Day 1. Arrive Hanoi
Welcome at the airport by your local guide and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, climb into a traditional cyclo (pedicab) for a 90 minute tour of the colonial city's traditional "36 streets of 36 wares" in the Old  Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake vicinity. In the evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show before dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Hanoi city tour - Lao Cai
Full-day tour of Vietnam's capital city, including Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and traditional stilt house, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Pay visits to typical Vietnamese places of worship, the Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, along the shore of West Lake. Just before lunch, tour Vietnam's first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon visit the Ethnology Museum, and end the day at the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. After dinner, transfer to the Hanoi railway station for the night train to Lao Cai (departing at 9:30 p.m.). Overnight on the train.(B)

Day 3. Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai railway station around 6:00 a.m. for pick up and transfer to Sapa by private vehicle (a one-hour drive). Check in the hotel upon on arrival in Sapa. Set off on a light trek down into the lush Sapa Valley to explore the Black H'mong and Red Dzao villages. Return to Sapa at the end of the day and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 4. Sapa - Lao Cai - Ha Noi
Today explore the green hills around Sapa by Russian Jeep and visit more remote minority villages. If a Sunday, head to Bac Ha to check out the most colourful H'mong market in all of Northern Vietnam. In the late afternoon proceed to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi. (B)

Day 5. Hanoi - Vinh Bao - Haiphong  
Arrival in Hanoi around 5:00 a.m. and transfer to your hotel for a nap and shower before breakfast. Depart Hanoi for Vinh Bao, an agricultural village 40km from Haiphong. Explore the traditional tobacco, water puppet, paper kite and wood sculpture workshops before a typical country lunch hosted by a family in the village. In the late afternoon, move to Haiphong and check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 6. Haiphong - Halong Bay  
After breakfast, enjoy a short tour of the colonial port city of Haiphong before leaving for Halong Bay. Arriving in Halong Bay around noon. Board a traditional wooden junk and begin your exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of Southeast Asia's premier tourist destinations. An excellent, fresh seafood lunch and dinner will be served on the boat. Overnight onboard the comfortable and charming junk.(B)

Day 7. Halong - Hanoi  
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and a swim, the junk will cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations to Bai Tu Long. Enjoy this more isolated bay's spectacular and unique islands and pay a visit to the Pelican and Surprise caves. Return to Halong harbour after lunch for transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.(B)

Day 8. Hanoi - Hue  
Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Hue. After arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in and lunch in the city, pay a visit to the majestic Imperial Citadel. Enjoy the faded elegance of Hue as you visit the old city by bicycle or cyclo (pedicab). Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 9. Hue City tour  
Board a traditional sampan at 8:00 a.m. for a cruise up the placid Perfume River to visit the tomb of Nguyen Dynasty Emperor Minh Mang and the traditional Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the river. Wrap up the day with a visit to the An Hien garden house to enjoy the traditional architecture and quiet garden paths. After lunch, visit the tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc. Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Hue.(B)

Day 10. Hue - Danang - Hoi An  
Departure by car for Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Stop at Lang Co to stretch your legs on the white sands of this peaceful beach. Upon arrival in Danang, transfer to Cham Museum to view some of the best-preserved statues from this era before heading to Hoi An ancient town. After lunch, explore the old port town's narrow cobblestone streets and pay a visit to historic sites including a traditional Chinese trading house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.(B)

Day 11. Hoi An
Free time to discover Hoi An by bicycle. In the afternoon, it is possible to take a cruise up the Thu Bon River to relax on the long, sandy beach and take a refreshing swim. Return to Hoi An for dinner and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 12. Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City  
Transfer from Hoi An to Danang's airport for the flight to HCM City. Pick up and transfer to the hotel for check-in before touring the historic landmarks of this colonial city once known as Saigon. Stops include the Old Saigon Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the War Museum and the ethnic Chinese district of Cholon. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 13. HCM City - Mekong Delta  
Departure for the Mekong delta by car. Board a small motor boat in Cai Be for a river cruise through the winding canals, where you can get a close up view of the floating markets and daily life on the river. Cross the main branch of the Mekong for a stroll down the riverbanks, where you can stop at one of the many orchards and sample exotic fruits you picked yourself. Proceed from Vinh Long to Can Tho by road. Check in and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 14. Mekong Delta - HCM City  
Today cruise on the tranquil Cai Nong canal before heading to Cai Rang to experience the vibrant tumult of the floating market. Transfer back to HCM City for dinner and overnight at the hotel.(B)

Day 15. Depart HCM City
Morning free for last minute shopping at HCM City's many markets and small boutiques. Transfer to the airport for flight home or onto next destination.(B).