This is not for the claustrophobic, as it is a very close space and you must slide along on your stomach at times.)

Beforehand, watch a documentary that explains Cu Chi&rsquos importance during the war.

Return to Saigon for lunch at Pho Co restaurant and rest of the day is at leisure.

Dinner tonight is at Vietnam House restaurant.

Overnight: Majestic Saigon Hotel
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 8: Mekong Delta (My Tho)

Full day Mekong Delta Tour with Lunch.

Travel the bustling highway into the surrounding countryside where you will pass lush rice paddies carefully tended, before boarding your motorised sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways.

You will see how, to the people of Delta, the water is a lifeline - the focus of all daily activity - as you journey through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Enjoy a sample of delicious fruit in the shade of a fruit farmer's garden.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where the speciality is a remarkable dish of 'elephants ear fish' on the way back to Saigon.

Farewell Dinner at Mandarin restaurant
Overnight hotel Majestic in Saigon
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Saigon & Departure

Morning at leisure until transfer out for the onward flight
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Hanoi - Sapa
Today you will board the Victoria Express night train and settle into your 4-berth sleeper compartment.
Overnight on train in superior cabin

Day 2: Sapa
You have an early arrival into Lao Cao station, from where you?re transferred, in approximately 1 hour, to Sapa. Surrounded by the vista of Vietnam?s highest peak, Fansipan, the region holds countless trails and walks for all levels of enthusiasts and provides an introduction into the lives of the isolated communities to the north. Enjoy a walk through Sapa colourful market and stroll down into the valley to visit the small community of Cat Cat. In the afternoon you trek to Ta Phin village, commencing with a short walk through Sapa and along a trail through beautiful gardens, lush pine forests, rice paddy fields and other spectacular scenery. Your guide will then prepare lunch for you before you begin your afternoon trek to the Red Dao Village of Ta Phin.
Overnight in Sapa (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Day 3: Sapa - Hanoi
Full day walk with packed lunch to Dao Giay and Hmong settlements in Lao Chai and Ta Van Ray districts. The walk is moderate to intermediate, descending down into the scenic valley of cascading water crossed by suspension bridges. Late afternoon you will return to Lao Cai station and board the night train for your journey back to Hanoi.
Overnight on train in superior cabin (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Day 4: Arrival Hanoi
Early this morning you arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.

Day 1: Arrive Saigon

Meet and greet at airport upon arrival and transfer in to hotel. Saigon, surely one of the most evocative place names in Asia and definitely one of the most extraordinary cities in the world.

The most Western in atmosphere of Vietnam's cities, Ho Chi Minh City (to use it's official name - although to residents and visitors alike it is universally and affectionately known as Saigon) has a population of 5 million, and a booming free-market economy.

It is a city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels, exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside noodle stalls, street children and vociferous cyclo drivers. Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable markets, pagodas and karaoke rooms.

Bustling, booming, crowded, noisy - all words that barely scratch the surface of the addictive and often mesmerising chaos that is Saigon. And yet there are the elegant colonial French boulevards and buildings, the Cathedral, the riverfront, the quiet moments at a sidewalk café watching the world literally go by you at breakneck speed. Saigon.

A city that is almost indescribable and completely unforgettable.
Rest of the day is at leisure
Dinner tonight is at local restaurant to enjoy a traditional music performance
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Dinner)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels and Highlight of Saigon

This morning journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war.

It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.

The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.

Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering - some are easily accessed by stairs.

We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty! Return to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon you will do a highlight of Saigon city tour.

In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War.

Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Take the opportunity to see a delightful performance of Water Puppetry in the grounds.

Visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the 'wedding cake' styled hotel d'ville and Dong Khoi street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat.
Overnight Hotel in Saigon
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Saigon &ndash Danang / Hoi An

This morning departure transfer hotel/airport for flight SGN/DAD. One of the most ancient cities in Vietnam, Danang was the centre of the Cham Dynasty from the 2nd century and today boasts the largest and most impressive collection of Cham artefacts anywhere in the world.

Danang's rich cultural history, it's proximity to the extraordinary ruins of My Son, it's atmospheric riverfront promenade, it's world-famous Cham Museum all continue to draw visitors.

Unwelcome visitors have made their mark here too, Danang was the first landing point for the invading French troops and again decades later for the US Marines.

Close by Danang is China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia. Also nearby are the Marble Mountains, the 5 craggy limestone peaks that are said to represent the 5 elements of the universe.

A climb inside through the hundreds of natural caves and grottoes is a must. Upon arrival, visit the Cham Museum in Danang, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Hindu in origin, the Cham people left a legacy of excellent sculptures, now housed in the only museum if its kind in Danang, as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders.

Continue to the Marble Mountains for a photo stop before checking in to your hotel in China Beach (or Hoi An). These five rocky outcrops are said to represent five natural elements, and are the source of many intriguing legends, as well as housing temples and once even an army hospital! You will see skilled artisans carving all manner of statues from marble sourced locally at the mountains' base. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon you take a Hoi An walking tour. Just a short drive from Danang, the unique trading town of Hoi An was a civilisation cut off by destroyed rail lines and a silted river, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time.

See architecture reminiscent of traders of a bygone era - Japanese, French, Chinese, and Indian, as well as beautifully preserved ancient houses. No cars are allowed to pass through Hoi An, rendering it an excellent walking village.

Visit the unique Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese communal house. Shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy the riverside ambience.
Overnight Hotel in Danang or Hoi An
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Danang / Hoi An &ndash Hue

This morning you drive overland to Hue city. Visitors to Hue are often taken aback to discover that the sleepy provincial town of Hue was once the religious, economic and cultural epicentre of Vietnam, the mighty Imperial headquarters, and the political capital of the country until 1945.

That this glorious architectural masterpiece of a city should have been reduced almost completely to rubble as a result war is indeed a tragedy in the truest sense of the word.

Thirteen Nguyen Dynasty Emperors ruled Vietnam from Hue. They built a fortress around the ancient city, a huge Citadel, with walls 10 metres thick, modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City.

Even this seemingly impenetrable defence though was useless during the Tet Offensive of 1968, when the proud city of Hue was reduced to ruins. Hue today has regained it's royal demeanour and is a calm, peaceful and relaxed place to visit.

The remaining French colonial garden houses and villas, the quiet streets, the riverbanks, the outlying tombs and pagodas that escaped damage - all give Hue a unique atmosphere of tranquillity.

Check in to your hotel upon arrival and lunch at hotel.

Afternoon visit to Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market In the very early 19th Century, when the Nguyen Dynasty administered Vietnam from Hue, the Emperor Gia Long commenced construction of a mighty citadel from where he could both live and rule.

The resulting Imperial Citadel was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, however unfortunately suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the pavilions, bridges, libraries and great halls are now being carefully restored with help from UNESCO.

Marvel at the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years.
Overnight Hotel in Hue
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5: Hue

This morning you will have a touring of Emperors of Contrast (Tu Duc and Khai Dinh's Tombs). Visit first the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting.

In stark contrast, continue to Khai Dinh's Tomb. Remembered as the 'Puppet Emperor' because of his affiliation with the French, this tomb was designed with colonial flair, and a glass mosaic frieze dominates the interior.

Lunch at local restaurant before taking a flight to Hanoi. Meet at the airport upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Vietnam's capital is described by almost all who go there as "an old-fashioned city".

Old-fashioned in style, it is a city of lakes, parks, trees, villas, mansions and an area called the Old French Quarter where crumbling houses are crammed into narrow alleyways that are still named after the goods that were traded there - Silk Street, Gold Street, even Fried Fish Street!

Old-fashioned in atmosphere, Hanoi has sidewalk cafes, pavement barbers, less traffic than Saigon, less frenetic rushing about, less noise, simply less people. Wide tree-lined bicycle-filled boulevards, elegant colonial French mansions, the grandeur and solemnity of Ho Chi Minh's monumental Mausoleum, the incongruous rustic simplicity of the house in which 'Uncle Ho' lived out his final years, the barely concealed misery of the Hoa Lo Prison, the 'Hanoi Hilton' where so many prisoners of war were incarcerated, the religious pride that constructed the beautiful temple of Literature compound - it's all here in Hanoi, a microcosm of the Vietnamese culture.
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6: Hanoi

Morning continue visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. (Subject to opening times the interior of the mausoleum can be visited)

See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example.

See also the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon Hanoi city tour including Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Army and Historical Museum, Hanoi 36 Ancient Streets.

Enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House.

Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference).

Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.

Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise!
Overnight Hotel in Hanoi
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7: Hanoi departure

Departure transfer from hotel to Hanoi airport for onward international flight
(Breakfast)

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City & Dalat
The drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat (approx. 7 hours) passes through spectacular countryside as the road weaves through plantations, villages and mountains to the plateau of the Central Highlands. There will be opportunities to stop at silk weaving farms and coffee and tea plantations en-route as we explore this verdant region. Check in to your hotel.
Late afternoon visit the town's bustling central market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and fruit that is rarely found in a tropical country they even grow strawberries here and environs. Take a tandem or horse ride around Xuan Huong Lake (on your own expenses).
Overnight Dalat.
(Lunch)

Day 2: Dalat
This morning you will explore Dalat highlights tour. Much delight will be taken in an exploration of Dalat's architecture - from the villas of the 'French Quarter' to the unusual guesthouse shaped with each annex shaped like a different animal, known as the 'Crazy House'! You will visit the Tuyen Lam Lake and its pagoda, the former Railway Station (in use only for an optional steam train ride) and Dalat Cathedral. Continue to visit Bao Dai's Summer Palace that sits on a hill just outside the main centre. Bao Dai was the Last Emperor of Vietnam and the Palace has been preserved exactly as he left it in 1954. It is a classic example of art deco that is a tourist attraction in itself. Afterward, you go to visit. Subject to opening times, also visit the Ethnic Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and traditional costumes.
Lunch at local restaurant and afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight Dalat.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Dalat & Nha Trang
Enjoy a spectacular drive through the lush Ngoan Muc mountain pass to the coastal plain near Phan Rang. The highland crops of coffee, tea and vegetables are replaced with that of tobacco, grapes and rice as the road descends into the dry climate. Follow the sparkling coastline to the resort town of Nha Trang (approx. 5 hours).
Lunch at local restaurant upon arrival
This afternoon, you will do a highlight tour of Nha Trang. Visit to Visit Long Son Pagoda, which was founded in the late 19th Century. From the pagoda, those more energetic will have the chance to climb the 152 stone steps leading to the giant white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. There are superb views of the whole city from the platforms around the Buddha (14 metres high), which was built in 1963. You will also visit Dam market in the centre of Nha Trang - one of Vietnams' most interesting local markets. There's a colourful selection of local produce. Fruit, vegetables and seafood are the most common but you will also see dried seahorses and lizards - popular specialities of Nha Trang! Evidence of the ancient Cham civilisation of Vietnam can be seen in Nha Trang at the hill top Po Nagar Cham Towers. Built between the 7th and 12th Century and named in honour of the former Cham Princess who introduced her people to profitable weaving and wet rice cultivation techniques, it is still used as a centre for worship today. Walk across Ha Ra Bridge below to photograph the abundant fishing boats moored in the shallow Nha Trang harbour. Boats are
brightly painted in blue and red - an engaging sight against a typically azure sky.
Overnight Nha Trang.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4: Nha Trang
Enjoy a morning of exploration in the countryside on the People of Nha Trang tour.
Just a few kilometres from Nha Trang's beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Here the local people go about their daily business, with farming and cottage industry traditionally the mainstream of their simple lives. Board a small, motorised boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang. Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes. The aroma wafting from the primitive oven is tantalising! The village path leads us to the home of one family who weave mats from rushes, which grow abundantly in the area. Two people working together will weave just four mats in a day, which will be taken to the local market and traded for food and other essentials.
Visit a local home - these are traditionally laid out in the same manner throughout the village. Ancestor worship is an important part of daily life in Vietnam and a large area of these small homes is usually reserved for the family alter. Pass through a fruit orchard boasting a plentiful supply of tropical fruits - sample some at a riverside cafe, where you may see children playing or bathing with their water buffalo at the end of a days' work in the rice paddies.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure for you to enjoy the beach.
Overnight Nha Trang
(Breakfast)

Day 5: Nha Trang & Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Cam Ranh airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City
(Breakfast)