Highlights of Vietnam - 8 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Halong.
Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Fly to Hoian.
Day 4: Hoian Walking Tour – Boat trip.
Day 5: Hoian – Danang – Hue.
Day 6: Hue – Fly to Saigon.
Day 7: Saigon – Mekong Delta day trip.
Day 8: Saigon Departure.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, take a walk around the center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – followed by a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Tip: In the evening, you may wish to take a peaceful stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), a pretty lake steeped in Arturian-style legend. On weekends traffic around Hoan Kiem Lake is closed off and the area is transformed into a pedestrian space. But this pedestrian area is so much more than just a haven from the chaos of everyday traffic; it is an important community space. You can find families and couples out for a leisurely stroll, musicians performing to crowds, children (and adults) cruising around on two-wheeled hoover boards or roller skates. It is lively and a great feeling!
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Halong.
Enjoy a half day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital, before driving through the countryside of the Red River Delta to the magical Halong Bay. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature, the Fine Arts Museum. In the afternoon, leave the bustle of the big city and drive to Halong Bay (2.5 hours drive).
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Halong.

Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Fly to Hoian.
Today enjoy a day cruise on Halong Bay: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters, located in the Gulf of Tonkin. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Halong harbor to board your private junk cruise for a 4-hour journey. Cruise along the calm waters, between looming, limestone outcrops to visit Dau Go Cave "Grotto of the Wooden Stakes", where, in 1288, one of Vietnam’s most famous generals, Tran Hung Dao, stored hundreds of stakes before battling the invading Mongolian army. A short walk away, visit the newly discovered Thien Cung Cave ("Grotto of the Heavenly Palace"), famous for its stalagmites and stalactites. Savor a fresh seafood lunch, served on board before sailing back to Halong City, where your car will be waiting to take you to Hanoi's airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoian.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 4: Hoian Walking Tour – Boat trip.
Immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town. From the 16th to 18th centuries Hoian was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk still produced in the region. Today, Hoian is a relaxing resort popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and numerous cafes. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. After lunch, take a short boat trip to a nearby island and visit a handicraft village specializing in ceramics. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 5: Hoian – Danang – Hue.
Depart Hoian for the scenic mountainous drive to Hue. Stop at the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of North and South Vietnam, to admire the spectacular views and at the fishing village of Lang Co for a drink. Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walking tour through Vietnam’s ancient capital city, visiting the Royal Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of King Tu Duc (a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king), before exploring the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.

• Visit Hanoi's colonial charm.
• Explore mythical Halong Bay on a day cruise.
• Wander through the peaceful street of Hoian Ancient Town.
• Enjoy the amazing view from Hai Van pass.
• Enjoy leisure walking tour in Hue - Vietnam’s ancient capital city.
• Discover Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon.
• Experience the landscape and daily life of Mekong River Delta.