 | Day 1&2 Saigon... be overwhelmed by the thousands of motorbikes weaving through traffic in this, the most bustling city in Vietnam; evoke the charms of Saigon’s focal points by visiting Notre Dame church and the French-colonial era Central Post Office; stroll along the ancient Rue Cartinat or browse at the lively market of Ben Thanh; taste the sumptuous French cuisine or the traditional Vietnamese dishes that Saigon has to offer. |
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 | Day 3&4 Mekong (CanTho)... take a smooth ride to southern Saigon and reach the land that is home to friendly Mekong farmers and fishermen; traveling by sampan and discover the lush beauty of the Mekong Delta as you wind your way down narrow canals past fruit orchards, paddy fields and sleepy villages; visit a floating market, where vendors display the delta’s bounty of fruits and vegetables on their boats. |
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 | Day 5 Hue (flight Saigon-Hue)... catch the morning flight to the former imperial capital of Hue, a Unesco Cultural Heritage site known for its monuments, royal tombs and an imposing citadel that dates back to 1804; marvel at the ruins and the recently renovated areas of the royal citadel; cruise aboard a dragon boat on romantic Perfume river and walk the beloved King TuDuc's tomb; get introduced to and welcomed by a family of royal descendants and learn how they prepare and garnish their traditional royal dishes...then a fantastic dinner awaits. |
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 | Day 6&7 Hoian ….a rewarding drive through the Ocean Clouds mountain pass towards China beach in Danang; be lazy and relax on the fine sandy beach with a picnic lunch, then continue to Hoi An; walk this ancient small town streets and feel Hoi An, ancient gathering place for merchants from Japan, China, India during the 16th and 17th centuries; admire its charming and well preserved architecture and cultural value. |
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 | Day 8&9 Hanoi (flight Danang-Hanoi)... arrival at the cradle of Vietnamese culture; get a feel for the city's enchanting Old Quarter from a brief orientation tour and see the famed northern water puppet show. Tour the best and select sights in Hanoi and explore the well preserved colonial-era architecture as reflected in the beautiful French-built villas; interact personally with Ngoc, a contemporary art guru who is willing to share her passion and knowledge with art lovers; enjoy the sumptuous traditional cuisine. |
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| | Day 10 Ninhbinh… learn about the national heroes Dinh and Le, who founded the ancient capital of Hoalu, dating to the 10th century; glide down a narrow stream in a small rowboat and enjoy a ride through Tamcoc area, which is shaded by steep limestone cliffs that jut out of the blazing green rice paddies. |
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 | Day 11&12 Halong Bay... a wonderful drive to the east coast that passes through rural landscapes; be fascinated by the natural beauty of this Bay where the dragons from ancient lore descended. Serene skies, splendid rock sculptures and emerald waters will surround you as you sail along; spend a night on board a traditional junk in this mythical bay that will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life time. |
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 | Days 13&14 Luang Prabang & the vicinity (flight Hanoi-Luang Prabang late afternoon of the 12th) … explore the ancient temples that dot Laos’ most influential religious center, set in a stunning landscape of wooded hills at a bend in the Mekong River; present alms to saffron-robed monks at dawn; visit outlying ethnic minority villages to learn about the locals’ traditional crafts of pottery and fabric; cruise down the river to the Pak Ou Caves, a series of cave shrines that hold hundreds of ancient Buddha statues; shop for handmade crafts and ethnic minority fabrics in Luang Prabang's many quaint gift shops. |
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| | Day 15 Departure.... enjoy one of the best croissants in all of Southeast Asia at a street-side café while admiring the surrounding French colonial villas in the tranquilt morning then prepare for departure. |
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| | This refined itinerary can be customized to suit travelers' schedule and interests |
