Day by Day Activtities

Day 1 Depart US for Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 2 Arrival Hanoi Arrive in Hanoi airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 Hanoi (B,D) Our morning sightseeing tour includes Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex with Presidential Palace (facade only), Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter. In the afternoon, we join Mrs. Mai Corlou's traditional Vietnamese cooking class at La Verticale - beginning with a welcome cocktail from Chef and a tour to the local market for the ingredients. We will learn from the chef how to make some authentic Northern dishes in this two-hour class. Enjoy dinner at their restaurant.

Day 4 Hanoi - Halong (B,L,D) In the morning we take a scenic drive to Halong and transfer by tender to the deluxe junk. Your voyage across Halong Bay starts around noon on BaiChay/TuanChau Island at the doorstep to one of Vietnam's heritage. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon on board or kayaking (optional). Dinner is onboard.

Day 5 Halong - Hanoi - Hoian (B,D) Early risers can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Enjoy delight buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its thousands of islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your cruise ends on BaiChay/TuanChau late morning. On the way back to Hanoi, we visit But Thap pagoda - built in the 13th century and reconstructed in the 17th Century, visit the 350-year old thousand hands and thousand eyes Buddha statue. Stop at Dong Ho folk painting village, an essential element of Tet, and the art gallery of the famous artist Nguyen Dang Che - one of the first excellent students of the well-known Indochina Fine Arts College. Dinner will be at Pho restaurant before going to the airport for a flight to Danang. Arrive in Danang and drive to the hotel in Hoian to check in .

Day 6 Hoian - Tra Que village (B,L,D) Today we have short biking (or drive) to Tra Que village. After a warm welcome from the farmer family, we visit their vegetable garden and join them in their daily farming work - preparing the land, fertilizing, seeding and planting. Lunch will be served by the host family with egg- rolls and local pancakes. After lunch, we go back to Hoian for walking tour along Hoian's waterfront from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the main market - stop at the Ancient house Tan Ky, the ornate Fu Kien Chinese temple and down to Hoian local market. Tonight, dinner is at the fabulous restaurant setting in a lovely, privileged garden located in the heart of Hoian.

Day 7 Hoian - Hue (B,L,D) After breakfast, depart Hoian and drive to Hue. Lunch will be served at local restaurant in town and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we visit the tomb of King Tu Duc and the former Imperial Citadel. Tonight we have a special opportunity to experience the Vietnamese traditional customs from a former royal family- Tuyet Nguyen family. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and an authentic Vietnamese dinner.

Day 8 Hue - Saigon (B) After breakfast, we take a boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, an unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. Visit Dong Ba market during Tet celebration - try its unique Hue's specialty "five - color" cakes , a small square cake made of bean and rice powder is an unique of Hue's specialty, and local traditional and cultural products such as Phu Cam conical hat, Phuoc Tich pottery, rattan and bamboo products and Tinh Tam lotus can be found here at the market. Transfer to Phu Bai airport for a flight to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon and transfer to the hotel. This evening, we have free time to explore this bustling city by night.

Day 9 / Jan 24 Saigon (B,D) A full day tour begins with a walking tour around downtown Saigon: colonial quarter Opera House, Hotel de Ville (City Hall), Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post office. As one of Vietnamese traditional before Tet, we visit calligraphers at Youth Cultural House asking for New Year greetings that wishing happiness, healthy, wealth or longevity. Then continue visit Saigon flower market and Ben Thanh market to

Day 10 / Jan 25 Saigon – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B,L) Today we drive to Cai Be visit some local villages with traditional workshops, such as pop-rice, rice-paper, coconut candy and special candies for Tet. We will have a chance to learn how to make Southern Vietnamese rice cake, “banh tet” (a special cake for Lunar New Year). Then continue to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island to visit Bonsai and flower garden. Lunch will be served at local

Day 11 / Jan 26 Can Tho – Saigon (B,L) After breakfast, we visit Cai Rang floating market, the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta. All shops and stalls at the market are boats and barges of different sizes. This is the most interesting sights of the abundant, colorful and bustling river life in the Delta. We drive to Sa Dec visiting one of flower center in the South of Vietnam. All type of flowers and bonsai ship to Saigon and other provinces to boast their beauty in Tet Holiday. Then continue stop by at Sa Dec central market and back to Saigon and check in hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 Departure Saigon - USA (B) Today, we have free time for last minutes shopping or explore city and enjoy the atmosphere of Tet's preparation. Late evening transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight home.

B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Tour Include

• Accommodations based on Twin/Double share with daily breakfast
• Boat fee & sightseeing fee as specified, on a private basis
• Complimentary bottled drinking water
• Government tax and services charges
• Local English speaking guide in each city
• Meals (excluding drinks) as specified
• Pedal cab fee in Hanoi
• Private air-conditioned vehicle as per program

Include Hotel

• 2 nights Hanoi: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi
• 1 night Halong Bay: Paradise Luxury Junk
• 2 nights Hoi An: Life Resort HoiAn
• 1 night Hue: La Residence Hue
• 3 nights Saigon: Caravelle Hotel Saigon
• 1 night Can Tho: Victoria Can Tho Hotel