Coastal Highlights of Vietnam 13nights/14days

You will be greeted at the airport by our Vietnam Travel Centre representative and taken directly to your hotel to rest or explore as you choose. Ha Noi is the capital city of Vietnam and the second largest city next to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It is a 1000 year old city that is packed full of diversity, character and vitality. The heart of the city is Hoan Kiem Lake where locals and tourists alike sit, walk or join in with daily Tai Chi and exercise groups. To the north of the city is the Old Quarter where an ancient style of living among the narrow streets and tiny buildings dominates. To the south of the Lake is the elegant French Quarter with its wide tree lined boulevards and Colonial style architecture. After a rest and lunch, enjoy a relaxing Cyclo ride around the central area to get a snap shot of this vibrant and busy city. After the cycle ride, you can enjoy the unique Water Puppet show accompanied by talented local musicians playing traditional instruments. The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

This morning after breakfast, you guide will take you on a tour of the major historical and cultural sites of the city starting with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the revered Vietnamese leader who still commands huge great respect throughout the country. The Mausoleum is in a commanding and impressive setting adjoining the Palace and government buildings. In the same development there are also the Museum, some lovely gardens, a Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's last house before he died. You will next visit the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Vietnam. It was established in honour of Confucius and, for 6 centuries was the centre of learning for the Mandarins, the intellectuals, the administrators and politicians of the day when Vietnam was strongly connected with China. For lunch, you will be taken to a local restaurant to try the famous Ha Noi Pho, a delicious noodle soup. After lunch, the next stop is at the Trấn Quoc Pagoda situated on the largest lake in Ha Noi called Ho Tay or West Lake. The Pagoda is the oldest one in Ha Noi, Originally constructed in the sixth century. The last stop for the day brings you back to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit the lovely Ngoc Son Temple which was built on an island on the Hoan Kiem Lake in the 19th century. Here you will learn about the story of the soft shelled turtle and the sword that was reputed to have been recovered to save Ha Noi from destruction. It is said that turtles still live in the lake and to see one brings luck! Overnight in Ha Noi

The drive to Ha Long Bay takes 4 hours through the Vietnamese countryside and lush rice paddy fields. You will arrive at the port around noon where the boat’s crew will be ready to welcome you on board and check you into your cabin. After a welcome drink cruise briefing, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise along this unique, beautiful and fascinating bay that features thousands of limestone karts (rock formations) and isles in various sizes and shapes. Savour a fresh, local seafood lunch while cruising on to Bai Tu Long Bay. Bai Tu Long is a larger and less commercial part of the area and offers a calm, peaceful, time stopping experience. The skipper will stop offering you opportunities for a swim. You will also get the opportunity to kayak and explore the bay up close. Back on the boat to enjoy a relaxing sunset. Dinner and overnight on board.

The boat will re resume it’s cruising over breakfast which is served on-board or under cover depending on weather. This morning, you are heading for Vung Vieng a local fishing village. You will transfer to a rustic rowing boat to meet the people who live on the Bay and visit their fish farms. Next stop off is at Hon Co Island for some swimming and relaxation. It is a steep walk to get to the opening but well worth the effort. Lunch will be a BBQ either in the cave or on the beach.Back on-board, you are then heading for the Cong Do area for swimming and kayaking through Cong Do and the Thay cave area. After ample time for showers, changing and a pre- dinner drink, you will head into the restaurant area for another delicious meal served by the crew. Overnight on-board.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of the karst landscape. Enjoy breakfast in the fresh morning air of the bay. After more cruising and an early lunch, you will arrive back at the port where your driver will meet you for your transfer back to Ha Noi airport for your flight to Da Nang. You will be received in Da Nang and transferred by road to your hotel in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An. Hoi An was voted by Wanderlust readers as the favourite most city on earth, and not without reason. This historic city situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River is a fascinating mix of ancient town houses, bridges, food markets and lush paddy fields. Just on the edge of town are some lovely sandy beaches. It is also famous for its tailors who are adept at creating what you want from patterns or just photographs.Note: This is the place that is famous for getting great tailor-made clothes at reasonable prices.

You will be picked up after breakfast for a bicycle trip to the country side of the Hoi An town and visit the Tra Que Organic village, where you can visit the gardens managed by the local farmers. Learn about their traditional methods and farming techniques - no machines are used here. Later, you could join-in some of the garden work followed by a traditional feet-soaking session in Vietnamese herbs. In the afternoon you will head back Hoi An town for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will have the opportunity to walk around the town and experience its charming culture. You will visit the old Tan Ky House, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the stylish Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend your day exploring the amazing old quarters, shopping or just relax in your resort or on the beach. Overnight in Hoi An

Spend your morning at leisure before heading back to Da Nang airport for your afternoon flight to Vietnam's largest seaside town, Nha Trang. On arrival youwill be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you can checkin. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to stay in your hotel or to explore this exciting city or just take a walk along the beautiful beach. Overnight in Nha Trang.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from hotel and transferred to the quayside where you will join a shared boat to begin a day of exploring aspects onand around the Bay. The first stop will be the Tri Nguyen Aquarium after which you will cruise to Mot Island, one of the best places for snorkelling in NhaTrang. Hold your breath for as long as you can and dive deep into thiscolourful world of fish and coral. Your next stop is a coral Island where you can catch the sun, kick back and relax. A delicious seafood lunch will beserved. After lunch, the cruise continues to Tranh Island for more swimming before taking the boat back to Nha Trang city. Spend your evening at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Spend your day at leisure in Nha Trang. You can kick back and enjoy the local beach or visit some of the local attractions in the town. Overnight in Nha Trang

Today you can relax as the car takes you along a scenic coast line to the resort of Mui Ne. Check into your hotel on arrival and relax on the beach or,if you are feeling energetic, you can join in with some water sports. Overnightin Mui Ne.

This morning you have a trip to the iconic red and white sands of Mui Ne. The white dunes are the more impressive, the near-constant oceanic winds sculpting the sands into wonderful Saharaesque formations. After lunch, you will head for your last port of call, Ho Chi Minh City. This is a 4 hour drive arriving in the city late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast you can enjoy a city sightseeing tour by visiting the historical Cu Chi Tunnels where Northern Vietnamese soldiers and their families lived in a string of man made tunnels and made surprise attacks on the American and Southern Vietnamese troops. You will then visit downtown and the Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon with a stop overat Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese Temple. You will also have the opportunityto visit a Lacquer-wares workshop and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Later in the afternoon, the tour will take you to the Re-unification Palace, the Notre DameCathedral and the historic Central Post Office that was designed by Mr Eiffel,and stands as a testament to the French influence in this country. Overnight in HCM City.

You can spend the day at your leisure until the time to depart to the airport to connect with your outbound flight. You can further explore the city or choose to visit one of the museums in the city or simply to rest at your hotel.