DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Vietnam
Depart for Vietnam

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Ho Chi Minh
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

DAY 3, Friday - Full Day in Ho Chi Minh
Spend the full day at leisure or, join the optional morning half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. In the afternoon, choose to participate in an optional half day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market - where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6:00PM. Remainder of the evening is at leisure. Be sure to check out the diversified dining scene in this culinary rich city
Optional: Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels (AM)
Optional: Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour (PM)
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Saturday - Full Day in Ho Chi Minh
Today is at leisure to further explore the city on your own or, join the optional full day Mekong Delta River Tour. Today's journey into the Mekong Delta region will take you along the newly built highway, picturesque countryside and seemingly endless paddy fields. Upon arrival at My Tho, you will board a private motor boat for a fascinating cruise along the river, observing the daily life of local people on the waterways. The tour includes a visit to a coconut factory, handicraft workshop and honey bee farm. You will be introduced to the daily life of the local people, learning about local fruit and plants as well as an opportunity to sample some local tropical fruit in an orchard. The tour ends with a great lunch at a local restaurant by the river bank
Optional: Full Day Mekong Delta River Tour
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Sunday - Fly to Hanoi, Transfer to Halong Bay
Depart Ho Chi Minh on a flight to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you'll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight
Overnight: Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Monday - Cruise Halong Bay, Travel to Hanoi
Incredible views await you today! Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage sites and declared recently as one of the "New Seven Natural Wonders of the World". There are over 3,000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1,000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit one of the caves and afterwards, travel to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital and check into your hotel. This city's history is tied to French colonialism - its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Tuesday - Full Day in Hanoi
Spend the day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hanoi independently, or join the optional full day tour of Hanoi City and Water Puppet Show with Lunch. Embark on a city tour of Hanoi that includes a cyclo ride around the bustling Old Quarter of Hanoi. The cyclo is a very common mode of transportation in Vietnam. Visit the Ho Chi Minh historic complex, and walk through its grounds to view the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (where the late president's embalmed body is displayed), the Presidential Palace, House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Afterward, learn the craft of Vietnamese cooking! Visit the local market with a Chef, followed by a private cooking class. Sample and savor your personally cooked lunch. In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi's most visited temple and one of the city's Tube Houses, a tall dwelling with narrow frontage, to see first-hand how residents once lived. Later, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water. Tonight, join you Tour Manager and newfound friends for a Farewell Reception
Optional: Full Day Hanoi City Tour and Water Puppet Show with Lunch
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Wednesday - Depart Vietnam
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Please Note: Land Price does not include airfare, departure or arrival transfers, airline taxes and fuel surcharges.