Ho Chi Minh City • Dalat • Nha Trang • Danang • Hoi An • Hue • Hanoi • Halong Bay

Located in South East Asia, Vietnam is emerging as a major tourist attraction with its legacy of Colonialism and War. With its two main cities, the political capital Hanoi and the economic capital Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) Vietnam is fast becoming a travellers paradise. Apart from these cities, Vietnam's countryside also offers many beautiful attractions.

Saigon, surely one of the most evocative place names in Asia and definitely one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. The most Western in atmosphere of Vietnam's cities, Ho Chi Minh City (to use it's official name - although to residents and visitors alike it is universally and affectionately known as Saigon) is a city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels, exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside noodle stalls, street children and vociferous cyclo drivers. And yet there are the elegant colonial French boulevards and buildings, the Cathedral, the riverfront and quiet moments at a sidewalk cafe watching the world literally go by you at breakneck speed.

Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2. Ho Chi Minh City. After breakfast, drive out of Ho Chi Minh City into the surrounding countryside. Lined by rice paddies, the main '"highway" is thronged with bicycles, heavily laden buses and people making their way to market. It's hard to believe that you are entering what was once a war zone of immense strategic importance. The Cu Chi area is famous for its 200 kilometre network of underground tunnels, which were used by the Viet Cong forces to fight against both the French and later the Americans. Most tunnels were only 60-70 centimetres wide and 1.5 meters high, with thick roofs capable of withstanding the weight of tanks or the impact of bombs. The tunnel entrances are well hidden with underground meeting rooms, kitchen, hospital and sleeping areas. Lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, discover the contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. You will see colourful markets selling everything from chillies to French bread and, of course, an endless stream of bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes. Stops are included at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the beautiful Post Office building. Also visit the former Presidential Palace, now Reunification Hall. Your tour will include the reception and dining rooms of the President's quarters, and the basement - still full of ancient American made telecommunications equipment, strategic military maps lining it's walls. Continue to the History Museum for a visit. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. BL

Day 3. Ho Chi Minh City/Dalat. After breakfast, drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat passing through spectacular countryside as the road weaves through plantations, villages and mountains to the plateau of the Central Highlands. Dalat was originally built by the French as an escape from the humid summers of the coast. Parts of the town with their faded French villas, cobbled streets and surrounding pine forests have a distinct European feel. Dalat's architecture includes the villas of the 'French Quarter', Bao Dai's Summer Palace, the Ethnic Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and traditional costumes and Dalat Cathedral. Overnight in Dalat. BL

Day 4. Dalat/Nha Trang. This morning visit the town's bustling centre followed by a visit to the former Railway Station. Lunch at a Dalat local restaurant. Afterwards, enjoy a spectacular drive through the lushmountain passes to Nhatrang (approx.3 hours). With a backdrop of mountains, numerous deserted islands and kilometres of white sandy beaches it is hard not to enjoy such an idyllic location. It is ideal for a beach interlude. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang. BL

Day 5. In Nha Trang. Off shore from Nha Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with idyllic fishing villages. Pause at one of these villages, Bai Tru and wander at will. There will be an opportunity to swim and snorkel in secluded bays. Return to the town to have lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon exploring the countryside on the People of Nha Trang tour. Just a few kilometres from Nha Trang's beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards where local people go about their daily business. Board a small, motorised boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang. Visit a local home - these are traditionally laid out in the same manner throughout the village. Overnight in Nha Trang. BL

Day 6. Nha Trang/Danang/Hoi An. After breakfast, transfer to your morning flight to Danang. On arrival at Danang, visit the Cham Museum, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Continue past the Marble Mountains, which are the source of many intriguing legends. After passing China Beach, proceed to Hoi An which was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. Lunch at a local restaurant in Hoi An. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. BL

Day 7. Hoi An. Enjoy a walking tour around this relaxing little town which is a wonderful spot for shopping and souvenir hunting. Some of the 17th century houses are emporiums with silks, embroidery work, Chinese lanterns and silk paintings. After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free to explore Hoi An at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. BL

Day 8. Hoi An/Hue. After breakfast, pick you will proceed to Hue via Cloudy Pass or via The Hai Van tunnel . Arrival in Hue and take a Perfume River cruise and also visit Thien Mu pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb and Imperial Citadel. A comfortable boat ride along the meandering Perfume (Huong) River offers a relaxing trip. Lunch at a local restaurant then check in to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hue BL

Day 9. Hue/Hanoi. Today fly to Hanoi. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Old-fashioned in style, it is a city of lakes, parks, trees, villas, mansions and an area called the Old French Quarter where crumbling houses are crammed into narrow alleyways that are still named after the goods that were traded there. Hanoi has sidewalk cafes, pavement barbers, less traffic than Saigon. Wide tree-lined bicycle-filled boulevards are side by side with elegant colonial French mansions. Lunch on your own.

This afternoon take a cyclo pedi-cab from your hotel to the 36 streets where all handicrafts or trades were traditionally centered; each trade working on its own separate street. In the 'Old Quarter' is the Memorial House, a traditional Chinese-style house renovated to show how merchants would have lived here. It is the only example of its kind in the city.

Later, your cyclo (pedi-cab) awaits to take you to the theatre where the ancient and unique art form of Water Puppetry is enacted. Following the performance, continue to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi. BD

Day 10. In Hanoi. This morning to take a tour of Hanoi. Start your sightseeing with a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, his house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. From there you continue to the Temple of Literature. This beautiful temple is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. You also visit the 15th century Tran Quoc pagoda on West Lake (Ho Tay) as well as Quan Thanh temple on nearby Truc Bach Lake. Lunch at a local restaurant. Later visit the Historical Museum and the Opera house, the legend-misted Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple and the Lake of the Restored Sword. Overnight in Hanoi. BL

Day 11. Hanoi/Halong Bay. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Halong Bay is often called Vietnam's eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it is hard to dispute that claim. 3000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally beautiful in the country with incomparable coastal scenery. Lunch at a local restaurant in Halong Bay. The remainder of the day free to relax. Overnight in Halong Bay. BL

Day 12. Halong to Hanoi. Today cruise on board a traditional junk on the Bay, stopping at some of the grottoes and caves on the islands to explore on foot. Lunch is a delicious seafood feast prepared onboard. In the afternoon drive back to Hanoi and arriving late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi BL

Day 13. Hanoi/Hong Kong/North America. Transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure. B

• Flights within Vietnam.
• 12 nights standard or first class accommodation in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City (2), Dalat (1), Nha Trang (2) Hoi An (2), Hue (1), Hanoi (3) Halong Bay (1).
• Meals as indicated by BLD.
• All sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• All transfers as per itinerary

12/09