Welcome to Hanoi the capital city of Vietnam. Upon arrival guests are greeted by the local tour guide and transferred to downtown for hotel check in. In the afternoon visit Ba Dinh Square the biggest square in Hanoi. Visit the Complex of Ho Chi Minh including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside Ho Chi Minh house on stilts his fish pond and the One Pillar Pagoda then visit the Temple of Literature considered the first university of Vietnam. Enjoy an overall view of the capital by cyclo for 1 hour wandering around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake the Sword Lake then wander narrow streets of the Old Quarter to experience daily life of the local people. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight in Hanoi. Please note standard check in time is 14:00 15:00. Night activity suggestions include enjoying local beer at Ta Hien Street experiencing the ambience of the sleepless street with live music visiting bars pubs shopping malls and boutique shops.

Have breakfast at the hotel then drive approximately 90 km south of Hanoi to Ninh Binh the site of an ancient capital of Vietnam. The area features well known sceneries including Tam Coc Caves and the Hoa Lu ancient capital with old temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le. Start the visit in Ninh Binh with a boat trip in Tam Coc where limestone karsts rise from green paddy fields giving the name Halong bay on land. Lunch at a local restaurant. Further discovery includes visiting Bich Dong Pagoda and Hoa Lu the former kings palace now famous for the wooden reliefs of Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel then check out. At 9:00 am depart and drive east for about 3 hours to Halong Bay passing through the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages. Upon arrival check in to the overnight cruise to discover the limestone rocks karst grottoes and islands of the bay. After lunch on board visit grottos stop for swimming or kayaking pass floating houses and approach islets to enjoy them up close. Return to the cruise enjoy a cooking demonstration before dinner. Evening activities are available on board or relax at leisure. Overnight on the cruise. Program may vary slightly depending on the chosen cruise.

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the islets of Halong Bay. After breakfast the boat continues cruising through marvellous areas where many islets have individual names resembling shapes like Sail Island Fishermans Head Butterfly Rock and Turtle Islet. Check out of your cabin and have brunch on board while the cruise returns to the pier. Disembark from the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi. Check in to the hotel and enjoy time at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel then check out and transfer to the airport without guide for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City also called Saigon. Upon arrival welcomed by the local tour guide and transfer to the downtown area. Check in to the hotel normally after 14:00. Start the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War from the local perspective then visit the Reunification Palace now a museum and hall of official receptions. View the Notre Dame Cathedral from outside and see the colonial styled Central Post Office. Late afternoon visit Ben Thanh market for shopping. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at the hotel then morning drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels a network of over 200 km of tunnels that played a vital role during the war. After a short introduction video showing tunnel construction there is an opportunity to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to experience the narrowness and heat. After lunch at own cost return to Saigon. The afternoon is free for leisure sightseeing or shopping around the town. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure until check out and transfer to the airport without guide for the departure flight. Please note normal hotel check out time is 12:00.