Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. The vibrant metropolis Ho Chi Minh City teems with energy, activity and motion where traditional life meets modern life. The emerging modern skylines stand cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Begin the tour into modern history with a visit to the REUNIFICATION PALACE which formerly was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president. The 60s-style building was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam and has been preserved in its original state.

Proceed the tour with a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL as well as the CENTRAL POST OFFICE and pass by the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE) and the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from outside). Continue to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive documentation of the long Vietnam-American War. The tour continues with a visit to the historic center. The EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA is

one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most interesting pagodas. After lunch, visit the first Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO): FITO Museum displays more than 3,000 objects, which are arranged in different topics, different materials and age – the oldest being from the 6th century. Visitors can practice grinding medicine, watch a documentary about the history of Vietnamese traditional medicine and taste a cup of linh chi tea before leaving the museum.

Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast variety of traditional goods and handicrafts.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Start the morning at 7 am with a Tai Chi class with Ho Chi Minh City Tai Chi club in the park. The Thai Chi Master will introduce the importance of Tai Chi before practicing the lesson of around 30-40 minutes. After that, proceed by car from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be for a cruise trip around the Mekong Delta. Embark around 10 am on the sampan from the pier in Phu An

hamlet. The crew welcomes the passengers and the cruise begins with a visit to local home factories. Followed by the colorful Cai Be floating market and then continue to Vinh Long and S Dec, cruising upstream on the Tien Giang River, one of the two large arms of the Mekong. After that, cruise on a small beautiful canal and disembark to take a small rowing boat along a

narrow canal passing by local tiny villages and fruit plantations. Finally, Sa Dec town appears like a little “Venice” where guests disembark to take a tour at the local market, walk along the narrow streets with French old houses and Chinese Temples. After lunch in an ancient house from 1890, continue cruising down to Can Tho with stops on the banks to experience the

local life and visit a Cao Dai temple. Before sunset, stop at “Nha Co” – an ancient house from the 19^th century, where a unique candle light dinner will be served. After that, cruise a little further until Can Tho where the sampan stops for overnight on the Mekong River.

Overnight on cruise

The sampan will continue cruising around 6 am, guests can enjoy the breakfast on board around 7 am. Be prepared for the Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the whole Mekong Delta. Around 10 am reach Ninh Kieu pier, disembark and before leaving for Ho Chi Minh City, visit Can Tho local market. Before returning to the hotel, stop by at China Town – a bustling area with thousands of stalls.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Early morning flight to Da Lat and then start the sightseeing tour in DALAT itself which is a charming former colonial hill station with lots of colorful parks, lakes, gardens and waterfalls. Begin at the XUAN HUONG LAKE located in the heart of Da Lat. Continue to the whimsical HANG NGA ART GALLERY, nicknamed the CRAZY HOUSE. This guesthouse and art gallery

reflects the unique style of the architect Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. Then walk around the FRENCH DISTRICT, whose atmosphere reminds of a provincal town in France and visit the DALAT CATHEDRAL. Visit the FLOWER GARDEN where flowers rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnam can be found In the afternoon, the tour continues at the BAO DAI’s SUMMER PALACE to get an insight into the daily life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family. Follow to the TRUC LAM ZEN MONASTERY -the largest Zen Monastery of Vietnam. Finally, end the day at the DALAT WINERY FACTORY - The most famous Wine factory in Da Lat.

Overnight in Da Lat

Transfer to Lak Lake with sightseeing at a Tea & Coffee Plantation en route. The Central Highlands region of Vietnam, famous for its coffee, is one of the few places in the world to produce ‘weasel coffee’, a special kind of coffee made from beans that have been swallowed and digested by weasels. In Buon Me Thuot city, Dak Lak province, Trung Nguyen Coffee is

Vietnam’s largest coffee producer and has produced its unique weasel coffee, Legendee. Guests can try it themselves to find out the real taste of Weasel Coffee which create the branding, prestige and uniqueness of its product. After arriving in Lak Lake, take short sightseeing tour. LAK LAKE is a tranquil area where inhabitants still follow a traditional rural lifestyle. Enjoy a BOAT TRIP by dugout canoe to various MNONG VILLAGES on the lake. Those matrilineal tribes pass name and inheritance through the female line, and generally live in longhouses.

Overnight at Lak Lake Resort

Transfer to Buon Ma Thuot city for sightseeing. The capital of Dak Lak province, BUON MA THUOT is a prosperous town in a region known for coffee plantations and diverse Montagnard population. Visit the town highlights by starting with the ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM, which provides a comprehensive insight into the many distinct ethnic groups of the province, which include the Ede and M’nong, among others. Continue to the KHAI DOAN PAGODA, the LAC GIAO TEMPLE and the local CATHOLIC CHURCH. Visit Dray Sap & Gia Long waterfall complex before return to the airport for flight to Da Nang. Pick up at Da Nang airport and transfer to Hoi An town.

Overnight in Hoi An

Start the morning with sightseeing in Hoi An – this picturesque riverside town south of Da Nang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA is the first bridge on this site and was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Continue the walk to the SA HUYNH MUSEUM which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history and visit the TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL. The family, who donated to build this house, has its origins in China and

moved to Vietnam around 1700. Then visit the PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL which was built around 1690,then restored and enlarged in 1900 is typical for the Chinese clans settled in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). Finish the tour with a visit to the LANTERN WORKSHOP in Hoi An. The framework of lantern will be made by the industry itself and clients can observe locals making silk cloth on the lantern. In the afternoon, discover the magic of Vietnamese organics by visiting Tra Que vegetable village. After a short drive through the local countryside arrive at Tra Que Village, and the home of the host Mr Tuan. A welcome drink of freshly picked fruits is waiting, before taking a walk around the village and learn about the history and customs of this charming village where no electrical machinery is used. Return to the home of Mr Tuan, and this is where the real fun begins. Everyone is given a farming instruments and

Guests are joining the farmers in preparing the land for sewing and getting an inside to local farming methods. Learn to prepare the village specialty named “Tam Huu” spring rools – using local herbs and vegetables. Sit down with the villagers and enjoy a lovely local meal. Return to Hoi An and enjoy a nice dinner at the famous local restaurant “Le Ba Truyen”.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Drive by vehicle from Hoi An to Hue with sightseeing in Cham Museum in Danang which has probably the best collection of Cham art to be found anywhere in the world. Upon arrival in Hue, start the sightseeing and visit the Imperial Citadel, the Tu Duc Royal Tomp, a conical hat & incense making village. After the city tour, visit Vinh Tu garden house and have dinner with royal cuisines there.

Overnight in Hue

Start the day with a boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER with a stop at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA which is an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower and Hue’s most widely recognized monument. Continue the boat ride and stop to visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG which is a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples. After sightseeing Minh Mang Tomb, get on the vehicle and transfer to Phu Bai airport for flight to Hanoi. Transfer from the airport to Hanoi downtown to get a first glimpse of the city by a cyclo tour to Hanoi Old Quarter.

Passing by Hang Ma Street, then Lan Ong Traditional medicine store where the owner will briefly introduce the use and application of Chinese herb medicine (Thuoc Bac) to clients (in 1-hour). In the evening, enjoy the most famous traditional Water Puppet Performance.

Overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, sightseeing in Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of Literature, a glance of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Have lunch at Cha Ca La Vong – a Culinary specialty of Hanoi. In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda on the West Lake, Dong Xuan market before attending the cooking class at Mrs. Le Anh Tuyet’s restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter. Anh Tuyet is a famous cook in Hanoi and she is trying to preserve Hanoi’s unique traditional gastronomy. Learn the tricks & secrets of Hanoi’s traditional cooking with an expert before indulging in the taste.

Overnight in Hanoi

Drive by vehicle from Hanoi to Ha Long. Unwind your body by taking an overnight cruise with the Paradise Cruise. Board the cruise around 12 noon and enjoy a welcome cocktail while the crew briefs the passengers. The cruise sets sail and there will be plenty of opportunity to discover the famous Ha Long Bay with the local village life and the natural wonders

around. Dinner is served on board. Enjoy the evening with music, games or movies.

Overnight on board

Arrive at the pier and then transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Free at leisure until departure time for the scheduled flight. End of the tour