Day 01: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam
Arrive Saigon International Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight. Renaissance RiversideDay 02: Saigon
Half-day excursion to the Cu Chi region and Cu Chi Tunnels. Visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American (Vietnam) war. Return to Saigon and enjoy an afternoon tour of the city. In this essential highlights 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 (Vietnam) War. Continue to the History Museum, housing 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 center of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat. Dinner this evening is at a local Vietnamese restaurant. Renaissance Riverside (B,L,D)
Day 03: Saigon – Danang – Hoi An – China Beach
Transfer to the Saigon airport for your flight to Danang. Transfer to the Cham Museum in Danang for a visit. The museum houses the largest and most impressive collection of Cham sculpture and artifacts anywhere in the world, dating from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Drive to the Marble Mountains for a photo stop en-route to Hoi An. In a country 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. Continue to China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia. hotel check-in and evening at leisure. Furama Resort (B,L)Day 04: Danang – My Son
Your day will begin with an early morning drive from Danang through 60 km of rolling countryside, passing through small towns with markets in full swing, often journeying alongside the wide reaches of the Han River. As you draw closer to My Son, which translates literally as "Beautiful Mountain" the condition of the road begins to deteriorate and the last few kilometres of track are often rutted and potholed. On arriving at the My Son area and after crossing a bamboo "Monkey Bridge" you will transfer to a local jeep for the last spectacular 3 km bump and jolt along a river gorge. Finally, a 500m walk through lush hillsides, trees and brush, before emerging into the main site. Your guide will offer full commentary on the Cham heritage of My Son while you wander around this most historic site. Take the opportunity to do so now, as My Son is due to become part of UNESCO's protected monuments list and access may well be restricted in the future. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant en-route back to Danang or a picnic lunch will be provided in good weather. Furama Resort (B,L)Day 05: Danang – Hue
Morning departure for the spectacular overland drive to Hue, the former Imperial Capital. Visitors to Hue are often taken aback to discover that this sleepy provincial town was once the religious, economic and cultural epicentre of Vietnam, the mighty Imperial headquarters, and the political capital of the country until 1945. Hue today has regained its 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. Enjoy a visit to the Imperial Citadel, the remainder of the afternoon may be spent wandering the stalls at the local Dong Ba market, or taking a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Perfume River. Morin Hotel (B,L)
Day 06: Hue
Full day Perfume River boat trip to visit the Royal tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue by boat to the less visited and perhaps most majestic of all of Hue's tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. 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. This evening enjoy dinner at the Tropical Garden Restaurant. Morin Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 07: Hue – Hanoi
You are collected from the hotel for transfer to the Hue airport for your flight to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi, you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour of Hanoi. 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 center 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! This evening, transfer to the theater where the ancient and unique art form of water puppetry is enacted. Sofitel Metropol Hotel (B,L)Day 08: Hanoi
Full day guided tour of Hanoi. First visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. 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. 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. Also visit Quan Thanh Pagoda. Dine tonight in elegance at Hanoi’s premier fine dining restaurant, Wild Rice. Sofitel Metropol Hotel (B,L,D)Day 09: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Full day excursion to Halong Bay. After breakfast, travel across the port city of Haiphong to the massive area of Halong. From here we hire a traditional Chinese-style sailing junk and meander through the area whose name translates as 'Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea', stop off at an islet and climb through a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes, marvelling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations anywhere in the world. Lunch will be served on board the boat (local seafood.) Return by road to Hanoi. Final farewell dinner tonight at the opulent Hanoi Press Club. Sofitel Metropole Hotel (B,L,D)Day 10: Hanoi – Depart
Transfer to the Hanoi International Airport for you homebound flight. (B)
