On arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport. Your guide and driver will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

This tour starts at 08:30. Drive past the historical Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh President proclaimed the independence of Vietnam in 1945. Next up is the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, built in the 11th century and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2010. Venture inside and explore the underground war bunker that played an important role in the armed conflict with America. Continue the Hanoi landmarks tour with a stroll through areas where sewing shops have been in family hands for generations, and people still practice the old ways, or admire the daily life of local people in the alley of Hanoi. Proceed to the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a temple. Finally, if you feel interested, make a stop at the last courtyard where Vietnamese traditional instruments contribute to the oriental feel. For travelers who are musicians, opportunities to play some notes will present themselves, all under the guidance of the artists. In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart from the hotel early this morning for a 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009) before the capital was moved to Thang Long or presently Hanoi. If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, boasting spectacular views. In the late morning, depart for a traditional Vietnamese lunch in Tam Coc. Along the way stop to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape. After lunch, board a private sampan (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, take note of the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to the area’s nickname, 'Halong on Land'. The adventurous sort can have the option of climbing up Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain. Dating to 1428, it is comprised of three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas. Return by sampan to Tam Coc town before returning to Hanoi. If you wish to explore further Ninh Binh, you can join one of the two boat tour options as below: • Option 1: Trang An Boat Option (in place of Tam Coc): Trang An is a less visited nature reserve illustrated by limestone hills and a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (one of which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An 'eco tourism' area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river. • Option 2: Thung Nang Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Thung Nang is another less-visited area that is similar in style to Tam Coc. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the 3hr 30mins drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to the Halong City jetty (around noon) and proceed with check in formalities. After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on Halong Bay.

Early risers can enjoy an unforgettable sunrise over Halong, with breakfast served shortly thereafter. Enjoy breakfast (or brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to either Hanoi or Haiphong. En route to the airport, visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong, of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam. More a living space than a museum, the Palace is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects, exquisite antiques and remarkable structures. After the visit, head to the airport for the quick flight south to the central city of Danang. Upon arrival to Danang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the town of Hoi An, about 40 minutes south. A major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the centuries. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, start the tour to learn about efforts to preserve Hoi An’s unique historical heritage from a UNESCO expert. From the perspective of a local conservation expert, share in the knowledge of various UNESCO conservation projects taking place in this ancient trading port which dates back to the 15th century. First, meet with the conservation expert at an ancient merchant house for a brief introduction to the current conservation projects that are taking place. Escorted by the specialist, walk through a protected neighborhoods and visit three antique buildings to see ongoing conservation efforts that are underway to preserve the historical heritage of Hoi An. Their unique architecture has influences from the various cultures that flourished here during Hoi An’s heyday as a bustling international trading port in the times of antiquity. Continue the tour with a wander around Hoi An’s charming flower lined streets and take in sights of some of the various historical attractions there, including highlights like the historical Japanese Covered Bridge, the Communal Hall and privately-run heritage photo galleries showcasing Hoi An Ancient Town and its people. Conclude this tour with a walk through smaller streets for a look at the local life of the area, which still retains its unique cultural vibes. Following the day, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, experience a hands-on Vietnamese mask-making lesson. Begin with a walk through Hoi An Ancient Town to meet a paper mask artist at his workshop. His craft is steadily disappearing as newer forms of entertainment have gradually taken over. Learn how this artist contributes to the effort of preserving his craft for future generations. Next, create a traditional folk mask under his guidance. Using specific patterns and colours, these masks communicate a vast array of character emotions in ‘tuong’- a form of classic Vietnamese theatre which has been performed for more than eight centuries. After creating a mask, get ready to enjoy a private 30-minute tuong performance at a simple traditional theatre. Enjoy this ‘behind-the-scene’ experience, watching characters from the play wear different masks to convey various emotions that are portrayed in the telling of a Vietnamese legend. All the while, enjoy the privilege of superior access to both the performance itself and the performers for an unforgettably intimate cultural experience. Overnight in Hoian.

After breakfast, leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. En route visit the Cham Museum in Danang, before climbing over the ‘Pass of Ocean Clouds’. Up on arrival, start the tour at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through DAI NOI ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. The lake is full of lotus flowers in the summer and there are many local style coffee shops around the lake, perfect for soaking in the local scene. Next, pay a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the pagoda grounds is the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self-immolation is one of the most well-known images of the war. Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Afterwards, journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Later top off this tasty evening discovery with a delicious local dessert in a small back street, before returning to the hotel. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, transfer to Hue Airport for the flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in and take a short rest before embarking on a city tour. Begin the tour with a visit to Cholon, the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda. Next pay a visit to Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, with an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Implements used to prepare indigenous herbs and objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies can be seen in the galleries as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine. Head back to the city centre to visit Ben Thanh Market, where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Enjoy a stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale. This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (personal preference) and the former Presidential Palace. From the Palace, stroll to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall (guide and driver will be available at all times). At the end of the afternoon head back to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Please note: the History Museum is closed on Mondays.

The Cuu Long region, which translates as 'Nine Dragons', otherwise known as the Mekong Delta is a great place to discover Vietnam. Amazing waterways hidden amongst vibrant tropical fruit gardens, bustling floating markets that offer a cornucopia of items and acres of emerald rice fields are what make this region so unforgettable. This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh for the 2 hour drive to the delta town of Cai Be. On arrival board your boat for cruise in the Delta’s waterways. Start your journey by passing by Cai Be’s floating market, once a busy place to trade fruits and vegetables and nowadays a more quiet market. Then, continue to a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island; along the way admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch will be local Mekong style serving specialties of the area. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning depart for Cu Chi tunnels, a 1.5 hour drive away. Start the tour with an overview introduction of Cu Chi and its legendary history by your tour guide. A documentary film about the tunnels will explain more about the tunnels' history and how heavy the fighting was in the area during the war. You will be guided to the tunnel system including the weapon factory, hospitals, kitchens and even get an opportunity to crawl under the tunnels. Learn about traps and how trap doors worked. After that you can try delicious manioc which was the main food for guerilla-warriors in Cu Chi during the war. There's even an opportunity to try to fire off an AK47 or MK16 or machine guns at the nearby shooting range. After this, leave Cu Chi tunnels and return to Ho Chi Minh City. You are free for shopping before departure next day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Your private car and guide will be at your disposal until your transfer by private car to Tan Son Nhat Airport for international flights or a domestic extension. Thank you for your choosing Travelshop Vietnam and wish to see you again in our next tours.