VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS - 09 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, meet the local guide, and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day Hanoi city tour covering:

•Ho Chi Minh Complex

•Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts

•One Pillar Pagoda

•Temple of Literature

•Hoan Kiem Lake at sunset

Overnight at hotel in Ha Noi.

Transfer to Ha Long Bay in the morning, with a stop en route at a handicraft workshop.

On arrival, check in aboard the cruise after the welcome drink and begin sailing while lunch is served on board.

Cruise highlights include:

•Dinh Huong Island

•Ga Choi Island

•Dog Island

•Sail Island

•Sung Sot Cave

•Titov Beach

Enjoy sunset views, dinner on board, optional fishing in the evening, and an overnight stay on the cruise in Ha Long Bay.

Early risers can enjoy dawn views over the bay, fresh sea air, and a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

After tea and coffee onboard, continue cruising and see Human Head Shaped Island, Tortoise Island, and Bai Tu Long Bay.

Check out, have lunch on board while heading back to shore, disembark, and transfer to Hanoi.

Check in at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel.

Depart for Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An eco-tourism site, with a short break en route.

Visit Bai Dinh, one of the largest pagoda complexes in Vietnam. Later continue to Trang An for a boat trip through cave systems and dramatic limestone scenery often called "Ha Long Bay on land."

Highlights include:

•Bai Dinh Pagoda

•Trang An eco-tourism site

•Sang Cave

•Toi Cave

•Ba Giot Cave

•Sinh Cave

Return to Hanoi in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel and check out. Take your flight to Da Nang.

On arrival, enjoy a Da Nang city tour featuring the Marble Mountains, known for stone stairways, Buddhist pagodas, caves, and panoramic views from the top.

Also visit the nearby stone village, where local artisans create marble products.

Check in at hotel and enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Da Nang.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Hoi An for a full-day city tour.

Explore the World Heritage town and discover its well-preserved trading-port architecture, cultural history, and local traditions.

Sightseeing includes:

•Japanese Covered Bridge

•Museum of Trade Ceramics

•Tan Ky House

•Ong Temple

•Local market

•Thanh Ha Village

Check in at hotel in Hoi An and enjoy free time for leisure or shopping.

Note: Hoi An is especially popular for quick tailor-made clothing.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Ba Na Hills, a mountain resort known for experiencing multiple seasons in a single day.

Visit key attractions including:

•Golden Bridge

•Debay Wine Cellar

•Linh Ung Pagoda

•27m Buddha Statue

•Loc Uyen Garden

•Quan Am Pavilion

•Entertainment Paradise

•Natural monkey garden

•God Mountain

Lunch during the excursion is on your own.

Later transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, meet the guide and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning, take an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network once used by Viet Cong forces during wartime.

After returning to Ho Chi Minh City, continue with a city tour covering:

•Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

•Saigon Central Post Office

•Cho Lon (Chinatown)

•Jade Emperor Temple

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

After breakfast, travel to the Mekong Delta and My Tho.

Board a boat and cruise through canals to observe local life, waterways, and lush river islands.

Today's experiences include:

•Boat ride through the Mekong canals

•Unicorn Island orchards

•Fresh fruit tasting

•Southern-style traditional music

•Ben Tre coconut candy workshop

•Horse-pulled carriage ride

•Honey and honey tea tasting

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at hotel. Complete check-out formalities and meet the guide and driver in the hotel lobby.

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight.