ITINERARY

DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Vietnam
Depart for Vietnam

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Ho Chi Minh
Transfer to your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

DAY 3, Tuesday - Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, the 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 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday - Full Day in Ho Chi Minh
Today is at leisure to further explore the city on your own.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Thursday - Flight to Da Nang, Hoi An Walking Tour
Depart Ho Chi Minh on your flight to Da Nang. Travel south to the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An. The walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its century's old architecture, includes the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year-old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Ancient House. Afterward, have dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday - Full Day in Hoi An
Spend the day at leisure discovering all the delights of Hoi An independently.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Saturday - Travel to Hue, Hue Imperial City Tour
This morning, travel to Da Nang, with stunning views of bowl-shaped Da Nang Bay. Drive by the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone and marble hills that are home to ancient caves and temples. Journey over the towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries, and museums. Take an afternoon tour of this former imperial capital, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, the principal entrance to the imperial enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the emperor. Continue to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Tonight, spend time at leisure to explore on your own.
Overnight: Hue
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Sunday - Full Day in Hue
Today is at leisure to explore Hue independently.
Overnight: Hue
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Monday - Flight to Hanoi 
Depart Hue on the flight* to sparkling Hanoi, the cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight
*On some departures, the flight Hue-Hanoi may be changed to depart from Da Nang-Hanoi. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager
Overnight: Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Tuesday - Cruise Halong Bay, Travel to Hanoi
Incredible views await you today!  Sail on a traditional wooden boat across the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit one of the caves. Afterward, drive to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital and check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Wednesday - Hanoi City Tour & Evening Water Puppet Show
Today, visit the Museum of Ethnology, center for the preservation and exhibition of the cultural heritage of over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the evening, 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, at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday - Depart Vietnam
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast