11 Days Hanoi-Ninh Binh-Cat Ba-Halong Bay-Hue-Danang-Hoian-Ho Chi Minh-Can Tho Vietnam Tour

Day 1: HANOI-ARRIVAL (D)

Arrive at NoiBaiAirport. Pick up and transfer to a hotel in the city. An afternoon sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising Lake of Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday) and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour) round the old quarters with a stop at a newly-restored traditional long house. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI- NINH BINH- HAI PHONG (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Ninh Binh, 100km from Hanoi. Visit the Dinh & Le dynasty temples in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam (968 – 1009). The highlight of the trip is a sampan ride to Tam Coc, known as Vietnam’s “inland HalongBay”. Paddle through three enormous caves and view local fisherfolk, village life along the river and, of course, the striking limestone karst formations. Move onwards to the Bich Dong cave pagodas dating from the 17th century. Transfer to Hai Phong (125km), the most bustling seaport city in northern Vietnam with charming French-styled buildings, ancient temples and colourful markets. Overnight in Hai Phong.

Day 3: HAI PHONG- CAT BA- HA LONG BAY (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. Take a hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island (60 minutes), the biggest island in southern HalongBay, famous for limestone landscape and bio-diversity. Board a private boat for a cruise through HalongBay (8 hours). Spend a whole day viewing the spectacular sight of countless rock formations, exploring hidden coves ringed by crescent beaches and limestone cliffs, visiting magical grottoes, indulging in turquoise water and marvellous sunset. The calm sea provides an ideal location for sea kayaking (optional with surcharge). Lunch of fresh seafood is served on board. Overnight in Ha Long

 Day 4:HA LONG- HANOI (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Hanoi (170km). Stop over at Bac Ninh, a cradle of traditional culture in the Red River Delta. Admire the rural beauty of the Dong Giao wood-carving village, the Dong Ho printing village and But Thap Pagoda. Move onwards to Hanoi. The sightseeing day winds up with a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilisation of thousands of years ago. O/N in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5: HANOI-HUE (B,D)

In the morning, transfer to NoiBaiAirport for a short flight to Hue, widely known for its magnificent monuments built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945). Pick up and transfer to a hotel in the city. An afternoon tour focuses on the Royal Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with geomancy. A performance of ancient dancing and court music, a world intangible heritage recognised by UNESCO in 2003, is presented in the citadel (optional with surcharge). Proceed to Thien Mu Pagoda to attend the afternoon prayer service. Overnight in Hue

Day 6: HUE- DANANG- HOIAN (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. The morning features the Dong Ba Market, famous for its best conical hats in Vietnam and the tombs of King Tu Duc (ruled 1848 – 1883) and King Khai Dinh (ruled 1916 – 1925). In the afternoon, transfer to Danang (110km). Admire beautiful landscape on the road over the Hai Van Pass or explore the newly-opened 6,280-metre-long Hai Van Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in Southeast Asia. On arrival, visit the ChamSculptureMuseum (closed on Monday) and the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc, where a variety of ancient and modern sculpted articles is displayed. Transfer to Hoi An (30km). Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7: HOIAN-DANANG-HOCHIMINHCITY (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a day trip to explore two world heritage sites recognised by UNESCO in 1999. First, travel on rural roads to My Son (55km), where architectural treasures and sculptures of Cham culture dating from the 7th to the 13th century can be discovered. Then transfer to Hoi An, wander leisurely through the town to behold antique structures: residential houses, assembly halls, pagodas, markets, etc. and watch local daily activities, handicraftsmen at work and a lively show of traditional dancing & music. Transfer to DanangAirport (30km) for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up and transfer to a hotel in the city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 8: HO CHI MINH CITY- CU CHI (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. A morning tour of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, features the History Museum (closed on Monday), a short walk along the shopping Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Municipal Theatre, the Binh Tay Market in Chinatown, Thien Hau Temple and a lacquer workshop. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Cu Chi, 70km north of Saigon, famed for its 200-kilometre-long tunnels. Crawl down a tunnel to feel the underground life, then test your marksmanship with an AK rifle at a local rifle range (optional with surcharge). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 9: HO CHIMINHCITY - VINH LONG- CAN THO  (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Vinh Long, boat on MekongRiver to see Cai Be floating market, sampan ride along small canal, visit to Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet with local home, bonsai garden, taste seasonal fruits, tea with honey. Lunch at local home. Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho

Day 10: CAN THO- HO CHI MINH  (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. Boat on MekongRiver to see Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets.

Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City with stopover at Vinh Trang Old Pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant in Trung Luong. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: HO CHI MINH- DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure until check-out at noon. Transfer back to the airport for departure