Chào ban! (Welcome in Vietnamese) Upon arrival to one of Vietnam’s largest cities we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight:  Hotel 3*, Saigon

We have a whole day to explore some of the most interesting sites, including the beautiful neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House also known as “Saigon Concert Hall’, the Jade Emperor Pagoda with its colorful and mysterious ambiance, the Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh Market. We also visit the Giam Lam Pagoda built at the end of the 17th century and the oldest pagoda in Saigon, Binh Tay Market, and finally the Thien Hau Pagoda, one of the most active in Cholon. Overnight:  Hotel 3*, Saigon

From Ho Chi Minh City we drive to Vinh Long where we board our boat to venture into the green, watery world of the Mekong Delta.

River banks are laden with coconut palms, rice fields, orchards and stilted houses and the water is teeming with boats of all shapes and sizes.

The Mekong comes alive as we enjoy our boat trip past fishing boats, cargo vessels and even floating houses. We enjoy a delighful walk to explore around a local market, various cottage industries and fruit orchards.

The night is spent in a local family to experience their way of life. Overnight in Homestay

This morning we continue boating to explore the fertile tributaries of the Mekong River then to the floating market of Cai Be, where we observe the waterways and learn about the way of life in the delta.

In the afternoon we drive to Ben Tre province, home to lush fruit orchards, rivers and a former stronghold of Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Here, we take a stroll along the banks of Ham Luong River.

This evening we settle in with a hospitable local family for cooking demonstrations and an overnight stay to experience river life. Overnight in Homestay

Our discovery of the delta's waterways and flourishing farms is to boat on the Ham Luong river, and cycle along its banks, passing through mangroves and fruit orchards, stopping at our pleasure to savour the delta's succulent crops and bring us into contact with local people.

Following that we board our vehicle and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving there at around 5pm. Overnight:  Hotel 3*, Saigon

This morning we journey northeast for Dalat. En Route we have the opportunity to stop at La Nga Lake, a reservoir that is crossed by a bridge and is residence to many floating houses. Next on our journey is Dinh Quan, where we will find 3 inactive volcanic craters dating from the late Jurassic period. Finally we explore Dambri Falls, the highest falls in Vietnam, where the views are breathtaking. This area is inhabited chiefly by Montagnards.
Overnight: Hotel 3*, Dalat

Today is our day to tour Dalat beginning with the Hang Nga Art Gallery, a café and art gallery run by the gallery's eccentric owner. The French District is a delightful area for walking around, and is reminiscent of a French provincial town. Next we are off to visit Prenn Falls then head for the Valley Of Love was named the Valley of Peace by the Emperor; however in 1972 its name was changed by romantically-minded students. Dalat Cathedral was built between 1931 and 1942 for use by French residents and holidaymakers and features stained-glass windows that put us in medieval Europe. Domaine De Marie Convent is a pink tile-roofed structure and was once home to 300 nuns. Thien Vuong Pagoda, also known as the Chinese pagoda is set on a hilltop amid pine trees. Later this afternoon we depart for Nha Trang, the home of tens of thousands of descendents of the Cham people.
Overnight: Hotel 3*, Nha Trang

This day is full of interesting sites! The Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the 7th and 12th centuries, were used for Hindu worship as early as the 2nd century AD. The Oceanographic Institute has an aquarium and specimen room open to the public. Next we are off to the Lang Son Pagoda, with an exquisite entrance and roofs decorated with mosaic dragons. At the top of the hill, behind the pagoda, is the huge white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. Nha Trang Cathedral, built in the French Gothic style, stands on a small hill overlooking the train station. The Bao Dai Villas, formerly the retreat of Bao Dai Vietnam's last emperor, were used by high-ranking officials of the South Vietnamese government. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Nha Trang

We are transferred to the airport for a short flight to Danang where we start our tour with the Cham Museum. Founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, it has the finest open-air collection of Cham sculptures in the world. China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name, stretches north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains consist of 5 stone hillocks made of marble and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves, in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. We continue to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hoi An

A full day visiting the many interesting sites of Hoi An, including Quan Cong Temple, founded in 1653. The Phuoc Kien Pagoda is a typical example of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area, was built around 1690. The Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in 1593 was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An, to link them with the Chinese quarters across the river. The Sa Huynh Museum contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Finally we visit the Phung Hung House, a structure that combines Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architectural styles and has been the home to one family for eight generations. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hoi An

Pick up from your hotel and start for My Son. Visit My Son - My Son valley is a most important complex of Hindu temple-towers which is a symbol of Cham Pa art and continuously developed from the 4th century to the 13th century. The ancient Cham Pa people were raised to be “the masters of art in building brick”. So far the technique in building the ancient temple-towers of Cham Pa people remains controversial. The brick were smoothed and laid closely and securely without mortar. My Son value is also reflected in the art of lively and fine sculpture and carving on brick, stone from the images of deities, priests, dances, plants, animals and sacrifices…. because of its prominent value as an example of cultural exchange and integration of external cultures. Especially the art and architecture of Hinduism withe native culture, combined with lively refection of the Cham Pa Kingdom in south East Asia cultural history. Back to Hoi An. Free time. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hoi An

A jaunt to Tu Duc Tomb, once the Royal Palace of Tu Duc, begins our day’s tour. Constructed between 1864 and 1867, its pavilions are framed in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The Khai Dinh Tomb, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty, sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village and houses a long staircase flanked by dragons and decorated with stunning ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Located just outside of Hue on the bank of the Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda was a hotbed of anti-government protests during the early 1960s. The Emperor Minh Mang Tomb complex built in 1840, is known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs, a fitting end to a spectacular day. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hue

Leaving Hue in the morning, you will drive to Quang Binh, a province on the North Central Coast of Vietnam. You will stop to visit part of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) including the Vinh Moc Tunnels, Cua Tung Beach, the Ben Hai River and the Quang Tri Citadel before retiring for the evening in Quang Binh. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Quang Binh

In the morning you will head for the boat station to set out on a trip on the Son river to visit the 400 hundred meter high Tien Son Cave.  Then you’ll re-board and set out to explore the 600 meter underground river, which is the longest underground river in the world.  You’ll then head back to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Quang Binh

You’ll bid farewell to Quang Binh and head to Ninh Binh. On the way, you will stop to visit the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, named a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in June 2011. The citadel was the capital of Vietnam from 1397 to 1407 and one of Vietnam’s most impressive architectural works, using around 20,000 cubic meters of rock and nearly 100,000 cubic meters of soil.  You’ll then continue driving to Ninh Binh. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Ninh Binh

You will first visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam. From here you will start cycling on the countryside road, headed to the ancient Hoa Lu Citadel. You can explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le. Then you will continue riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing the rice paddies of Red River Delta. You will have lunch in Tam Coc, near the sampan pier, followed by a 3-hour sampan trip along the Boi river to visit the Tam Coc caves. After the sampan ride, you will continue biking to the Bich Dong Pagoda., before rejoining your car and returning to Ninh Binh. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Ninh Binh

In the morning transfer to Ha Long bay. Arrive around 12h30 and board the junk for a memorable cruise through the mystical Ha long Bay, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1994. Be delighted by food on board and spend your day admiring one of the natural marvels of Vietnam: visit islets, natural cave of Sung sot and, if weather permits, enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Dinner. Overnight on the junk.

Breakfast at 7h00 on boat , then discover Man’s Head island, Tortoise island, Luon cave, Bai Tu Long bay, Ton island and Bai Tho mountain. Enjoy an early lunch on board at 11h00. End the cruise at 12h, then drive to Hanoi. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a charming city of peaceful shaded boulevards, French style buildings and public parks.  Tour of Hanoi includes the One Pillar Pagoda built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong. Built of wood on a single stone pillar, this structure was designed to resemble a lotus blossom. Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the heart of Hanoi and is home to a small Tortoise Pagoda topped with a red star perched on an islet in the middle of the lake. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s great leader of independence. Our journey today concludes with a visit to St Joseph Cathedral, a striking neo-Gothic cathedral noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and colorful stained-glass windows. On evening Puppet show on the water. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hanoi

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was the cultural complex which comprises Thang Long Imperial City during the dynasties of King Ly, King Tran and King Le and Hanoi Citadel during the Nguyen Dynasty. Through the ups and downs of Vietnamese history, the remains of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long are roughly where the Hanoi Citadel lies today. The central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi covers area of 20ha, includes archaeological area at 18 Hoang Dieu Street and relics in Ha Noi Citadel such as: Bac Mon, Doan Mon, Hau Lau, stone dragons in Kinh Thien Palace, dragon house, house D67 and Ha Noi flag tower. These relics are surrounded by 4 streets: Phan Dinh Phung Street in the north, Dien Bien Phu Street in the south, Nguyen Tri Phuong Street in the east and Hoang Dieu Street in the west. In the morning you’ll visit the vestiges of the ancient earthen wall at Dai La, Hoang Hoa Tham, and La Thanh roads. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight: Hotel 3*, Hanoi

This morning we depart Vietnam with pleasant memories of this historic and artistically rich country.