Vietnam Highlights 7 days

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi (L)

Arrive at the airport in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city of tree-lined streets, colonial houses and centuries-old temples. You’ll be picked up and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy a water puppet show and a dinner with traditional folk show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong bay (B,L,D)

The half-day city tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, the Quan Thanh Temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Old quarter s and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour). Leave for Halong (170km), a World Heritage site. Overnight in Halong.

Day 3: Halong - Hanoi - Hoi An (B,L)

Board a private boat for an astonishing cruise in Halong bay (4 hours). Visit some magical grottoes and relax in the best scenic beauty of Vietnam. Lunch of fresh and fine seafood is served on board. Return straight to Hanoi Noi Bai airport for a short flight to Danang. Pick up at the airport and transfer to Hoi An. In the evening, taste and savor the delicacies of central Vietnam, arguably the finest cuisine in the country. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 4: Hoi An - Danang - Hue (B,L)

Enjoy a morning tour of Hoi An, a centuries-old trading post of seafaring Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese merchants. In the afternoon, transfer to Hue (140km) with a stopover to visit the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc and the scenic Lang Co lagoon. In the evening, be the guest at a typical royal court dinner with a presentation of ancient dancing and court music which has been recognized as a World Intangible Heritage. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue - Ho Chi Minh city (B,L)

In the morning, visit the Imperial Citadel and the tombs of King Tu Duc and King Khai Dinh. The monuments, designed by the kings themselves, were also used as holiday retreats during their lifetime. In the afternoon, take a superb boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, a 21-metre-high (69-foot-high) octagonal tower regarded as the symbol of Hue. Dive to the Dong Ba Market, famous for its conical hats. Transfer to Phu Bai airport (Hue) for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city , formerly called Saigon, the largest and busiest city in Vietnam. Meeting at Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to hotel. Enjoy a folk show and dinner. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city .

Day 6: Excursion to Mekong delta river (B,L)

Enjoy a full-day excursion to My Tho, 75km south of Ho Chi Minh city , a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River. The tour includes a cruise on the Mekong River, a visit to local homes and orchards, a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks, a taste of seasonal fruit-and-honey tea and a performance of traditional southern singing. Lunch of Mekong specialties is organized. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city .

Day 7: Departure from Ho Chi Minh to next destination (B)

The morning tour visits the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City; it features the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Opera House and City Hall, and the History Museum. Spend your last minutes shopping downtown (ceramics, silver-carvings, silk...) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure.