OVERVIEW
          
Vietnam's tropical south is a brilliant place to start your journey of exploration on this two-week vacation. Experience the buzz of Saigon, then the cool breezes of the hill station of Dalat. Head to Nha Trang's beaches for delicious seafood and ocean views, experience Hoi An and Hue in Vietnam's center, and the graceful capital of Hanoi. You wouldn't want to miss Halong Bay, or the special touches along the way, that make the 'Vietnam Discovery' unique to Travel Indochina.

 
Day 01: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (no meal)
Welcome at Tan Son Nhat airport upon the arrival. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City/Cu Chi/Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
A morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquerware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown. In the afternoon, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City/My Tho/Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Morning departure from Ho Chi Minh City and drive overland to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta. On arrival, board a sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River and its multiple canals. Visit Cai Be floating market, an old colonial house, a rice corn factory and taste local specialties for lunch. In the afternoon, return to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City/Dalat (B/L)
Leave Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast for a scenic drive through rubber and tea plantations en route to the cooler climes of Dalat, 300km from Ho Chi Minh City. An afternoon of sightseeing in Dalat takes in the art deco former summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai, the old Dalat Railway Station, Xuan Huong Lake, the Central Market and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc, produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 05: Dalat-NhaTrang (B/L)
Morning departure for Nhatrang, the road descends to the arid coastal city of Phan Rang. Break the journey here to visit the 13th century Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers perched high on a rocky hill surrounded by prickly pear cacti. On arrival in Nha Trang, transfer to hotel. An afternoon city tour includes the Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 06: Nha Trang-Quy Nhon (B/L)
A morning boat trip on Nha Trang bay visits some of the nearby islands and there are opportunities to swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. After a fresh seafood lunch return to shore to check out of the hotel for the scenic drive to Quy Nhon. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

Day 07: Quy Nhon-Hoi An (B/L)
Leaving Quy Nhon after breakfast continue northwards up Highway One to Hoi An, breaking the journey to visit My Lai Massacre Memorial near to Quang Ngai. Arrive in Hoi An early in the afternoon. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 08: Hoi An-Hue (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel and free at leisure in the mornig. Depart Hoian in the early afternoon for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 09: Hue (B/L)
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon, visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue-Hanoi (B)
Breakfast at your hotel, free at leisure till transfered to Hue airport for the short flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On arrival at Hanoi, met by  our guide then transferred to your hotel for check in. Free at leisure for the rest of day and overnight in Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi-Halong(B/L/D)
After breakfast leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay with, enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the traditional sailing junk. Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.

Day 12: Halong -Hanoi (B,Br)
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! After another wonderful brunch on board disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi, en route visit But Thap Pagoda in Thuan Thanh Province, known for its four-storey stone stupa and referred to as Vietnam’s first Buddhist centre. The pagoda, built in the 13th century and rebuilt in 1647 by the Buddhist monk Chuyet Chuyet, is a complex of ten buildings over an area of 100 metres that houses ancient statues and artefacts
On arrival at Hanoi, check in at your hotel, free at leisure for the rest of day and overnight in Hanoi

Day 13: Hanoi fullday city tour (B/L/D)
A full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. After lunch, continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi departure (B)
At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight.

PRICING - US DOLLARS PER PERSON (Valid till 30 Sep, 2011)

PRICING – US DOLLARS PER PERSON (Valid from 01 Oct to 20 Dec, 2011)

INCLUSIVE :
-A/C vehicle transfer with driver
-Hotel accommodation in twin sharing room with breakfast
-Sightseeing and entrance fee at all mentioned sites
-English, French speaking local guide
-Meal as stated in itinerary
-Boat for cruising
-GOV tax tour.

EXCLUSIVE :
-International/Domestic air tickets
-Drinks, personal expenses
-Entrance fee for photo or video camera to the sites
-Others not mentioned in the price above
-Tips and gratitude for guide, porters and drivers

HOTEL LIST :

Notes :

-          In case the aforementioned hotels are fully booked, Asian Destination Travel has right to book similar hotels