Day 1:Arrival Hanoi (D)

Meet and greet upon arrival to airport. Transfer to our hotel in town. This evening, your guide will take you out to sample some of Hanoi’s superb cuisine.

Day 2 : Hanoi City tour (B,L,D)

This morning we drive to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh. The complex also contains the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the founding of the city in the 11th century. We follow this with a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. The Old Quarter with its bustling streets are home to hundreds of small thriving businesses, each street denoting its trade, such as Tin Street or Fish Street. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university, dating back to the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucius. From here we visit the impressive Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. This museum is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities, several of which we will see on our forthcoming trek. Enjoy water puppet show.Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3:Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Hang Kiang (B,L,D)

This morning we leave Hanoi head west into the Hoa Binh Province. It is a four-hour drive to Mai Chau where we will have lunch, but we will make stops along the way. Following lunch we drive to the H'mong village of Sa Linh 1 hour away. From here we will start our trek to the village of Hang Kia, a 1.5-hour walk. Our hosts for the evening will be the Hmong minority people. In sampling these peoples hospitality, we find out a little more about their lives and culture. Overnight in homestay in  Hang Kia.

Day 4 : Hang Kia – Mai Chau Villages (B,L,D)

Leaving Hang Kia we continue our trek to the White Thai village of Van. It is a seven-hour trek, and in places is quite steep, but the stunning verdant scenery will be more than adequate compensation for any hardships! Tonight we are guests of the White Thai in a traditional stilt house.

Day 5 : Mai Chau – Hanoi (B,L)

Following breakfast we trek for around two hours to the village of Khoe where we are met by our vehicle that will take us to Poomcoong village where we are treated to a local lunch. In the afternoon we drive back to Hanoi, stopping en route to visit Ho Chi Minh trails Museum. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 6 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.

Day 7 : HaLong – Hanoi – night train to Hue (B,L)

The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights.We relaxe and enjoy on  boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After lunch, wedrive from the unforgettable Halong Bay back to Hanoi. Tonight we  board the Reunification Express for our overnight train to Hue.

Day 8 : Hanoi – Hue (B,L)

Arriving to Hue, there will be a transfer to our hotel for a freshen up and breakfast. We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945.We board our dragon board for a cruise along lovely Perfume river with a stop to visit Thien Mu pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue. It is active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treating of Buddhist. We continue our ride upstream to visit Minh Mang tomb, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes as well as  from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue

Day 9 : Hue – Hoian (B,L)

As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey, this time in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Today's destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 10 : Hoian (B)

Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An  has to offer. You can spend your time walking around  exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and  fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have  been occupied by the same family for fifteen genera- ions. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular  it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town! This evening we transfer to Danang for the overnight train to Nha Trang.

Day 11 : Hoian – Nhatrang (B)

We arrive in Nha Trang in the early morning. Our time in Nha Trang is free for relaxing and soaking up the sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches and swimming in the crystal clear warm waters. Ovenight at hotel in Nha trang.

Day 12 : Nhatrang (B,L,D)

Following breakfast we embark on an boat trip to nearby islands. Seafood lunch will be served on boat or at fishing villages. We continue our cruise for more swim or snorkeling at prime beaches. Take the flight to Hochiminh city. Pick up and transfer to hotel.

Day 13 : Ho Chi Minh city – Cu Chi Tunnel (B,L)

Moring we explore of the major sights, including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum and Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown. In the afternoon Drive to visit the Cuchi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon  all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s,  let the Viet Minh  and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area.  It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers.  In places, it was several  stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth,going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible.  But even so, the planning and construction was incredible.  People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters.  They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke.  There were also hidden  trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back.  And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors.  After Cuchi Tunnels tour, drive to Long Hoa and visit Cao Dai Cathedral.  Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 14 : Saigon – Mekong Delta – Saigon (B,L)

We set off this morning for a drive through the Mekong Delta to Cai Be floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Following these visits we will once again board our vehicle for the drive to Saigon.  Overnight in Saigon

Day 15 : Saigon – Departure (B)

Balance of the day at leisure until the departure transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Cost in USD per person based on private tour ( valid until 30 Apri 09)

List of Accommodation

Trip includes

ü   English speaking guide
ü   All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast
ü   Meals as indicated  (B=breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
ü   All transfers/ transport  by private car/ van/bus
ü   Entrance fees and permits during guided time
ü   Soft sleeper train Hanoi/Hue; Danang/ NhaTrang ;Saigon /Nhatrang
ü   Boat cruise in Halong bay and in Mekong river
ü   Gorvernment taxes and service charge

Trip excludes

ü   International airfares & airport taxes
ü  Pre/post trip arrangement
ü  Visa and visa arrangement
ü  Travel insurance
ü  Meals not indicated
ü  Other personal expenses
ü  Tips and gratuities

 Make reservation II Customized tour