Start in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, we go to Ha Long Bay, where astonishing limestone islands rise steeply out of clear emerald water. Our next destination to history of Hue with its many majestic palaces then to enchanting Hoi An where we will relax at one of the most beautifu beaches in Asia. The last days spent around Ho Chi Minh city a bustling city, formerly Saigon, the hynamic heart of Vietnam, our tour will bring you to Cuchi tunnels. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF
DAY 1:     HANOI – ARRIVAL
DAY 2:     HANOI
DAY 3:     HANOI – HALONG–HANOI
DAY 4:     HANOI – HUE
DAY 5:     HUE – DANANG – HOIAN
DAY 6:     HOIAN – SAIGON
DAY 7:     SAIGON – CUCHI
DAY 8:     SAIGON - DEPARTURE

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, welcome to Vietnam by our guide and transferred to hotel for check in. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. Depending on arrival time optional activities can be arranged on this day.

Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2: HANOI

Morning, city tour to visit Hochiminh Complex, this complex  comprises the Mausoleum of the nation’s founder Hochiminh (closed on Monday, Friday and the whole months of October-November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 and Vietnam museum of ethnology.

Afternoon, visit Thang Long Royal Citadel (NEW) has been recognized as a world Cultural  heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Dynasty.  You will explore West Lake, which is steeped in legend and is bordered by several significant pagodas. We will view Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam's oldest pagoda, built in the 6th century and located on Cayang Island in the middle of the lake.  We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with Ngoc Son Temple, take 1-hour cyclo ride to visit Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long theatre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG - HANOI

Drive to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site (160km driving one way - 3.5hrs drive). This will be your first opportunity to see some of the rural areas of Vietnam. The drive goes through the Red River delta, so we'll have plenty of chance for taking photo of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy field.
Arrival Ha Long Bay, enjoy 04 hours boat cruise on Ha Long bay _ listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. The trip will bring you an unforgettable memory of Ha Long Bay. Especially a fresh seafood lunch is served on board during cruise. Boat will stop at Thien Cung cave and Dau Go caves for sightseeing. Late afternoon, transfer back Hanoi and free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 4: HANOI - HUE

Morning, transfer to airport for flight to Hue by .......
Arrival Hue, meet our guide and transfer to visit Hue Citadel - Vietnam’s former imperial capital and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel) and Khai Dinh Tomb _ In comparison with those of the preceding emperors, it is very elaborate. It is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern. Stop at Dong Ba market for shopping.
Afternoon, we cruise along the Perfume River. Being the former royal capital, Hue's surrounding countryside contains several of the tombs of the former Nguyen Emperors to visit Minh Mang Tomb. Back to the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, It is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hue

DAY 5: HUE- DANANG - HOIAN

Morning, leave Hue we drive south to Hoian which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The scenic road is hugging the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We stop en route to visit the Cham Museum in Danang City, the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe.Arrival Hoian, check in hotel then take city tour to visit  the ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are  plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are  the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hoian

DAY 6: HOIAN - HOCHIMINH

Morning, free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Hochiminh by ...Arrival Hochiminh, meet our guide at airport and transfer to hotel for check in.
Afternoon, we will take a halfday Sai Gon city tour: Visit Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975 and War Remnant Museum – contains countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting American war crimes Such documents illustrate the killing of civilians, speading of chemicals, torturing of prisisoners, and the effects of the war on the north.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hochiminh

DAY 7: HOCHIMINH - CUCHI TUNNELS

Morning, drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered.
Drive back Hochiminh, we continue to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office , former US Embassy, City Hall, China Town and the Emperor Jade Pagoda (Phuoc Hai), one of the most interesting pagodas in Vietnam. End of the day we concludes with a stroll through the famous Ben Thanh Market, whose clock tower over the main entrance to what was formerly known as Les Halles Centrale is the symbol of Saigon. Opened first in 1914, it features one-way aisles loaded with people clamoring to sell you cheap goods (T-shirts, aluminum wares, silk, bamboo, and lacquer) and postcards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hochiminh

DAY 8 : HOCHIMINH DEPARTURE

Leisure time until transfer to airport for flight departure.
Meals: Breakfast




Price Include:

• 6 nights accommodations at 3 stars standard hotel with daily breakfast based on twin sharing
• One night accommodation on board in Halong based on twin sharing
• Domestic airfare for flight from Hanoi – Hue / Danang – Nhatrang/ Dalat – Saigon
• Private transportation with English speaking guide.
• Private boat for sightseeing as stated in the program.
• Entrances fees + sightseeing as indicated.
• Vietnamese food as mentioned in the program
• Gov’t tax and service charge.
• Mineral water is available (free)
• Vietnam Visa Approval letter (free)
• Vietnam Traditional Gift (free)

Price Exclude:

• Visa on arrival, Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
• Surcharge for booking during Chinese New Years from 20 – 30 Jan 2012: US$ 15/ pax/ day
• Surcharge for Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve