POSTCARD FROM VIETNAM

(13days/12nights)

Day 1. Arrive Hanoi  

Welcome at the airport by your local guide and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, climb into a traditional cyclo (pedicab) for a 90-minute tour of the colonial city's traditional "36 streets of 36 wares" in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake vicinity. In the evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show before dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Hoa Lu

Day excursion to the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, an early capital city of Vietnam that still offers some of the most beautiful limestone formations in the country. Visit 10th century Dinh and Le Dynasty relics while taking in the scenery that gave the area the nickname "Halong Bay of the rice paddies". After lunch, take a relaxing sampan cruise to visit the caves of Tam Coc, "The Three Lagoons". Return to Hanoi at the end of the day for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Hanoi city tour 

Full-day tour of Vietnam's capital city, including Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and traditional stilt house, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Pay visits to typical Vietnamese places of worship, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, along the shore of West Lake. Just before lunch, tour Vietnam's first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon visit the Ethnology Museum, and end the day at the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 4. Hoa Binh  

In the morning leave Hanoi for Hoa Binh (70 km) to the South-West) to visit Muong and Dao ethnic minority villages. Meet with a Muong village elder who once served in the French army, listening to his stories about the Indochina War while you taste fruit from the village orchards and sample locally-made rice wine. Lunch at a nearby restaurant or at the Hoa Binh Bungalow Restaurant. Return to Hanoi at the end of the afternoon for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5. Hanoi - Haiphong - Halong City  

Morning departure for the colonial port city of Haiphong. Enjoy a city tour, including visits to the Du Hang Pagoda and Hang Kenh temple, before lunch. Proceed to Halong Bay via two ferries and arrive at the end of the afternoon for check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. Halong Bay - Hanoi  

In the morning, transfer to the harbour for a spectacular five-hour cruise of the bay with a fresh seafood lunch served on board. Enjoy the aquamarine waters and lovely limestone formations that have made Halong Bay one of Southeast Asia's premier destinations as you visit a few of the most famous caves (including Dau Go and Sung Sot). Afternoon return to Hanoi for dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An  

Transfer to the airport for the flight from Hanoi to Danang. Welcome and transfer to the Cham Museum, where many sculptures from the ancient Champa Kingdom are displayed. Continue to Hoi An town, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Transfer and check in to your hotel in late afternoon. Dinner in the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8. Hoi An - Hue  

Leave Hoi An in the morning for Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass with a stop to view the spectacular panorama of the central coastline. Arrive Hue and check in at the hotel before heading to the Imperial Citadel and the tomb of Tu Duc, the longest-reigning Nguyen Dynasty emperor (by cyclo, bicycle or car). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9. Hue city tour  

Start the day with a sampan cruise up the placid Perfume River. Enjoy the serene and refined atmosphere of Hue as you visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, and the An Hien garden house. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in the hotel.

Day 10. Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport for the flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City. After pick-up and check-in at the hotel, set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, the War Museum and the ethnic Chinese district of Cholon. Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11. Saigon - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi – HCM City

After breakfast, depart for Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Cathedral and attend a unique and colourful mass. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to Cu Chi, where you will visit the amazing tunnel network built by Vietnamese fighters during the American War. Return to HCM City for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12. HCM City - Mytho - HCM City

Departure for Mytho for a visit to the Mekong Delta. Take a boat cruise on the fabled Mekong River to visit Thoi Son Island. Visit lush tropical fruit gardens and traditional villages houses, with lunch en route. Return to HCM City in late afternoon.

Day 13. Depart HCM City

Transfer to the airport for flight home or next destination.